10:00 A.M. Monday Hokua Condominium, Honolulu Photography by Twain Newhart >> For World Wide Window Cleaning, height is never an issue. From cleaning to specialty work, the fear is not height – it’s windy conditions. Cleaning Hokua’s windows takes five…
Choosing a bank used to be fairly simple: People typically selected the bank that was closest to home or work. That was before the Internet. Now there's banking everywhere through smartphones, with First Hawaiian Bank rolling out its app this…
Yu-Hsuan “Anthia” Chen, 25. Born: Taiwan. MBA: HPU, marketing. Plans after graduation: Start my career in Hawaii. Maria Goto, 26. Born: Honolulu. MBA: UH, general. Plans after graduation: Work for N&K CPAs. Kandice Johns, 29. Born: Wailuku, Maui. MBA: UH,…
Moderator Steve Petranik, editor of Hawaii Business Yu-Hsuan “Anthia” Chen, 25 Born: Taiwan MBA: HPU, marketing Plans after graduation: Start career in Hawaii, then return to Taiwan to help father’s business Maria Goto, 26 Born: Honolulu MBA: UH, general Plans…
Q. As a small-business owner, what are my options to pay for a photovoltaic system? A. Photovoltaic systems are expensive and complex to finance. A typical PV system for a small business could run anywhere from $10,000 to more than a…
Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now, was named 2011 “Salesperson of the Year” by the Honolulu chapter of Sales & Marketing Executives International. Blangiardi talked with Hawaii Business publisher David Tumilowicz about his strategies for success and his…
Don Morrison Can readily list the equipment and vehicles his Kapolei company purchased in recent years. Morrison, CFO of Pacific AquaScapes Inc., says money was available for the acquisitions because of the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which shields the company from federal…
These are the 2011 winners of the Small Business Administration Awards in Hawaiʻi.
Local Whey 9:00 A.M. Wednesday Meadow Gold Dairies, Honolulu Photography by Olivier Koning >> Joshua Kauwe of Meadow Gold stirs cottage cheese curds while it drains liquid, called whey. Approximately 20,000 pounds of cottage cheese is made a week. The…
OVERALL WINNER JON DUARTE DESIGN GROUP In creating work space for the Jon Duarte Design Group’s eight employees, the firm wanted a “collaborative environment” that was warm and welcoming, where designers could work together easily but also meet casually. Dark…
Methodology The Best Places to Work in Hawaii is a partnership between Hawaii Business and Best Companies Group of Harrisburg, Pa. BCG is an independent workplace-excellence research firm that partners with local publications and organizations to create similar lists nationwide.…
Some of Hawaiʻi's Best Places to Work are adding special benefits to help turn new hires into lifers and keep them excited about their jobs.
Q. I’m nearing retirement and interested in selling my business. How do I determine the value of my company and maximize its value before selling? A. After all those years building your business, you are finally ready to enjoy a well-deserved…
Chinatown Newspaper-Honolulu, published by Nella Media Group, while just 22 monthly issues old, has expanded to Portland, Ore., and Cutinella and Sanchez explain how the early stages are sometimes the best time to grow your business. HB: What did you learn…
R.I.P. 1:10 P.M. Thursday Affordable Casket, Honolulu Photography by Olivier Koning >> Affordable Casket sells about 30 caskets each month with an average price tag of $1,695. While the company has built a reputation for providing cheaper funerals and…
Q: What’s the secret to running a great pub? I think it’s just enjoying what you do and being around people and understanding what your customer wants. I was a customer for enough time that I think I know! It’s…
When we select this annual list of emerging leaders, we look for individuals whose intelligence, energy and vision make them people to watch over the next two decades. They come from different backgrounds and serve in various fields, but they…
Seeds Seeds are Hawaii’s fastest growing major crop. The value of seeds grown in Hawaii has almost tripled from $77.3 million in the 2005-06 season to an estimated $222.6 million in 2009-10. Harvested acreage was 6,630 – up 11 percent…
Critics say The state Public Utilities Commission is slow, inefficient and secretive, but this small agency has a lot on its plate. It regulates: 4 electric utilities; 1 gas company; 176 telecommunication companies; 38 private water and sewer companies; 4…
Understanding Hawaii, Then Acting to Improve Our Quality of Life Building a better future for Hawaii begins with a clear understanding of who we are and where we stand – our vital strengths and crippling weaknesses. This report provides key…
From a family-owned jewelry store on Kauaʻi to an emerging residential solar company in Honolulu, all of this year’s nominees proved that success is possible, even in a slow economy.
Q. Our employees have specialized knowledge and are often trying new things. How can we harness that expertise to add value to our small business? A. Employees who think about ways to improve your business can create intellectual property (IP) that…
6:45 P.M. FRIDAY Manoa Valley Theatre, Manoa Photography by Olivier Koning >> Cast members polish their puppeteering skills with Master Muppeteer Pam Arciero (top row, middle) in preparation for Manoa Valley Theatre’s Hawaii premiere of “Avenue Q,” the coming-of-age Tony-Award-winning…
Most business cards serve a basic purpose: providing your name and title, and the best ways to reach you. But some cards do more: They help you stand out from the crowd. We got more than a hundred entries for…
John Adversalo and his staff at Architects Pacific sometimes work late into the night or on weekends. He needed a way to get quick answers in the least obtrusive way possible, so he equipped everyone with Apple’s smartphone. HB: Why…
Q. My wife and I plan to retire in about 10 years. What should we do to get ready to turn over our business to our children? A. The good news is that you have time to carefully plan and execute…
7:00 a.m., Friday Aloha tofu factory, Kalihi Photography by Olivier Koning >> Kam Lan Sou of Aloha Tofu pours water over blocks of freshly made tofu. Tofu mostly consists of water and must be kept from drying out during the journey from…
ATCO Software’s Web-based technology lets users quickly make real-time reservations for restaurants, tours and attractions without picking up the phone. How it works Tourists can book online before arriving, or visit the hotel’s concierge desk or an ATCOKiosk. For example, the…
Q. My business would be a disaster zone if our data were lost or stolen. What should I do to protect it? A. Today’s small businesses are under assault on many fronts. In October, the FBI warned of a new wave…
9:10 A.M., Thursday Aiea Photography by Olivier Koning >> Mika Fonoti of Access Information Management Hawaii stands in front of 1,200-pound bales of shredded documents. Every month, the company destroys more than 500,000 pounds of material containing confidential information. Its shredder has…
Q.We have great employees, but everyone seems to operate from a different agenda. How can we create a team approach? A. Employees are willing to collaborate when they have the necessary tools and work environment to support and reward teamwork. Managers…
6:32 a.m. Thursday Basement of Gemini Observatory, Mauna Kea summit, Hawaii Island Photo Courtesy of Gemini Observatory >>Technicians from Hawaii and Chile combine forces about every four years to resurface this 24-ton, 27-foot mirror from the Gemini North telescope. Hawaii…
Appointed board will help schools I attended the symposium sponsored by the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs and Hawaii Business magazine on the topic of appointed vs. elected school board (Sept. 30, Waikiki Prince Hotel). As I listened to both…
Q. How can a woman small-business owner succeed in the male-dominated construction industry? A. Women leaders face unique challenges in the workplace, no matter what industry we are in. Yet, as women, we bring abundant talents to the table and can…
6:32 A.M., Thursday Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina Photography by Twain Newhart >>Father and son crane operators Jim and Mike Beyer walk along the counter-jib catwalk of dad’s crane, 280 feet above the Aulani site, to check…
Participants in this discussion: Margery Bronster Partner, Bronster Hoshibata and former state attorney general Shari Chang Senior VP, marketing and revenue management, Aston Hotels and Resorts Kathryn Inouye COO, Kobayashi Group Constance Lau President and CEO, Hawaiian Electric Industries Janet Liang President, Hawaii Region, Kaiser…
Q. We have some great managers in our company but still need to improve our leadership skills. What do you suggest? A. Managers play a vital role in cultivating work environments where employees feel valued and customers are satisfied. Companies can…
12:35 P.m., Wednesday Coconut Island Photography by David Croxford >> Last year, more than 4,000 people visited Coconut Island, home to the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. One of the institute’s research projects is on the echolocation…
In March, the embattled Central Pacific Bank named John Dean as CEO and executive chairman. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial industry, including serving as CEO and chairman of Silicon Valley Bank. Q: You came to…
Yes "It’s an equitable method for requiring some of the costs of future schools be paid by those who would use them." For several decades, public policy…
Q. I own a small business. How do I go about planning for my retirement and for my (few) employees? A: If you are a Hawaii small-business owner, you have a lot to think about: sales, expenses, marketing, cash flow, competition.…
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…
9 a.m., Tuesday Honolulu Zoo > About 550,000 people come to the Honolulu Zoo every year to check out 221 species of animals, including these crocodile-like gharials being fed by Jamieson Martinez. Gharials, a critically endangered species native to the…
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…
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…
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…
Laser Focus 2:25 P.M., Friday, Ala Moana >> Dr. Tyrie Jenkins performed Hawaii’s first Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery in 1997 and has since completed 10,000 such operations. Here she adds drops to relax the patient’s eyes during the…
Q. We plan to remodel our store. What should we consider to be more sustainable? A. Green build-outs for small businesses are the hot trend these days. But how do you tell between “greenwashing” and truly sustainable design and building? Here…
Ask Ernest Nishizaki what the single most important thing is that Hawaii could do to revitalize its visitor industry and economy, and he does not hesitate with his answer: Fix Honolulu International Airport and fast. “We’re talking about the first…
Globally, many popular destinations are experiencing a backlash against tourism. Here are multiple perspectives on the message that Hawai‘i should send to potential visitors.
2025 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: President Al Kakazu says his main job is to make the customers’ job easier.
