Hawaii’s Best Places to Work 2013
Large Companies
Fitness, Healthcare and Chances to Get Ahead
1 Servco Pacific
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.servco.com
Employees: 935 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 9
Wednesday is Rick Ching’s favorite day of the week. It’s when the executive VP of Servco Pacific heads to the company’s fitness center in a converted warehouse in Mapunapuna to play basketball with more than a dozen coworkers.
“It builds camaraderie,” Ching says. “All titles are left at the door. Everyone is out there, sweating and laughing with each other. It’s all very positive.”
The fitness center, which is open to all employees, boasts free weights, machines, volleyball and basketball courts, and various fitness classes taught by certified instructors. It’s one example of Servco’s commitment to the health and well being of its more than 900 Hawai‘i-based employees.
“It’s definitely a win-win,” Ching says. “It’s certainly good for employees and their families to have them healthier and, for Servco, healthy employees are key to providing great customer service. It’s an expense in the short run, but, in the long run, it will pay off.”
Servco Pacific provides many other benefits that create loyalty and boost morale. For example, the company extends its long-term healthcare and medical-insurance benefits to family members, offers discounts on new vehicles and other products, provides financial assistance to employees who want to further their education, and recently launched a mentoring program to help employees advance within the company.
Todd Yee took advantage of the opportunities for advancement. He started 14 years ago as a technician in a Servco dealership. Six years ago, he got the chance to do something different. Now, he’s the product training and certification manager, instructing the sales staff on new vehicles, like the highly anticipated Lexus IS.
“I had been a technician for so long, it wasn’t a challenge anymore,” Yee says. “And even though I was scared to step away from all that I knew, it was the best decision I made in my life. I absolutely love my job.”
Standing With You Through Thick and Thin
2 Maui Divers Jewelry
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.mauidivers.com
Employees: 502 (Hawaii) / 538 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 7
After about a year working at Maui Divers Jewelry, Alika Simpson was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. He went to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona for a life-saving bone-marrow transplant twice. He was there for six months both times, and the company supported him through it all. He even got care packages and get-well cards from his coworkers.
“(Maui Divers) held my position, with the same pay, and when I was better, I came right back to my old job,” says Simpson, 33, now the company’s benefits administrator and cancer-free for two years. “Everyone kept in contact. They were behind me and supporting me. I don’t think a lot of companies would have done that.”
That supportive environment is one reason the company has made the list for seven straight years. Other reasons include the employee stock ownership plan, which entitles employees to 38 percent of the company; supplemental insurance plans for cancer and accidents; transportation subsidies; generous vacation time; a 401k plan; and one of the liveliest Christmas parties around.
“It’s important for our employees to like their jobs because of the products we offer and the consumers we deal with,” says president and CEO Mary Beth Brenner. “We’re not just selling jewelry. We are selling an experience that many of our customers remember Hawaii with.”
Respect, Integrity, Creating the Future, and Excellence
3 First Insurance Co. of Hawaii
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.ficoh.com
Employees: 305 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
A key to First Insurance’s success is its culture, says CEO Allen Uyeda.
“The primary goal of our employee benefits and programs is to attract, motivate and retain an engaged workforce,” he says. “But we recognize programs don’t add up to culture, people do.”
“If our employees are on the same page about what is important, we can persevere through all kinds of changes in the marketplace.”
The company uses the acronym RICE for its core values: Respect, Integrity, Creating the future, and Excellence. “Our RICE core values continue to provide an enduring foundation for how we treat each other, our customers and the larger community,” Uyeda says.
Karen Street, VP of organizational development, says that, since every employee shares responsibility for the company’s success, each should share in the rewards, which include cash bonuses. The company also supports employees’ professional growth by subsidizing industry-specific professional designations or accreditations as well as university study toward advanced degrees.
First Insurance has also been looking into flexible start times and expects to further use telecommuting as an option following a successful pilot program, Street says.
“I think First Insurance is a great place … and we will continue to work to get better by staying attuned to the lives of employees,” she says.
Large Employers, 250 or More Employees (listed alphabetically)
American Savings Bank
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.asbhawaii.com
Employees: 1,201 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
The bank’s employee appreciation month features thank-you cards to employees, a LEGO building contest and an all-employee party at Iolani Palace with live entertainment, food and prizes. Payday for all employees is every Friday.
Central Pacific Bank
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.centralpacificbank.com
Employees: 931 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
Employees at the bank enjoy casual Fridays and can take part in Employees’ Club events. In 2012, events included drive-in movie night, tailgating at a UH football game and Ohana Day at Polynesian Cultural Center. Three employees win the Core Values Award at the holiday party; two go to those who excel in helping clients and the other is given for community service.
City Mill Co. Ltd.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.citymill.com
Employees: 409 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 6
Awards are given for excellent customer service at this local hardware store chain. Employees can receive $100 for keeping a safe workplace. A Store of the Year award is given annually; each employee at the store receives a polo shirt and $100, and the trophy is displayed at the store.
First Hawaiian Bank
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.fhb.com
Employees: 2,052 (Hawaii) / 2,193 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 3
Employees have access to the main branch’s courtyard and patio facilities for family celebrations. Top sales performers and support staff are treated to an all-expenses-paid trip. The free employee-wellness program includes health assessments, flu shots and exercise classes. When an employee’s family member passes away, FHB sends a floral wreath in remembrance. Employees receive a lunch subsidy at the on-site cafeteria.
Parents And Children Together
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.pacthawaii.org
Employees: 418 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Every year, the nonprofit family-services provider holds a picnic at which PACT recognizes employees for their years of service. Employees receive two mental-health days a year. On their birthdays, employees receive gift certificates and birthday cards, and are listed in the company newsletter.
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Methodology for Best Places to Work
The Best Places to Work in Hawaii is a partnership between Hawaii Business and Best Companies Group of Harrisburg, Pa. BCG is an independent workplace-excellence research firm that partners with local publications and organizations to create similar lists across the U.S. and internationally.
The program is free and open to all publicly and privately held organizations in Hawaii, either for- or non-profit. To be eligible, companies must have 15 or more employees working in Hawaii. BCG surveys employees and assesses the company’s policies and practices, evaluates the data and ultimately names the companies appearing on the list. Employees who fill out the surveys are granted anonymity, which encourages honest responses.
Companies are placed in their categories depending on the size of their Hawaii workforce; only the companies’ Hawaii workforce is surveyed.
To learn more about the survey questions and the process, or to nominate a company for the 2014 list, visit hawaiibusiness.com/bptw.
Medium Companies
Approachable bosses, family atmosphere and twice-yearly bonuses
1 Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Waipahu
www.bowersandkubota.com
Employees: 109 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 6
One reason employees love working for Bowers + Kubota is the interaction among all levels.
Most employees feel comfortable going directly to the top with their ideas, suggestions and concerns, says Amy Matsushima, human resources manager at the architectural and engineering consulting firm.
“Oftentimes, when we do surveys, you’ll see Brian and Dexter’s names show up as far as what they love about the company,” says Matsushima, using the principals’ first names. “They like the family atmosphere and we try to maintain that.”
Both Bowers and Kubota get to know each employee well, making a point to remember the names of spouses and children. B+K holds an annual golf tournament as well as an annual Christmas party in which the company pays to fly in employees and spouses from the Neighbor Islands.
“Looking for ways to improve and listening to them, I think, is all part of them recognizing that management is on their side, and that we as a team can be successful both as individuals and collectively as an organization,” Bowers says.
The firm pays bonuses twice a year based on individual and company performance, and hasn’t skipped a bonus in 16 years. The company also contributes about 12 percent of annual pay into each employee’s retirement account.
Health and wellness are also important at B+K. It reimburses employees up to $200 per year for wellness-related expenses, everything from gym club memberships to running shoes. But, Bowers says, of all the benefits, the one that is most appreciated is the 100-percent-paid healthcare coverage for employees and their families.
“People that come from other firms are just shocked we do that,” he says.
Strong Benefits and 3 Ways to Advance Your Career
2 Kiewit Infrastructure Group
U.S. Headquarters: Omaha, Neb.
www.kiewit.com
Employees: 60 (Hawaii) / 11,230 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
Kiewit offers strong benefits and a three-point method to keep its employees happy and growing professionally.
The benefits include time off that grows with each year someone is with the company, a 6-percent 401K match and reimbursement for health-club memberships.
Ben Prock, Kiewit’s Hawaii-area manager, says the first part of the three-point plan is rotating salaried employees from one skill set to another. For example, a hired engineer may spend six months estimating and then be moved to office duties or field operations.
“We keep the people that work for us challenged on a very regular basis,” Prock says. “We don’t let people sit doing the same thing for very long before we rotate them to another type of job classification or responsibility.”
The second part of the program is succession planning: preparing employees to advance their careers by giving them needed experience, whether by placing them on certain types of work sites or with a specific supervisor who will help them advance.
“The third thing would really boil down to the team-building activities we do as a group,” Prock says. “We have area meetings, typically twice a year, where we get the entire group together, have a meeting and go through some training. We go through communications. Normally, the second half of the day, we bring in families.”
Good People, Teamwork and Half-day Fridays
3 Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.atahawaii.com
Employees: 61 (Hawaii) / 63 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 3
President Terrance S. Arashiro says the employees are what make Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates a special place to work.
Founded in 1934, the civil engineering and surveying company values people who contribute to the company from their hearts, not out of self-interest, Arashiro explains. “It’s in their nature to make this a better place.”
This is markedly different from a more typical view of work in which one climbs the ladder and “grabs what you can,” he says.
When people work as a team, results are better. In turn, the company makes sure to give back even more, Arashiro says. Perhaps the most popular policy is that work on Fridays is only a half-day. The company has also gone to unique lengths in some cases to keep employees, even, for example, after they have moved to Vermont and San Diego.
Paul Arita started working for Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates right out of college and has been there 18 years so far. Early in his career, he contemplated leaving to do different types of work, but decided to stay because he was allowed to grow and take on new challenges of his own choosing.
“The company wants you to do as much as possible, to develop as an engineer and also as a person,” says Arita, who enjoys mentoring newer employees.
Medium Employers, 50 to 249 Employees (listed alphabetically)
Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
alohapacific.com
Employees: 187 (Hawaii) / 195 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 5
Part of this federal credit union’s wellness programs includes a free, onsite lunch with a health speaker and exercise classes, like Zumba, on location. The company subsidizes the annual Halloween contest, helping each department with the cost of decorations and supplies.
Associa Hawaii (formerly Certified Hawaii)
U.S. Headquarters: Dallas
Employees: 126 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the community-association management company can access a bank of funds to pursue personal growth through outlets such as health-club memberships, educational classes, smoking-cessation and weight-loss programs, and cultural programs.
Atlas Insurance Agency Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.atlasinsurance.com
Employees: 110 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 5
The insurance company has a profit-sharing program and a 401K program in which the company matches 4 percent of employee contributions. Atlas pays expenses for insurance and career-related classes, including books, exam fees, study time and the costs of attending conferment ceremonies.
Deloitte
U.S. Headquarters: New York City
www.deloitte.com
Employees: 77 (Hawaii) / 47,183 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 8
Employees have plenty of opportunities for career and professional growth, with access to resources across the nation and to Deloitte University. During the busy audit and tax season, office leaders host regular team lunches.
Edward Jones
U.S. Headquarters: St. Louis, Mo.
www.edwardjones.com
Employees: 96 (Hawaii) / 36,619 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 9
The financial-services firm’s business model includes one financial advisor and one office administrator for every branch. Every associate with three years of experience can be offered a partnership and 40 percent of all associates are part owners. Associates are able to set their own schedules and work locations.
Expedia Local Expert
U.S. Headquarters: Bellevue, Wash.
www.localexpert.com
Employees: 207 (Hawaii) / 391 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
The concierge-service company recognizes its employees with monthly birthday lunches with the GM, monthly bonus sales emails from a director and a Concierge of the Year awards. The company also cares about four-legged friends, offering pet insurance to employees.
Finance Factors Ltd.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.financefactors.com
Employees: 115 (Hawaii) / 118 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
he financial-services and loan company matches up to $100 for an employee’s charitable contribution. The company incentivizes with money: $25 cash for Thanksgiving, $25 per month toward a gym membership, $100 toward an annual health screening and cash awards when celebrating anniversaries ending in 5 or 0.
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.hsfcu.com
Employees: 218 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees and managers at the credit union can reward each other’s hard work through its ACE program. Staff gives each other vouchers, which can be redeemed for gift certificates or logo items, some valued at $600. The company provides at least four employee-appreciation dinners or lunches a year.
Hickam Communities LLC
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.hickamcommunities.com
Employees: 75 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
The military-residential property manager holds quarterly employee-appreciation lunches for all staff. Employees receive up to 29 paid time-off days a year. During the workweek, there’s a daily five to 10 minutes stretching session and a short walk.
Honolulu HomeLoans
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.honhl.com
Employees: 65 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the full-service mortgage banking company work in a highly professional environment, can work flexible schedules and can telecommute. Employees receive 15 paid time-off days a year.
Island Insurance Co. Ltd.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.islandinsurance.com
Employees: 186 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 7
Employees at the property- and casualty-insurance company receive discounts on all types of insurance, from personal auto to pet insurance. On employees’ fifth anniversaries (and every five years thereafter), they are awarded $500 and honored at a ceremony.
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.kkv.net
Employees: 169 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 3
Employees at the nonprofit receive free produce from the nature preserve at KKV, which is a healthcare provider to the residents of Kalihi Valley. At the annual staff retreat, employees are recognized for their years of service, some of whom have been there for 35 years.
Maryknoll School
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.maryknollschool.org
Employees: 179 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 3
Employees’ children receive tuition reimbursement at the K-12 private school. Employees can use the gym facilities for free. Anniversary pins for service of five years and up are awarded to employees and they are honored at events like the monthly all-school mass.
Maui Family Support Services Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Wailuku
www.mfss.org
Employees: 55 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 6
Employees at the family-support services provider have flexible schedules and can take a staff holiday up to 30 days before or after the actual holiday to meet family needs or extend a vacation. After two years on the job, paid time-off certificates are given to employees, in addition to their allotted paid time off.
New York Life Insurance Co.
U.S. Headquarters: New York, NY
www.newyorklife.com
Employees: 110 (Hawaii) / 15,000 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 5
Employees at the financial-services company have access to mentoring and training programs. The staff takes part in monthly team-building events. Exclusive destination trips are offered to employees to meet goals.
Nordic PCL Construction Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Denver, Colo.
www.nordicpcl.com
Employees: 85 (Hawaii) / 1,290 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 7 (*Listed under PCL Hawaii in 2007 & 2008)
When the general contractor is awarded a contract, the company celebrates with a toast and food and drinks. As an employee-owned company, employees can buy shares and annually earn dividends. Employees who reach 100 hours of learning at the company’s College of Construction are recognized with awards.
PKF Pacific Hawaii LLP
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.pkfpacifichawaii.com
Employees: 51 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 3
The firm providing audit, tax and advisory services has many perks for its employees, including an office playroom for employees’ children, flexible schedules and a trip to Las Vegas. During breaks, employees can use the flat-screen TV and video-game system in the lunchroom.
ProService Hawaii
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.proservice.com
Employees: 115 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
Employees at this professional employer organization celebrate holidays (including National Payroll Week) with games, potlucks and contests. ProService has an annual family picnic and an annual company retreat, which includes a weekend getaway.
Saint Louis School
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.saintlouishawaii.org
Employees: 114 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the private school receive birthday bonus checks and participate in quarterly potluck socials. Staff is eligible for discounts on tuition at Saint Louis School and Chaminade University.
Skyline Eco-Adventures
U.S. Headquarters: Pukalani, Maui
www.zipline.com
Employees: 59 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 5
Employees at the zipline company receive complimentary tour passes to give out at their discretion. Staff accrue paid days to volunteer at nonprofits of their choice. At the holiday party, the company honors two outstanding employees, who receive plaques and their names engraved on a plaque in the office.
Swinerton Builders
U.S. Headquarters: San Francisco
www.swinerton.com
Employees: 84 (Hawaii) / 996 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the construction company like to get together at quarterly employee-owner meetings, and at annual summer picnic, holiday and mochi parties. Employees’ families are encouraged to attend company-sponsored events such as the Great Aloha Run.
T-Mobile Hawaii (U-Mobile LLC)
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
facebook.com/hawaiitmobile
Employees: 57 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the mobile-phone provider receive discounted phone service and can test new phones. The company holds contests with prizes that have included cash and gadgets, like headphones. When teams do well, the company celebrates with pizza or fried-chicken parties.
Toshiba Business Solutions (USA) Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Irvine, Calif.
www.business.toshiba.com
Employees: 56 (Hawaii) / 2,300 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Each employee participates in a kaizen (Japanese for “improvement”) team that focuses on a specific goal to move the company forward, such as fundraising, green initiatives, internal processes, etc. Every year, the company rents a beach house for a holiday weekend where employees and their families can spend the day.
UBS Financial Services Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Weehawken, N.J.
www.ubs.com
Employees: 55 (Hawaii) / 64,820 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees at the financial-services firm enjoy half-day workdays around three-day weekends, and can use an employee volunteer day to work at a charity of the employee’s choice.
Wealth Strategy Partners
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.thewsp.com
Employees: 50 (Hawaii) / 86 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Top employees are celebrated with Advocate of the Month awards and through the Leaders Club and Presidents Club, which include all-expenses paid trips to domestic or international destinations. The financial-services firm celebrates employees’ birthdays every month by buying cake for the office.
Y&M Radiology
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.ymrad.com
Employees: 69 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 2
Employees enjoy fully paid parking at all locations or reimbursed bus passes. They’re also eligible for cash in lieu of benefits, and can be reimbursed for tuition costs. At the Employee Appreciation Day, the radiologists hand out lunch and gift bags to all employees.
Small Companies
Work Can Be Stressful, the Workplace Shouldn’t Be
1 Life Foundation
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.lifefoundation.org
Employees: 35 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 5
A lot of organizations talk about ohana but Life Foundation walks the walk.
Food is a good example. The staff was sharing the leftovers from meals provided a couple of times a week for clients, then that morphed into staff lunches and staff-meeting potlucks, which can get pretty elaborate. Employees also dress up for Halloween and participate in communal wellness and personal-development activities.
“I’m impressed by the sense of community and family within the staff,” says Melanie Moore, communications director for the past eight years. “We cook together, hang out together – it’s why people stay here.”
“It does lend a sense of collegiality,” agrees executive director Paul Groesbeck, who’s been on the job 20 years. “It takes the edge off pretty stressful work.” That work involves case managers, nurses, outreach workers and support staff who assist clients being tested or treated for HIV/AIDS and provide AIDS prevention education.
Staff lunches also provide a venue for recognizing case manager of the month and employment anniversaries. Other perks include 14 days’ vacation, 25 days’ paid time off and a 401K program after 30 days’ employment. Life Foundation pays 100 percent of the premiums for employees’ medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, and life, long-term care and short-term-disability insurance from the first day of employment.
“A lot of emotional stuff happens at work,” Moore says. So employees are given a lot of leeway and support. The dress code is casual, hours are flexible and telecommuting is an option. Life Foundation provides plenty of training and 360 appraisals for all staff.
“We don’t overdo the rules and regulations. You may get stress from your work, but you shouldn’t get it from your workplace,” Groesbeck says. “AIDS is a very chaotic thing. Our organization shouldn’t add to the chaos. We’re able to attract people to work here who believe in that.”
The recipe works. Although salaries aren’t high, turnover is just 7 percent a year, less than half the healthcare industry average, as reported by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employees Own the Company and Reap the Rewards
2 ECC
U.S. Headquarters: Burlingame, Calif.
www.ecc.net
Employees: 23 (Hawaii) / 504 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW List: 1
ECC, a defense construction and remediation contractor with offices around the world, was named one of the top workplaces in the San Francisco Bay Area last year and couldn’t be more thrilled to be selected this year to Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for the first time.
“We know the value of this business in Honolulu, and it’s only as good as its people,” says John Fern, ECC senior program manager. “We value diversity and try to attract employees who have good qualities like loyalty, imagination and ambition. Being on this list helps that.”
ECC employees like that they work for an employee-owned company.
“When the company makes money, they definitely share the profits,” explains Julie Chen, the company’s proposal and marketing manager. “This is the first employee-owned company I’ve ever worked for and, for me personally, I feel every contribution I make is a direct contribution to the company’s success.”
Ian Lange, ECC’s other senior program manager, agrees. “Our employees really do feel like they have a say. They’re committed to the company’s success, and the company is committed to their success.”
One of the commitments the company makes to its employees’ health is a 100-percent employer-paid health plan, which includes medical, dental, vision prescription, life insurance, flu shots and an on-site wellness manager. No wonder it’s a Best Place to Work.
Good Pay, Open Communication and Great Events
3 Wakelight Technologies Inc.
U.S. Headquarters: Honolulu
www.wakelight.com
Employees: 33 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW List: 4
For the fourth year in a row, Wakelight Technologies, Inc. has been named a Hawaii Best Place to Work. What is it doing right?
Employees’ compensation is a good place to start. “We pay them as much as we possibly can, and keep as little as we can for ourselves,” says executive VP Don Hess. “We want them to feel valued, whether it’s through compensation, benefits, opportunity or all of the above.”
Wakelight provides services in telecommunications and information technology; management and administrative support; and engineering and technical services. Hess says this diversity allows the company to support its employees with a positive work environment that includes open communication, initiative rewards and opportunities for professional growth.
One way the company does that is by regularly getting the team together for special events. “Our Christmas parties are signature events,” Hess boasts. “We try to do something different and memorable every year. Just recently, we bought a block of tickets and catered dinner for our employees at the production of ‘Wicked’ at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.”
“At the end of the day, folks appreciate that they have more than just a company where they drive to work. They appreciate knowing they’re part of something, and that they’re valued.”
Small Employers, 15 to 49 Employees (listed alphabetically)
America’s Mattress
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.mattresshawaii.com
Employees: 32 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 5
The bed retailer recognizes its sales employees at monthly meetings, and both sales and warehouse employees are recognized at an annual retreat. To improve employee health and happiness, the company pays the cost of an employees’ fitness program of choice, such as CrossFit or swimming.
The Berry Co.
U.S. headquarters: Englewood, Colo.
www.theberrycompany.com
Employees: 43 (Hawaii) / 783 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 4
The online marketing company creates a fun environment for employees with ice cream days and a casual dress code year-round. Berry also runs sales contests with incentives that encourage performance.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.bbbshawaii.org
Employees: 25 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii understands the demands of personal lives and offers flexible work schedules, working from home and bringing children to work when needed. The organization also encourages employees and their families to participate in special events and community activities sponsored by clients.
Blue Ginger
U.S. headquarters: Kahului
www.blueginger.com
Employees: 44 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Employees at the 30-year-old clothing retailer have flexible schedules and work four-day weeks. Staff receives incentive coupons for free clothing.
Environmental Science International
U.S. headquarters: Kailua
www.esciencei.com
Employees: 35 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
The environmental consulting and remediation firm says its employees love the work environment, flexibility and great pay. ESI has family-oriented events, including electric auto races.
EnviroServices & Training Center LLC
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.gotoetc.com
Employees: 39 (Hawaii) / 40 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 2
ETC provides a wide range of benefits to its employees, from paid time off and flexible spending accounts to massage chairs, an on-site ping pong table and gift cards to purchase Thanksgiving turkeys.
Hale Ola Kino
U.S. headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
www.haleolakino.com
Employees: 49 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 8
Employees at this nursing home can receive cash in lieu of benefits if they are already covered by another healthcare plan. Once a year, the company will pamper employees with chair massages, manicures and makeovers.
Hawaii Families as Allies
U.S. headquarters: Aiea
www.hfaa.net
Employees: 21 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
This nonprofit knows the importance of its employees’ family, offering paid time off for employees to attend school meetings for their children. Employees are also given paid time off to volunteer in the community.
Hawaii Foodbank
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.hawaiifoodbank.org
Employees: 38 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 5
Hawaii Foodbank, whose mission is to provide food for the Island’s hungry, celebrates with food for employees, including occasional parking-lot barbecues and after-inventory lunch for its operational staff. Employees also love the nonprofit’s Thanksgiving basketball tournament.
Hawaii Human Resources (HiHR)
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.hihrhawaii.com
Employees: 49 (Hawaii) / 50 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
The human resources provider has a plethora of cool perks, including employee lunch five days a week, in-office massages and additional paid time off to volunteer. The company calls impromptu meetings for important announcements, or birthday celebrations with cupcakes.
Hawaii Information Consortium LLC
U.S. headquarters: Olathe, Kan.
www.ehawaii.gov
Employees: 29 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
The technology company not only maintains and manages the state of Hawaii’s official website, it also organizes volunteer opportunities for company employees that better the state, such as beach cleanups and trail clearing.
Hawaii Petroleum Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Seattle, Wash.
www.hawaiipetroleum.com
Employees: 33 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 2
Employees at the gasoline and petroleum products company enjoy an end-of-the-year employee appreciation party, for which the company pays for the employee and a guest to stay overnight at a local hotel. In addition, some employees receive a fuel allowance.
Honolulu Board of Realtors
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.hicentral.com
Employees: 32 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 7
Employees at the trade organization have flexible working hours and can take time off or sick leave to care for loved ones, bring children into the office after school, etc. An annual staff retreat gives everyone a day outside of work to learn, bond with each other and have fun.
Hospice of Kona Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Kaillua-Kona
www.hospiceofkona.org
Employees: 40 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 4
Hospice of Kona has a flexible holiday schedule that allows employees to choose some of their holiday time off. Employees’ birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated with gifts and flowers, and employees receive plaques for their fifth anniversaries.
Imua Family Services
U.S. headquarters: Wailuku
www.imuafamilyservices.org
Employees: 42 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 4
A provider of developmental and therapeutic support services to children up to 6 years old, Imua Family Services gives its employees flexible scheduling and 19 holidays a year. The nonprofit also brings in national speakers for staff development.
Integrated Security Technologies Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.istechs.net
Employees: 17 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 2
The security system provider allows employees to bring their children and dogs to work, and even has a mascot, Pico the dog. When a customer compliments an employee, the employee gets a $20 gift certificate.
Integration Technologies Inc. (Intech)
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.intech-hawaii.com
Employees: 17 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
Perks such as console games and streaming-video services such as Netflix are apt benefits for this provider of business computer networks. Employees also have monthly sales incentives and free lunches.
Jack’s Diving Locker
U.S. headquarters: Kailua-Kona
www.jacksdivinglocker.com
Employees: 38 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
The scuba and snorkeling business gives employees opportunities to lead dive trips not just in pristine waters off Hawaii Island, but in other parts of the world. If employees want more time in the water, they can go diving for free on their days off.
John Hancock Financial Network – Hawaii Financial Partners
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.johnhancockhawaii.com
Employees: 31 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 6
Employees at the financial-services firm can earn incentives such as trips to Maui. The firm provides a strong support system, helping financial advisors cut costs for training and training successors.
Lyon
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.lyon.us.com
Employees: 27 (Hawaii) / 130 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Employees at the engineering firm can play on the ping-pong or foosball tables during breaks. The company also likes to celebrate with employees, having cake and ice cream for birthdays, and holding a pau-hana party for employees and clients.
Navy Federal Credit Union
U.S. headquarters: Vienna, Va.
www.navyfederal.org
Employees: 49 (Hawaii) / 9,122 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
At this credit union, the company recognizes employees who meet and exceed performance goals and presents them with gift cards, lunch and other rewards at quarterly recognition meetings. Employees can be reimbursed up to $200 for approved wellness and fitness programs. Employees can donate annual leave to an individual employee in need or to a general leave bank.
Pacific Administrators Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.pacadmin.com
Employees: 46 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 5
At the employee-benefit-administration company, staff can relax in a quiet room with five rocker recliner massage chairs. Awards are given out for employee of the month and employee of the year. Employees are also eligible for perfect attendance awards. There’s also a 35-hour workweek, which results in increased wage rates in less time.
Pacific Biodiesel
U.S. headquarters: Kahului
www.biodiesel.com
Employees: 44 (Hawaii) / 58 (U.S.)
Years on the BPTW list: 2
Employees at the biofuel company receive discounts for fuel. The company covers 100 percent of employee healthcare benefits, and every employee receives an annual bonus.
Pro-File Record Systems
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
profile-hawaii.com
Employees: 16 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Employees at the file management company love the employee-appreciation events, medical insurance and wellness initiatives.
Simply Organized LLC
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.simplyorganized.net
Employees: 31 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Whenever an employee at the retailer of storage and organization products receives a positive customer letter or feedback, the company president sends a personal letter and a small gift to the team member’s home. Employees like to sing and have created unique songs for different company events.
T&T Tinting Specialists Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.tnttinting.com
Employees: 27 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 5
The glass tinting designers and installers has an on-site fitness center that employees can use before or after work or during lunch breaks. The company holds an employee family-fun day every quarter; past activities have included beach outings, barbecues and bowling.
Wealth Managing Partners Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.wm-partners.com
Employees: 20 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 3
Employees at the financial-services company have four-day workweeks and celebrate often with monthly administrative appreciation-day luncheons and holiday parties.
WSP Hawaii Inc.
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.wspgroup.com.au
Employees: 20 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
Employees at this engineering firm can set their own schedules, including a four-day workweek. When a difficult and stressful project wraps up, employees are often given half days off. The company pays 100 percent of employees’ and their dependents’ health insurance.
ZR Systems Group LLC
U.S. headquarters: Honolulu
www.zrsystems.com
Employees: 15 (Hawaii)
Years on the BPTW list: 1
The IT services company pays for the training and certification of its employees, and pays cell-phone and gas allowances. The company sponsors events such as dinners and lunches to recognize employees for completing projects and promotions.
Editor’s Choice Awards
Healthiest Workplaces
Small Companies
1. Hawaii Information Consortium LLC
2. ECC
3. Navy Federal Credit Union
Medium Companies
1. Bowers + Kubota Consulting
2. Kiewit Infrastructure Group
3. Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union
Large Companies
1. American Savings Bank
2. Servco Pacific Inc
3. First Hawaiian Bank
Most Family-Friendly Companies
Small Companies
1. Hawaii Information Consortium LLC
2. Navy Federal Credit Union
3. WSP Hawaii Inc.
Medium Companies
1. Bowers + Kubota Consulting
2. UBS Financial Services, Inc.
3. Y&M Radiology
Large Companies
1. First Hawaiian Bank
2. Parents And Children Together
3. Servco Pacific Inc
Top Nonprofits
Small Companies
Life Foundation
Medium Companies
Saint Louis School
Large Companies
Parents And Children Together
