How Hawai‘i Women Can Overcome Obstacles and Build Thriving Businesses
A Bluesky executive keynotes a major event for women entrepreneurs on May 2 that helps them finance, launch and grow their businesses.
Steve Petranik
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.
Articles
BOSS Survey and 808 Poll Methodology for Spring 2025
For the BOSS Survey of business owners and executives, 357 random interviews statewide were conducted by Anthology Research from Sept. 11, 2024, to Oct. 29, 2024. This survey used both online and telephone interviews. A sample of this size has…
Here’s What Hawai‘i Business Leaders Say about Their Companies, Life, Communities and Local Politicians
Among BOSS survey findings, leaders report upticks in optimism but rate the overall state of local businesses less favorably than the general public does.
Good Independent Journalism Matters More Than Ever
My parents escaped dictators, communism and fascism for a better life. They knew that democracy was intertwined with fact-based media.
7 Fascinating Facts from the Hawai‘i State Data Book
Death, taxes, tourists and other data about Hawai‘i, then and now.
I Used to Be a Little Scared of Retirement. Not Anymore.
After 38 years in the local news media, Hawaii Business’ editor and executive publisher is getting ready to kick back and enjoy semi-retirement.
This Nonprofit Has Helped People Get Back on Track for Over 100 Years
One of Aloha United Way’s most-used resources is the 211 Helpline, which received 58,143 requests for help in 2023.
BIA’s Big Goal: Supplying Homebuilders with More Entry-Level Workers
The Building Industry Association of Hawaii has revived its education program, a gateway to well-paid construction jobs.
Are Elites Growing the Pie or Simply Their Pieces?
The U.S. ranks lower than expected on the Elite Quality Index, pointing to institutions that concentrate power and wealth.
New CEO Joe Sprague Explains What’s Next for Hawaiian Airlines
CEO Joe Sprague talks about airfare prices, the future of nonunion employees, interisland flights, and maintaining the Hawaiian brand while coordinating with Alaska Airlines on flights, rewards programs and customer service.
Commentary: Why Managing Household Budgets and Corporate Finances Aren’t So Different
Financial lessons from Hawaiian Airlines that apply to everyday challenges, from setting goals to assessing risk.
Nominate an Emerging Leader or Small Business for Recognition
Send us your suggestions for 20 for the Next 20: Hawai‘i’s People to Watch and the SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Awards.
Which Money Journey Are You Currently On?
Join financial experts on Nov. 9 to learn about budgeting basics, building credit, retirement planning, buying your first home, financial strategies for small businesses and more.
Hawaii Business Wins 24 Awards
The honors include six first-place awards from a statewide competition and a national gold medal.
How a Small Real-Estate Developer Is Building a Big Portfolio
MacNaughton has bought three local hotels, adding to its investments in residential projects, retail and more.
Want Honest Feedback About Your Organization?
The Best Places to Work survey uncovers what employees really think and how to improve. Deadline to register is Oct. 18.
What Happens When a Hypnotist and an Improv Comic Ask for Volunteers
Asad Mecci and Colin Mochrie let hypnotized participants steer their performance in unexpected, sometimes hilarious directions. Coming to Hawaii Theatre Oct. 10
Hawai‘i Retailers Are Struggling More Than Other Businesses
In the latest BOSS Survey, 50% of store owners say profits have fallen, and 61% say their biggest challenge is finding good employees.
Hawai‘i’s Cost of Living Needs to Be Lowered, Say Survey Respondents
In the BOSS survey and 808 poll, 72% of business leaders and 78% of the general public say more needs to be done to reduce costs.
Commentary: Great, Now We Need AI to Fend Off AI Hacking
Cybersecurity experts explain how to fight back against sophisticated attacks – and what’s coming in the near future.
Meet Jason Chang, the New CEO of Queen’s
The leader of Hawai‘i’s largest health-care system brings fresh ideas for expanding services statewide while stabilizing the financials.
Business Leaders Say Profits Are Down and Optimism Is Falling
In our biannual BOSS Survey, only 42% of businesses were confident they’d be open in three years – down 14% from the year before.
Taxes in Hawai‘i Are Much Too High, Say 43% of BOSS Survey Respondents
Our biannual survey of business leaders and the general public gathers opinions about taxes, prices and who should lead the Maui recovery.
Commentary: Two Executives of Global Companies Share Their AI Pro Tips
Mike Trinh from OpenAI and Michael Mattmiller from Microsoft explain how to get started with AI and simplify work.
AI Apps You Can Use to Save Time and Money
Tips from local experts on the best AI platforms, mobile apps, design timesavers, programming tools and a favorite called Zapier.
Hawai‘i Community Foundation Has Raised Nearly $200 Million for Maui. Here’s Where It’s Going.
CEO Micah Kāne and Senior VP Lauren Nahme explain funding decisions, and how efforts to rebuild Lahaina may ultimately drive down costs of simple homes.
How’d He Do That?!
Waikīkī’s Magical Mystery Show features bewitching sleight-of-hand performers who make the audience part of the entertainment.
Commentary: AI Is (a) Useful, (b) Frightening, (c) Empowering, (d) Disruptive, (e) All of the Above
Emotions are high as artificial intelligence is poised to upend work life.
Commentary: Why Is It So Hard to Get a Good Night’s Sleep?
Sleep impacts our health, safety and productivity. But getting enough of it can be an elusive goal.
Commentary: It’s Hard to Say Goodbye to Teammates But Fun to Meet New Ones
We’ve gone through changes in recent years, so let me reintroduce our staff.
Commentary: Does It Matter Who Owns Hawai‘i’s Hotels?
We uncover the pros and cons of private equity ownership. You can make up your own mind about the results.
What We Can Learn from Three Extreme Leaders
Lyndon Johnson, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk got exceptional results, but often at an intolerable price.
In Hawai‘i, 57% of Employees Prefer Remote or Hybrid Work. Only 44% of Bosses Agree.
The newest BOSS Survey and 808 Poll tracks opinions about the UH system, remote vs. in-person work, and the tourism industry.
New CEO at OHA Explains Why She Took the Job and Her Goals for Serving the Native Hawaiian Lāhui
Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira joined the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Nov. 1 after serving as budget chief for the state Senate and in several roles at Kamehameha Schools.
76% of Business Leaders Support Hawai‘i’s Emergency Housing Proclamation
That’s one finding in the BOSS and 808 surveys, which cover guns, government corruption, red-light cameras and more.
Mass Tourism Is Fine, Say 69% of Business Leaders and 73% of O‘ahu Residents
The BOSS and 808 surveys also show that many businesses are tightening their budgets in anticipation of slow growth ahead.
Hawai‘i Could Fix Its Housing Crisis
Experts have lots of good ideas, including more land for housing, more density and more Tokyo-style “by-right” development.
Holding Public Office Takes Courage, Especially Now
Journalists like us drive conversations. But elected officials act – and take the heat from an often angry, sometimes misinformed public.
Artificial Intelligence Is Already Shaping Hawai‘i
Five local experts discuss how AI is helping to synthesize data, generate ideas and handle tedious tasks.
Hawaii Business Wins 25 National and Statewide Awards
Noelle Fujii-Oride led the way with seven prizes. Read our winning stories on real estate and housing, child care and public schools, wildfires, ESOPs, salaries and more.
