Managing the Flood
In a world in which too much information can be as dangerous as not enough, Contix offers a solution. The app sifts through millions of social-media posts about events – such as when a celebrity promotes a company or brand…
Finance
Ask the Expert: Valuing Your Business
Herb Wheatman ASA, CPA/ABV, CBA VP and Manager, Business Interests & Valuation Bank of Hawaii boh.com Question: “I own a small business, which I’m thinking of selling. How do I find out how much it is worth? Answer: Your business…
The Growing Crisis of Student Debt
Ryan Delaney had been teaching at Waianae High School for two years when he received an offer he couldn’t refuse: Return to UH-Manoa’s Speech Department to get his M.A. at a discounted price. While earning that degree, he served as…
Fixing a Broken Budget Process
A fiscal crisis this past fall, coming on the heels of the Wonder Blunder and other missteps, is forcing UH and its flagship Manoa campus to reform its flawed budget process. For decades, UH allocated funding to individual departments and…
Ask the Expert: Health Insurance Plans
J.P. Schmidt President & CEO, Family Health Hawaii familyhealthhawaii.com Question: What steps should I take to make sure I choose the right health insurance for my employees without breaking the bank? Answer: Dealing with health insurance doesn’t have to be…
Your Credit Card Partner
Credit cards are no longer an “if” question for most businesses, but “what” and “who” questions. “What technology should I use to process credit card payments and who will be my partner?” Answer those questions well, and you will take…
Divorce Is Big Business
Divorce is big business – maybe even bigger than the wedding business in America. That’s because contested divorces involve more than just lawyers. There are also accountants, parenting consultants and other niche specialists to be paid, plus the money spent…
New Rules Make Paycards More Costly for Companies
Payroll cards are an alternative to paying employees by cash, check or direct deposit, but a new state law will make them more costly for companies. Paycards have gained traction nationally and about 14,000 workers in Hawaii are already paid…
Editor's Note: Heroes, Villains and Tech Laggards
I recently read “Flash Boys,” Michael Lewis’ account of how Wall Street has stolen from you, me and our 401ks. I was astonished by the sophisticated corruption, and about how many people and companies thought it was OK to cheat…
Ask the Expert: Loan Options
Question: I’m in the early stages of growing my small business. What are my best loan options if I have limited qualifications for financing? Answer: Securing capital through a loan can be challenging when you are just starting or…
Ask the Expert: Retirement Plans
Question: What are the best retirement plans for the self-employed? Answer: If you are self-employed or have a side business in addition to another job, the best retirement-savings options are solo 401(k) plans (either Roth or regular) or a…
Talk Story with Jeff Shonka, First Insurance Co. of Hawaii
Shonka, who oversees 300 employees, says First Insurance will continue to pursue core values exemplified in the acronym RICE: Respect for others; Integrity in all we do; Creating the future for ourselves and the community; and Excellent customer service. You…
Ask the Expert: Flood Insurance
Question: I heard the National Flood Insurance Program is moving away from “subsidized” rates. What does this mean? Answer: Due to the catastrophic nature of flooding, most private insurers exclude flood damage from their property insurance. To fill this need,…
Local Businesses Succeed Through Crowdfunding
You may have seen Kathy Sills selling her Aloha Pops frozen treats in front of the King Kamehameha statue or at Honolulu events such as Eat the Street. Her distinctive tricycle is tricked with a cooler packed with dry ice and $3 pops…
5 Steps to Creating a Risk-Management Plan
You have a business idea and are mapping out your business plan. Heather Moir-Dangler, chartered life underwriter and chartered financial consultant with Moir Financial & Insurance Services, suggests these five steps to ensure that appropriate risk management is included in…
Talk Story with Tyler Tokioka, Island Insurance
The president of one of the largest charitable foundations in the state talks about how and why corporations give the way they do. Why would a company like Island Insurance create a foundation rather than just give directly to charity? Before, a…
Ask the Expert: Managing Delinquent Accounts
Question: Delinquent accounts are hurting my business. What can I do to get this problem under control? Answer: Delinquent accounts are an unfortunate part of any business that extends credit. Effective collection efforts can help reduce your losses, but the…
First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawaii share more differences than similarities
Profitability is the bottom line, but it’s not the end of the story. Consider banks: In 2010 and 2011, Hawaii’s two largest financial institutions, First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawaii, were also the state’s most profitable companies. Last year, they ranked first…
Divorce with Decency
Name: BRADLEY COATES Job: DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY Years of experience: 36 START: When Bradley Coates attended the University of Southern California in the 1970s, his plan was to get his Ph.D. and become a history professor – until he saw…
Preparing for Hawaii's Next Hurricane
When Iniki hit, many property owners were uninsured, under-insured or covered by a company that couldn’t handle all its claims When a massive storm like Hurricane Sandy strikes, the effects on the insurance industry are felt around the world, including…
Hawaiian Values
Robert Howe has been playing the markets since he was in high school. In 1973, he inherited $5,000 from his aunt and his father suggested he buy stock with the windfall. Howe chose a young consumer-products company called Radio Shack.…
Ask SmallBiz: Business Expenses
Q: What’s the best way to pay for my business expenses? A: Small businesses face many everyday expenses, from inventory to office supplies. It’s important to understand not only the pros and cons of the different types of payment methods, but that…
How much does it cost to start up a business?
PHOTOS BY DAVID CROXFORD You know the truism: It takes money to make money. That much is obvious, but how much money does it take to make money? In this case: How much does it cost to launch a successful…
Not Your Everyday IRA
Ever wondered why your IRA only invests in publicly traded securities, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds? What about other investments: precious metals, derivatives, mortgages, business loans and real estate? Dan Falardeau, president of New Directions IRA, says the…