Talk Story

Barron Guss, President and CEO, Altres

The talent management and outsourcing veteran speaks candidly on how local companies excel – and fall short – at recruiting, retaining and inspiring workers.  Q: Why is recruiting such a headache? Guss: Businesses are doing what you think should be…

Talk Story: Sig Zane

Sig Zane is an icon of aloha wear. His mastery of hand-cutting rubylith is the signature of the SZD aesthetic and the sharp lines of his artwork make Hawaiian flora and fauna come to life like no other company. The…

Talk Story: Livingston "Jack" Wong

Five months after being named interim CEO, Wong became CEO of Kamehameha Schools in September 2014. He oversees a portfolio that includes a $10.6 billion endowment; ownership of more Hawaii land than any other nongovernment organization; and developments in Kakaako,…

Talk Story: Scott Higashi

Higashi explains how the 48-year-old company stays relevant amid unprecedented disruption in the real estate industry. He also weighs in on Hawaii’s paltry housing supply, offshore home buyers and whether the new presidency will impact Hawaii’s market. Q: How does…

Talk Story: Jean Rolles

Jean Rolles, now 81 and daughter of Outrigger's founders, Roy and Estelle Kelly, has been named Salesperson of the Year for 2016 by the Honolulu chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives. SME Honolulu will honor her at its annual luncheon,…

Talk Story: Cindy Adams

Two years after taking the helm at AUW, Adams’ top priorities are greater transparency, enhanced metrics, and deeper relationships with the state and other nonprofits. Q: The traditional separation between businesses and nonprofits has been changing. A: There has been…

Talk Story: Peter Ho

Even after six years at the helm of the state’s second largest bank, Ho is still a relatively young CEO, at age 50. However, he points out: “There are a lot of miles on the odometer.” We talk to him…

Advice from the Top: Eric Tessem

Eric Tessem founded Construction Associates Inc. in the Pacific Northwest and led it for 22 years before joining Ledcor Construction in 2003. He now heads the Honolulu office of dck. YOU STARTED YOUR OWN BUSINESS, CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATES. WHAT’S THE MOST…