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SBA awards luncheon recognizes 3 Ma¯lama Loan recipients
OHA unveils new executive team By Harold Nedd
O OHA Ma¯lama Loan technical assistance specialist Robert Crowell, left; with Malia Sanchez of Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy; Dana Hauanio, director of the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, who was named Minority Small Business Champion of the Year; Nowel Dudoit-Alana of Kalaka Nui Inc.; and Jeni Ka‘ohelauli‘i of Work It Out. - Photo: Lisa Asato By Lisa Asato
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hree business recipients of OHA’s Mälama Loan have been recognized for excellence by the U.S. Small Business Admin-
istration. The awards were given at the 25th annual statewide SBA Awards Luncheon May 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, which hailed lenders, advocates and business owners in 16 categories, including SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year, Lending Officers of the Year, Financial Services Champion of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year. Among the winners were three Native Hawaiian-owned businesses that have benefited from OHA’s Mälama Loan. All three are owned by women. They are: >> Kalaka Nui Inc., a 24-year-old trucking company with expertise in demolition and civil site work, was
recognized as part of the Administrator’s Awards for Excellence in Contracting. Owned by Nowel Dudoit-Alana, the company, which does work for the federal government, was named Small Business Subcontractor of the Year. >> Malia Sanchez of Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy won for Women In Business Champion of the Year for the City and County of Honolulu. Her Hawaiian culture-based estheticians’ school, established in 2007 in Honolulu, offers training for those wanting to work in Hawai‘i’s spa industry. >> Jeni Ka‘ohelauli‘i of Work It Out won for SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Kaua‘i County. Her store, which opened in summer 2008 in Kapa‘a, sells exercise clothing, shoes and accessories. Hosted by SBA partner SCORE, or Service Corps of Retired Executives, the luncheon also featured a business expo for awardees to showcase their products and ser-
vices. SBA Hawai‘i Office district director Jane Sawyer, who presented the awards, called small businesses crucial “to our community and to the lifeblood of Hawai‘i.” “They are job creation,” she said. “They are innovation. … They’re really what makes the difference in our quality of life.”
OHA Mälama Loan OHA’s Mälama Loan features a 4% fixed-interest rate and seven-year term, up to $100,000. OHA’s Mälama Loan may be used for business startup or expansion, a home improvement project, education or debt consolidation. For more information, contact Robert Crowell at (808) 5941924 or email robertc@oha.org
ffice of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Kamana‘opono Crabbe has officially announced his senior executive team, which includes two new faces and a couple of promotions from within the organization. The six-member team is anchored by former OHA controller Aedward Los Banos, who has been elevated to chief operating officer. Known for his command of numbers, the 33-year-old Los Banos will help lead an executive team expected to inspire support and confidence in OHA’s efforts to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians. To assist him: >> Hawley Alamodin, who has an ability to Los Banos forge strong relationships, will retain her existing duties as chief financial officer and director of resource management. The 36-year-old Alamodin was initially appointed to the position in March 2011, when she was promoted from OHA controller. >> Breann Nu‘uhiwa, who is best known for her expertise Alamodin Nu‘uhiwa in federal Indian law as well as Native Hawaiian law and policy, has been named chief advocate. The 32-year-old Nu‘uhiwa steps into her new role after spending the past nine months as OHA’s public policy manager. >> Lisa Watkins-Victorino, Ph.D., has been appointed WatkinsAbad director of research and Victorino brings impressive academic credentials to the position. The 49-year-old Watkins-Victorino comes to OHA from the state Department of Education, where she was an evaluation specialist. >> Këhaunani Abad, Ph.D., has been named to the newly created position of director of community engagement and is considered incredibly knowledgeable about the Hawaiian community. Prior to joining OHA, the 48-year-old Abad was the director of Kamehameha Publishing. “The new leadership team has the right combination of skills and experience to assist my efforts to restore OHA’s integrity in the Native Hawaiian community,” said Crabbe, whose appointment to the top job at OHA took effect March 16. “They all will be passionately involved in nurturing a sense of commitment to empowering Hawaiians and strengthening Hawai‘i.”
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