Hawaii Business Magazine is a respected, relevant and innovative resource for Hawai‘i and its people. We have won more than 100 national and state awards over the past five years, including the prize for best regional business magazine in the country for three of the past five years.
Our stories cover the big issues impacting our island home, its people, companies and nonprofits, such as climate change, the cost of living, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, education and other important issues.
Our editorial team works hard to cultivate relationships with sources and dig for information so that readers receive in-depth, fact-based articles. We also give readers useful information that helps companies succeed and helps people advance their careers.
We want our stories to be inclusive of Hawai‘i’s diverse voices and people, and we want to make sure that our stories are serving our audience, their interests and their needs. Our call-outs for sources and information help guide our reporting so that we can fulfill those commitments.
And we’re more than just a monthly print magazine. Our website, email newsletters, social media and events also keep readers and attendees informed, engaged, inspired and entertained.
We welcome any feedback you might have for us. To send a letter to the editor or send us your comments, email: feedback@hawaiibusiness.com.
Our Mission: To strengthen the local economy and help our communities thrive.
Our Motto: Locally Owned, Locally Committed since 1955.
Our Team
Steve Petranik
Editor and Executive Publisher
Steve Petranik has been an editor and reporter for almost four decades and now is the editor of Hawaii Business. Before joining the magazine in 2009, he spent 18 years as an editor at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and five years at the Honolulu Advertiser. He’s reported from six countries on three continents and his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.
Kent Coules
Publisher
Kent Coules joined Hawaii Business Magazine in August 2021, bringing 30-plus years of experience in print and digital media, as well as events. He worked for major newspapers in California, Minnesota and New Jersey, where he started a 16-year event production career. A Hawai‘i resident since 2013, Kent is excited to be part of the Hawaii Business ‘ohana.
Cynthia Wessendorf
Managing Editor
Cynthia Wessendorf writes in-depth feature stories, with a focus on climate change and education, and oversees the magazine’s annual lists and social media campaigns. Prior to joining Hawaii Business in 2020, she spent decades working as a writer, editor and designer for both national and local publishers and nonprofits, including 10 years in the book publishing industry in New York City.
Rebecca Brooking
Senior Account Coordinator
Rebecca Brooking joined Hawaii Business Magazine in January 2023 and supports the sales team and coordinates advertising accounts. She has an extensive media sales background in newspaper advertising and real estate transaction coordination. She is thrilled to be joining the Hawaii Business ‘ohana.
YongChae Song
Account Executive
Yong Song was born in South Korea but grew up in Hawai‘i Kai. He graduated from Kaiser High School and then UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business with a degree in Marketing. He joined Hawaii Business Magazine in December 2023, bringing with him 23 years of promotion, product wholesale, print, digital media and radio sales experience. In his spare time, he volunteers for his daughter’s school PTA and enjoys spending time with family.
Chaz Tiogangco
Account Executive
Born and raised in Honolulu, Chaz Tiogangco began his media career in 1999 in radio broadcasting. With experience in promotions, programming, production, and producing, he transitioned into media sales in 2015. In 2025, he joined Hawaii Business Magazine and is excited to be part of the team and serve his clients. A lifelong musician, he has played drums with various bands across Hawai‘i since the early ‘90s. He loves spending time with his wife, two kids, and grandchildren.
Randall Libramonte
Digital Director
Randall Libramonte is a multimedia creator with a background in tech and UX, and has worked for startups across San Francisco and New York City before returning home to Hawaii in 2022. He brings fresh, innovative, and creative solutions to local businesses, and currently oversees digital operations at Hawaii Business Magazine. Randall is a coffee aficionado and lives in Waikele with more than 100 plants and his two corgis.
Marianne Leano
Digital Growth Marketer
Marianne Leano brings her data science expertise to Hawaii Business Magazine, having developed data-driven marketing strategies and digital analytics solutions throughout her career. After a decade in St. Louis, Missouri, she returns to Hawaii to join the digital team and looks forward to expanding Hawaii Business’ digital footprint. Outside the office, Marianne enjoys powerlifting, creating social media content, and spending time with family and friends.
Jeff Sanner
Creative Director
Jeff Sanner is an award-winning graphic designer who is a long-time resident of Kaimuki. He has a BFA in graphic design from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and has spent the past 26 years in the advertising and design industry of Honolulu. Previously, he was the art director at Oahu Publications, Magazine Division, the advertising art director at Pacific Business News, and senior design director for Tinfish Press.
Aaron Yoshino
Staff Photographer
Aaron has been one of Pacific Basin Communications’ staff photographers since 2016 and a photojournalist since 2003. He was born in Honolulu and currently resides in Nuʻuanu. He enjoys using his photography as a medium to storytelling.
Shelby Mattos
Staff Writer
Shelby Mattos is a recent graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She was born and raised in Honolulu. In her free time, she likes to explore new coffee shops across the island.
Ryann Coules
Staff Writer
Ryann Coules started at Hawaii Business Magazine as a summer intern back in 2022. After graduating from New York University with a B.A. in International Relations, she returned home and continued writing for the magazine as a freelancer for the next year and a half. Ryann is thrilled to officially join the Hawaii Business team as a full time staff writer as of May 2024.
Madelene Martinbianco
Event Manager
Madelene Martinbianco is a Hawai’i Pacific University graduate originally from Grosse Pointe, MI. She joins the team with years of background in event production and experiential brand activations. Madelene looks forward to utilizing her knowledge of the industry to support and elevate the Hawaii Business Magazine event experience.
Olivia De Sena
Event Coordinator
Olivia De Sena grew up in Mystic, Connecticut and had been living in Hawai‘i for 6+ years when she joined the Hawaii Business team in January 2024. Before joining the magazine, she worked as the Retail Manager for Mana Up Hawaii, where she gained experience in leadership, business development and events. In her free time, you can find her at Queen’s Surf break, watching films or out trying new restaurants.