Left to right: HPD Chief Susan Ballard| It’s 2018 and ninety-one percent of countries still have laws that discriminate against women, said Amanda Ellis, an adjunct senior fellow at the East-West Center. “We still do not have a level playing field,” she said, “and that’s what gets me up in the morning and why I’m so excited to be…
Tadpole Studio is not an aquarium. It’s a multidisciplinary design firm with offices in Honolulu and Bangkok. So what do tadpoles have to do with design? It’s all about mentality, says owner and architect Bundit Kanisthakhon, who grew up in Thailand. As a child, his nickname in Thai was frog. But, Kanisthakhon says, it’s important to never become a frog,…
Ten years ago, when Neil Koep opened one of the first European style bakeries on Oahu, he wanted a name that would stand out and let people know this isn’t local style. He picked Fendu Boulangerie. Fendu is a French word that means split. “It’s a tribute to the French bakers I learned from,” says Koep, who was executive pastry…
In this world of smartphones and connected refrigerators, your customers and employees expect you to keep pace with technology. From retail to travel to banking, the consumer expectation of on-demand service is the new normal. This goes for human resources, too. When someone applies for a job, or changes their withholding amounts, or submits their hours at the end of…
Mahina & Sun’s, the restaurant in the remodeled Surfjack Hotel, almost never happened. When the developer pitched Ed Kenney on the idea, his plate was brimming. Kenney is the owner of Town restaurant on Waialae Avenue and he had just launched Mud Hen Water and Kaimuki Superette across the street. Starting a new restaurant in Waikiki? “It was a complete…
What does American Savings Bank’s commitment to relationship banking mean for your business? They’ll consider your situation on an individual basis, assessing your unique needs and working closely with you to help your particular business achieve your particular goals. It sounds simple, but it’s a profound difference. As a business owner, it’s important to maintain a strong relationship with the…
Here’s our guide to some of the best remote workplaces on Oʻahu and the Neighbor Islands.
High angle view of a group of people around a tableCreative organizations are successful organizations. Learn to be both on November 3 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, iLab Creativity is at the center of business innovation, and innovation is the engine of growth. Top-performing companies use creativity to generate business value. On November 3, at the University of…
Q: Should I buy cybersecurity/liability insurance for my small business? A: Cybercrime is one of the fastest growing risks to businesses of all sizes, and if you have private data that needs protecting, then you’re certainly vulnerable. Small businesses generally have fewer defenses and are less well-protected than larger businesses, so they can be an easy mark – and the…
It’s hard to find an employer today that doesn’t care about employee health and welfare. After all, a healthy, happy, productive workforce is not only a valuable business asset but also a source of satisfaction and pride. But few employers have the time, energy, expertise and resources to implement an employee wellness program that produces the sustained engagement necessary to effect…
Rumi Robertson helps others heal from domestic violence while working on her latest fashion collection Fashion designer Rumi Murakami Robertson says she is working on her latest collection: a return to her roots of business wear for women in a tropical climate who want a little edge. Robertson says she is also supporting an organization that once helped her, Parents…
Jams World has been producing aloha wear in Honolulu for 54 years. The second-generation family business creates shirts, dresses and shorts that are known for unique and vibrant color patterns, which are sourced from artists globally. Jams World often finds artwork for patterns in Paris, London and Italy, says marketing associate Channon Cruz. The garments are hand sewn in its…
Alex Franco and Maui Cattle Co. are helping grow Hawaii’s two-century-old ranching industry. “Meat fabrication is an art. We have to identify individual cuts from quartered carcasses slaughtered by a contractor and take them off the bone,” explains Alex Franco, president of Maui Cattle Co. “It’s hard work. You need a passion and desire for this business.” Franco is proud…
It’s been a long path from social worker to leading one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofits, but it seems Karen Tan is just getting started. This fall, she and her team are developing a strategic plan to guide CFS over the next few years, and she continues to champion innovation at the 120-year-old organization. Her endgame: Strengthen families and foster the…
“Reading books is great,” says new mother Kayleigh Idemoto, “but being able to talk with an experienced mom who was the group leader, and also having that community of other new moms giving me support and telling me I wasn’t alone was why I loved Piko Pals.” Piko Pals is a parent support group and one of many programs developed…
Name: Marcos Rebibis Age: 42 Job: Chef and owner, Koi Catering & Takeout, dba Koi Food Truck Start: Rebibis was born in the Philippines but moved to Honolulu with his parents when he was 2. The Roosevelt High graduate received his chef’s certificate from Gros Bonnet Culinary Academy in 1999. “My parents always cooked around home, so I learned to cook from them….
A little Aloha goes a long way when building relationships. In business, a personal touch strengthens foundations and can lead to new opportunities. For any occasion calling for a corporate gift, Honolulu Cookie Company offers amenities of style and taste. Select the perfect flavors, personalize your gifts, and create the perfect message of gifting with Aloha. Let Honolulu Cookie Company’s…
Going from the boardroom to the bar can be tricky business. Here are simple tips to make your 9-to-5 dress code work after hours. Name: Maya Rogers, CEO, Blue Planet Software Inc.Suck ‘em down spots: At the office or The Pig and the Lady for cocktails. Power Suit Even CEOs got the memo that jumpsuits are the investment of the…
Every fall, employers remind their employees to get their annual flu shot. That’s because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination as the best line of defense against the flu. But it isn’t the only way to stay healthy. Here are four ways to keep the flu from stopping you. Lather up. Wash your hands with soap and…
Q: How can I use trade shows to build my local business on the Mainland? A: Local brands looking to grow on the Mainland are in luck. Social media and digital marketing provide many opportunities for you to connect with a larger audience. That being said, face-to-face connections are equally important when doing business. Trade shows are an excellent way…
Clean energy advocates say we’re on the right track to continue reducing emissions that lead to climate change. Here’s why, plus some of the challenges that we’ll have to overcome. Part I: We Have a Lot to Be Optimistic About It’s been 10 years since Hawaii set its first major energy independence goals through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative,…
Learn what makes these wahine dentists leaders in their field The Power of a Smile The power and influence that arise from conveying a genuine smile. The business women’s orthodontist. – Malia K. Pietsch Kamisugi, D.D.S., M.S.D. A genuine smile, conveys three things about you: (1) I’m glad to be here. (2) I know what I’m talking about. (3)…
Q: I recently made a difficult decision to allow someone to telecommute three days a week. Now I hear all my other employees are gossiping about this and grumbling “it’s not fair.” I’m the owner of this company! Wasn’t this my call to make? A: Absolutely; it’s your biznass. But once you’ve made an exception to a rule, you need…
Is your biological clock ticking but you’re not ready to become a mom? Today’s technology makes it much more viable than before to freeze your eggs for use later to get pregnant. But be prepared to shell out $10,000 or more for the procedure plus money for storage. “Sometimes it’s weird how fast the time goes by.” Dana Arakawa was…