Author: Natalie McKnight-Sur

Yes, We’re Open: Panda General Store

One in a series of profiles of new small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown began Crisis can open a window of opportunity. Panda General Store is a grocery delivery service formed by three friends whose…

Local Black-Owned Businesses: Elite Prep Hawaii LLC

One in a series of profiles of Black-owned businesses across the Islands  Elite Prep Hawaii founder Seleena M. Harkness-Lee aspires to provide the guidance she wishes she had as a teen.  Harkness-Lee describes herself as an educational consultant, coach, teacher…

Local Black-Owned Businesses: Le Crêpe Café

One in a series of profiles of Black-owned businesses across the Islands Hawaiʻi offers more than just great local and Asian foods. Le Crêpe Café is an excellent example.  Soufiane Bouharkat grew up in Paris, where he had memorable experiences…

Yes, We’re Open: Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya

One in a series of profiles of new small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown. Since graduating from UH Mānoa in 2014, Tina Wang says, she has dreamed of bringing her favorite ramen to Hawaiʻi’s rich…

Yes, We’re Open: Rare Cannabinoid Co.

One in a series of profiles of new small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown. COVID-19 raised stress levels as uncertainty spread across the world, and the stay-at-home orders that followed left people restless. Rare Cannabinoid…

Yes, We’re Open: En Route Hawaii

One in a series of profiles of small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown. Some businesses see the COVID-19 pandemic as an obstacle. For En Route Hawaii, it’s an opportunity. En Route Hawaii is a personal…

Yes, We’re Open: Pacific Horizon Lending

One in a series of profiles of new small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown. An international pandemic hitting just as you launch an independent business may seem like an insurmountable barrier. Noelani Yoshino is ready…

Yes, We’re Open: Noods Ramen Bar in Kaimukī

First in a series of profiles of new small businesses in Hawai‘i that have launched since the pandemic shutdown Blane Nishizawa’s secret to success is adaptability. Nishizawa’s newly opened Noods Ramen Bar began as a pop-up out of his McCully…