2023 CEO of the Year: Ken Sakurai of Coastal Construction
The construction innovator and his company have built almost 33,000 homes for local families over more than 50 years. He’s still building at age 84.
CEO of the Year
2022 CEO of the Year: Paul Yonamine of Central Pacific Bank
Hawaii Business Magazine chose him because he transformed CPB from a traditional local bank into a digital banking innovator and drove much improved financial results.
Read About Past CEOs of the Year
Recent honorees include Micah Kāne, Bettina Mehnert, Mark Fukunaga, and Bob Harrison. Earlier CEOs successfully led Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Telcom and Central Pacific Bank out of bankruptcies.
Hawai‘i Pacific Health’s Ray Vara is 2021 CEO of the Year
He has led the nonprofit’s growth and improved health care for more than a decade while also focusing on the broad factors that impact the health of Hawai‘i’s people.
Replay the Virtual Celebration for CEO of the Year: Micah Kāne
Hawaii Business Magazine is delighted to announce Micah Kāne, chief executive officer and president of Hawai‘i Community Foundation, as the 2020 CEO of the Year.
Top Hawaiʻi Executives Discuss Leading Now and in the Future
Bettina Mehnert, president and CEO of AHL is the first female executive to receive the CEO of the Year honor since it was initially awarded 10 years ago.
Business Leaders Warn: "Disrupt or Be Disrupted"
The theme of Hawaii Business Magazine C-Suite event was “Disrupt or be Disrupted” – which means you need to disrupt your own company or someone else will disrupt it first and maybe put you out of business.
Four Things Local Businesses Should Know About Excelling in Today's Changing World
If there's one thing that businesses can count on, it's that change is inevitable.
Southwest Airlines Promises Cheaper Fares to the Mainland
Get ready, Hawaiʻi: A new airline is preparing to enter the market and that means new local jobs, more options for travelers and additional support for local charities.
5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats
In 2017, the state of Hawaiʻi defended itself against 45 million unique attacks to its cyber security each day, says Todd Nacapuy, the state government’s chief information officer.
5 Things to Know about Leading Through Change
Change is inevitable in business. So organizations need to be thinking about and anticipating change, said Don Horner, former chairman and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank.
5 Things to Know About the Customer Connection
Thursday, January 1, 1970, - By Noelle Fujii There's an old saying, "The customer is king." Today, the customer really is a king: well informed, very demanding, willing to change their mind at a moment's notice - and with their…
5 Steps to Transform Your Company Digitally
Sunday, February 5, 2017, - By Noelle Fujii Every industry is undergoing a digital transformation. If your company lags behind, it could get crushed by faster moving competition, or abandoned by customers who want better digital service, says Renee McKaskle,…
Editor's Note: How Hawaii Business picked the CEO of the Year
Starting each August, the editorial staff of Hawaii Business debates the pros and cons of each candidate for CEO of the Year. Though we call the honor CEO of the Year, we never take just one year into account. We chose both Eric…