Hawaiian Telcom’s first female leader takes the helm with the 136-year old company at a crossroads. In Part I of this extended Talk Story, she talks about her personal journey as part of an immigrant family from South Korea striving…
Since taking the helm in 2005, Godsey has overseen exponential growth, brought in corporate investors and acquired a rival HR services firm. His boldest move may be January’s introduction of a technology platform that will help add more HR consultative…
Elisia Flores took over as CEO in August 2019 from her father, Eddie Flores Jr. The new CEO starts 2020 with a record 200 L&L franchises and the launch of a new concept – L&L Hawaiian Mixplate – at three…
A&B has evolved over its 150 years, starting in sugar, adding shipping, then tourism and now focusing on Hawai‘i real estate. Benjamin attributes the company’s longevity to being able to morph into relevant businesses that provide value and long-term stability.…
At 52, the executive once touted as the next CEO of First Hawaiian Bank is now flying solo, servicing a few select clients with his new strategic advisory firm, Hoku Capital. His vision is to remain engaged in Hawai‘i’s community…
In January, La‘a took over as CEO of the nonprofit that has supported adults and children with disabilities in Hawai‘i for 72 years. Her main goal is to seamlessly integrate people with disabilities into the community, so they can live…
Camp says Hawai‘i needs to change its mindset to alleviate the affordable housing crisis. At the top of her list of needed changes are creating predictable permitting time frames, revamping zoning in low-density areas and creating more urban zoning. Q:…
The longtime Marriott executive has been at HTA less than a year, but Tatum’s strategic changes are already clear: a flattening bureaucracy, a reduced fixation on the number of tourists and a shifting of marketing dollars. Q: What organizational changes…
Kalama grew up in poverty but had a successful banking career and now leads a nonprofit that provides $12 million in grants annually in Hawai‘i. He is using his personal and professional experience to seek answers to some of Hawai‘i’s…
Treacy has more than 20 years of real estate experience in Asia, Europe and on the Mainland. He hopes to infuse international best practices into the 60-acre master-planned community of Ward Village, while honoring the core principles of Hawaiian culture…
Though Young Brothers doesn’t have direct rivals in interisland shipping, Boivin insists on sharpening its competitive edge by enhancing operational efficiencies, reducing costs and shrinking its carbon footprint. Q: The Port of Honolulu is undergoing extensive improvements. How will operations…
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…
Kaneshiro, who traces his passion for nature to his days as a Boy Scout on Kauai, talks about the challenges that climate change brings to Hawaii, such as the future of our infrastructure, resiliency planning and the need for more…
Despite an unlikely start, the PCC has thrived for more than five decades. Founded by amateur entertainers on what was then the out-of-the-way North Shore of Oahu, it currently hosts about 2,500 visitors a day and continues to evolve. Q:…
Members of the 2018 cohort of 20 for the Next 20 volunteered to prepare a Hanalei farm for new kalo seedlings Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama knows floods. When she was 17, a wave of brown floodwater swept her away as she tried to…
Outrigger is changing with the arrival in April of Wagoner as CEO and an infusion of $310 million from the strategic sale of six Asia-Pacific hotels. Wagoner – who hails from New York City and has an extensive background in…
Former President Barack Obama said “Hawaii is going to be indispensable” as the Obama Foundation launches its leadership development program in Asia-Pacific and throughout the world. “Hawaii has always been a bridge between East and West. It is part of…
After years of robust success, Hawaii’s largest airline faces increased competition and other market pressures. But Ingram remains unfazed and says he is focusing instead on improving the company’s strengths: outstanding operations, a favorable cost structure and its unique Hawaiian…
Dave Matlin, Athletics Director University of Hawaii at Manoa Matlin says UH Athletics has cut costs in many areas and strategically increased spending in others. Meanwhile, revenue is up and deficits down at Manoa’s athletics department. His next challenge is persuading…
It’s been a long path from social worker to leading one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofits, but it seems Karen Tan is just getting started. This fall, she and her team are developing a strategic plan to guide CFS over the…
We could not arrange a sit-down interview with Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard, but she did email answers to these four questions from contributing writer Gina Gelber. Q: What advice do you have for women who want to be leaders?…
He's the VP and Division Manager, Swinerton Builders Fifteen years after bringing Swinerton to Hawaii, Ehara offers a nuanced take on the construction industry: Bigger isn’t necessarily better; boom markets have their own challenges; and if you build it, they…
Taking bold steps with a can-do, collaborative attitude is at the heart of Stollar’s mindset, resulting in a transformative payment model for doctors and innovative ways to connect with young consumers. The goal: reining in health care costs and fostering…
The talent management and outsourcing veteran speaks candidly on how local companies excel – and fall short – at recruiting, retaining and inspiring workers. Q: Why is recruiting such a headache? Guss: Businesses are doing what you think should be…
The transformation of the Davies Pacific Center will create mostly one-bed apartments, while leaving a few floors of offices.
Some jobs need to be done in person. But that doesn’t mean employees can’t have more control of their schedules and hours.
