Hawaii Business Magazine - March 2010

5 Steps to Making Meetings Work

Worried that you and your staff are wasting time in unproductive meetings? Attorney Elizabeth Kent of the Hawaii Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution offers five ways to get the most out of your meetings. 1. Plan Ahead to Be…

iPhone App Lessons

After working in Russia, Japan, England, Argentina and the U.S., Daniel Leuck fulfilled his childhood prophecy by choosing the Islands to start Ikayzo Inc., an IT company that specializes in enterprise software development, offshore outsourcing and iPhone applications. HB: What’s…

Everyone Acts Small in Local Banking

Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to be the biggest bull in town. That’s the theory around the country, at least, as smaller community banks, savings and loans, and credit unions insist that they are different, and better for individuals and…

Ask SmallBiz: Paying taxes when low on cash

Q. My small business has really slowed down, and I am worried that I will not have sufficient cash to pay all of the taxes I will owe. What can I do? A. Your small business is facing the same…

Parting Shot: Fish for Fish

7:00 A.m., Friday Sea Life Park, Waimanalo >> Richard Coughlin, Danielle Holland, Amy Dickson, Stephanie Lawrence and Shanen Langowski break apart frozen capelin before feeding it to the animals living at Sea Life Park. Every day, the park processes about…

Editor's Note: From Ideas to Print

When people find out that I’m the managing editor at Hawaii Business, they often ask, “How do you come up with stories for your magazine?” So this month, I’ve taken over the Editor’s Note to explain how each story evolves,…

Talk Story with James Koshiba

In 2008, James Koshiba helped launch Kanu Hawaii, a nonprofit that promotes and supports Island-style sustainability. He brings us up to date on the commitments and campaigns taken up by its 9,000 members, including one of his own pledges —…

Putting Down Roots

The weak economy didn’t stop Marysol Ruiz and Soufiane Bouharkat from taking the next step in their business. Le Crepe Café opened a permanent location in November, two years after the married couple started their venture with a cart. A…

How to Pick a Financial Adviser

You can thank Bernie Madoff for one thing: His widely publicized crimes demonstrated how important it is to choose your financial adviser carefully. Picking the right person takes research, and lots of questions and legwork, but consider the potential payoffs…

20 For the Next 20: 2010

Energetic and intelligent leaders may be our most valuable resource. We count on them to inspire us, to be our problem solvers, and to guide us as we build our future. We need to nurture and support our emerging leaders,…

Taking a chance in a down economy

Liticia and Michael Thomas defied the odds and bought a business despite the bad economy. Their formula for success is looking for savings everywhere — rent, floor space, staff and more. “It’s a great time to start a business,” Liticia…

Taking a chance in a down economy

Johnson Choi, founder and president of the Hong Kong China Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, can tell right away if a business will be a good fit as a member.  He asks: Is your company only interested in doing business in…

Want to expand? He’s your man

Johnson Choi, founder and president of the Hong Kong China Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, can tell right away if a business will be a good fit as a member.  He asks: Is your company only interested in doing business in…

Finding a carpool

Using the same networking ideas as Facebook and MySpace, ridesharing sites are popping up all over the Web to connect drivers and riders.  “I know traffic is an issue in Honolulu,” says Steven Schoeffler, creator of eRideshare.com, based in Illinois.…

Hawaii satellites aim to help build the future

Kauai will be doubly involved in the launch of two satellites being built by University of Hawaii scientists and students, in cooperation with NASA.   UH hopes the satellites will create economic opportunities for the state, including training a workforce…

Advice from the top: Robbie Alm

Robbie Alm, executive vice president at Hawaiian Electric Co., talks about the most important things he learned from his mentors. From his parents:  Be grateful for the gifts you have, don’t covet the gifts of others. From Sen. Daniel Inouye:…

My Favorite Things

Richard Okazaki is president and CEO of Diagnostic Laboratory Services, which has 44 locations statewide. He’s a huge sports fan and an avid skier who also appreciates a good glass of wine and the theater. Weekend hobby He enjoys poker…

Fixing our Schools

Three former Hawaii governors are spearheading an effort to improve our public education system. George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano helped organize the group called Hawaii’s Children First, which is focusing on three major reforms: • An Appointed School…

New Ideas For Just a Few Bucks

Everyone benefits from fresh perspectives and new ideas. Here’s a fun way to get those benefits for the price of a couple of plate lunches. With a few colleagues, choose a popular park near your workplace. On the way, pick…

What’s It Worth? $$$

Why so special? This is a 100-percent, hand-loomed Italo Feretti silk tie from Italy. The maker says that, prior to sewing, each silk thread is individually dyed. It features an intricate patchwork design and a buttonhole that allows the tie…

History, scenery and fun

It’s sometimes easy for locals to overlook Kualoa Ranch as just another visitor attraction. After all, the meat and potatoes of the Morgan family’s ranch are its horseback and ATV rides, and tours of film locations in the otherworldly landscape…

Management Style Works At Home, Too

Chuck Sted’s “prioritization” management style has helped keep Hawaii Pacific Health on an even keel while other companies have faltered. The same approach can keep families on track. Prioritization management means taking one thing at a time, not everything at…