They Scour the Ocean to Recover MIA Service Members from World War II
The nonprofit Project Recover and divers with Honolulu-based Legion Undersea Services help bring closure for families.
Small Business
Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards 2025
25 years of honoring outstanding local startups and innovation.
At This Restaurant, the Chef Decides What You’ll Eat
Sushi Gyoshin has only eight seats, which allows Hiroshi Tsuji to focus on a few special dishes each night and conversations with customers.
Create, Wait, Celebrate
Potter Lauren Shin teaches classes at her tranquil Norae Ceramics studio in Kāne‘ohe.
Five Daughters Who Stepped Up in the Family Business
Profiles of Hisae Uki, Candice Sombrero Ishikawa, Alison “Bo” Tanaka, Heather Cutter and Clarice Casamina
“Uncle’s” Updates an Old Classic with New Flavors
In the company’s Waialua kitchens, cookie and ice cream crews use peanut butter, liliko‘i, ube and other local favorites to make ice cream sandwiches.
Handmade on Moloka‘i
Each of the garments made at Kealopiko’s screen-printing workshop are one-of-a-kind and tell a story.
Wear Your Aloha
Local designers explain what makes alohawear unique to the Islands, and why they wish the touristy “Hawaiian” prints would just go away.
Turning Local Crops into Lucrative Food and Beverage Startups
The new Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center rents equipment and space for small businesses to ramp up production.
Fernandez Entertainment Has Brought Fun to Hawai‘i for 121 Years
SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Awards Hall of Fame: CEO Linda Fernandez oversees a large family enterprise founded by the “Barnum of the Pacific.”
Noh Foods Blends the Flavors of Asia into Sauces and Seasoning Mixes
SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Awards Hall of Fame: Raymond Noh took over the small family business in 1983 and turned it into a global food brand.
GoLeanSixSigma Trains Teams Across the Globe to Quickly Improve Processes
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: CEO and founder Karlo Tanjuakio operates his successful online training business from its Wai‘anae headquarters.
Kona Boys Leads Big Island Visitors on Ecotours on and in the Water
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Co-CEOs Frank Carpenter and Brock Stratton are working to protect Kealakekua Bay’s natural and cultural treasures.
Still & Moving Center Focuses on Mindful Movement for All Ages
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Renee Tillotson opened her Kaka‘ako studio after falling in love with Nia, a holistic fitness practice.
A-1 Auto Repair Wins Loyal Customers with Honesty and Reliability
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owner Bubba Smith, a former Navy aircraft-engine mechanic, works on everything from Hondas to Ferraris.
Enviroservices & Training Center Helps Clients Navigate Complex Environmental Rules
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: From a two-person startup, founders Mike Yee and Gregory Perry built an environmental consulting firm with global reach.
East West Marketing Imports Filipino Food Products with the “Taste of Home”
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Melody Calisay started selling dry foods from her car to support her doctoral studies. It’s now a $4 million business.
Simonpietri Enterprises Turns Demolition and Construction Waste into Energy
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: President Joelle Simonpietri helps supply O‘ahu with renewable gas and jet fuel, with new ventures on the way.
Fly Shuttle & Tours Is Rapidly Growing, But the Owners Still Get Behind the Wheel
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Brothers Tim and Thai Lai started with two vans and now oversee a giant fleet, tire sales, a repair shop and more to come.
535 Plumbing Offers High-Quality Repairs, with No Surprises
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Founder Shane Mizusawa says service costs are “very transparent and upfront.” Some are even free.
Lights On Helps Independent Hotels Manage the Business Side of Hospitality
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: CEO Will Song and President Patrick Ahler use revenue management and digital marketing to keep rooms filled.
Symbrosia Harvests Seaweed in an Innovative Strategy to Slow Climate Change
2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Founder Alexia Akbay says its nutritional supplement for livestock dramatically cuts their methane emissions.
This Century-Old Company Keeps Rolling Out Its Iconic Crackers
But have you tried Diamond Bakery’s ube, liliko‘i and Kona coffee shortbread cookies?
My Job Is Sharpening Hawai‘i’s Saws, Scissors and Knives
From his Kalihi workshop, Dexter Freitas has sharpened blades for cooks, print shops, furniture makers and others since 1988.