Archives: June 2018

Life Behind the Lens

Matt Heirakuji developed his passion for photography at Sandy Beach, taking photos of friends bodysurfing in the shorebreak. Fast forward a few years and now he’s doing it for a living. This is his story about being a full-time freelance photographer in Hawaii. A big mahalo to Blayne Asing, Kulia Clothing, and Kualoa Ranch for their kokua with this project….

aio Media Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Awards: Leadership in the Industry

Striving for continued excellence in their fields, these individuals have been leaders and innovators for Hawai‘i, its culture, and the people that call these islands home.  Here, you can nominate your candidates under the categories of: Cultural Advisor Young Professional Achiever Outstanding Contribution in Entertainment Contribution to Tourism by an Individual     Return to Tourism Awards categories >> Categories: Business Trends

aio Media Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Awards: Ecotourism

Sharing, preserving, and promoting “aloha” for the land, these organizations, and businesses have championed sustainable objectives and appreciation of Hawai‘i’s natural environment, resources and assets. Here, you can nominate your candidates under the categories of: Agriculture Event Using Locally Grown Products Achievement in Sustainability     Return to Tourism Awards categories >> Categories: Business Trends

aio Media Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Awards: Best Hotels & Accommodations

Delivering world-class customer services, these accommodations have enabled their guests to experience all that makes Hawaiʻi “no ka oi”. Here, you can nominate your candidates under the categories of: Boutique (less than 199 rooms) Small Hotel (less than 399 rooms) Large Hotel (400+ rooms) Luxury Accommodations (Four or Five Diamond/Star Rating by AAA or Forbes Travel Guide)     Return to Tourism…

aio Media Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Awards: Best Attractions & Activities

Taking visitors and locals beyond their “everyday”, these businesses have delivered some of the most exciting ways to experience Hawai‘i by land, sea, or air. Here, you can nominate your candidates for the following categories: Activity or Adventure Company Sports Tourism Event Tourism Transportation Operator     Return to Tourism Awards categories >> Categories: Business Trends

Don’t Let the Name “Microtunneling” Fool You

Windward Oahu microtunneling sewer project was completed June 21, 2018, the city says KIRK RANDLES LEFT his family’s farm in South Wales more than 30 years ago to take his first tunneling job. “It was all hand digging. … So you had to actually physically go inside the pipe and jackhammer the soil, shovel it into a bucket. The bucket had…

A Synonym for Beer

Waialua Sugar Mill closed in 1996, but rumors of its shutdown were already circulating in the late 1970s, says Milton Agader, who worked in field operations. So he and his wife, Lavina, started a business in 1978 called Brown Bottle, just in case. “Do you remember citizens band radio?” Agader asks. “People would talk over the CB radio and when…

Tax Reform: Good or Bad for Hawaii?

Now that you are done with your 2017 federal taxes, you may be thinking: How will tax reform affect me? We test local opinion with surveys of 426 residents and 443 business leaders.   QUESTION #1 Do you think the tax reform legislation enacted by Congress and the president will overall be a positive thing for Hawaii, a negative thing…

No Easy Job

Kahauiki Village is a great model for helping homeless families, but duplicating it will solve only one important part of the homeless crisis The state Legislature has set aside $30 million to construct “ ohana zones” – six encampments providing temporary shelter and services to homeless people – and several lawmakers said Kahauiki Village can be a model. But Kahuaiki focuses on…

Honolulu Sandwich Shop Offers Mean, Meaner, Meanest

When Rachel Glenn told her father about the sandwich shop she and her husband were opening in Honolulu, he expressed concern. “With a name like that,” her father said, “you’re just going to have gangsters hanging around outside.” Thankfully, he was wrong. Machete’s Mean Sandwiches might sound angry, but walk in the door and you’ll find the name belied by…

5 Takeaways About Hawaii Family Businesses

Photo: Aaron K. YoshinoNicole Fong, recently graduated from college, attended Thursday’s Family Business Forum with her parents to get an idea of what succession within her family’s real estate business might look like 10 years from now. “It’s cool to see, even though my family’s in real estate, how companies such as L&L and (other) endeavors have similarities. How the…

5 Takeaways About Hawaii Family Businesses

Nicole Fong, recently graduated from college, attended Thursday’s Family Business Forum with her parents to get an idea of what succession within her family’s real estate business might look like 10 years from now.

Nicole Fong, recently graduated from college, attended Thursday’s Family Business Forum with her parents to get an idea of what succession within her family’s real estate business might look like 10 years from now.

You Can Help Hawaii Heal

Buy from these Hawaii Island companies to help support that island’s economy as it struggles with the impact of Kilauea’s eruption You can support Hawaii Island in this time of need by buying products from local companies. This website, operated by Hawaii Business’ sister magazine HAWAII, links to about two dozen Big Island companies that sell online. Their products include…

Real Estate Achievements 2018

Celebrating some of the most successful real estate agents in Hawaii: agents on the most distinguished list and those with the most transactions.   Featured Agents Iku S. Honda John “Jack” Tyrrell Leiola Augustine Kelly Shaw Sophia A. Yunis Iku S. Honda R, Realtor®, Vice President, International President’s Premier, Luxury Property Specialist, GCREP, SRES, RB-15682 Iku Honda has established a…

Turnaround Artists

There are legendary stories about change agents rescuing local businesses from failure or bankruptcy: John Dean rescued Central Pacific Bank; Mark Dunkerley saved Hawaiian Airlines; Wesley Park helped give new life to the St. Francis Healthcare System, Liliuokalani Trust and Hawaii Dental Service. John Komeiji, who will step into the presidency at Hawaiian Telcom once the merger with Cincinnati Bell…

Which Employee Is Most Likely to Steal From You?

Experts say there are things to watch for and ways to prevent theft in the first place If employees are going to steal from their company, there’s one clear signal, says Hawaii forensic accountant Felice Valmas, whose profession focuses on ferreting out fraud in the business world. They will complain about low pay. “The common thread among employees who steal…

How Addiction Impacts Most Local People

Separate surveys of the general public and of business leaders in Hawaii assessed the effects of addiction.   GENERAL PUBLIC WAS ASKED: Has someone close to you suffered through drug or alcohol addiction? The 266 respondents who knew someone who suffered through drug or alcohol addiction were asked what best described the addict: What drug was the person addicted to?…

Solutions to Hawaii’s Opioid Nightmares

PART 2: “For Once it’s Good to be 50th” The opioid crisis in Hawaii is much milder than in other U.S. states, though it has surged here in recent years. Here’s what is being done locally to reduce the problem. Every day in the U.S., an average of 115 people die from opioids, a class of drugs that includes prescription…