Hawai‘i’s Sustainability Heroes 2023
Climate change has raised the stakes for Hawai‘i and communities around the world. That’s why we are sharing six stories of people and companies that are taking significant climate action.
Author: Cynthia Sweeney
Hawai‘i’s Sustainability Heroes: Pono Home
The company helps homeowners and renters reduce their energy and water waste, while saving customers $6.3 million a year.
Keaau Filipino Food Store Offers Specialty Products and Freshly Made Desserts
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Maria Tereza Gacula and Mitchell Gacula expand the small-town grocery started by their parents in Puna.
Wasabi Tours Hawaii Introduces Visitors to the Big Island’s Natural Beauty
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: This top-ranked company focuses on small-group tours and low-impact experiences, says co-founder Jay Geng.
Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2023: Ag/Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year
An entrepreneur and company whose technology supports a greener future or helps farmers with innovative agricultural practices.
Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2023: Corporate Intrapreneur of the year
Honors someone who works in a large organization but advocates for innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.
Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2023: Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year
An entrepreneur and company that substantially contributes to helping solve some of Hawai‘i’s toughest problems.
This Big Island Startup Turns Degraded Land into Thriving Ecosystems
Terraformation started by planting 7,200 trees and plants. The ultimate goal: restoring 3 billion acres across the globe.
Mission to Mars via Mauna Loa
Faced with a problem that’s literally out of this world, scientists went looking for a solution on an isolated part of Mauna Loa. Astronauts who eat the same freeze-dried and dehydrated options day after day tend to suffer from “menu…
Tugboat Captain
Name: Ben Isabel Job: Tugboat captain for Young Brothers, the main shipper of cargo around the Hawaiian Islands. Experience: Started with YB in 1994. START: Isabel served as an E-5 second-class boatswain mate in the U.S. Navy. But, to work for Young Brothers,…
Making a living underwater
Name: Rob Hemsher Job: Scuba diving instructor and owner of Ocean Eco Tours Years of Experience: 17 years as a certified dive instructor Background: Hemsher made his first pool dive when he was 6 while growing up in Boynton…
Miles From the Telescope, He Watches the Stars
Name: Marc Kassis, Ph.D. Job: Support Astronomer for W.M. Keck Observatory Years of Experience: 9 Starting out: In high school, Kassis thought physics was “the coolest stuff ever” and went on to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy from Boston University.…
Buy A Coffee Farm in Kona
Kena Coffee Farm sits on a country lane that meanders through picturesque coffee and macadamia orchards. The 4.89-acre farm in Kealakekua includes 1,164 coffee trees, 39 macadamia trees and numerous producing fruit…
Tasty and Healthy Deliveries
The only thing Lark Willey likes to do better than grow vegetables is share them with her neighbors, which is why community-service agriculture is her perfect niche. “To be a CSA grower,…
Hawai‘i’s Sustainability Heroes 2023
Climate change has raised the stakes for Hawai‘i and communities around the world. That’s why we are sharing six stories of people and companies that are taking significant climate action.
Why the Big Bog in East Maui Is Now Hawai‘i’s Rainiest Spot
The state climatologist explains where the wettest places are and what factors contribute to all that rain.
