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Putting Down Roots

The weak economy didn’t stop Marysol Ruiz and Soufiane Bouharkat from taking the next step in their business. Le Crepe Café opened a permanent location in November, two years after the married couple started their venture with a cart. A…

How to Pick a Financial Adviser

You can thank Bernie Madoff for one thing: His widely publicized crimes demonstrated how important it is to choose your financial adviser carefully. Picking the right person takes research, and lots of questions and legwork, but consider the potential payoffs…

Advice from the top: Robbie Alm

Robbie Alm, executive vice president at Hawaiian Electric Co., talks about the most important things he learned from his mentors. From his parents:  Be grateful for the gifts you have, don’t covet the gifts of others. From Sen. Daniel Inouye:…

Fixing our Schools

Three former Hawaii governors are spearheading an effort to improve our public education system. George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano helped organize the group called Hawaii’s Children First, which is focusing on three major reforms: • An Appointed School…

History, scenery and fun

It’s sometimes easy for locals to overlook Kualoa Ranch as just another visitor attraction. After all, the meat and potatoes of the Morgan family’s ranch are its horseback and ATV rides, and tours of film locations in the otherworldly landscape…

Management Style Works At Home, Too

Chuck Sted’s “prioritization” management style has helped keep Hawaii Pacific Health on an even keel while other companies have faltered. The same approach can keep families on track. Prioritization management means taking one thing at a time, not everything at…

5 Steps to Handling the Media

Hawaii presentation coach Pam Chambers offers five steps to successfully speaking to the media without feeling you’ll have to leave town the next day. 1. Take charge of the interview Don’t give all the control to the reporter, or you…

Competition Lessons

Down to Earth stores have served Hawaii with vegetarian food for 30 years. Chief Vegetarian Officer Mark Fergusson explains how a small, homegrown chain competes with a giant like Whole Foods Market. HB: What have you learned about retailing healthy…