The Hawai‘i Undersea Research Laboratory is home to two of the world’s eight manned deep diving research submersibles. Operations director Terry Kerby (pictured) says that once a year, HURL’s two subs, Pisces IV and Pisces V, are loaded on an open-ocean research and support ship for a four- to five-month dive expedition that typically begins in August. Neither sub requires…
Good Clean Food Hawaii helps busy people avoid the fast-food trap by delivering nutritious, ready-to-heat meals to their homes, offices or gyms Over the weekend at a Kailua commercial kitchen, Janelle Bremer oversaw the cutting, cooking and packaging of 160 pounds of cauliflower, 50 pounds of broccolini, 100 pounds of antibiotic-free chicken breasts and 80 pounds of grass-fed chuck roll…
Two Hawai‘i-based startups are using property technology – “PropTech” – to drive innovation in condos and other buildings We are living in the rising Third Wave of the internet, an era when internet technology is so integrated into everyday transactions that you can whip out your smartphone to easily order your morning Americano, see a primary care physician, shop for…
Almost half of all small businesses are unable to reopen after a major disaster because they were unprepared, according to the American Red Cross. Ask yourself: How could I continue to conduct business if the city or even just the streets near my building were closed? How could I serve my customers if my facility was closed for several months?…
A Kamehameha Butterfly is released at Kawainui Marsh in Kailua. The Kamehameha is endemic to Hawaii and the official state insect. This species numbers have been declining and a study by UH graduate student Colby Maeda suggests that habitat destruction and invasive predators like ants are among the biggest causes. The state’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife operates a program…
Q: After bingeing on that TV show, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” my husband and I got our home a lot more organized. I still have a mental block, though, when it comes to my desk. The word mayhem may be too subtle. What is wrong with me and how can I get motivated to clean this up? A: When…
NAME: Steve Hawkes JOB: Performer and owner, Stevo the Clown START: “When I was 8, I got this pogo stick and a unicycle under the Christmas tree, so I mastered both of them early on,” Hawkes recalls. “I was in school talent shows.” The Seattle native moved to Hawaii in 1982 after working as a telephone marketer for the Royal…
At some point in the life cycle of a business, most small business owners will need to apply for a loan. The process can be daunting, even intimidating, because proving you and your business are creditworthy takes effort and preparation. Here are five tips to increase your chances of successfully securing a business loan. 1. Seek advice from a mentor:…
Kalamaikamala Elouise Margaret Sylvester, 26, moved from American Samoa to Oahu when she was a young child for corrective leg surgery. She lived with her biological aunt and her aunt’s husband. “I was sexually abused by my aunt’s husband at the age of 6, and it went on for almost seven years,” says Sylvester, with evident pain. “Later, I was…
Purchasing or selling a home has a huge impact on our lives. Kalama Kim, principal broker of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, offers this guide to choosing the right Realtor for you. 1. Ask Friends for a Referral Ask friends and family for names of people they have worked with. Seek details about their experience with the agent and what they…
Research shows that telehealth has the potential to save companies and consumers money. However, only 15% of doctors use telehealth with their patients.¹ So while embracing telehealth presents great cost-saving opportunities, it’s important for employers to fully understand the telehealth landscape to get the most out of their health care benefits. Telehealth can help employees keep up with doctor’s appointments…
Instagram has emerged as a vital (and potentially lucrative) marketing channel that not only drives customer acquisition, engagement and sales, but also provides small businesses with a free innovation lab and instant feedback for designing their brands and iterating new products. I sat down with the founders of three of Hawaii’s innovative sweet-treat brands – each with at least 10,000…
If you thought insurance was dull, you haven’t talked with Chason Ishii about all the industry’s developments, including the need for more focused data to enhance the pricing accuracy of premiums. He also discusses how insurance can help companies grapple with cybersecurity and crime, violence and harassment in the workplace, and other issues. Q: Are insurance companies more profitable in…
Friday evening was filled with joy and energy as 350 people came together to celebrate the best of small business in Hawaiʻi.
That’s what we learned from two surveys: The BOSS Survey of 350 local business leaders and the 808 Poll of 481 members of the general public. One question in both surveys asked: Which of these statements best reflect your view? Note: Percentages do not always add to 100 due to rounding. There were notable variations in responses by the general…
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. We asked business leaders how they perceive the effects of artificial intelligence and automation on their companies and their industries. We also asked the general public a parallel question: Do you see artificial intelligence…
We asked that question in the BOSS Survey of 350 local business leaders and the 808 Poll of 481 members of the general public. Both surveys asked: At the companies where you work, are women and men paid the same for doing similar work? Here is how both groups of respondents answered: Among the General Public: Females (28%) were twice…
The first shop opened in 1938 and today dozens are owned and operated by entrepreneurs with grit, ingenuity and vision. If you’ve passed through a federal state or county office building or a state airport, you’ve probably seen Hawaii’s enterprising blind vendors in small shops selling musubis, snacks, drinks and more. What you may not know is that most of…
Capital is key to achieve your business goals — whether you’re a startup or a company planning large purchases like equipment, inventory or commercial property. An SBA loan can be a good option. It is issued by lenders and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Get started with these tips: Know how much you need to borrow and how…
Human Resources as we know it has changed, especially in paradise. It might be difficult to pinpoint why and how things shifted, but managing employees is different compared to years ago. #1: Hawaii’s talent crunch isn’t going to go away Unemployment in Hawaii is at a record low 2%. If you’re struggling to find good talent, this is why: 98%…
Conservative writer David Frum has stirred a hornet’s nest on the issue of immigration, and since that’s a topic that sharply divides Americans, I think it is worthwhile to dive in and provide local perspective. Frum’s article in the April issue of The Atlantic – “How Much Immigration is Too Much?” – is not about The Wall. That’s because he…
General Concept Captive insurance is an alternative to purchasing traditional commercial insurance coverage. It is formalized self-insurance through a licensed insurance company that is owned and controlled by its insured(s). What Benefits Can Captives Provide? Enhanced risk management and loss control Access to reinsurance markets Improved/smoother cash flows Increased control over corporate insurance program/coverages Stabilized corporate insurance costs Enhanced/broader…
The companies featured provide solutions that are innovative, efficient and save money. This guide will help you to create better practices that will benefit your company and community. HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC The Project Footprint Initiative Make a Big Impression on Your Community by Leaving a Small One. Project Footprint is a way for Hawaii to come together and make conscious…
93% of companies who lost their data for 10+ days filed for bankruptcy within a year of the disaster, according to SherWeb. Cloud-based storage is the best way to prevent your business from becoming a statistic. Pacxa offers a wide range of storage and disaster recovery solutions that ensure the safety of your data in any situation. Let us explore your…