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In Search of Pastrami

Honolulu delicatessens are better known for serving musubi than sandwiches, but sometimes you just need a piled-high pastrami sandwich, location be damned. For obvious reasons, Giovanni Pastrami fills the need. I sampled the Pastrami Reuben sandwich, the restaurant’s most popular…

5 Steps to Planning an Event

Successful events are a critical way of interacting with customers. Philip Richardson, CEO of Current Affairs, one of Hawaii’s most prestigious event-planning companies, offers advice on getting the most from your events. 1. Define your objectives “You’ve got to have…

Growing by Going Global

Conquering the world was not part of the original plans for many Hawaii businesses that have succeeded in global markets. For some, it was a years-long process of gradual growth and careful planning, while others found their way quickly with…

Letters to the Editor: Feedback

Eye-opener on state investments Just wanted to commend you on your article about the state of Hawaii investments (May). It was quite the eye-opener and, as I’m currently working on creating an investment policy for a local nonprofit, you couldn’t…

How to Revitalize Hawaii’s Economy

Participants in this discussion: Kirk Belsby, VP of the endowment for Kamehameha Schools Kyle Chock, executive director of Pacific Resource Partnership Keiki-Pua Dancil, president and CEO of the Hawaii Science and Technology Council State Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Democrat, representing McCully to…

Transformers

As revenues fall and old ways fail, a Hawaiian Electric team tries to turn a power behemoth into a clean-energy matrix. “You can’t run an operational company like this without leadership that’s experienced in operational issues,” says Robbie Alm, executive…

Succeeding in Good Times and Bad

Business consultants tell you opportunities exist whether the economy is shooting skyward or tumbling down. Well-positioned firms can always exploit changes in the business cycle and gain ground on competitors. “A lot of companies do look at a downturn as…

Pucker Up

Before li hing mui powder became a staple of local snacking, it was the tart, bright red li hing mui juice that reigned supreme. Many kamaaina have fond small-kid-time memories of eating kaki mochi with li hing mui juice after school,…

What’s it Worth?

The philosophy of Annie Favia and Andy Erickson, husband and wife owners of Favia Erickson Winegrowers, is to “create soulful wines that express the true nature of the vineyards from which they come.” They succeeded with their 2005 Cerro Sur…

Not-Quite-a-Date Night

No time to “date” your spouse? Can’t remember the color of your true love’s eyes? Try an un-date or not-quite-a-date night. That’s the magic of this concept: It doesn’t even have to be at night. All you need is a…