Tip Top Motel, Café & Bakery Preserves a No-frills, Family Atmosphere on Kaua‘i
SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Awards Hall of Fame: Fourth-generation owner Jonathan Ota maintains the spirit of the original Līhu‘e breakfast spot started in 1916.
Small Biz Editor’s Choice Awards
Aloha Revolution Turns a Small Online Store into a Major Shirt Brand
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owner Ed hopes to spread his aloha with unique designs and special fundraiser shirts.
Islander Sake Brewery Produces Traditional Sake with Some Local Flavors
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Chiaki Takahashi and Tama Hirose operate Hawai‘i’s only licensed sake brewery and a new sushi restaurant.
Island Pet Movers Is Happy to Transport Your Aardvark
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owner Kari Mendoza’s company moves 5,000 pets a year, and sometimes more exotic creatures.
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.
Creative Design Hawai‘i Thrives Making Branded Merch for Local and Mainland Companies
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owner Tiana Gamble wants to keep breaking down “the barriers of expectations.”
Missing Home, the Chefs of Istanbul Hawaii Recreate the Flavors of Turkey
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Mother and daughter team Nilgun Yildirim and Ahu Hettema source local ingredients at their Kaka‘ako restaurant.
Waltz Engineering Finds Its Niche in Industrial Laundry Equipment and Boiler Plants
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owners Dick and Lorinda Waltz serve Hawai‘i, Pacific islands and U.S. Navy bases around the world.
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 Veterinary Vision Care Treats Cats, Dogs, Tigers and Rhinos
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Dr. Maya Yamagata specializes in eye health and vision for an unusual array of patients.
Inspired by the Past, Kōloa Rum Co. Is Innovating for Modern Tastes
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: President and CEO Bob Gunter says the premium Kaua‘i-made rum is sold in 32 states and internationally.
Guieb Café Overcomes Pandemic Odds to Open Three Restaurants on O‘ahu
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Founder Ernesto Guieb finds success with favorites like ube mascarpone pancakes and adobo fried rice omelets.
Shaka Guide Takes Drivers on Immersive Audio Tours of the Islands
2023 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Co-founder Andrew Fowers says the phone app tours are like “podcasts on steroids.”
The Best of Small Business 2022
Profiles of companies in 12 categories that won Hawaii Business Magazine's SmallBiz Editor's Choice Awards, plus four 100 year old companies inducted into the Hawaiʻi Small Business Hall of Fame.
Maui Soda & Ice Works: 2022 Hall of Fame Winner
The business was founded in 1884 as an ice and refrigeration company, and has been owned and led by the Nobriga family since 1946.
S. Tokunaga: 2022 Hall of Fame Winner
The small grocery store in Hilo carried some fishing supplies when the Tokunaga family opened it in 1920. It’s evolved into a 6,500-square-foot fishing, diving, hunting, outdoor and firearm supply store.
Mira Image Construction: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – General Construction
The founder’s near-death experience on a construction site led him to create a company with a family-first mindset.
Maui Nui Venison: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Maui County
The company helps manage invasive axis deer populations while providing meat products to local and mainland customers.
Sports Travel Hawaii: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Travel
After pandemic setbacks, this travel company catering to youth, high school and university athletic teams is rallying back.
Honolulu Fish Company: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Food and Beverage
Started in 1995 by a marine biologist, the company now distributes seafood to more than 3,000 customers nationwide.
Rocket Communications: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Women Owned
The innovative tech company helps businesses design great user experiences (UX) for digital products.
Sumida Farms: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Agriculture
The family watercress farm adjacent to Pearlridge Center has flourished through the pandemic, says its fourth-generation leader.
Surface Shield Roofing Co.: 2022 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award Winner – Specialty Construction
Over the last 15 years, this growing company has expanded from a team of two to about 65 employees.