Plastic surgery is a growing business in Hawaii, with thousands of local customers and others flying in from the mainland, Canada, Japan and South Korea for procedures, say two of Hawaii’s top specialists in the field. Dr. Robert Peterson, chief…
“Social media is a marathon, not a sprint. You just have to start,” says Toby Tamaye (@atmarketing), president of AT Marketing. He outlines five social media platforms that can help you connect better with your customers. On Facebook, provide content that…
The dog you choose as your best friend can make a big difference on your wallet. One of the most expensive pure breeds is the English bulldog, which can cost $4,000, according to the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association. Bulldogs are…
When Bob Armstrong moved into his Nuuanu home 20 years ago, he couldn’t tell if there were fish hidden in the muddy water of his backyard pond. He didn’t know it then, but, along with the pond, the CEO of…
After more than two miserable years, many in Hawaii's construction industry think the near future will be brighter because of the Honolulu rail line, planned hotel redevelopments and other projects. "It's cautious optimism," says John White, executive director of the…
Terrifying Yet Exhilarating Twenty years ago, during his first retirement, Warren Evans tried mountain climbing while on a scouting trip with his sons in North Toronto. “We rappelled down this 100-foot cliff,” he says. “I was terrified, but, by the…
Talk about swimsuits that have been around the world and back: Acacia swimwear is designed on Maui as a fusion of low-cut Italian bikinis with a Brazilian fit, manufactured in Indonesia and then sent back to Maui for shipping. The…
During 100 years of service at Palama Settlement, the faces have changed. In the early years, the nonprofit helped Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiians. Later, a helping hand went to Filipinos, Samoans, Tongans and Laotians. More recently, Micronesians have been coming.…
When we went looking for Hawaii Business magazine's Best Dressed Executives and Professionals, we got more than a hundred nominations. It was a huge challenge – and a lot of fun – narrowing down that group of stylish people to…
Clyde Tamaru, an aquaculture specialist atUH Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, is on a mission: putting marginal land to good agricultural use with aquaponics. Along the way, Tamaru helps enhance the reputation oftilapia, a fish that many…
“How Much Does Military Spending Add to Hawaii’s Economy?” is the name of a study by the Rand National Defense Research Institute. Here are numbers from the report, including some that received little media attention when it was released in…
Every business claims it puts its customers first, but what elevates some companies above the others? One crucial factor is the ability to adapt and improve customer service with changing circumstances. Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. is the first winner of…
Poor reviews of the Honolulu zoo from visitors and trip advisories were some of the reasons the City and County of Honolulu and zoo director Manuel Mollinedo devised a six-year plan to turn the Waikiki attraction around. Here is a…
What’s It Worth? $65,000 What is it: This fully restored 1948 Steinway Grand piano, with a mahogany finish and ivory keys, was the personal piano of tobacco heiress Doris Duke. Restoration: George Nellas, owner of Piano Planet, purchased it in…
if you ever wonder what your drivers are doing with your delivery trucks, GPS tracking may be the answer. Local companies such as Comspec and Hawaiian GPS say their vehicle-tracking systems can save you money, increase your drivers’ productivity and…
If you miss fall’s football tailgating, drive up to Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore any Sunday until Labor Day for horses and tailgating at Polo Mokuleia Field. Spectators enjoy two polo matches plus an eclectic mix of halftime shows, from…
Armstrong Builders and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands have partnered to create housing communities that are both energy and water efficient. “We’re always looking for new opportunities and are committed to building as many green projects as the market can absorb,” says Daniel…
Kahala Caterers had difficulty recruiting dishwashers and general laborers for its chef staff a few years ago. “People were coming in but weren’t motivated,” company president Winston Gample says. “They all just want to be executive chefs or the next TV…
About 40 million barrels of oil are delivered by tanker to Hawaii every year and transformed into a host of products: gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, diesel and more. These photographs trace the process of refining oil, which – even in…
Smart email marketing makes the difference between emails that are read and those that go straight to the trash. Damian Davila, online marketing consultant and CEO ofIdaconcpts.com, explains how to make it work: 1) Short and focused Content is crucial,…
Problem Hawaii spends $5 billion a year on imported oil, but biofuels that can replace oil usually require a lot of agricultural land. Solution Using its library of algae strains, Kuehnle AgroSystems says it can select, analyze and optimize algae for specific…
What it's worth? $7,500 Hawaii’s most prized shells, those washed up on the beaches of Niihau and known as Kahelelani, are strung into beautiful lei. Rob Arita’s gorgeous Niihau shell lei can take years to make. In fact, he says, it takes him…
WHEN HE’S NOT OPERATING, selling and overseeing large construction equipment, Bobby Whitworth is likely deep-sea fishing. “Getting out on the ocean is physical therapy for me,” says Whitworth, general manager ofHawthorne Cat in the Pacific. “The ocean…
If a solar power system is too expensive for your household budget, how about zero down and pay as you go? That’s what partner companies Sunetric and SunRun are offering to homeowners on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Here’s…
Dr. Ricardo Custodio, medical director at the Waianae District Comprehensive Health & Hospital Board Inc., wanted to support his wife’s passion for belly dancing, so he learned and perfected the art of Middle Eastern drumming. “I figured drumming would be…
The many benefits of yoga are especially valuable to children, and that’s why a new nonprofit is bringing yoga into public elementary schools. “I believe movement exercise and mindful activities such as yoga help to stimulate brain growth and development,…
Whether they are raw, salted, pepped up with Spam or one of 13 other flavors, macadamia nuts have been a great Hawaii snack since the first planting in 1881. Here’s an overview of Hawaii’s mac nut industry: 300 Pounds per…
Are you anxious about presentations or public speaking? How about procrastination, an inability to concentrate or a lack of motivation? Fear of making sales calls? Many businesspeople suffer from one or more of these issues, but few take advantage of…
Bannister was, most recently, president of the Study Abroad Foundation in Indiana and president at Butler University from 1989 to 2000. He takes over at HPU on July 1, but already his plans are taking shape. HB: If you could…
If you want Mike Ledger to create your next tattoo, get in line. He is booked for the next two years, with a waiting list. His elaborate tattoos can take months and many repeat visits to complete, but his fans…
A look at the policy decisions, external crises and social changes that gave Hawai‘i the most expensive housing in the nation.
Find out who led the way in 14 categories, and how two organizations attract and keep employees despite serious challenges.
