LiAnne Yu

Contributing Writer

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LiAnne

Lianne Yu, Writer, Hawaii Business MagazineLiAnne Yu is an anthropologist and writer, who has done global research on artificial intelligence, social media, underserved communities, health+wellness, and entrepreneurialism. Having lived in Asia for several years, she is the author of Consumption in China: How China’s New Consumer Ideology is Shaping the Nation. She splits her time between San Francisco and Kona.

Articles

Factory-Built Housing Made in Hawai‘i

As the fifth-generation leader of a local company, Jason Fujimoto has seen the lack of affordable housing impact his own Hawai‘i Island community, including people he knows and works with. “We’re now in the second year of population decline in…

The Cost of Climate Change in Hawaii

The world is literally changing and here are six issues we need to understand so we can begin calculating the costs and consequences of climate change and prepare for them. We won’t be able to save everything, so all of Hawaii…

Opioid Nightmares in Paradise

PART 1: The journey of an opioid addict begins with a pill or two that creates a glorious euphoria. Then begins a slow descent until you eventually hit a hellish bottom unique only to you. And then, maybe –  if…

Reversing Hawaii’s Brain Drain

Five steps local leaders are taking right now to persuade bright young kamaaina to stay home or come back Tony Marzi is the kind of kamaaina that Hawaii’s business and community leaders hope will come home. The 32-year-old grew up…

Off the Grid on Hawai‘i Island

Four homes that are off the grid on Hawaii Island show the range of possible lifestyles from affluent living to nothing but the basics.   When you imagine living off the grid, what comes to mind? How about a community…

Business’ Biggest Secret

Dane Atkinson used to be the kind of startup CEO that board members praised because he attracted top-notch talent while saving money. Certain candidates were just not aggressive at negotiating their salaries, and he took advantage of that. “It’s easy…

The Future of Farming

Imagine a world in which robots, drones and artificial intelligence plant, monitor, harvest, and deliver your food. This may sound like science fiction, but it is, in fact, the emerging reality in farming. “We’re seeing robots that can plant, water…

Made in Hawaii

Iolani Sportswear president Lloyd Kawakami remembers when aloha shirts were only made in Hawaii. Today, they are produced cheaply in Asia or sold under labels such as Tommy Bahama, which have no connection to the Islands. That competition has put…

Living Paycheck to Paycheck in Paradise

Hawaii’s homeless population includes thousands of working people who suffered a financial crisis and lost their place to live. Tens of thousands of others scrape by with jobs that pay little more than minimum wage, but are possibly one or…

Workers: Know Your Rights

There are many myths and misunderstandings about employment rules and regulations. Here’s our guide to workers’ rights and employers’ obligations, but please take note: We are not lawyers and this guide is no substitute for legal counsel. In many ways,…

100 Years Young

While describing the values that have carried KTA Super Stores to its 100th year as a family-owned business, president and COO Toby Taniguchi brings up traditional Japanese concepts. “The organization has been able to survive because our focus is not…

Forever Changed

Iselle battered Pahoa, then lava threatened to overrun it. This sleepy Hawaii Island town persevered, as did most of its businesses, but many other things will never be the same PAHOA, Hawaii Island – Petra Wiesenbauer, owner of Hale Moana Bed…

Help for People Facing Foreclosure

WHILE TRYING TO SAVE his home from foreclosure, what was most difficult to handle for cattle rancher Jeffrey Medeiros was not knowing the person on the other end of the phone line. “Every time I called the bank, I spoke to…

Good Neighbors: Gregory Kim

ATTORNEY GREGORY KIM believes that anyone with a good business idea should not be held back by the high cost of legal services. To help deserving entrepreneurs who can’t afford the $300 or $400 an hour that experienced corporate lawyers charge,…

Crowded Water

THE TRAVEL CHANNEL named Kona’s manta ray night dive one of the top 10 things to do in your lifetime. As they feed on the plankton attracted to the flashlights held by divers and snorkelers, the gentle yet massive rays,…

Start-Up Paradise

Reif Tauati got the idea for his startup after visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for the first time since the second grade. “I remember walking through the lava tube and hearing about how ancient Hawaiians stored poi and water there.…