Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2026
25 years of honoring outstanding local startups and innovation.
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Readers pick The Local General Store for People’s Choice Award, Hawaii Entrepreneurs Award
Both born and raised in Honolulu, Harley and Jason took different paths before returning to food. Harley began in the sciences before discovering a passion for pastry in San Francisco, where she trained in top bakeries and developed her signature…
More Than an Anime Convention
Kawaii Kon brings fans, creators and businesses together in a vibrant celebration of pop culture that’s been a launchpad for local creative entrepreneurs.
The Trash on Hawaiʻi’s Beaches Tells a Global Story
Tons of plastic trash wash up on Hawaiʻi beaches every day. Forensic scientists using chemical analysis and other means to trace the sources say 80% is abandoned fishing gear from global fleets in the Pacific. Hereʻs what comes next.
HB20: Gabriel Yanagihara, ‘Iolani School
On a mission to make every teacher, parent, and student in Hawai‘i AI-ready, Gabriel Yangihara believes the fastest path to breakthrough is being willing to fail first.
HB20: Erin Uehara, Choco Le‘a
A chocolate entrepreneur, author, and decade-long Salvation Army volunteer, Erin Uehara turned her business into a relief vehicle after the Maui wildfires.
HB20: Summer Shelverton, Cades Schutte
Summer Shelverton graduated third in her law school class while raising a newborn, and now leads trusts and estates at Hawai‘i's largest law firm.
HB20: Kaloa Robinson, Stanford Carr Development
At 35, Kaloa Robinson is already the lead manager of a $4 billion, 20-year project, one of the largest public infrastructure efforts in Hawai‘i's history.
HB20: Danicole Ramos, UH William S. Richardson School of Law Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic
A single moment with an elderly Filipino client changed everything, setting Danicole Ramos on a path to help over 125 community members pursue citizenship.
Meli James Is Rewriting the Rules for Hawai‘i's Entrepreneurs
As co-founder of Mana Up and president of the Hawai‘i Venture Capital Association, Meli James has spent a decade proving that building a world-class company doesn't mean leaving the Islands behind.
HB20: Su Lazo, City and County of Honolulu
Trading a Big Four accounting career for community impact, Su Lazo now builds career pathways that keep local youth rooted in Hawai‘i.
HB20: Richard Matsui, KWH Analytics
Nearly 20 years into a career spanning McKinsey, the Biden Administration, and multiple companies built and sold, Richard Matsui is just getting started at home.