Can a state-facilitated retirement savings plan address Hawaii’s retirement security crisis? Like many small-business owners, Larry Stenek, of Art Nelson Sailmaker in Honolulu, needs all hands on deck. “There are six of us here. … My wife is the office manager and also cuts sails,” he says. Stenek is close with his workers – “With 10 employees and under, you…
Time: Friday, 12:23 p.m. Location: Biki Bikes Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu Photographer: Aaron K. Yoshino Mechanic John Thompson completes an inspection after repairing the flat tire that this Biki bike was brought in for. “On average Biki bikes are serviced in the workshop four times a year,” says Kelsey Colpitts, marketing and communications manager at Bikeshare Hawaii, the nonprofit managing Biki….
Island Sound Studios in Hawaii Kai has hosted stars like Kanye West, Beyonce and Rihanna “My thing is keeping this studio open for Hawaii,” Gaylord Holomalia says. “It’s more of a mission for me. I want it to be available for our local groups and artists. “Then I get local interns who’ve worked for me in the studio, and they’ll…
We asked that question in both the BOSS Survey of 350 local business leaders and the 808 Poll of 481 members of the general public. Here’s what respondents of the surveys said:The bigger the company, the more likely a wellness program is offered. Note: Percentages do not always add to 100 due to rounding. ━━ Those surveyed were then asked…
Pleased to meet your hot hand teeming with staph bacteria! Q: I’ve suffered from three colds in three months. I’m sick of getting sick and want to stop shaking people’s hands entirely. Is that rude? A: You could offer up a polite little bow. Or wear a bowler hat and tip it, with a wink. Perhaps sport a lapel pin…
A business strategy maps out where your business is heading and what its priorities should be. However, what if your assumptions about the future of your industry are wrong or your ability to execute in that industry are no longer valid? Strategy expert Charlotte Brown offers these steps for small businesses to stress-test their strategies. 1. Identify Assumptions: Recognize that…
Fund-rasier for the UH Shidler College of Business Alumni Association More than 100 wines are yours for the tasting at the 19th Annual Executive Vineyards event, a fund-raiser for the non-profit UH Shidler College of Business Alumni Association. The annual event — which usually sells out — is on Thursday, March 7 from 6-9 p.m. at the historic Royal Hawaiian…
We all know it’s much easier and cheaper to keep a good employee than to find and train a new one, but getting workers to stay is hard. Here are strategies that local companies can use to retain their employees. And don’t just rely on HR – everyone needs to paddle together. Employers Must Step Up “There wouldn’t be…
Two surveys of local residents indicate three-quarters believe it is already happening. The BOSS Survey of 350 local business leaders and the 808 Poll of 481 members of the general public show similar results on climate change. ━━ One question in both surveys asked: Which of these statements best reflect your view on climate change? The business leaders were asked…
When Krista Harper’s first son, Hudson, was born in 2016, she was a military wife with few close friends and relatives in Hawaii. “I was really alone when I became a new mom,” says the 31-year-old marriage and family therapist from Virginia. “Nobody came to the hospital when I gave birth besides my (visiting) parents and my husband. “Now, going…
The opportunities for tourists to volunteer are growing along with the demand for those opportunities. From beach cleanups to cultural exchanges, forest conservation to farm stays, visitors are looking for experiences that are authentic, intimate and altruistic.
Pacxa is the largest IT solutions provider in Hawaii, offering a wide range of services to compliment small businesses, corporate enterprises, and everyone in between. Our roots are here in the islands, giving us the know-how to work in the islands. With the technical chops to handle everything from emerging businesses to government entities, we help propel your organization forward—toward…
Name: Joshua Stanbro Age: 47 Job: Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resilience, City and County of Honolulu Start: The California native graduated from the Berkeley School of Law in 2001 but says he soon realized he didn’t want to become a lawyer. “I interned at a nonprofit community law center and fell in…
More pay won’t solve serious problems within your company. Q: How do I establish a program of monthly incentives to help my employees reach their goals? A: Many employers wrongly assume monetary incentives are a surefire way to enhance engagement among workers. However, money is not the only thing that motivates people and may not be effective without the right…
Mana Up’s third cohort of 10 local companies includes seven led by women and five based on Hawaii Island. The businesses offer a mix of consumer goods – including food, fashion and home goods – aimed at locals, tourists and the worldwide market. “There’s no lack of entrepreneurship in Hawaii, and that spirit is spread across the islands,” says Mana…
Welcome to the latest installment of this series as Hawaii Business staffers describe what they like to do, wear and see off the job. Cyd Shizuru, Account Manager “I read somewhere that shoe shopping releases dopamine!” 1Pizza – I can eat pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and my go-to pie is a pepperoni-mushroom-olive from Brick Fire Tavern. 2Shoes – My…
A new generation of Hawaiian creative consultants is challenging our expectations for indigenous design. The phrase “Hawaiian design” calls to mind familiar visual tropes: kapa patterns, hula dancers, maybe even (cringe) tiki kitsch. But a new generation of native Hawaiian designers is pushing back against what they see as an overplayed aesthetic, often presenting ideas that defy expectations. For this…
Left to right: Meli JamesThere are many ways you can draw tourists to your local business, even if it’s not located in a tourist area. That was the message at a sold-out Hawaii Business SmallBiz Academy luncheon on Wednesday at the downtown YWCA. Here are four takeaways from the entrepreneurs and marketing experts on the panel. • Tell your business’…
Left to right: Meli JamesSunday, June 2, 2019, 11:00 am – 1:30 am By Taahirah Ali There are many ways you can draw tourists to your local business, even if it’s not located in a tourist area. That was the message at a sold-out Hawaii Business SmallBiz Academy luncheon on Wednesday at the downtown YWCA. Here are four takeaways from the…
“Off the beaten path” means different things to different people, but overall, visitors to Hawaii are more sophisticated and going farther afield than ever before. That has been good news for many businesses that used to depend exclusively on local customers but now draw lots of tourists. There are many factors behind this, but one driving force is the rise…
If you, like me, are lucky enough to belong to the middle or upper classes, you may need to read our report to really understand the dire situation of these working people. But you don’t have to look far to find them.
The human body was made to move. It follows that the human-centered workplace should provide people with a choice among workspaces and working postures and the office furnishings that support them. Alert, engaged and healthy workers are most often those who are afforded some ability to control the work environment—to sit, stand and move around. The height adjustable table provides…
It’s an old saying that the only constant is change—and that certainly applies to the world of HR. Even as employers are still getting used to changes like tax reform and Hawaii’s new “salary history ban”, it’s important to keep looking forward and anticipate what’s to come. As we mark the turn of a new year, we’ve looked ahead to 2019 and…
As an ideal meetings destination, Hawaii has everything to welcome guests and hosts inspiring gatherings. MEETING IN PARADISE Hawaii’s near-perfect weather averages out at 77-degrees Fahrenheit year-round. And its world-class lodging, beautiful setting, and warm hospitality make it an ideal location for business meetings, from large-scale conventions to conferences, off-sites, team building events and strategic planning. Whether you’re hosting…