Welcome to the latest installment of this series as Hawaii Business staffers describe what they like to do, wear and see off the job. Cyd Shizuru, Account Manager “I read somewhere that shoe shopping releases dopamine!” 1Pizza - I can eat…
Tuesday, 9:22 a.m. Hawaiian Chip Company, Kalihi Photographer: Aaron K. Yoshino Tezloff Silo tosses freshly fried sweet potato and taro chips with salt at Hawaiian Chip Co. "The vegetable varieties are fried separately then mixed," says GM and Owner Jimmy Chan.…
Greg Ventayen, 50, has renal failure and congestive heart failure, is blind in his right eye and visually impaired in his left. About two years ago, the former industrial salesman was referred to the nonprofit Assistive Technology Resource Centers of…
The fifth annual East Meets West event, organized by Blue Startups, is a two-day conference where entrepreneurs and investors convene – indoors and outdoors Chenoa Farnsworth attends 10 to 15 business and tech conferences across the U.S. and Asia each…
Daniel Lankford opened the first store of his Ohana Greenhouse chain when he was just 23. Thirteen years later he has four locations. Daniel Lankford is compelled to succeed. “I’ve worked a full-time job since I was 14 and I…
A childhood fantasy has become reality for two Hawaii Kai sisters Brooke Watson and Shyrah Maurer dreamed of running a business together and in 2002 they opened the home and gift shop called SoHa Living. Sixteen years later, there are…
The nature of today’s workplace and workforce is rapidly changing. Technology is disrupting the way we do business and no business is – or will be – immune. Job descriptions are changing, and so are workers’ expectations about what they…
The BOSS Survey and 808 Poll are conducted twice a year for Hawaii Business by the Research Division of the Anthology Marketing Group. Here is the methodology on both surveys. The latest BOSS Survey was conducted using a list of…
Malia Obama interned at the Kaimuki restaurant during the summer of 2017 Two and a half years after its founding, the name Mud Hen Water still raises eyebrows. But that’s the point. Mud Hen Water is a restaurant named after…
Name: Kamakaniolu De Dely Age: 36 Job: Unexploded ordnance technician team leader Start: The Waianae High School graduate received a certificate from Texas A&M University's Unexploded Ordinance Technician Level 1 program in 2006 after working as a bomb sweeper for several…
As more companies assess their employees’ personalities, there are ways to reassure workers and use the test results to help everyone Q: On one of the first days at my new job, I was given a personality test. I thought…
Attending Summer Sessions at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is an excellent way for the student in your life to stay on track to graduate, improve their GPA, and get tough courses out of the way. Through the University…
The issues facing big and small businesses are not always the same. Big businesses generally have greater infrastructure and management depth that allows them to delegate specific issues (like labor law, contracts and taxes) to employees specifically trained to handle…
In the restaurant sector, trying to balance the financial interests of employees, customers and owners is difficult. A higher minimum wage will drastically change that equation. A proposal to raise Hawaii’s minimum wage from $10.10 to $15 an hour has…
Business leaders can make a big difference in the community by volunteering for nonprofit boards. Andrew Rosen suggests ways to use your skills, background and business acumen for the greater good. 1. Find your passion: Serving on a nonprofit board…
It started with the letter O. “The paddlers should be inside the O,” said Kawika Mahelona as he and his friend, David G. Kim, hashed out a logo for their budding idea, which eventually became Oiwi Ocean Gear. Mahelona and…
This story explores the power of local in business ownership, corporate leadership and consumer preferences. Attorney Jeff Watanabe, who has served on the boards of several large local companies, has spoken often about the subtleties of Hawaii’s culture. He says…
In March, Brad Miles became director of operations for the 74 Hawaii McDonald’s restaurants, as well as eight locations on Guam and two on Saipan. Originally from Australia, Miles has been with the fast-food company since 2003; while still Down…
There’s a new partnership in Hawaii between seasoned small business owners and early-stage entrepreneurs. Experienced CEOs who belong to the Entrepreneurs’ Organization are mentoring the founders of 11 young companies currently under the tutelage of Mana Up, an accelerator aimed…
Outrigger is changing with the arrival in April of Wagoner as CEO and an infusion of $310 million from the strategic sale of six Asia-Pacific hotels. Wagoner – who hails from New York City and has an extensive background in…
Most say their companies still performed well in the seventh year of this economic expansion. But asked about the near future, their collective enthusiasm is down. The BOSS Performance Index The Performance Index measures changes in employment, gross revenues…
Finding good workers in Hawaii’s current labor market is tough. But perhaps even tougher: retaining the employees you already have. Lack of recognition continues to be one of the top reasons why employees quit. Some research even suggests that the…
Former President Barack Obama said “Hawaii is going to be indispensable” as the Obama Foundation launches its leadership development program in Asia-Pacific and throughout the world. “Hawaii has always been a bridge between East and West. It is part of…
A Hawaii Island-based company is part of a fast-growing industry: making cannabidiol, or CBD products, for people seeking natural pain relief and other benefits. Steve Sakala and Melinda Goossen are part of one of the country’s fastest-growing industries: making and…