Question: I am the founder of our family business and five years away from formally retiring. My daughter has been in the business for 12 years, but I feel she lacks the commitment and work ethic to run the business.…
Loreto “Lorie” Obra and her husband, Restituto “Rusty” Obra, were unlikely coffee farmers. They had emigrated from the Philippines to New Jersey in 1972 to begin their careers, Rusty as a chemist and Lorie as a medical technologist. However, while…
Wednesday, 2:34 PM Love’s Bakery, Kalihi Photographer David Croxford >> Nenita Ramos, oven infeed operator, checks the quality of the loaves heading into the 400-degree oven. This batch of Hawaii’s Hearth 100 percent Whole Wheat bread is one of 276…
www.honhl.com 808.681.7500 loansonline@honhl.com Question: I’m a small business owner. What should I do to ensure I’m in the best position to finance a new home? Answer: When someone wants to buy a home or refinance one, a mortgage company looks…
Thursday, 2:17 PM Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Aiea Photographer David Croxford >> Medical laboratory technician Jayson Ababa checks complete blood count samples using an automated hematology analyzer system. DLS tests samples from Hawaii, Guam and Saipan and performs about 37,000…
Secure DNA provides information technology security and compliance services. www.secure-dna.com Question: How can I protect myself from Automated Clearing House fraud? Answer: The ACH network is used by financial institutions to process direct deposits, checks, bill payments and cash transfers. Unfortunately,…
Kamiya Gold Inc. Packaging Warehouse, Laie Photographer David Croxford >> Pat Kamiya washes and sanitizes papayas before packing them at her family’s farm,Kamiya Gold. Within 24 hours of being picked, the papayas are delivered to Kamiya’s customers: mom and pop…
Possibly the best way to improve public schools in Hawaii is to set goals around student achievement and to hold administrators, teachers and principals accountable for results. Here are three report cards on what is being done about accountability in…
EXPERT OF THE MONTH: BEAU MONDAY, INFORMATION SECURITY DIRECTOR, HAWAIIAN TELCOM, WWW.HAWAIIANTEL.COM Question: Most of my employees access their work files from home or using their personal, mobile devices. What should I do to ensure our company network is not compromised?…
New products, services and processes are a great way to increase your revenue and strengthen the bottom line. Management consultant Vino Mehta offers this guide to creating a culture of innovation: 1. Generate ideas. Encourage every employee to come up…
Large Companies Fitness, Healthcare and Chances to Get Ahead 1 Servco Pacific U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu www.servco.com Employees: 935 (Hawaii) Years on the BPTW List: 9 Wednesday is Rick Ching’s favorite day of the week. It’s when the executive VP of Servco Pacific…
Hawaii's best places to work offer many great perks for their employees and we have to admit that we're very jealous. To help us feel better, illustrator Jon Murakami takes an irreverent view of our favorite perks. (Other Best Places…
Professional athletes often say they love to play the game, but the best of them get paid very well to have fun. Here’s the latest balance sheet on 21 athletes currently in the major leagues who were either born in…
Question: Does it make sense for me to pay for gym memberships for my employees? Answer: The answer is an unequivocal yes. Many times, small businesses think this is an extra perk they cannot afford, but a little bit goes…
Winning companies in five categories: Green Business, Innovation, New Business, Woman-Owned, and Long-Term Best Green Business KYA Sustainability Studio Nominator: Scott Cooney, The GBO Group BY PAVEL STANKOV KYA Sustainability Studio is a think tank that specializes in environmentally friendly…
Tuesday, 1:27 PM Hawaii Advanced Imaging Institute, Honolulu Photographer Kevin Blitz >> Chanel Kaneshiro, lead MRI technician at Hawaii Advanced Imaging Institute, tests a patient in a 3.0T Open MRI scanner. One of only two such devices in the state,…
32 local companies and champions honored as some of Hawaii’s best Each year, the Hawaii region of the federal Small Business Administration celebrates some of the state’s best small businesses and small-business advocates. Hawaii Business honored the 2013 winners at…
Name: Lo Kaimuloa Job: Owner/Buyer, Riches Kahala Years of experience: 30 STARTING OUT: Kaimuloa spent five years learning high-end retail with jewelry designer Bernard Hurtig, then, in 1986, she opened Riches Kahala, an 87-square-foot kiosk in Kahala Mall. She expanded to 200 square…
Delivering a strong message and making sure it is clear, effective and memorable in a media interview is not as easy as it seems. In fact, many business owners miss opportunities to be quoted because they don’t communicate clearly. Lori…
Question: What’s the magic behind professional selling? Answer: Professional selling should be simple, ethical and highly effective, and it may appear almost magical. Learn and practice these basic tools and watch your clients appreciate you and your new skills. Tool…
Each year, Hawaii Business selects 20 emerging leaders who have already made big contributions to Hawaii and are expected to have an even greater impact over the next two decades. Let us introduce you to the Class of 2013. …
MAKING SLIPPERS >> Thursday, 1:56 PM Island Slipper FACTORY, Pearl City Photo by DAVID CROXFORD Linberto Refuerzo uses a sole press machine during the process of “spotting” or “fitting” a sandal’s upper to its outsole. Each day at Island Slipper…
Question: I need a new logo for my small business. What should I do to ensure I get the most effective one? Answer: Your company logo is the heart of your brand image. It affects whether people accept what you…
One of the critical milestones in starting a business is writing the business plan. It should be your first priority, given its standing as the road map for how your business idea becomes a reality. JW Ellsworth, counselor and mentor…
Question: I am involved in a construction project whose contract provides for performance-based penalties and rewards. What can I do to help get all the companies to work together? Answer: It’s essential that people who work together have good communication, teamwork and strategies for…
11:17 am, Tuesday The Whole Ox, Kakaako Photographer: David Croxford >> Robert McGee inspects beef at his butcher and deli in Kakaako. Its beef, pork, venison and lamb come from local sources that birth, raise and process the animals. Each…
Problem: Breast cancer strikes one of every eight women in the United States. “Everyone knows someone or is related to someone who has breast cancer,” says Dr. Beth Rhodes of the Breast Care Center of Hawaii. “But, today, (a breast cancer diagnosis)…
13 Insights from the BOSS survey of 401 local business leaders Seven of the 13 are good news, one not so good and two are just plain odd. You decide about the other three. 1. Overall Economy Maintains Momentum The…
Q: I have a successful company and am thinking of expanding to another island. What should I consider before taking the leap? A: The desire to grow is imbedded in the DNA of most business owners. Of course, any kind of expansion…
11:37 am, Thursday Warehouse in Kakaako Photographer: David Croxford >> Nuulani Atkins works on Kamehameha Schools ahupuaa-themed float, “Kuu Home, Kulaiwi Aloha.” Atkins’ father helped design the float, which was presented at the 66th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade on Sept. 22. The…
You might think that compiling a list of the most charitable companies in Hawaiʻi would be straightforward. After all, you just have to ask: How much money does your company and its employees donate to charity? But, it isn’t that simple.
Q: I’d like to put in a solar-electric system to reduce my business’ energy costs, but I’m concerned about grid saturation. How does it affect me? A: Distributed solar power energy in Hawaii has reached levels unprecedented elsewhere in the United States.…
10:18 am, Thursday HECO Manhole #191F, Rodgers Blvd. at Airport Substation Photographer: Twain Newhart >> Working foreman Bobby Nakaji, left, and senior cable splicers Dean Ponimoi and Mike Oasay, right, work to complete the installation of a primary…
Companies with more women in leadership and board positions financially outperform those without, according to a 19-year study of Fortune 500 companies conducted by Pepperdine University. The 25 firms with the best record of promoting women were a whopping 18…
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…
9:32 am, Wednesday Downtown Honolulu Photographer: David Croxford >> We occasionally hear strange sounds coming from the mechanical room of the Cades Schutte building, which is across the hall from the Hawaii Business offices on Bishop Street. So…
Q: One of the key, long-term managers at our family-owned company – someone who is not a family member – is asking for an “exit package” in the event she is terminated or decides to leave the company on her own.…
11:07 am, Monday Iwilei Photographer: David Croxford >> John Tau, a Reyn Spooner employee for more than 25 years, is “pinking” sample fabric on a commercial pinking cutter. Unfinished cloth edges easily fray and, while the sawtooth pattern created by pinking…
A look at what fed or ate away at the bottom line Well-run and innovative companies are usually profitable, while mismanaged and stagnant companies often lose money and go out of business. That’s easy to understand. But equally important are…
Log in to view the Hawaii Business Top 250 - 2012 list. Not subscribed? Sign up here. Welcome to the Hawaii Business Top 250, the most comprehensive ranking of Hawaii’s business elite. We list local companies based on annual gross…
Q: Why do some leaders fail? A: During the past 30 years, working side by side with hundreds of leaders, I’ve had a “front-row seat” observing the practice of leadership. I’ve seen many factors that resulted in failure, including arrogance, incompetence, dishonesty, abusiveness…
Huggo’s, on the water at the south end of Kailua Bay, is one of Kona’s oldest and most popular restaurants. Executive chef Ken Schloss and butcher Urs Hartmann talk about fish, the mainstay of Huggo’s menu. Where do you get…
2:49 pm, Friday Nimitz Highway Photographer: David Croxford >> Jie Na Liu of La Tour Bakehouse places a cookie on top of cream to create macaroons (known as macarons in French and at La Tour). They will age for a…
Today’s tourists are not willing to just stay close to their hotels or only take tours to the standard attractions. They want to experience out-of-the-way beaches, trails and neighborhoods that locals have had mostly to themselves for decades. Those incursions…
Best "Green" Vehicle Sunetric retrofitted this Honda Element with three 230-watt Sunpower modules and 12 killowatt hours of battery storage. The mobile solar power station, named Watt Wheels, provides free electricity at community, charitable and educational events. Best Classic Delivery…
Name: Johnny Fortuno Job: Performer and Elvis impersonator Experience: 13 years as Elvis; winner of the Las Vegas Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in 2011. Current Gig: Legends in Concert show at the Royal Hawaiian Theatre, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center,…
Q: How should I prepare my small business for hurricane season? A: First, consult with your insurance agent to make sure you have the appropriate coverages and limits before the need arises. Ask the agent: Do I have hurricane coverage for my…
9:37 am, Thursday Pearl City Photographer: David Croxford >> Ermelita Mendoza (left), Dado Ramos and Evelyn Pacpaco inspect and wipe down bottles of Aloha Shoyu that come off the conveyor before packing them in boxes for shipment. Five Japanese families founded the…
Highlights: Revenues and profits at Hawaii businesses up strongly. Optimism remains high for the overall Hawaii economy in the coming year. Retail sector’s performance stronger than overall Hawaii businesses on all measures: revenue, profit, jobs and future spending plans. …
Favorite spots: Blue Hole, Snipes, Paikos and Toes. Main boards: His favorite is a 6-foot Superbrand “Toy” squash tail, but he also likes his Erik Arakawa 6-foot, 3-inch rounded pin. When it comes to surfing, Evan Fujimoto’s mantra is, “No…
Find out who led the way in 14 categories, and how two organizations attract and keep employees despite serious challenges.
Many eat cockroaches and ants, while others dine on spiders and centipedes. Though you may see your home as yours, geckos see it otherwise. They are often highly territorial and usually claim a part of your house as their own.
