Small Business

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. 

The business was founded in 1884 as an ice and refrigeration company, and has been owned and led by the Nobriga family since 1946.

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.

The founder’s near-death experience on a construction site led him to create a company with a family-first mindset. 

The company helps manage invasive axis deer populations while providing meat products to local and mainland customers.

After pandemic setbacks, this travel company catering to youth, high school and university athletic teams is rallying back.

Started in 1995 by a marine biologist, the company now distributes seafood to more than 3,000 customers nationwide.

The innovative tech company helps businesses design great user experiences (UX) for digital products.

The family watercress farm adjacent to Pearlridge Center has flourished through the pandemic, says its fourth-generation leader.

Over the last 15 years, this growing company has expanded from a team of two to about 65 employees.

The founders say a new way of organizing home health care is better for patients, their families and the caregivers who help them.

The family construction business has focused on the island’s renewable energy sector for 15 years.

Their niche is batteries for forklifts, which “move everything that you eat, buy (and) touch.”

The 41-year-old company keeps alive the flavors that Hawai‘i’s people grew up with.

At 35, the company continues expanding and diversifying beyond its origin as an aircraft parts supplier.