Hilo Theater Founder Shares His Broadway and Hollywood Experiences With Aspiring Hawai‘i Actors
Overcoming initial pushback as an outsider, HEART theater founder finds warm welcome in Hilo, a town bursting with local talent
Leadership
Introducing the 2026 Wahine Issue
October always brings a bit of magic. Not just the fall season, but the Wāhine Forum, Hawaiʻi’s largest leadership and career development conference for women. More than 1,000 executives, entrepreneurs and rising leaders will gather to learn, connect and build…
Gov. Green Neutral on One Health Hawaiʻi Plan But Says Reforms Needed
Gov. Josh Green held to a neutral stance on the proposed combination of Hawaiʻi’s largest medical insurer and the second-largest hospital system, but he urged local leaders and medical professionals to proactively reform the state’s healthcare landscape before outside forces…
High-Powered Steakhouse Chat with State's Biggest Merger on the Menu
People say Honolulu is just a big, small town. Not much goes unnoticed. Especially when the state's most powerful politician meets privately with the leaders of the state's largest commercial enterprise, HMSA, and the second-largest healthcare provider, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health,…
The Essential Leadership Skill That Becomes More Valuable in the Age of AI
As technology transforms how we work, trust, communication and human connection are becoming essential leadership capabilities.
Leadership Conference: Business Improves When Employees Feel They Matter
Matthew Emerzian urges business leaders to make human connection a priority, saying strong workplace cultures begin by letting employees know they are important.
The Conductor Who Doesn’t Need to Speak: Colbert Matsumoto, One of Hawai‘i’s Most Consequential Leaders
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hawaii Business Magazine spotlights one of the state's most consequential leaders, Colbert Matsumoto, whose quiet, disciplined approach to leadership continues to shape institutions, mentor the next generation and redefine what influence looks like in Hawaiʻi.
How One Man Turned His Disability Into Leadership at Tripler
With training and support from Lanakila Pacific, Eugene Lene went from job fair attendee to groundskeeping leader at Tripler Army Medical Center and a finalist for a national award honoring federal workers with disabilities.
Nash Subotic Survived a War. Now He’s Building a Billion-Dollar Firm.
From fleeing war-torn Bosnia to building one of Hawaiʻi's most celebrated financial firms, Nash Subotic's journey is proof that preparation, discipline and an unshakable sense of purpose can turn the hardest beginnings into extraordinary outcomes.
Why You Want to Be Known as a ‘Best Place to Work’
Work consumes much of our lives. By most estimates, the average full-time employee will spend close to 90,000 hours on the job over a lifetime. In subtle ways, our work influences our identity, relationships and daily structure. Steve Jobs captured…
Readers pick The Local General Store for People’s Choice Award, Hawaii Entrepreneurs Award
Both born and raised in Honolulu, Harley and Jason took different paths before returning to food. Harley began in the sciences before discovering a passion for pastry in San Francisco, where she trained in top bakeries and developed her signature…
Meli James Is Rewriting the Rules for Hawai‘i's Entrepreneurs
As co-founder of Mana Up and president of the Hawai‘i Venture Capital Association, Meli James has spent a decade proving that building a world-class company doesn't mean leaving the Islands behind.
EXCLUSIVE: Over 50 High-Profile Hawaiʻi Companies Push for Affordable Energy with LNG
More than 50 of Hawaiʻi’s leading organizations have called for immediate action to lower energy costs by replacing petroleum with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The Coalition for Hawaiʻi’s Energy Future brings together Native Hawaiian leaders, healthcare providers, agricultural groups, tourism…
Tanaka of Tokyo Restaurant Chain Founder Shares Tales of Survival as He Passes Baton
New leadership team includes founder's daughter, Bo Tanaka, who promises continuity as well as creativity in an evolving and volatile market.
Peter Ho to Retire as Bank of Hawai‘i CEO
He will be succeeded by bank President James Polk. Ray Vara to take leading role on the bank's board.
Shaped By Motherhood, Groomed for the Workplace
How raising children strengthened their resilience and redefined the way these women show up in their careers. Profiles of two women in Hawaiʻi who found that parenting and family life were the superpower skills on their resumes
EXCLUSIVE: Chris Dods Tapped as President of Webco Hawaii
Chris Dods, former Chief Operating Officer of First Hawaiian Bank, has been tapped as President of Webco Hawaii, marking a significant milestone in the company’s generational transition and long-term modernization strategy. Chris brings nearly two decades of senior leadership experience…
A Culture of Giving At First Hawaiian Bank Touches Everyone, Including Tellers and Even Retirees
First Hawaiian Bank's employee giving culture stands out with 98% participation. In 2024, employees contributed $874,000 of their own money, the highest among Hawai‘i companies, while volunteering 11,211 hours. Even retirees continue to give back.
8 Women Who Save Lives
Their jobs are difficult, stressful and sometimes dangerous but Hawai‘i depends on these women to step up when lives are on the line. We tell their stories and honor their courage, resilience and compassion.
Stuck in a Bad Job in Hawaiʻi? You're Not Alone.
Many Hawaiʻi workplaces are rigid, unwelcoming or downright awful for women and caregivers. Four companies show a better way.
UH President Wendy Hensel on Listening, Innovating and Reimagining the Classroom
UH President Wendy Hensel is reimagining higher education for the AI era, blending technical skills with human-centered learning while leading with authenticity in a male-dominated field.
Exploring Women’s Issues in Writing and In Person
Ahead of the 2025 Wahine Forum with 1,000 women attendees, this October issue explores workplace challenges, the 'motherhood penalty,' and celebrates trailblazing leaders.
Hawaii Business Magazine Names Ann Teranishi 2025 CEO of the Year
Hawaii Business Magazine is proud to announce Ann Teranishi, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Savings Bank (ASB), as our 2025 CEO of the Year.
Reviving Hawaiʻi’s Lei Industry One Flower at a Time
BEHawai‘i and the Lei Poinaʻole Project hope to boost local lei flower production and strengthen the art of lei making in the Islands. Despite origins linked to Hawaiian culture, lei sold here now often come from foreign sources.