Pacific Edge Magazine Apr/May/Jun 2014 by Pacific Edge Magazine

INSIDE: MICHAEL TAM | HONOLULU BEERWORKS | GREEN BUSINESS GUIDE

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contents Volume 09 Issue 02

April/May/June 2014

Youngpros 26 Aric Saunders Energy Niche 28 Keoni and Rose Subiono Test Of Endurance 34 Aaron Lau Mightier Than The Sword 56 Trisha Kehaulani Watson Stay-At-Home Law 58 Brandon and Trung Lam Fresh Batch

28 34

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Businessedge 6

Catching up with YPS Deb Mascia, Ari Patz

Edgelines 10 Business and lifestyle news and trends Leadership edge Michael Tam, Martin & MacArthur

Lifestyleedge

Publishers' Note It’s Our Responsibility

Business 30 Michael Kramer on paying livable wages Marketing 32 Toby Tamaye on marketing with Instagram Cover Story 38 The Triple Bottom Line: Social entrepreneurs embrace people, planet and profit and add a local twist to sustainable business practices Fresh edge Honolulu Beerworks

edge effects Cup of tea

Green Business Resource Guide Green business trends, products and services

Spotlight on Kaua‘i The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Merriman's Fish House, Merriman's Gourmet Pizza & Burgers, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, events

Spotlight on Big ISland Kalona Salon & Spa, Makai, Da Poke Shack, events

social studies Scenes from the hippest events around town

Upcoming Events Film festivals

HIRE

SMART.

VOluME 9 IssuE 2

PaCiFiC edge MagaZiNe : CoNtributors PuBlIsHErs Jamie & Naomi Giambrone

ArT DIrECTOr Keith Usher

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ADMINIsTrATION Kathy Bell Patrick Garrett Sally Shaner

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We unite employers with qualified associates — allowing both to prosper and grow. Let us find qualified employees for all your staffing needs.

MANAgINg EDITOr Kevin Whitton

sTAFF WrITEr Alyssa Fukumoto

CONTrIBuTINg WrITErs Kim Baxter Stuart Coleman Tiffany Hervey Jacob Kamhis Natalie Schack

PHOTOgrAPHErs Dave Livingston Dave Miyamoto

INTErN Kara Jernigan

PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE ADVERTISING: NAOMI@ELEMENTMEDIAHI.COM EDITORIAL: KEVIN@ELEMENTMEDIAHI.COM

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The B Corporation certification is the mark of a smart and savvy business. It tells of an entrepreneur that sees the benefit of balancing corporate social responsibility with profit as the new path for successful business endeavors. Scott Cooney is proud to wear that label.

Cover Photo: Dave Miyamoto

Be kind to the environment. Please recycle this magazine. Pacific Edge Magazine is a quarterly publication available through subscription, a direct-mail program and bookstores throughout Hawai‘i. The views expressed within Pacific Edge Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of management and ownership. Pacific Edge Magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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PuBLisHeRs’note

Publishers’ Note

PAC I F I C E D G E M AG A Z I N E VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 2

It’s Our Responsibility In our last issue of Pacific Edge, we celebrated the entrepreneurism and business development happening in Kaka‘ako. In this issue, we applaud those entrepreneurs who have embraced the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. Look inside for the sixth annual Green Business Resource Guide, where you can find the latest and best in sustainable products and services. For our cover story, Stuart Coleman, the Hawai‘i coordinator of the Surfrider Foundation, explores how social entrepreneurs use business to help those around them and solve environmental issues. Our featured Young Professionals illustrate how corporate social responsibility is becoming the new trend in a traditionally single bottom line economy. Aric Saunders of Hawaii Eco and Kehau Watson of Honua Consulting share their expertise with their customers and clients, and by doing so encourage them to partake in more environmentally responsible practices. Keoni and Rose Subiono of CrossFit East Oahu have made it their mission to help their clients lead healthier, happier lives. Aaron Lau of Simply Wood Studios and Lau Lau Woodworks saves otherwise wasted material to create his beautiful, unique wood pieces and pens. Managing Members Brandon and Trung Lam of La Tour Cafe are opening restaurants and bakeries, keeping production and jobs on island. Geoff Seideman, our Fresh Edge feature, brews beer from his location in Kaka‘ako, where reused materials lend Honolulu Beerworks a modern, down-to-earth vibe. Our seasoned veteran, Michael Tam, CEO of Martin & MacArthur, is bringing international marketing experience to continue to grow a truly local furniture icon. We hope this issue inspires and encourages you to adopt a more eco-conscious and fulfilling lifestyle as social entrepreneurs. It’s important to us to walk the walk, using our publications as vehicles to share knowledge about sustainability and our partnerships to help us reduce our environmental impacts.

Mahalo nui loa!

Jamie & Naomi

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Repurposed and Fabulous

CATCHING UP with Young Professional

Deb Mascia

Photo: Dave Miyamoto

Featured April/May/June 2011

Deb Mascia Owner Mu‘umu‘u Heaven muumuuheaven.com

With pearly white walls and clouds painted on the floor, Mu‘umu‘u Heaven made its home in Kailua in 2006. Repurposing and designing oneof-a-kind creations out of vintage mu‘umu‘u and aloha shirts, owner Deb Mascia still strives to create a sustainable future and share the importance of recycling. Though the business is booming, Deb has decided not to expand or open other locations for the time being. She is constantly being inspired to design new creations, but she is also focusing on her family and being a good mother to her eight-year-old son, Zach. “I’m doing what feels like the right balance,” she says. Always looking to help the planet, Deb’s newest line will spotlight the importance of bees. “I’m having a huge campaign on local bees, beekeeping and saving the bees,” Deb exclaims. “Everything that I’m creating this year is bee-driven.” As a surprise for the Hawai‘i Beekeepers Association, she will be making a donation based on the purchases of the Bee Line during National Bee Week, which is in August. With the support of her husband, Eric, who manages the daily operations and marketing of Mu‘umu‘u Heaven, the boutique continues to offer new inspiration and ideas to the community. Once a month, Deb throws a catered reception at the boutique to feature the work of local talent. Decorating the boutique are dozens of paintings, photographs and creations by artists including Ea Eckerman, Diva Zappa and other North Shore artists. Combining her talents and her passions, Deb’s conscious decision to help the planet through repurposing fashion is the perfect outlet for her. She used to ask herself, “How can I get rewarded for being the best thrift shopper in the world?” Now, she is grateful to everyone who supports her and has made Mu‘umu‘u Heaven a success. All of Deb’s creations are labeled as, “One hundred percent fabulous, recycled in Hawai‘i and handmade with aloha.” —Kara Jernigan

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Environmental Super Spokesman

CATCHING UP with Young Professional

ARI PATZ

Photo: Dave Miyamoto

photo: Dave Miyamoto

Featured April/May/June 2010

Ari Patz Regional Manager World Centric Worldcentric.org

Styrophobia is a very real fear, but it is also an organization dedicated to educating the public about biodegradable products and the environmental problems associated with Styrofoam. Former owner Ari Patz transformed the company into a burgeoning nonprofit organization in 2012 before stepping away from the reins of Styrophobia. No longer selling World Centric products, Styrophobia focuses on spreading the word about the evils of Styrofoam and the importance of protecting the environment. The focus today is reaching out to households and showing families how easily they are able to reduce their environmental impact. Accepting a full-time position as the regional manager at World Centric, Patz continues to focus on ways to spread the word about environmental stewardship. World Centric is one of the leading manufacturers of environmentally-friendly, biocompostable products and the former supplier of Styrophobia. Unlike commonly used Styrofoam, their corn–based products compost quickly and don’t contaminate the soil as they breakdown. As the regional manager, Patz’s duties are broad and vary from day to day. He oversees sales, executes daily accounts and is also involved in a World Centric environmental committee. Despite being a for-profit organization, World Centric’s main goal is still public education. Their employees are encouraged to participate in and plan community events such as beach clean-ups and environmentally themed movie nights. Patz says that one of the most important aspects of being on the committee involves measuring the impact process and determining the most effective way to educate others. “What we need is intentional culture,” he explains. Patz believes that the key component to all environmental efforts should be to inspire people to be proactive and make the world a place everyone wants to live in. The intentional culture Patz hopes for is one in which people are constantly aware of their actions and how their choices can impact the environment. Led by Patz, World Centric continues the fight against environmental degradation. —Kara Jernigan

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Pink is the New Green A historic hotel’s newest initiative The legacy of the “Pink Palace” is well preserved. Its image is the picturesque result of a dedicated team poring over historical archives to make sure that recent extensive restorations reflected the classic beauty and architectural integrity of the 87-year-old hotel. Now The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, continues its improvements with “Pink is the New Green,” a hotel initiative meant to spotlight their means of protecting the island environment and to encourage hotel ambassadors and guests to

minimize their carbon footprint. “Pink is the New Green” actively pursues a variety of energy, water and ocean conservation efforts, both on-site and in the community. Guest accommodations will receive a sustainable spruce-up with LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances, along with solar water heating and energyconserving elevator practices planned for the Royal Ocean Tower. Sustainable food and beverage sourcing is also on the menu, as the hotel currently obtains fresh goods from its on-site herb garden and through their partnership with the Pier 38 Honolulu Fish Auction. The program also pushes guests to participate in fun and interactive ecoeducational activities. While enjoying a dip in Waikiki waters, vacationers can learn about ocean conservation through The Royal Hawaiian’s association with Johnson Entertainment’s new musical “Honu by the Sea,” water activity company Waikiki Beach Services and the Waikiki Aquarium, as well as take action and participate in invasive species clean-ups at local beaches. Ultimately, The Royal Hawaiian’s “Pink is the New Green” program strives to meet Starwood’s “Global Citizenship Environmental Initiative 30/20 by 20,” in which the hotel must aim to reduce 30 percent of its energy consumption and 20 percent of its water consumption by 2020. —Alyssa Fukumoto royal-hawaiian.com

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Best Foot Forward

Island mayors square off for HLTA Charity Walk Challenge Visitor Industry Charity Walk chairperson Kelly Hoen, general manager of The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, announced a new wrinkle to the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk sponsored by the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA), now in its 36th year. Kelly is pitting the mayors of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island against each other in a friendly competition to inspire their island to raise the most donations for the Charity Walk. The county with the largest percentage growth over the previous year wins. The victor will receive bragging rights and a handcrafted koa wood slipper that symbolizes the Walk.

Fresh Festivities Mint Events Hawaii offers more fun, less footprint

hawaiilodging.org

there are a multitude of ways to tread lightly on our planet.” The company quickly gained recognition from other sustainable businesses and local start-ups, from decking out RevoluSun’s third company birthday party with kite décor workers later used at a company picnic, to sprucing up the Hawai‘i Fashion Incubator Coop for its launch party with succulent arrangements from Zorbella. Whether planning corporate events, weddings or personal parties, Minting the festivities is a great way to celebrate while being sustainably chic. —Alyssa Fukumoto minthawaii.com

Photo: Mark Ayers

A few years ago, two friends and fellow architects put their shared interests in sustainability and party planning to good use and formed eco-conscious event planning agency Mint Events Hawaii. Laura Ayers and Stacey Levine started Mint as a means of looking for innovative ways to help people think green when styling their festivities. They use creativity and their connections to assist with planning from the first stages of consultation and conceptualization to execution, like creating simple, handmade table centerpieces, reaching out to vendors for biodegradable or non-disposable food ware and choosing locally-sourced foods and refurbished décor. “We know that special events can be a wasteful enterprise, but we are committed to helping our clients think of alternatives for all the elements that go into a party,” Laura explains. “From the venue, to the food, to the cutlery used,

“Our island mayors are united in their aloha for our communities and have entered this great matchup with good humor and the intent to raise the most money for Hawai‘i’s charities,” Hoen says. “We appreciate their kokua and no matter what the final score, the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is already a huge win for the people of Hawai‘i.” Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho and O‘ahu Mayor Kirk Caldwell attended the annual HLTA Na Poe luncheon and good-naturedly squared off against each other following the announcement of the Mayor’s Challenge by Kelly Hoen.

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Ingredients for Success

Local, organic beauty products Luxury spa and beauty brand Malie Organics keeps to its Kaua‘i roots by offering beauty products infused with scents that invoke the natural beauty of the islands. Started as a small business on Kaua‘i in 2004, the local, family-run endeavor has enjoy continued success, from being featured in O Magazine to opening locations at The Shops at Kukui‘ula and The Royal Hawaiian, which also uses Malie products in its rooms. The small company has also increased distribution to more than 300 luxury spas, hotels and boutiques. Malie Organics’ ingredients for success are simple: a growing repertoire of fragrant Hawai‘i-inspired products and an efficient, tech-savvy means of making them. Flowers undergo a special, advanced distillation and condensation process, transforming them into pure Hawaiian hydrosols that sooth and rejuvenate skin to a healthy glow. Mastering this process allowed Malie to expand into other beauty lines including creams, soaps and anti-aging serums. Malie Organics signature beauty salves also boast an 80-percent organic mixture of macadamia, kukui and coconut oils alongside moisturizing properties of jojoba, apricot and avocado. The company has also created its own collection of women’s resort wear with comfortable constructions made of bamboo and organic cotton for flowing fabrics that are soft to the touch. Pairing Malie Organics’ marine life inspired prints with their skin products is a sure way to conjure up that fresh-from-staycation feeling. —Alyssa Fukumoto malie.com

Culture of Comfort Chai Studio’s take on kantha

Photos: darq Labs

Amerjit Ghag travels to Bengal twice a year in search of beautiful fabrics with a history. The Chai Studio owner peruses the merchandise of now-familiar local vendors, searching for eye-catching fabrics taken from old clothing that she has transformed through the Bengali tradition of kantha. Kantha is a stitching process practiced by Bengali women where old garments are embroidered together to form quilts. Amerjit quickly took an interest in the concept while conceptualizing ideas for her Ward Centers boutique. Inspired by the diverse array of fabrics and comfortable, weathered look, she took the kantha concept beyond blankets to create Chai Studio’s line of kantha pillows, clothing, handbags and upholstery.

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Whether you’re feeling a kantha seat cushion or satchel, it is easy to see that the fabric has been well loved. “It’s so naturally stone-washed over the years,” Amerjit says. “It’s kind of like having your favorite baby blanket.” It’s soft to the touch, mixed and matched with patches of different fabrics and light staining that speak to its years of wear around India. “It’s taking things out of their original element and making something different,” she explains. “We all want to have something different and beautiful, don’t we?” —AF chai-studio.com

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You won’t find a “Made in China” sticker on any of the handmade jewelry or locally designed fashions at Super Citizen. Featuring recycled materials and organic cottons whenever possible, owner Sandra Fowler tries to find sustainable and eco-friendly clothes and knick-knacks Pub: Pacific Edge the islands. Everything from elegant from across Issue: Apr-Jun2014and infant onesies to local paintings sundresses Size: 1/6 pg (2.5” x and repurposed bicycle chain key chains can be 4.6875”) found DUE: at Marthis 13 stylish boutique. “If it’s organic or if r1 then those are all pluses,” Fowler it’s made here, says. Super Citizen moved from Chinatown to Kahala last spring and has continued to grow its collection of local designs. The Chinatown location relied mainly on events like First Friday to drive

Photo: Kevin Whitton

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business. When a location in Kahala Mall opened up, Sandra felt that it would be great for business and jumped at the opportunity. Located at the center of the mall, the new location provides better exposure, regular business and easier access for shoppers. Supporting local entrepreneurship is important to Fowler. “It helps local businesses to support other local businesses,” she says. “It snowballs. If you buy from me or another local store, then it helps them and what they’re trying to do and supports their passions.” —Kara Jernigan supercitizenstore.com

Charged Up

Luxury has a new look Tesla Motors' newest creation, the Model S, combines zero emissions with cutting-edge luxury. The sleek sedan features a 17" highresolution touchscreen monitor in the dashboard and allows easy access to HD radio, Bluetooth, Google Maps with live traffic information, web connection, visual energy consumption and a full HD backup camera. Offering unexpected responsiveness and agility, the performance Model S can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, but that’s not this vehicle’s most impressive trait. Equipped with an 85 kWh battery, this sedan can travel up to 300 miles in a single charge. The Model S is also designed with a Supercharger

that can plug into most 240- or 120-volt wall outlets as well as public charging stations. In less than an hour, the Model S can take a complete charge, making long distance driving for a zero-emission vehicle easy and enjoyable. Easily seating five adults in the main portion of the car, two optional rear-facing child seats in the back provide room for the whole family. When not in use, the extra seats can fold completely flat for extra space. Available in 37 countries around the world, Tesla is setting the bar for electric vehicles. There is even a nationwide incentive for the Model S. The United States government is offering a $7,500 federal tax credit on new Tesla Motors vehicle purchases for personal use. —Kara Jernigan teslamotors.com

Wood you have the time?

Koa wood watches are a mark of wearable distinction In decades past, koa wood furniture was a mark of class distinction, only affordable for an elite few. Fine koa furniture builder Martin and MacArthur has turned that distinction on its head by creating koa wood accessories for everybody, wearable expressions of beauty, style and nature. One of their most popular koa wood personal accessories, Martin & MacArthur solid koa wood watches are made from their private stock of Big Island curly koa. With over 25 styles for men and women, the state-of-the-art timepieces use premium quartz movements and weave together individually hand-carved and sanded links in the band. Their premier styles are automatic, self-winding watches with no battery. Whether viewing a skeleton seethrough face, a moon phase dial or a mother of pearl face with embossed numbers, the myriad styles range from simple and elegant to the classic circular koa pocket watch on a gold chain. —Kevin Whitton martinandmacarthur.com

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The Art of Caren Loebel-Fried Protecting the environment with meaningful block prints

When protecting native Hawaiian plants and animals, public education is a key component. Working with the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, award–winning children’s author and artist Caren Loebel-Fried uses her unique skills as a second-generation carver to create informational posters and meaningful images for the community. “I think all of our hope for conservation and preservation lies in education, especially with young people,” she says. “And art might be a way to engage people young and older, those who might otherwise not be interested in conserving wildlife and wild places.” This year, the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i’s annual wildlife educational poster features a block printing by Loebel-Fried of Ho‘ailona, a young monk seal who lives at the Waikiki Aquarium. Loebel-Fried set out to capture the engaging and playful nature of Ho‘ailona, hoping that by developing a connection with the artwork, people may feel connected with nature. “Sometimes it is simply a connection with a picture,” she explains, “wanting to hang it on your wall and look at it through the day that moves us to realize that the picture represents a plant or animal that is in trouble or an environment that is fragile and needs our help to maintain its viability.” Loebel-Fried learned block printing techniques from her mother on the New Jersey shore. Caren’s artwork is now inspired by her love for the ‘aina and explorations of the ancient Hawaiian legends catalogued at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Library. She has made Volcano, Big Island her home for the last 15 years, but still lives part-time in New Jersey with her family. After being involved with the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i for several years, Loebel-Fried was awarded the 2013 ‘Alala Award for Volunteer of the Year. Her artwork of Ho‘ailona will reach over 400 Hawai‘i schools, including private, public and charter schools, as well as government offices and other public organizations. —Kara Jernigan

Photo: Tina Aiu

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Kaua‘i Coconut Rum The latest addition to the premium Ko-loa Rum family

Ross & Ross offers custom home creations

The desire to turn a hobby into a full-time career led Kevin Ross to open Ross & Ross LLC, a Hale‘iwabased construction and design firm. The owner’s passion for woodworking and talents in design and quality craftsmanship resulted in a full range of island-wide home restoration and renovations services. Ross & Ross also specializes in creating custom furniture pieces, offering free consultations and design options for clients in order to create pieces truly unique to their home. Among Ross & Ross’ staples are a line of steam bent screen doors, which use a range of woods like African mahogany, mango ash, poplar, hickory and oak to frame intricate designs in hardwoods suitable to a tropical climate. Each screen door not only fortifies the entrance of the home, but also imbues each with a distinctive look and sense of movement reminiscent of Hawai‘i’s fauna. The company’s services also include customsize cabinetry and furniture pieces, from bed frames to freestanding bars and patio decks. —Alyssa Fukumoto rossrenovations.com

bottling commenced in September 2009, Kõloa Rum products have garnered a bevy of medals in four consecutive international rum and spirits competitions. Ko-loa Rum is distributed by Johnson Bros. of Hawaii, Inc. and operates Hawai‘i’s first distilled spirits tasting room and retail store at Kilohana Plantation near Lihue. koloarum.com

Photo: Koloa Rum Company

Frame by Frame

Ko-loa Rum Company, a premium, singlebatch craft distiller of Hawaiian rum on the island of Kaua‘i, adds a new rum to its stellar portfolio of libations. Blended to perfection with a creamy toasted coconut flavor and a hint of tropical vanilla, Kaua‘i Coconut Rum is an 80 proof, all natural rum perfect for mixing premium cocktails or simply sipping on the rocks. A penchant for quality is reflected in the ingredients used and the processes employed in the rum’s production, like raw crystal sugar and pristine mountain rainwater, followed by careful distillation in a vintage 1,210-gallon copper pot still and column. In fact, all Ko-loa Rum products are distilled, blended and bottled exclusively at the company’s primary distillery near the town of Kalaheo. Ko-loa Rum Company fully promotes sound and sustainable agricultural practices and believes that the eventual success of its products will provide meaningful support and diversity to the local agricultural industry and serve to stimulate employment, increase cultivated acreage and preserve open space. Ko-loa Rum Company’s awardwinning portfolio includes premium Kaua‘i White, Gold, Dark and Spice Rum, Ko-loa Mai Tai and Rum Punch Cocktails and Hawaiian Kukui Mai Tai Mix. Since production and

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A Quaffable Bouquet La Marca Prosecco This sparkling wine, made in the Trevisio area of Northern Italy, is light with delicate fruit and floral aromatics. Best consumed soon after production, this bubbly has flavors of ripe citrus, green apple and touches of grapefruit. Pair it with mild cheeses, salads or seafood linguine in garlic butter sauce.

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc  Drink this clean and dry wine while its young and fresh. From the Marlborough region

Try your hand as a sommelier and pair these wines with the right dish for summer entertainment and enjoyment

of New Zealand, the wine is vibrant with notes of grapefruit and white currants with hints of freshly crushed herbs. Match it with summer salads, asparagus frittata or shellfish, like greenlipped mussels.

Martĺn CÓdax Albarino Produced in the Salnés Valley in Spain in stainless steel vats, this 100 percent Albariño is bright and slightly sparkling with an elegant aroma of fresh herbs, green apples and citrus fruits. Featuring a rounded and full-bodied palate, pair it with seafood, poultry, rice or mild cheeses.

Las Rocas RosÉ This Spanish dry rosé is 100 percent garnacha with intense aromas of raspberry and strawberry. Las Rocas is a seasonal offering from the winery, full bodied, fruit forward with a hint of spice. Enjoy a glass with rich cheeses, Niçoise salad, charcuterie and veal.

Collet Champagne Brut Grand Art A light, lively champagne aged four years with a powerful, fruity nose and extremely fine, fast and tonic bubbles, the champagne is a combination of 40 percent chardonnay, 40 percent pinot noir and 20 percent pinot meunier. Ideally served as an aperitif, it can also be enjoyed with seafood and salads.

Talbott Vineyards 2012 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay This 100-percent estate-grown vintage in California’s Santa Lucia highlands has aromas of pear and green apples, complemented by French oak and toasty brioche notes. It has a creamy mouthfeel and flavors of white peach and pear with round oak tannins perfectly balanced by acidity. Pair with rich, opulent dishes like lobster, fatty barbequed fish and triple cream cheese.

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Hawaii Build & Buy Green Conference Initiative and technology for building sustainable communities

The 14th annual Hawaii Build & Buy Green Conference on May 7, 2014 at the Sullivan Conference Center at the new state-ofthe art University of Hawai‘i cancer facility returns to highlight new technology and services in the field of sustainable building. This annual event brings together nationally acclaimed keynote speakers and local experts in the fields of green building and communities, affordable housing, design, engineering, construction and development. Some of the major topics covered will be emerging and critical global issues and related new technologies, tools and applications. Keynote speaker and Executive Director of the New Buildings Institute Ralph DiNola will present “Net Zero Energy Building in Hawaii and Beyond.” Online registration begins in April and space is very limited. To reserve a seat, email gsuzuki@dbedt.hawaii.gov or jonathan.r.chin@dbedt.hawaii.gov or call (808) 587-3802 or (808) 587-2676.

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eDgeeffects

a cuPPa WiTH TeaVana teavana’s quaint ala Moana location is home to the company’s signature tea wall. the colorful array of tasty blends is assorted by type and conveniently labeled by caffeine level. Featuring everything from sweet teas to more intense, dark concoctions, teavana tea store blends are perfectly suited for discriminating teatime tastes. —Alyssa Fukumoto

stR AWBeRRy gR APeFRuit sORBet xue LOng

Sometimes called “Snow dragon” tea, this high quality blend is Teavana’s first to incorporate pink grapefruit with signature ﬂavors of strawberry, crisp apple and citrusy lemongrass. ($9.98,

P e A C H M O M O tA R O ARtisAn teA

2 oz.)

Beautifully presented and delicious, this artisan tea’s hand-tied tea ball unfurls as it steeps to reveal a ﬂower as it produces a fragrant white tea infused with peach. ($18.98, 2 oz.)

gRAPe OOLOng teA

This vibrant, plummy oolong features bursts of blueberry and grape ﬂavors accompanied by a sweet, fragrant infusion of rose petals and hibiscus. ($12.98, 2 oz.)

MARsHMALLOW MACAROn

A sinful ode to a delicate French treat, this sweet mixture combines blush pink rose buds and a fruity blend of papaya and orange slices with the sweet creaminess of marshmallows. ($7.98, 2 oz.)

stR AWBeRRy BLusH OOLOng teA

For a sip of something sweet and light, sample this balanced, delicate mixture of sweet strawberries, crisp champagne and fragrant roses. ($10.38, 2 oz.)

thePacificEdgE.com

Retail in the Blood

Martin & MacArthur President and CEO Michael Tam brings international marketing experience to an iconic Hawai‘i business [ By KE V IN WHITTON Photos by Dave Miyamoto]

Back in 1961, furniture builder Jon Martin was bucking a trend. A s western culture— including Hawai‘i—gobbled up Formica, plastic and linoleum home furnishings and décor imported from China, Jon was building classic plantation style fine furniture made from koa wood. After several years in business, Doug Mac Arthur came on board as a partner with the shared vision of reviving the popularity of koa furniture and offering a livelihood for local fine furniture craftsmen. 22

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As Martin & MacArthur carved out a reputation in Hawai‘i for quality fine furniture–heirloom pieces like tables, cabinets and four-poster beds–Michael Tam was traveling the world honing his skills in international marketing. Born and raised on O‘ahu and a graduate from Chicago’s Northwestern University, Tam worked for a gamut of global retail companies over two-and-a-half decades. As the chief marketing officer for McDonald’s International, Tam established locations in Argentina, Greece, China, Indonesia and spent three years in Japan. He bounced to coffee mogul Starbucks as their vice president of marketing for North America and developed new food programs and introductions. From there he went to Nordstrom as their executive vice president for product development of the house brands and private labels. He followed that up with chief marketing officer positions at American Eagle Outfitters and Borders Books, respectively. “I have a strong background leading national and international retailers,” exclaims Tam, matter-of-factly. When Tam’s business partner, Simon McKenzie (currently Martin & MacArthur’s chairman and chief financial officer) got wind that Jon MacArthur was looking to sell Martin & MacArthur, Tam knew this was his opportunity to bring his wealth of marketing knowhow back to Hawai‘i, to a locally-owned and operated company that upheld business and community values he found appealing. “Retail is my passion, marketing is my passion, but in line with that I always felt that I should be coming back to Hawai‘i because Hawai‘i is where my roots are,” Michael says. In 2008, Tam and McKenzy took over the business just as the Great Recession was setting in. They were looking at two retail stores with declining sales and 15 master craftsmen just trying to make ends meet. As other craftsman shops were scaling back and closing, Tam did the unthinkable. He hired 15 more master craftsmen and began reinvesting in the company. His first step was to evolve the furniture line and update it from solely monarchy fur-

“Throughout the year, including the weekends, I’m working at the stores. During the holiday and summer season, I’m in the stores three or four days a week, helping out, greeting customers. I love that. Retail is in my blood. I do that out of passion, not obligation.” thePacificEdgE.com

Top: Master craftsmen create a single piece of furniture from start to finish, from selecting and cutting each piece of raw koa lumber to assembling the entire product. Bottom: Martin & MacArthur has ramped up production of personal and home accessories, like these solid koa picture frames. Opposite page: Each piece of fine furniture is handmade on site at the Kalihi workshop.

niture, steeped in plantation, missionary and arts and crafts styles. Taking advantage of popular international styles, Martin & MacArthur started producing Biedermeier style pieces, named the Queen Emma line. The style highlights contrasting light and dark koa wood and features gentle curves with a subtle, conservative and clean look. The grand pieces still comprise their best selling line. In 2013, they launched the Moana Collection, inspired by the casual elegant living visitors enjoyed at the Moana Surfrider of yesteryear. The dimensionally smaller pieces are tailored for second homes, condos and 24

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the smaller dwellings of empty nesters. After reinvigorating public interest in koa furniture by updating the styles, Tam focused on their master craftsmen. He installed new equipment and machinery in the Kalihi workshop and updated his crew to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and techniques. “The loyalty that we had to the craftsmen is paying back now because they are passionate about Martin & MacArthur,” Tam relates. “It’s more than a paycheck to them. It’s a livelihood.” And according to Tam, Martin & MacArthur is the only fine furniture manufacturer in Hawai‘i that has

it’s own apprentice program. Apprentices study for 10 to 12 years to hone their craft. While assisting master craftsmen, they learn the history, styles and ethos of the company, as well as how to build each type of furniture in the shop, from the classic lines to the new collections. This is extremely important to Tam because master craftsmen at Martin & MacArthur are generalists, meaning they can build any piece of furniture form start to finish. “I’m interested in being part of a company that’s investing back in something more long-standing than just importing items from Asia and selling it,” says Tam. “I’m involved wit h a company making something in Hawai‘i with raw materials from here, and there are precious few of those companies.” Tam has found his pure play at Martin

& MacArthur, a company that is vertically integrated, meaning the raw materials are sourced from Hawai‘i, the business directly supports local artisans and the local economy and the products are created, manufactured and sold in Hawai‘i. It’s the epitome of a truly sustainable local business. Yet Martin & MacArthur takes sustainability one step further. Perpetuated by Jon Martin in 1961, Tam carries on the tradition of sourcing only dead or fallen koa trees from Big Island plantation owners, never buying koa that was cut down for profit. Tam also boasts that Martin & MacArthur is also the biggest reforester of koa in the world, working with plantation owners to reforest koa where it has been removed from Big Island forests. They also partner with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods to help permanently reforest the Hamakua Coast by planting koa Legacy Trees on behalf of their customers for each piece of furniture sold. Since 2008, Tam has taken the company from two to 11 stores across the state and increased the staff to 120 employees—a strong and hard-working medium-sized company, Tam says. Possibly, one of the biggest changes Tam introduced at Martin & MacArthur has been his most successful endeavor. Recognizing that koa furniture is expensive,

an investment that is not accessible to most Hawai‘i residents, Tam found a way to bring the style and elegance of koa to the masses through personal products like watches, handbags, sunglasses, picture frames, cutting boards and even iPad and iPhone cases. “This has allowed us to approach our market in a different way so now people see koa as something distinctive that they can have as opposed to something left at home when you go to work,” explains Tam, as they are now able to furnish the home and the person. “We moved koa from just a piece of furniture to wearable art. The whole idea now is that this wood is now wearable. It’s a sign and distinc-

tion of style and fashion.” Michael Tam leans back in his chair. He sports a koa watch and has a koa cover for his iPad. On the second floor of the Kalihi production facility and quaint showroom, Tam is never far from his retail employees or the customers coming through the door. “This is an approachable company without a lot of layers,” says Tam. “Throughout the year, including the weekends, I’m working at the stores. During the holiday and summer season, I’m in the stores three or four days a week, helping out, greeting customers. I love that. Retail is in my blood. I do that out of passion, not obligation.”

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3/27/14 3:17 PM thePacificEdge.com 25

ArIC sAuNDErs PArTNEr AND CO-FOuNDEr HAWAII ECO

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[ By: Jacob K amhis | P hoto : Dave miyamoto ]

Filling an

Energy Niche • Aric Saunders •

When Aric Saunders, partner and co-founder of Hawaii ECO, wanted to expand his clean energy business he chose office space in an area that would soon demand a lot of power—Kaka‘ako. This waterfront district in Honolulu is slated for massive development with nearly two-dozen condominiums with office, retail and community spaces. It will be on the route of the rail rapid transit system. “There was a specific desire to be in Kaka‘ako,” Saunders says. “We support making the area energy renewable and sustainable.” The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority, a state agency coordinating public and private sector development, met with Hawaii ECO for information and suggestions on how large-scale development could occur with renewable energy and sustainability. With all the attention on big jobs, Saunders and Hawaii ECO do not overlook little ones. Company employees and their families adopted Mother Waldron Park, a few blocks from their Kaka‘ako office. Once the site of Pohukaina School, the historic park borders Pohukaina and Cooke Streets. On weekends, staff and volunteers clean, rake and make repairs to the park named for Margaret Waldron, who taught at the school around 1913. Plans call for Hawaii ECO to install energy-efficient lighting on the basketball court and to add a dog run. Saunders was interested in renewable energy even as a youngster in Mililani and Kailua. He attended Punahou School and studied business finance at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he enrolled in the university’s first “green business” class. The major gave him the opportunity to learn about renewable energy from a finance perspective. In 2002, Saunders returned to Hawai‘i and raised money for real estate developments. He delved into applying solar systems to the projects. It was the groundwork he needed to start his own company a few years later. Before starting Hawaii ECO in 2011, Saunders and partners Jon Okada and Charles Wang were salesmen at a solar company. They watched potential customers turned away because their employer was not servicing small projects, according to Saunders. “Here were three young guys with a lot of passion for what they were doing,” Saunders recalls, so they combined their intentions and set out to fill the smallmarket energy niche. Their first job was a home in Waipahu.

By the end of 2012, Hawaii ECO installed 30 energy systems for a pilot project of single-family homes in Honolulu and Waianae, which was funded by a private investor. Hawaii ECO attended community meetings and found qualified homeowners for the project. First, energy efficient lighting was installed throughout the homes so that fewer solar panels were needed. With Hawaii ECO performing maintenance and billing, the homeowners saved an average of $1,000 per year, Saunders says. The summer of 2013 brought Hawaii ECO a lighting retrofit job at Dole Plantation in Wahiawa. According to Saunders, Dole had reduced lighting usage after LED installations. A secondary benefit was reduced air-conditioning costs because LEDs emit less heat. By the end of the year, the 10-employee company had revenues of $2 million, with their customers split evenly between residential and commercial installations. With current bids, signed contracts and diversification of revenue streams, Hawaii ECO is poised for a 300 to 400 percent revenue increase in 2014, Saunders says. More opportunity is on the way. Staff recently received training at Panasonic Corporation near Osaka, Japan. Hawaii ECO is now the first certified Panasonic Premium Installer of Panasonic photovoltaic products in the United States. “The way Panasonic runs its business aligns with us,” Saunders says. “It’s not being the first to market. It is striving to be the best.” The company will market Panasonic energy products and offer optional maintenance programs. The partnership will evolve based on the market, Saunders explains. Meanwhile, Hawaii ECO routinely services churches, schools and condominiums. Such non-profits are not eligible for tax incentives. Hawaii ECO's power purchase agreements (PPA) save these organizations 20 to 30 percent on electric bills, according to Saunders. The owner pays Hawaii ECO a reduced monthly electric bill, but must pay the local utility for electricity at night and on dark days. Investors own the system; Hawaii ECO maintains it. “We want to help everyone in Hawai‘i become more causative over their energy costs,” Saunders says. “The solar industry will change and we will change with the industry. We see this as a long-term business.”

“We want to help everyone become more causative over their energy costs.”

Hawaii ECO | 670 Auahi St., Ste. A-11 | 808.888.5060 | hawaiiecoproject.com

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KEONI AND rOsE suBIONO CO-OWNErs CrOssFIT EAsT OAHu

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[ By: K im Ba x ter | Photo : Dave miyamoto ]

Test of

Endurance • Keoni and Rose Subiono • Keoni Subiono couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer. As the co-owner of CrossFit East Oahu spoke with as much passion and gusto as is humanly possible about the birth of his burgeoning business and the successful, albeit challenging relationship with his co-owner (who happens to be his wife and high school sweetheart), the tears started flowing. Sitting in the gym’s tiny administrative office in Niu Valley, Subiono was simply overcome with emotion as he recalled their rollercoaster of a journey. “She quit a million times and I fired her a million times,” says Keoni, 34, of his business partnership with his wife of 11 years. “Why we do it? We made a commitment in marriage. Failure wasn’t an option. Divorce wasn’t an option. We made a commitment to business and we made a commitment to find a way to make it work. We do it because we love each other. We do it because we’re committed and we do it because, now, it’s fun.” The Subionos never meant to trek into the treacherous territory of uniting their marriage with a joint business venture. After starting to date while attending Honoka‘a High School on the Big Island and continuing their relationship at Azusa Pacific University in California, Keoni was a communications major and Rose was the one with an interest in business. In order to put himself through school, Keoni called upon his exercise experience that transformed him from an overweight youngster to a fit teenager and started working as a personal trainer at a gym. One session later, he was hooked. After moving to O‘ahu with Rose a few years later, who was pregnant with their first child, Keoni made his way to the Fitness Together/ Manoa Fitness franchise in January 2007. Together, they took over the personal training studio and kept it alive for five years, despite the trials and tribulations—managing employees, managing egos, making joint decisions and juggling other business partners—of learning to run their own business. “We actually had to go to marriage therapy because we had to work together,” says 33-year-old Rose with a laugh and a smile. “It gets stressful.” But Keoni was always looking for other ventures. He joined Brick House Personal Training in Niu Valley with another partner. He helped

start CrossFit Waikiki. When he had the chance to take over Brick House with Rose, he jumped at the opportunity. Initially, they converted the gym to Keoni Fitness and eventually to CrossFit East Oahu. He had participated in CrossFit (high-intensity workouts of constantly varied functional movements) in 2007 and saw the potential for group workouts as an increased sense of community rather than an individual workout experience. He saw an opportunity to grow the business. Upon earning a CrossFit affiliation on February 28, 2011, CrossFit East Oahu was born. The gym started humbly, with about 50 clients and one small space in the Niu Valley Shopping Center. Now it sees about 350 clients and takes up three spaces in the shopping center. They offer 74 classes a week, from the early bird 4:30am groups on weekdays, to classes specialized for people over 50 years old, even two free weekly introduction classes. “It’s been amazing,” Keoni says. “It’s worked out far better than I ever imagined, that’s for sure.” However, much of CrossFit East Oahu’s growth has been driven by Keoni’s own unique vision called Transform, a 12-week weight-loss program that utilizes CrossFit workouts. The results have been staggering. The gym boasts a whopping 130 “Transformers” participating in the program’s ninth 12-week cycle. More than 400 people have participated in the program, some of them in several cycles. “Our niche is Transform,” says Rose, who admits she hated CrossFit when she first started, but is now training for the CrossFit Games. “Nobody is doing Transform in CrossFit and Transform has been our bread and butter for our business.” As CrossFit East Oahu has thrived, Keoni and Rose’s working relationship has improved. They’ve learned to juggle their business with a marriage and three boys, even squeezing in a weekly date night. With Keoni handling marketing and Rose focusing on the administrative tasks, they have found a happy means to survive as spouses, parents and partners. “It’s been a crazy ride and it’s not slowing down,” Keoni says. “It’s only going to get bigger and better. It’s just going to get crazier.”

“We made a commitment to business and we made a commitment to find a way to make it work. We do it because we love each other. We do it because we’re committed and we do it because, now, it’s fun.”

CrossFit East Oahu | 549 Halemaumau St. | 808.373.3600 | crossfiteastoahu.com

thePacificEdge.com

[ By MICHAEl KrAMEr ]

The Price of Quality

being green means paying livable wages

green business practices cover social, cultural and ecological realms. When combined with economic value, this creates the quadruple bottom line of business performance. Beyond carbon footprint, toxic releases and waste management, how a business acts in the community, treats its customers and values its employees has a significant impact on business effectiveness and its “shade of green.” Employees are a business’ most significant asset. The quality of their work influences sales and public perception, which affects a company’s reputation, repeat customers and its profitability. The way employees are treated by management and owners directly impacts their motivation to perform. Put simply, respect earns respect, and we all know businesses in the community whose people demonstrate care and pride on the job with a sincere desire to help the company succeed. In Hawai‘i, companies like Servco extend long-term healthcare and medical-insurance benefits to family members of employees and provide financial assistance to employees who want to 30

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further their education. Maui Divers Jewelry offers employees a stock ownership plan. City Mill provides cash awards for outstanding customer service and maintaining a safe work environment. Bowers & Kubota Consulting provides bonuses, a wellness program and a 12-percent retirement match. When it comes to wages, there is currently a debate about whether or not to raise the minimum wage, even though it’s clear that many low-wage employees need public assistance to survive. In Hawai‘i, at least $18/hour is needed to provide for a household. A consumer survey from the Hawaii Alliance for a Local Economy revealed that shoppers are willing to pay for better service. Sim-

Michael Kramer is Managing Partner of Natural Investments and is co-founder of the Hawaii Alliance for a Local Economy, the Think Local Buy Local Campaign, and the Kuleana Green Business Program. michael@naturalinvestments.com

ply put, businesses that pay better wages have happier employees who deliver better customer service. Moreover, when people earn more, they spend more, meaning that businesses could see greater revenue if they raise wages. Primarily, consumer spending drives the economy and the more money people have, the more they spend. The same is true in an economic downturn, which is why contractive policies that cut budgets, jobs, wages and unemployment benefits simply make things worse. Money is a lubricant and you have to spend and invest it to turn the economic engine; higher wages leads to higher spending, which means businesses receive greater revenue and can then hire more people—it’s a cyclical phenomenon. Businesses exist within a larger economic context. If a business pays low wages and no benefits or if it pollutes or causes other forms of harm through its management, procurement, operations and waste practices, the cost for addressing the consequences of these actions falls to the rest of us via government. So we citizens pay one way or the other, the question is whether or not business should internalize these costs or literally pass the buck to society to pay for them as taxes. There is only a need for government to provide a safety net and assure decent wages that spurs economic growth when businesses fail to fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities. When businesses pay well, respect culture, provide good benefits, invest in employee development, encourage participation in governance, then there are no battles between owners and workers, quality goes up and a company earns a solid reputation that assures financial success. So let’s stop blaming government when it is the private sector that controls the flow of capital in this country. We wouldn’t need to raise the minimum wage if business just provided livable wages. Our government has given business immense freedom to pay low wages, create tax havens, send jobs overseas and to engage in practices that cause environmental and public safety disasters. A lack of freedom is not the problem for business; it’s a lack of responsibility.

Coming to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall April 25, 26 and 27

Tickets: General $5 Seniors $3 Students $3 Military $3 Children 12 and under are Free

Free Admission all Weekend

with Donation to Hawaii Foodbank

Friday 5pm to 9pm Saturday 10am to 9pm Sunday 10am to 5pm

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Spring Summer Fall Winter Call usHawaii at Spring Summer Travel Mar t 808-732-6037 Fall Winter Visit us at PacificExpos.com Email: info@ PacificExpos.com

NELCO Production

[ By TOBY TAMAYE ]

Photo Fanatic

Business marketing with Instagram

Toby Tamaye is president of AT Marketing, a locally owned advertising and publicity firm. His clients include a variety of restaurants, visitor attractions, a financial institution and a major shopping center. ttamaye@at-marketing.net

Try To Post Everyday As activity increases, so does the amount of your followers. I recommend posting three to five times per day, but at the very least post once a day.

Use An Online Storage Application Instagram is a mobile-based platform. If you are used to taking photos off your laptop for social media postings, this is something you’ll need to adjust to. Create a Dropbox or other online storage account with your photos and install the phone app.

Use Hashtags All The Time

It’s time to stop hiding from the fact that social media is now one of the most influential marketing tools today. You know the old saying, “A picture speaks a thousand words.” With Instagram, it does just that. Food photos, selfies and the outfit of the day—Instagram has gone from fad to mainstream in just one year. Marketers are just beginning to hone in on the potential of the service, speaking directly to their audience with images, which could create a huge upsurge of brand-user interaction in 2014. Launched in October 2010, Instagram is a fairly new social media program. It has evolved from a photo editing application to the fastest growing social media that now dominates the reach to young adults. Taking and seeing photos is what Instagram is all about. The mobile-based social media application currently enjoys strong usage with over 60 million photos uploaded each day. If your business can be marketed with photos, then this is your marketplace.

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Set Up Using the same name you use for Twitter for your Instagram account if possible. You will need an email address to open a new Instagram account. For an easy tutorial on getting started, visit wikihow.com/Use-Instagram.

Connect Your Posts To Facebook I push a lot of my photo content from Instagram to Facebook. For those leading busy lives, this is the best way to take advantage of the two platforms. Facebook owns Instagram, so they work well together. You can also push posts to Twitter.

Content on Instagram can only be searched through hashtags. Also, adding tags to your photos is a great way to find new followers and share your photos with more people. If you are pushing the content of the post to Facebook, put hashtags in the comment section of your post.

Follow People To Grow Followers Access the recent activity section of Instagram to see who liked or commented on your photo. These followers are interested in your content and it’s a good idea to follow people who follow your business. Check their account (if public) and follow them.

Know Your Followers Instagram makes it easy to see who is talking about your business. You can either search by the Foursquare (also known as geo tag) location or by your business name hashtag. Search for users who tag your business and like their photos. Try to do this at least once a day if you have a business that has a high amount of photos tagged.

Reply And Engage If a user asks a question on an Instagram post, answer it. Also, try to engage with your users by following them and commenting on their posts. Good engagement is one of the best ways to grow followers. And speaking of engagement, follow me on Instagram at @atmarketing.

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AArON lAu FOuNDEr & OWNEr lAu lAu WOODWOrKs AND sIMPly WOOD sTuDIOs

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[ By: A lyssa F uk umoto | P hoto : Dave mi yamoto ]

Mightier

Than The

Sword

• Aaron Lau • Aaron Lau sits cross-legged on a small stage in the center of Waikiki. He examines the wooden surface and is surprised by its condition. Noting its poor craftsmanship and deteriorating condition, Lau admits that he does not normally turn such a critical eye to woodworking quality on a daily basis, but as the founder and owner of Lau Lau Woodworks and Simply Wood Studios, one can hardly fault him for it. Aaron’s path to owning and operating two local woodworking companies began in his childhood, when his grandfather allowed him access to a hammer, nails, sanding equipment and other tools from his job as a handyman. The young Lau quickly took after his grandfather with an interest in woodworking, continuing his hobby throughout intermediate and high school. Lau remembers building skateboard ramps as a teenager that he and his friends would use. When the time came to decide upon a career, Lau went the way of practicality. Rather than turning his hobby into a job, he initially sought a career in finance. The University of Hawai‘i alumnus spent seven successful years as a financial planner for a local branch of a major wealth management company. Although he was thriving financially, over time Lau found himself increasingly disenchanted with the finance industry and on the lookout for alternative career prospects, jobs with less of an emphasis on turning a profit for a corporation and more of a focus on how to provide quality products for customers. In an instance of happenstance, Lau came upon an instructional article on pen making. Breathing new life into his passion for woodworking, he began to gather materials, design and create his first batch of wood pens. He gathered his nerve and approached his parents with the news that he was giving up his stable financial career to open a pen-making business. “My mom and dad were pretty upset,” he laughs, but Lau was determined, spurned by his late grandfather’s encouragement. This new enterprise presented a slew of challenges for Lau. He found that pen making was not necessarily an en vogue enterprise due to wood costs, not to mention the ever-increasing popularity of technological communication over longhand. However, Lau found ways to turn each of these setbacks to his advantage. Rather than trying to compete with other woodworking company’s importing materials from Taiwan and the Philippines and selling lower quality product for

a cheaper price, Lau gathered together scraps of leftover wood from local companies and began mixing them together with varying types of wood and stone, creating intricate inlays and design work to make each of his pens truly unique. “That’s how the pens started taking off,” Lau explains. “No one was doing it back then.” His one-of-a-kind pens would eventually find their way into the hands of many a prominent individual, including being Governor Neil Abercrombie's preferred writing implement for signing bills into law. Seeing his pens on tabletops at board meetings and in the hands and shirt pockets of strangers is an experience of which Lau says he never grows tired. Lau’s years in finance proved to be a great benefit to his pen-making business, allowing him to make educated business decisions, like carefully selecting shop locations and determining how to handle his workforce. He established two companies that represent his woodworking enterprise: Lau Lau Woodworks, to house his woodworkers and production team, and Simply Wood Studios, the retail arm of the business. His workforce includes his wife, who handles the managerial aspects of the company, and a small staff of talented local woodworkers. By hiring local, Lau accomplished an important personal goal of employing and showcasing the talents of local artisans. “My experience in finance has structured the way I treat my friends and my workers,” Lau says. “I really try and take care of them. I hired them, now I work for them.” His dream for local artisans, woodworkers in particular, is for them to achieve greater local and national recognition through showcases and events on par with what last October’s inaugural Hawaii Fashion Week did for the local fashion industry. It is just a thought at the moment, but Lau is visibly enthusiastic at the thought of a more prominent platform for local craftsmen. As for company-specific goals, Lau envisions eventually adding another Simply Wood Studios location, as well as increasing and diversifying his product line. For now, however, he is perfectly content to go with his current workflow. “I was never really a big planner,” he laughs. “When I first started the business, I sat down and did a business plan, but I’ve found it easier to take advantage of opportunities as they come.”

“My experience in finance has structured the way I treat my friends and my workers. I really try and take care of them. I hired them, now I work for them.”

Simply Wood Studios | 2233 Kalakaua Ave. Bldg. B #118 | 808.626.5300 | simplywoodstudios.com

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A D v e R t i s e M e n t

these professionals give expert answers to the most frequently asked questions in their respective industries.

ReaL esTaTe seRVices

beauTiViLLe sPa PaRTY

i am ready to sell my home. What services will a real estate agent provide?

Real estate agents are, for the most part, contractors for the brokerage they work with. Each agent is different in what services they provide and what knowledge they have. Make sure that you and your agent are clear on what services you expect and what they are willing and are able to provide. You can also ask this to be in writing.

Why host a spa Party?

Karla Casey Principal Broker/ REALTOR Casey & Associates 808.366.4306 caseyhawaii.com

My office, Casey & Associates, provides “full service,” which means we work with our clients to prepare their home for sale, attend all home inspections, appraisals, work closely with the lender and escrow officer and are with our clients at escrow when signing the final documents. We even coordinate the moving if our clients are off island or need assistance. By being diligent, we are able to take care of issues that can cause a transaction to fall apart, such as, timely HARPTA & FIRPTA filings. Obtaining an accepted contract is just the beginning of my work.

Having a spa party is a great teambuilding experience and the best way to acknowledge employees’ hard work, celebrate employee appreciation, employee recognition, anniversaries, holiday parties, farewell parties, a new client or record sales while promoting health and wellness. At a spa party, employees indulge in spa treatments, mix and mingle, enjoy food and drinks under a relaxing ambiance. Try these three tips for a successful spa party: Create a theme; Have games and prizes; Prepare a swag bag for all attendees. Spa parties are great for any and all occasions. Are you reaady for a Spa Party? Let us help customize a Sparty package. Our goal is to keep your event planning stress-free and make every minute of your spa party special and memorable. Mention this ad for a FREE gift with your booking.

Scarlett GodinezDumadag Owner Beautiville Salon, Spa & Beautique 808.674.9999 beautiville.com

If you would like a free market analysis of your home, please contact me.

bReasT iMPLanTs

ReTaininG TOP TaLenT

Q a

How are implants used in breast surgery?

The surgical placement of breast implants (breast augmentation) can help increase fullness and projection of the breasts or improve symmetry. A breast augmentation procedure is used cosmetically to: • Enlarge a naturally small breast, most commonly the result of heredity • Restore breast volume lost following pregnancy • Achieve better symmetry when breasts are moderately disproportionate in size and shape or for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or injury • Enhance your self-image and selfconfidence If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, breast augmentation surgery (either breast enhancement or breast enlargement) is a choice to consider. Dr. Cho is board certified in plastic surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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How can i attract top talent?

Dr. David Cho Cosmetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Staub Clinic & Hospital 808.522.4370 straubplasticsurgery.org

As the economy begins to look up, businesses of all sizes are faced with the challenge of attracting and retaining top performers. In order to attract top talent, employers need to retain their existing best employees. Reason being, hardworking, intelligent candidates tend to surround themselves with individuals of the same mind set. That being said, the best candidates tend to look at a company’s existing employees before making a commitment. Here are four ways to retain your top performers:

Kristi Inkinen Yanagihara Owner Remedy Intelligent Staffing 808.733.8550 remedyhawaii.com

• Always have empathy and understand the needs of your employees • Establish what keeps them happy and motivated • Get your staff involved and include them in important decisions • Invest in them! Offer your employees opportunities to learn and grow

Remedy can offer your organization a long-term business partnership and serve as your staffing expert. For more information please contact us at (808) 733-8550.

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Can i get gas in my home?

Why are savvy business customers choosing Oceanic time Warner Cable Business Class Blanket Wi-Fi service?

Yes! The benefits of our clean-burning gas energy can be shared with virtually anyone in Hawai‘i. Whether you’re located on one of our utility pipeline systems or not, Hawaii Gas offers the most efficient energy solutions for your home next to the sun itself. Using gas energy directly for home appliances is three times more efficient than electricity derived from fossil fuels. This means that it’ll take less gas energy to produce the same amount of hot showers. Efficiency saves energy and money. Families who use gas energy can also lower their carbon footprint by up to 37 percent. Plus, switching to gas is easier than you may think. Give us a call at (808) 535-5933 or visit us online at hawaiigas.com.

a Jill Tokunaga Vice President Sales, Marketing & Communications Hawaii Gas 808.594.5512 hawaiigas.com

Exclusively available from Oceanic Time Warner Cable Business Class, Blanket Wi-Fi service is all about smart Wi-Fi coverage for your business regardless of size and number of users. We connect our clients to a high-capacity fiber link, which is connected to a smart intelligent interface that feeds access points throughout their property. Our Blanket Wi-Fi service offers the highest level of security in the industry at a very affordable price. Each solution is customized to the business needs of our client whether a small or medium business, large hotel, large enterprise or military customer. With Oceanic Time Warner Cable Business Class, our Blanket Wi-Fi service grows with you.

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if i utilize the services of an employee leasing company or a PeO, will it save me money?

Let me answer your question with a question. Why did you go into business? Was it to be a tax collector, a tax preparer or an HR specialist? Or was it to do what you do best? Obviously, you went into business to create and grow a company. So, why get bogged down in all of the nonproductive distractions of HR and payroll-related items? They are a major distraction and prevent you from concentrating, running and growing your business. Utilizing the services of an employee leasing company will mean you no longer have to produce payroll checks, do the payroll tax filings, pay and file the federal and state unemployment tax. Handling work comp, TDI payments, medical insurance and audits will be a thing of the past. Outsourcing through employee leasing will not only save you time and money; it will, most importantly, eliminate the pain of payroll.

Christie Tanaka Sales Manager, Hospitality, Healthcare, Government and Military Oceanic Time Warner Cable Business Class 808.628.2640 business.twc.com

HONO Jack Schneider Owner JS Services 808.737.4882 JSServices-Hawaii.com

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FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER FOR MONTHLY EVENT DETAILS

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BY STUART COLEMAN

Social entrepreneurs embrace the people, planet, profit mantra and add a local twist to sustainable

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Photo: Jonathan Swanz

business practices

opposite page: Benefit Corporations promote people and planet, not just profits, and Shanah Travena is one of a core group of entrepreneurs at the forefront of that push in Hawai‘i. right: Dawn Lippert leads the Hawaii’s Energy Excelerator, an incubator that provides support for startups that promote clean, renewable energy.

In fact, an entirely new type of corporation has arisen. There are now more than 910 Certified Benefit Corporations, also called B Corps, in 29 countries and 60 different industries, including well-established brands like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s. There’s also a focused crew of social entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i who are a part of this movement and they all have one unifying goal: to redefine success in business. While only in her twenties, Dawn Lippert became the founder and senior manager of Hawaii’s Energy Excelerator, a unique nonprofit with the goal to help solve the state’s energy challenges. Lippert and her team created an incubator to provide funding, strategic planning, partnerships and a supportive community for innovative startups that promote clean, renewable energy. “We say it takes a village to raise a startup,” Lippert remarks with a smile. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Lippert went to Yale, where she received a master’s degree from the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. While still a grad student, she worked on a Big Island energy project with Maurice Kaya, the state’s former energy director. Kaya was so impressed with Lippert’s work that he asked her to move out to Hawai‘i and help create the Energy Excelerator. Funded mainly by the Department of Defense, the Excelerator is looking for renewable energy and high-tech companies to help the military reduce its dependence on foreign oil, which they see as a threat

THINK ABOUT IT The modern corporation was granted the status of personhood through a loophole in the 14th Amendment. If corporations are considered people, some suggest they would be classified as psychopaths because they will do anything for the sake of profit. After all, if a corporate charter says the main purpose is to make money, any resulting social and environmental problems can be written off as externalities. This kind of cutthroat, winner-take-all competitiveness can lead to dangerous results, with a small cabal of winners (the 1 percent) taking the spoils while the majority (the 99 percent) suffers the consequences.

Photo: dan Johnson

n a faraway land, there lived a wise king who wanted to defend his country from powerful outside forces. To protect his kingdom and provide prosperity for his people, he created a code of values called Gross National Happiness. The king built his country’s infrastructure upon the Four Pillars of Gross National Happiness: good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation and environmental conservation. Although it sounds like a fairy tale, King Wangchuk of Bhutan created the framework for Gross National Happiness back in the 1970s and his country has thrived under these guidelines. Can this idealistic and innovative approach ever work in the immensely larger and more diverse American economy, where profit is king? Since the invention of the modern corporation in the late 1800s, most companies have operated under the single bottom line of making profit. The American economy has been on a wild roller coaster ride over the last few decades, culminating in the Great Recession of 2008. The tumultuous cycle of bubbles and bursts has caused high rates of unemployment, increasing economic inequality, rampant development and widespread environmental degradation. Like the Four Pillars of Gross National Happiness, innovative companies across the United States, including Hawai‘i, have created a similar business model to counter these destructive trends and the volatility of traditional single bottom line capitalism. Their new, socially responsible framework is based on what they call the triple bottom line of “people, planet and profit.” Known as social entrepreneurs, these leaders in sustainable business believe they can use business to help solve social, environmental and economic problems. By doing the right thing, they believe their companies will also do well in the long run with benefits extending to customers, employees and shareholders, as well as the community and the environment.

thePacificEdgE.com

to national security. By supporting social entrepreneurs, they hope to launch startups that will create innovative solutions for other companies and homeowners. To find these innovative companies and entrepreneurs, the Energy Excelerator holds an annual business plan competition for both small and larger companies seeking guidance and funding. “I think social entrepreneurship is the ultimate path to sustainability because you end up with self-perpetuating, self-sustaining organizations that are measuring their impact not only by the amount of money they are making, but also by how much good they are doing,” Lippert says. Many of these entrepreneurs believe Hawai‘i is the perfect

testing ground for renewable energy technology and energy efficiency because the state has the nation’s highest dependency on fossil fuels. Each year, the state ships out about $7 billion for the oil brought in on tankers. “It’s a huge hole in the economy,” Lippert laments.

Pono Home, founded by Scott Cooney, is one of 15 companies to win the Energy Excelerator’s business plan competition. A business owner and lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa, Cooney is a serial social entrepreneur who has created four companies over the last ten years. “Everything I’ve done since I started my first company in 2004 has

been geared toward the triple bottom line.” A green home consulting service, Pono Home is trying to make sustainability as easy as possible for local residents. Cooney and his crew have worked in over 30 homes, helping owners and renters cut their utility and water costs through simple energy audits, appliance upgrades and practical energy-saving measures. “We’ve seen a pretty good reduction in utility bills, so now I can guarantee that our service pays for itself in one year or less,” Cooney says, proudly. Pono Home also offers health tips to identify and eliminate toxic chemicals in food, cookware, home furnishings and personal care products that are often made overseas. According to Cooney, this is important because in the rush to maximize profits and pump out the least expensive products, many of America’s largest companies have moved their factories to Third World countries that have much lower health, labor and environmental standards. This is the high cost of low prices that the triple bottom line is poised to avoid. “It’s a race to the bottom or a race to the top,” explains Cooney, reflecting on companies trying to produce the cheapest goods at any cost versus social entrepreneurs. “They operate on thinner and thinner margins because the

Photos: Pono Home

Scott Cooney is owner of B Corp Pono Home. a consulting business conducting energy and health audits for the home.

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Photo: Buffy Cushman-Patz

only thing they can compete on is price. Brand loyalty is basically zero because as soon as the prices go above a competitor, the customers will switch.” Social entrepreneurs value collaboration and brand loyalty over fierce competition and cheap products. “The race to the top is to create the best products that really benefit people and also help the company,” Cooney adds. “Patagonia is a great example because they create quality products and they back them up.” The outdoor apparel company also supports environmental causes, pays their workers fair wages and gives back to local communities. This emphasis on quality over quantity creates more customer loyalty that makes sustainable, financial sense.

Growing up in the concrete canyons of New York City, where skyscrapers towered over his youth, Ari Patz loved the electric hum of the city. However, once he got a taste of Hawai‘i’s natural beauty, he decided to move to the islands. In Honolulu, the former chef took over a company called Styrophobia, which distributed compostable food service products. Living in the land of plate lunches where Styrofoam containers rule supreme, Patz had to educate customers about the health and environmental hazards of these expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) products and other plastic utensils and containers.

Ari Patz chose to work at World Centric because the new B Corp combined the mission and values of a nonprofit with the growth potential of a for-profit business.

Although many businesses were hesitant to purchase the slightly more expensive compostable products, they began switching once Patz explained the health and environment risks of Styrofoam products. “Education is the key,” he says. “Most of my sales calls are crash courses in environmental degradation, providing key points of information like the difference between biodegradable and compostable. Even without county and state composting facilities, our compostable products are infinitely better environmentally.” When Patz’s wife was accepted to graduate school, he moved back to the American northeast with her for a two-year stint. While still overseeing Styrophobia from abroad, he began working with a nonprofit called World Centric, which had supplied most of his company’s compostable food service products. Patz loved the organization’s mission and helped boost sales of their eco-friendly business. They were impressed by his business savvy and commitment to the cause. “As the sales increased, it became clear that World Centric, founded as a nonprofit, needed to convert into a for-profit entity,” Patz explains. “With the recent establishment of B Corps, this transition was made much easier as it was felt that the mission and vision did not

need to be sacrificed.” Although the first B Corp was certified in 2007, Patz could see they were already changing the face of business. Just as social entrepreneurs are driven by the triple bottom line, Certified B Corps use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Unlike traditional businesses, B Corps are required to meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards, along with higher legal accountability standards. This heightened accountability brings in high-level investors and employees who are attracted to this model. Along with donating more than 25 percent of its profits to like-minded organizations every year, World Centric offers profit sharing with its employees and they plant trees to offset their carbon footprint. When Patz and his wife returned to Hawai‘i, he decided to stay with World Centric because the new B Corp combined the mission of a nonprofit with the agility and growth potential of a for-profit business. He’s now in the process of turning Styrophobia into a nonprofit to educate people about the health and environmental pitfalls of single-use plastics and the need for a composting facility in Hawai‘i to reduce our waste. thePacificEdge.com

Photo: Jonathan Swanz

Shanah Travena created her own B Corp, Smart Sustainable Consulting, which helps institutions be more sustainable by cutting their energy, water and waste expenses. Her new business is, of course, a certified B Corp.

Reducing energy use and waste is a common theme among social entrepreneurs and B Corps across the world. Originally from Canada, Shanah Travena worked as an engineer before moving to Hawai‘i and switching to sustainability studies. A Ph.D. student in political science at University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa, her dissertation focuses on Benefit Corporations. To add to her already full plate, Travena has also created her own B Corp called Smart Sustainable Consulting, which helps institutions be more sustainable by cutting their energy, water and waste expenses. As part of her research, Travena interviewed leaders from more than 30 B Corps. They all emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition. “It’s such a tough leap to go from the mainstream status quo to this more progressive way of doing business. It can be scary,” Travena says, emphasizing why she chose to work with the B Lab, a nonprofit that oversees the certification process, while creating her own B Corp. Although she faced a daunting checklist of criteria like employees’ wages, workforce diversity, profit sharing, 42

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corporate donations and community benefits, there was a network of people and companies willing to help. Travena says the certification process was well worth the effort, “What LEED certification did for building, B Corps will do for business.” An early adapter, Hawai‘i is one of 20 states that have already passed laws creating B Corps and momentum is reaching a tipping point across the country. The Sustainability Association of Hawaii (SAH) works with the B Lab as a clearinghouse for sustainable B Corps. Although there is no separate IRS designation yet, the hope is that these B Corps will receive some kind of tax benefit when people will see the value they bring to local communities. According to Travena’s research, B Corps were 65 percent more likely to survive the recession and not declare bankruptcy, when compared to similar companies in their industry. Travena says a B Corp's resiliency comes down to three things: “Customer loyalty, employee loyalty and efficiency—all of this translated into a fatter bottom line in producing goods and services.”

Along with resilience, B Corps also tend to emphasize local culture and values over the generic global corporate model. That local ethic appealed to Kainoa Casco, a business consultant who was born in Maui with Filipino

roots and grew up in Lahaina. After going away to college at Portland State University, he began working for a company that provided consulting and educational services on the profit-making

Photos: Jessica Pearl

side of green building. “I realized that creating profits and positive social or environmental impacts don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” Casco says. “Something clicked for me and I made it my mission to bring this concept back to Hawai‘i and improve the lives of the community and the environment through business.”

After going back to school for a master’s degree in sustainability, Casco began thinking about starting his own business. In 2012, he partnered with a sustainability leader named Jennifer Chirico to form consulting company Susty Pacific. The two are currently in the process of applying to become a B Corp. A firm believer in social entrepreneurship, Casco expands upon the triple bottom line to create a new quadruple bottom line: people, planet, profit and culture. “In places such as Hawai‘i, where culture plays a significant role in a company’s social, environmental and financial performance, culture should also be at the forefront of a company’s strategy, performance accounting and reporting,” Casco says, deeming it a triple bottom line with a local twist. There can be a strong resistance to change in the islands, but there is also an increasing frustration with the status quo that favors the old boy network and mainland investors. Casco believes that the people of Hawai‘i are reaching

a point where they are looking for something that works for them, not just for the people at the top or outside of the state. He feels there needs to be solutions that help communities thrive, regenerate natural resources and stimulate local business activity while staying true to local culture. Like the wise king of Bhutan, social entrepreneurs are building a better model of business. Building on the legacy of the Founding Fathers and Hawai‘i’s kings and queens, these B Corp leaders hope to create companies that will perpetuate the life of the land, the prosperity of the people, the richness of their cultures and the pursuit of happiness. Maybe it’s time for a Declaration of InterDependence. Stuart H. Coleman is a freelance writer and the award-winning author of Eddie Would Go and Fierce Heart. He serves as the Hawaii Coordinator of the Surfrider Foundation and is working on a new book called The Fourth Wave.

Maui-born Kainoa Casco is practicing the quadruple bottom line, incorporating culture into the foundation of sustainable business practices. A believer in the community connection, Casco is pictured above with the Polynesian Voyaging Society's Kalepa Baybayan and below with artists Jeffrey Gress, Kamea Hadar and Sean Connelly.

thePacificEdge.com

A Legacy in the Making Merrie Monarch partners with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods and KFVE to replant native koa forests

Traditional Hawaiian culture is rooted in the act of respecting the ‘aina. Practicing ahupua‘a land management, the native Hawaiian people lived with nature, not in opposition to it. Through an exciting new collaboration, this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival will support sustainability in accordance with Hawaiian tradition. Merrie Monarch is working with KFVE and Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH) to create an annual tradition called the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative.

“The hula community is very cognizant of the fact that if we don’t take care of the ‘aina, the ‘aina cannot help them; because it will be depleted of all that is sacred to them as a hula dancer,” explains Luana Kawelu, president of The Merrie Monarch Festival, who is known lovingly as Auntie Luana by most. “The adornments—the flowers and the greens—they are very important in hula. If we don’t take care of it, it will all be gone.” HLH has donated 1,000 acres of Big Island land on the slopes of Mauna Kea for the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. Within this land lies the Merrie Monarch Legacy Forest, which was created in 2013 to honor the 50th anniversary of The Merrie Monarch Festival. This year, 23 halau are expected to perform in the week-long ho‘olaule‘a (celebration) of Hawaiian culture; each halau may have up to 35 performers, including chanters and dancers. For each performer, KFVE will plant a Legacy Tree, a tree planted to honor the spirit of another person. Last year, 555 koa trees were dedicated by KFVE. The partnership was inspired to honor the dancers and to give back to the land. “KFVE is really pleased to be involved. It almost gives you chicken skin when you think about putting something back in the ground and growing roots and becoming a part of the Hawaiian Islands,” says John Fink, general manager of KFVE, The Home Team. “It’s always been our goal to be an integral part of the media landscape in Hawai‘i and here we are, able to help out with this wonderful cultural legacy that is Merrie Monarch. We are doing more than just televising it every year, we are actually planting something for the future, which we think is unique and hopefully people will see it as a gift.” The area that is now the Merrie Monarch Legacy Forest was once the personal property of King Kamehameha the Great, the first king of Hawai‘i. The remaining old-growth koa trees that still remain on the property are used as a seed source to replant the forest. Koa trees are a revered native species endemic to Hawai‘i. Once reserved only for ali‘i, nearly 90 percent of the original koa forests were cut down after western settlement in the islands. The replanting of these native trees will help to restore the ecosystem to what it once was. “These trees belong to all generation and with your help, we can save Hawai‘i’s forests, one tree at a time,” says Jeff Dunster, CEO of HLH. “Through the efforts of KFVE, The Merrie Monarch Festival and

other caring individuals, these incredible trees are making a comeback.” The Legacy Trees will be marked with new radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, making it easy to identify and digitally track their growth. This allows people to check up on their tree online as well as visit it in person. The trees have already begun to provide homes for native birds. In other areas of their plantation, HLH is also planting a variety of endangered endemic flora including ‘ohi‘a and Hawaiian sandalwood. Auntie Luana plans to plant the first sandalwood tree in the Merrie Monarch Legacy Forest to honor her mother, who was the founder of The Merrie Monarch Festival. As more of Hawai‘i’s ‘aina is being develop, it is becoming harder to find the traditional ferns and flowers used for hula costumes. To overcome this issue, the Reforestation Initiative is working with the halau to plant the native ferns, such as palapalai, and flowers they need to create their hula outfits in the Merrie Monarch Legacy Forest. “It all seems to relate to giving back to the ‘aina,” says John. “We really think it is what Merrie Monarch is about—perpetuating local culture and providing inspiration for future generations.” To learn more or to sponsor your own Legacy Tree visit www.LegacyTrees.org.

Green BUSIneSS RESOURCE GUIDE

he power of a sustainable lifestyle rests in the hands of the consumer. Every time you spend money, you’re making a choice to support a particular company. Conscious consumers choose to support businesses that offer products and services in line with their values when it comes to sustainability. Be an agent of change in Hawai‘i. When it comes time to make your next purchase, whether it’s a hand of bananas or a new car, take advantage of your purchase power and support sustainability in Hawai‘i.

LEEDing the Way Off-The-Grid with Green Sand Architecture + Sustainability Clients who are looking to build a beautiful home that is truly functional art turn to Green Sand’s architectural services. Green Sand incorporates strategies that tread more lightly on the earth, like natural ventilation and wind control, daylight harvesting, natural materials, local materials, overall healthier indoor environments and LEED certification. Green Sand Architecture + Sustainability utilizes a truly unique combination of creative award winning design and technical building science expertise to make each project distinctive, functional and a healthier place for living. There is no preset solution, no preconceived aesthetic based on corporate image. Every project is about the client’s goals and the building site—each is one of a kind. Green Sand’s business model is to provide all clients with individual principal level attention. Each project begins with detailed client interviews and site analysis. The site is studied in detail to determine available natural resources to harvest, use and control. 46

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Likewise, building codes and regulations are studied and factored into the equation. Layered onto the site’s physical characteristics, microclimate (the climate of the particular property, which may be slightly different from the surrounding area) and code requirements are how the client desires to live and interact with their property. The result is an exceptional functional home based on art and science and thrilled clients that love the monthly savings of no, or very low, utility bills and optimized health and well-being.

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Green BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE

Industrial Recycling Industry leader Lenox Metals keeps excess commercial waste out of Hawai‘i’s landfills Lenox Metals has been helping protect Hawai‘i’s environment for the last twenty-five years by providing turnkey metal recycling services to our customers and minimizing waste sent to landfills. Our mission is to create value for our customers and employees through our scrap metal recycling operations. We strive to fulfill this mission by providing quality recycling services with integrity, innovation and safe operating practices. We buy and sell in the current scrap market to provide the best return for our customers. Lenox sets itself apart from its competition by consistently creating comprehensive and innovative recycling programs to our suppliers and vendors. This allows for a greater percentage of recyclable material and less waste directed to landfills. As one of Hawai‘i’s original “Green” companies, Lenox has endeavored to increase awareness of recycling issues and the public’s responsibility to help address those issues. We are active participants in public recycling programs as well as industry forums. Our commitment to improving the wellbeing or our customers and

community through recycling is accomplished by our pubic outreach and welcoming atmosphere. These are exciting times for recycling companies. Lenox will continue to serve as a leader in our industry and strive for another great twenty-five years fulfilling Hawai‘i’s recycling needs.

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Green BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE

Audi TDI Clean Diesel Getting more from less Audi TDI racecars have dominated 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious performance and endurance race, 13 times in 14 years. A hallmark of power and fuel efficiency, Audi has brought that same TDI clean diesel technology, with all the torque response of true Audi performance, to an innovative lineup of luxury-class vehicles. Audi pioneered TDI clean diesel engines deliver more torque, lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions compared to equivalent gasoline engines. They are the performance-oriented leader for fuelefficient vehicles. With the TDI clean diesel, Audi is pioneering the way for the vehicles and fuels of tomorrow. Diesel sports a greater power density than traditional gasoline, which means that a gallon of diesel fuel has about 15 percent more energy than a comparable amount of gas. By combining a high compression ratio with direct injection in the TDI engine, combustion is more efficient and produces cleaner emissions. Match that with Audi’s after-exhaust treatment— innovative diesel particulate filters and the nontoxic AdBlue reducing agent—and carbon dioxide is reduced by 12 percent. Up to 95 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions are eliminated, as well.

Audi TDI clean diesel technology is packed with low-end torque, giving you incredible acceleration and passing power. So even though you feel the power kick in at higher speeds, the ingenious TDI engine helps reduce fuel consumption. Audi adjustable vane turbochargers smoothly produce immediate torque, which help to

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create impressive mid-range passing speeds and also reduce fuel consumption at high speeds. With astonishing benefits, TDI exploits fuel, ensuring you get more from each drop. With 15 percent more energy than gasoline, that translates to 30 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent fewer trips to the pump. That’s time you get back to experience all of life’s little luxuries. Audi TDI clean diesel takes you farther than ever before—on one tank. TDI engines have an estimated fuel savings of almost $2,000 over one year. It’s no wonder that Audi’s TDI® clean diesel is the intelligent choice. TDI offers incredible performance, efficiency and a range second to none. It also turns out it could make the world a cleaner place—by cutting emissions by 12 percent. You’ll find TDI® clean diesel technology in the A6, A7, A8 L, Q5 and Q7 models.

Cartridge Refill Don’t toss those ink and toner cartridges in the trash, refill and reuse them with Cartridge World Hawaii Ink and toner cartridges aren’t items one spends much time thinking about. Out of sight and out of mind until the dreaded “out of toner” message appears when you have to print that important

document. Ink and toner cartridges are something we should pay a bit of attention to though. They require about one gallon of oil each and are made so well, they last 500 years in the landfill. North America alone places 350 million cartridges in landfills every year! Most of the major components in a cartridge can last three to four times longer than the amount of ink or toner present, so there is no need to insist on using a cartridge only once. The technology exists to recondition cartridges so they perform the same as new cartridges. Companies exist that specialize in reconditioning cartridges to be used over and over again. Cartridge World is the world’s largest retailer of ink and toners and each store is individually owned. Albert

Green BUSIneSS reSOUrCe GUIDe Holt, the local boy who owns Cartridge World Hawaii, says, “There is a misconception about reconditioned cartridges. Essentially, they are not copies or compatibles, they are the original branded cartridges, just reconditioned, the same as most manufacturers do themselves already.” At Cartridge World, we are keeping cartridges out of the landfill, reconditioning them, guaranteeing them 100 percent and delivering them for free to business customers. The best part is, we charge less than the manufacturers do. I like to say we are giving away bags of money. Just call us with your list of printers and we’ll let you know how much you can save.

The Green Build Making Buildings Perform Better Allana Buick & Bers (ABBAE) is a leading architectural engineering firm specializing in making buildings perform better by making them energy efficient and longer lasting with lower operating cost. For over 27 years, ABBAE has provided investigation, assessment, design, engineering, construction administration and monitoring services based on real world experience gained from our building forensics background to support repairs, rehabilitation, new construction projects and

construction litigation cases. ABBAE has worked on several hundred projects in its 10year history in Hawai‘i and 3,400 projects companywide. Our services include roofing systems, exterior walls including stucco, siding, storefronts, windows and doors, curtain wall, waterproofing systems (above and below grade), podium construction, decks, balconies and lanai, mechanical optimization and energy efficiency, renewable and alternative

Launched in 1988, Lenox Metals, LLC has worked to provide Hawai‘i with practical and cost effective "green" solutions at competitive prices. Our company's skilled workforce assists our customers in maximizing their recycling rebates through our turnkey customized recycling programs. We believe that providing environmentallysound recycling practices helps keep our fragile island environment pollution free. -Alan Hornstein

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This is so next century. This is Truth in Engineering. With 30% better fuel economy than gas and 15% more energy in every drop of fuel, Audi TDI® clean diesel is not only powerful but also more eﬃcient.* So as the world embraces diesel, it’s no surprise that Audi is once again leading the way with the A8, A7, A6, Q7 and Q5 models. Make the intelligent choice with Audi TDI® clean diesel. Learn more at audiusa.com/tdi

Audi Hawaii 2770 Waiwai Loop, Honolulu HI 96819 808-447-8998 audihawaii.com *Based on comparison to comparable gasoline engines and drop of gasoline. See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors including your driving habits and vehicle condition. “Audi,” “Truth in Engineering,” all model names, and the four rings logo are registered trademarks of AUDI AG. “TDI” is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG. ©2013 Audi of America, Inc.

Green BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE energy, plumbing, roof drainage systems and storm drains, structural and seismic upgrades. In support of our building envelope services and alternate energy, ABBAE is staffed with licensed civil, structural, mechanical engineers, architects, registered roof and waterproofing consultants, accredited energy professionals and LEED certified professionals. “ABBAE’s goal in reducing energy consumption in buildings while making them long lasting not only serves our clients’ needs, but also makes the world we live in a better place,” says CEO Karim Allana.

drop by one of their two O‘ahu locations to checkout their beautiful handcrafted pens. Simply Wood Studios can be found at 932 Kapahulu Avenue across from Leaonard’s Bakery or at the ground floor in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

O‘ahu’s LED Solution Hawaii Energy Efficiency, LLC offers continual savings with LED lighting

Creating Timeless Beauty A modern writing instrument with Hawaiian beauty Aaron Lau of Lau Lau Woodworks has created some of the finest writing instruments in Hawai‘i since 2002. Inlaying local reclaimed Hawaiian koa wood with other unique materials, the pens of Lau Lau Woodworks reflect the beauty and originality of each owner. Lau Lau Woodworks has succeeded in pioneering a way to not only protect its pens from harmful UV rays, but to give their pens added luxury and personality. Aaron fuses koa wood with materials such as surfboard resins, recycled seed husks, coral, roasted Kona coffee, reconstituted stone and so much more! This means you are not only getting a custom writing instrument, but you are getting a writing instrument that reflects a person’s unique personality. A lot of care and attention to detail go into Aaron’s pens. All of Aaron’s pens feature an exclusive “Executive” finish. This unique finishing process not only protects your pens from most chemicals and the sun’s harmful UV rays, but gives your pen that unique shine that Aaron’s pens are famous for. All of Lau’s pens come in a variety of sizes and prices, from the simple yet compact Basic Ultra Slim ($40) to the elegant Designer Havana Fountain Pen ($194). While Aaron is gifted in creating unique pens, his wife Jill manages Simply Wood Studios, the direct retailer for her husband’s pens, also showcasing other Hawai‘i artists. Lau Lau Woodworks creates stylish, refill-able, exceptional pieces of art. Aaron and his family invite you to 54

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When we look at the rising costs of electricity, it is important to consider the technologies that can reduce our consumption while maintaining business as usual. Converting to LED lighting is perhaps the easiest way to reduce consumption and costs from 45 to 80 percent by simply changing your lamps. Hawaii Energy Efficiency, LLC is a locally owned and operated LED lighting retrofit service provider offering advanced and economical LED lighting solutions for residential and businessspecific applications. Commercial properties, industrial facilities, small and mid-sized businesses will all benefit for many years from LED lighting as energy saving capital investment. LED fixtures are easily installed, while retrofit-kits are also a customized solution that utilize existing fixtures. LED lighting eliminates routine maintenance with “lamp-life” performance-testing results at 50,000 to 100,000 hours. And there are no harmful mercury or ultra-violet while minimal heat levels reduce HVAC costs. Replace 400 watt warehouse or parking lot fixture with a 100 watt LED lamp (24hr duty = 10 month return; 12hr duty = 18 month return). Replace 32 watt fluorescent tubes with 18 watt LED lamps (24hr duty = 13 month return; 12hr duty = 24 month return). All before rebates. LED technology is the future in lighting and energy reduction. Keeping with the latest market innovations, Hawaii Energy Efficiency, LLC sources and provides the most reliable LED products at key opening price points. The cost of continuing to overpay the highest electrical rates in the country is staggering. How long will you continue to do so? Call Hawaii Energy Efficiency, LLC for a free consultation to learn of the savings LED lighting and Hawaii Energy Efficiency, LLC provide.

Green Business Directory ALLANA BUICK & BERS

HAWAII ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LLC.

AUDI HAWAII

GREEN SAND ARCHITECTURE + SUSTAINABILITY

707 Richards St. #635, Honolulu, HI 96813 808.538.0115 info@abbae.com

2770 Waiwai Lp., Honolulu, HI 96819 808.447.8998 audihawaii.com

1888 Kalakaua Ave. C-312, Honolulu, HI 96815 808.660.1029 hawaiiee.com

PO Box 2241, Honolulu, HI 96804 808.457.1360 info@greensandinc.com

CARTRIDGE WORLD HAWAII

LAU LAU WOODWORKS

HAWAIIAN LEGACY HARDWOODS

LENOX METALS

99-209 Moanalua Rd., #302 Aiea, HI 96701 808.488.8855 cartridgeworldhawaii.com

91 Coelho Way, Honolulu, HI 96817 877.707.8733 hlh.co

932 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816 808.561.8813 laulauwoodworks.com

91-185 Kalaeloa Blvd., Kapolei, HI 96707 808.682.5539 lenoxmetals.com

High Performance Inks and Toners

(808) 488-8855 Free Next Day Delivery and Pick-Up · 100% Guaranteed Same Product, Same Result, Different Price

OFF

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TriSHa keHauLani waTSon, J.D., PH.D. owner Honua ConSuLTinG

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[ By: T if fa n y Herv e y | P hoto : Dav e mi ya moto ]

Stay-At-Home

Law

• Trisha Kehaulani Watson • As an intelligent and career-oriented woman, it’s a strange feeling to have a baby kicking inside of you for the first time. With every movement, you begin to question your priorities—especially the things that will take you away from your unborn child for hours at a time. You run infinite scenarios through your head of how to make it all work. And when that baby arrives, the woman is forever transformed, and often, so is her profession. “I started Honua Consulting after I gave birth to my son,” says owner Trisha Kehaulani Watson, J.D., Ph.D. “Having him was a huge influence on my life, both personally and professionally. I started consulting to be able to stay home with him. I loved being a mom, but I also loved law and working with nature and communities.” Instead of taking the bar and working as an attorney, which would have taken her away from her infant son, the native Hawaiian formed her own consulting company, which allowed her to work from home. Honua Consulting is a certified underutilized disadvantaged business enterprise (UDBE) and is built on Hawaiian traditions, customs, genealogy and knowledge, with a focus on creating opportunities for women, native Hawaiians and people from rural communities to have a significant impact on Hawai‘i’s business sector and the future of our islands. “We’re starting to do more archaeological work, including archaeological inventory studies and archaeological monitoring,” Watson explains. “We also do cultural impact assessments and cultural monitoring.” Her company is one of the only UDBEs in the state to offer these services. “We all are committed to a company culture that remembers that for 2,000 years, Hawaiians managed these islands,” she relates. “We managed every island, every ahupua‘a, every resource. Honua Consulting perpetuates this tradition.” Currently, Watson’s day begins with getting her now 10-year-old out of bed and ready for school. Then she sits down with coffee and sorts through her 200 to 400 daily emails. Her staff also works at her home, which is filled with the books and artwork she has collected over the years.. “I love being able to work from home and see my son off to school,” Watson says. “I can’t imagine I would find my work very valuable without the daily pleasures and privileges of being a mom.” Once her son is done with school, Watson shifts back to mom mode until bedtime. Then from about 8pm to midnight, every night, she finishes writing reports, editing documents and responding to emails. “My weekend is my third work week,” she says,

adding that her mother’s workhorse ethic is likely what inspired her to juggle responsibilities this way. “The weekend is when I can get the majority of the work content I need to get done complete.” Some of Honua Consulting’s most recent projects include developing website resources and a series of PSAs to help reduce human-wildlife interactions for the ROAR Hawaii organization; working to integrate Hawaiian and Western sciences with Kilakila o Kanaloa; completing a cultural study on spinner dolphins on Maui and Hawai‘i Island; completing a cultural study for a geothermal project in Ulupalakua; a study of marine protected areas across the Pacific; as well as continued work with the protection of the Hawaiian monk seal, which Watson started with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2010 and last year moved the partnership to the Marine Conservation Institute. “We still haven’t figured out how to make room for many different viewpoints—Hawaiians called it makawalu, literally eight eyes, which means to see from many perspectives,” Watson explains. “Conservation in Hawai‘i is still very much led by people who are not native to Hawai‘i. And while these people bring tremendous experience and knowledge to the conservation of Hawai‘i’s natural resources, it cannot be done by this group alone. You need Hawaiians to be a part of it, to lead it.” The reality is that this disconnect is not unique to Hawai‘i, Watson affirms, pointing out that prior to globalization, modernity and industrialization, peoples across the planet were sustainable on levels that many of us cannot even comprehend today. “Sustainability isn’t new. In fact, it’s incredibly old,” she says. “Conservationists need to get out of this mindset that they’re innovating something new. They’re reviving perhaps the oldest of human concepts: sustainability and survivability.” Watson concludes that we need to protect local communities and indigenous cultures so that we can learn from them. “Instead we are marginalizing them and alienating them,” she adds. “There are no longer the luxuries of time or expendable resources to delay a commitment to come together. In Hawai‘i, this means more Hawaiians need to move into leadership positions, but they need to take on the responsibility to prepare to be in those leadership position.”

“Conservation in Hawai‘i is still very much led by people who are not native to Hawai‘i. You need Hawaiians to be a part of it, to lead it.”

Honua Consulting | 4348 Waialae Ave. #254 | 808.392.1617 | honuaconsulting.com

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BranDon & TrunG Lam manaGinG memBerS La Tour Cafe

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[ By: Nata l ie S chack | P hoto : Dav e mi ya moto ]

The Fresh

Batch

• Brandon & Trung Lam • “We grew up in food,” says Trung Lam, who along with his brother Brandon runs La Tour Cafe. While the café’s sleek interior, retro typefaces and casual European-inspired bread-centric menu has created an enthusiastic following of macaron- and flatbread pizza-loving diners, many are unaware that it has its roots under the umbrella of an even older, muchbeloved Hawai‘i foodie legacy. Ba-Le Sandwiches, known for its Vietnamese lunch counter fare, has been around since 1984 when Trung and Brandon’s father, Thanh Lam, opened the first location in Chinatown. From there, the brothers watched him grow the company into a baking empire, launching a wholesale business that provides restaurants and hotels around Hawai‘i with delicious, artisan-quality breads, cakes and baked goods. Trung and Brandon may have grown up surrounded by food, but they also grew up surrounded by something else— the invigorating spirit of entrepreneurship. That spirit has certainly been passed down to them. Both received MBAs and joined their father at the helm of the company, managing the vibrant wholesale efforts and some of the Ba-Le Sandwich shop locations. Discontent with simply maintaining the business, though, the hungry young business owners were eager to expand. Their eagle eyes for spotting trends and understanding the art of branding, as well as a passion for innovation, launched a chain of events that would eventually bring about the success of La Tour Cafe. It all started when they hired a new head baker in 2003, which pushed the company to exciting new artisan heights with their baked goods. While the items were warmly received at local farmers’ markets, the brothers soon realized that the possibilities were starting to outgrow the Ba-Le name. Their venture had taken on a life of its own, one that deserved a retail location and a unique brand. While a new retail shop may have seemed like the next logical route, Brandon and Trung were willing to go one step further. Instead of just selling baked goods, they offered diners a menu that featured the baked goods as part of a larger, more robust course. “The café is a way for us to showcase what our customers can do with the bread products that we make,” says Brandon. “We’ve seen what our wholesale customers have done, and they’ve done great things. So we wanted to do our own take on that—make some product that Hawai‘i is not

so used to, especially in the quick-service restaurants.” Apparently, Hawai‘i likes it. The café has already expanded to include a location in Pearl City and the growth shows no sign of stopping, at least if Brandon and Trung have anything to do with it. Their future for La Tour includes national, perhaps even international locations. Now that’s a lot of macarons. “Our goal really is big with this brand,” says Trung. They’re always looking for potential new locations, and evaluating new (and old) dishes. The last thing they want is a café that’s getting stale. The two have taken a very hands-on (and mouth) approach to ensuring that it doesn’t. At one point they laugh that they were eating at La Tour four to five times a week. With that type of quality control, they have to love it or it has to go. “The menu is printed on foam board,” says Trung, with a grin. “So no item is safe.” The brothers’ vision for La Tour also includes a resident up-and-coming chef at each location, who will insert a little unique personality into the menu. They hope to find a healthy mix between the tried-and-true and the appealing unknown. “Ninety percent of the menu is exactly the same, so if you have your favorites, they’ll be there,” says Brandon. “But if you’re feeling adventurous, the chef can have his personal items on the menu.” Not only does it give foodies a chance to taste something special at every store, but it also gives new chefs an opportunity to get creative with the La Tour concept. It’s an exciting and busy future for two young professionals who already have their hands full at the company, in addition to side endeavors of their own; Brandon is involved in an energy solutions startup and Trung’s business created the fashion app ShopSuey. The Lam family is ultimately dedicated to entrepreneurial pursuits. “You live and breathe your business every day,” says Trung, who remembers his father’s long hours and hard work that turned Ba-Le from one sandwich shop into the artisan breadbasket of Hawai‘i. Their family’s wholesale breads have been behind the scenes of Hawai‘i’s food industry for years, but for the Lam brothers, it’s time to turn the breadbasket into a center stage star, one café at a time.

“The café is a way for us to showcase what our customers can do with the bread products that we make.”

La Tour Cafe | 888 N. Nimitz Hw y. #101 | 808.697.5000 | latourcafe.com

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SPoTLiGHT on

Photo: Phil Haber

kaua`i

Photo: Porte Cochere

Preserving Paradise

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St. regis Princeville resort partners with Limahuli garden to replant native trees In the mountain forests above Hanalei on Kaua‘i’s north shore, endemic flora is struggling to survive. The National Tropical Botanical Garden is working to reestablish populations of native plants in the Limahuli Garden and Preserve. Only accessible by foot through rugged terrain, the 600-acre Lower Limahuli Preserve area has established an exclusive partnership with the St. Regis Princeville Resort. Guests of St. Regis Princeville will get the opportunity to sponsor the planting of rare, native canopy trees in the preserve, including koai‘a, lama, papala and holei. Offering a very unique way for resort guests to give back to the ‘aina, the St. Regis Princeville concierge can arrange the planting of a canopy tree in the reforestation area for a small fee. The action aids in the conservation efforts of the Limahuli Preserve, and the sponsor is presented with a personalized certificate that can be dedicated to friends and family to honor a loved-one or meaningful occasion. Juliet Rice Wichman gifted nearly 1,600-acres of land to the National Tropical Botanical Garden in 1967 for the replanting of endangered Hawaiian flora. Though the area is closed to the public, the garden staff is actively working to preserve, nurture and perpetuate the success of native plant species on Kaua‘i with the ardent support of the St. Regis Princeville Resort. —Kara Jernigan stregisprinceville.com

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE today Unwind in relaxed elegance. Play in our limitless pools. Savor the flavors of the island. Hit the links at Poipu Bay. Lastly, refresh and renew at Anara Spa. For reservations call 808.742.1234 or visit kauai.hyatt.com Kamaaina receive special pricing on rooms, golf and spa

Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa 1571 Po‘ipu Road Koloa, HI 96756

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts ® encompasses hotels managed, franchised or leased by subsidiaries and affiliates of Global Hyatt Corporation. The trademarks Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt ®, and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2014 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

Photos: Micah Camara

One-Stop Dining

olfing, ctivities

Sun, Sand, and Small-Town Aloha Kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, golfing, and biking are just a few of the many activities waiting for you in the enchanting paradise know as sunny Poipu.

WWW.POIPUBEACH.ORG 62

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Whether you're craving fish, pizza or burgers, merriman’s has you covered

Experience the casual, yet elegant setting of an old Hawai‘i plantation at Merriman’s Fish House in Po‘ipu. A pioneer in the farm-to-table concept, Chef/Owner Peter Merriman serves only the freshest ingredients, with at least 90 percent of the ingredients locally grown or caught, using sustainable methods. Merriman’s Fish House offers a locally sourced menu, showcasing fresh Kaua‘i line-caught fish and seafood, grass-fed meats and locally grown produce. The opulent restaurant offers indoor-outdoor seating, an extensive award winning wine list, ocean, mountain and sunset views and warm Hawaiian ambiance. The combination of quality food and distinctive atmosphere earned the restaurant the 2014 Hale Aina Award for Best Kaua‘i Restaurant. If you’re in the mood for something more casual, try Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza & Burgers, which offers local flavors in a family friendly setting. Located downstairs from Merriman’s Fish House, Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza & Burgers serves organic wheat crust pizzas, fresh fish sandwiches, a wide selection of artisan burgers and specialty salads, all made with fresh, locally grown and organic ingredients. The restaurant’s house-made culinary cocktails and sweet treats are not to be missed. Gluten free and vegan options are also available. Enjoy live music every Wednesday and Friday nights at this fun, family eatery. merrimanshawaii.com

Merriman's Wok Ahi

Merriman's Tomato Papaya Salad

G ball

olf is the only game played with a that

isnĘźt

thrown,

dunked, kicked or carried.

caught,

passed,

ItĘźs a sport of

seduction, mistake management and mystery.

No matter how well you prepare for triumph,

you will never be master. It is a sport that is undefeated and undefeatable.

Our advice? Develop discipline, keep a sense of humor , and play with a positive attitude.

And as often as possible, do it all at Poipu Bay Golf Course.

Play Where Champions Play.

1.800.858.6300

808.742.8711

WWW.POIPUBAYGOLF.COM

Beach & Bicycle Rentals | O’hana Activity Room | Meeting & Event Space | Free WiFi

Photos: Rebecca Smith, Kaua‘i Photographics

65% Ocean View Rooms | Beach Front | Pool | Whirlpool | Spa & Salon

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Community

650 Aleka Loop, Kapaa, HI 96746 808.822.3455 | CourtyardKauai.com Facebook | Twitter | CourtyardKauaiResort.com

From Kaua‘i, naturally. Award-winning Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts, Seasonings and BBQ Rubs are the perfect gift for any home chef. Infused with tropical flavors, our salts have color and f lavor unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. In 13 unique varieties.

1-3529 Kaumualii Hwy, Unit 2B, PO Box 829, Hanapepe, HI 96716 (808) 346-2942 www.saltywahine.com

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce’s first Business After Hours for 2014 was hosted by Kaua‘i Community College, part of the University of Hawai‘i system. An accredited two-year public community college and the only college on the island, interim University of Hawai‘i President Dr. David Lassner was on hand, speaking to over 100 chamber members and guests about the various programs being offered at KCC.

KONG Radio Group held their 13th annual Valentines event at Wahoo’s Grill and Bar in Waipouli. Members and guests look forward to the annual event, which offers over $1000 of hotel stays, a Las Vegas trip for two, a Chinese Grab Bag game and a KONG Radio Kommercial Kontest. Wahoo’s presented a feast of crab cakes, wok fried shrimp, sashimi bar, escargot and more.

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red sa

Discover

at Ko`a Kea

Ko‘a Kea, an intimate boutique resort on Po‘ipu- Beach offers experienced travelers an authentic, unique and extraordinary experience. Un-branded and quite un-by-the-book, our resort gives you a bespoke experience, custom designed and executed from the moment you arrive. The restaurant, Red Salt, is named for the uniquely colored salt that is found on the island and features a contemporary upscale cuisine with emphasis on local flavors and ingredients. For reservations, please call 808-828-8888. Kaua‘i is the place, Ko‘a Kea the destination.

2251 Po‘ipu- Road, Koloa, HI 96756 www.koakea.com

Out &

Photo: Ed Sanscious

About

Musical Legends in the Garden April 5

NTBG Southshore Visitors Center, Po‘ipu ntbg.org/concert

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Tropical Botanical Garden with four hours of live Hawaiian music. The Hawaiian Legends, Nathan Aweau, Jeff Peterson, Benny Chong Trio, The Hanalei Bay Trio, and the Ke Kula Niihau I Kekaha children’s choir will all perform at this garden concert. There will also be a special performance by 13-time Grammy Award winner Jerry Douglas.

MS Walk Fundraiser

Taste of Kilohana

Enjoy a sunset stroll with friends along the Kapa‘a Beach Park bike path for a good cause. The $5 entry fee goes towards the National MS Society’s efforts to support cuttingedge research and programs to help those affected by multiple sclerosis. Sign up now or get more information by emailing Candice.schwalbach@nmss.org.

Taste exotic fruits and off-the-menu recipes prepared by Executive Chef Todd Barrett in the plantation’s private dining room. Once a month, Kilohana Plantation offers a guided tour of the 105-acre orchard, which produces over 50 varieties of tropical fruits. Kai, Kilohana’s expert in local agriculture, shares his secrets to picking fresh fruit.

April 19 Kapa‘a Beach Park, Kapa‘a kauaifestivals.com

Relax

island style

ASTON ISLANDER ON THE BEACH Unwind at this relaxed beachfront hotel on Kauai’s beautiful Coconut Coast. Enjoy nearby shopping, dining, golf and tennis.

800.321.2558

♦

AstonHotels.com

♦

Promo Code: KAMA

FINAL 850014 IOB Pacific Edge Magazine 3.75" x 4.6875" 4C, Non-Bleed (April-June 2014)

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May Day Lei Contest May 1 The Kauai Museum kauaimuseum.com

“May Day is Lei Day” in Hawai‘i. At the Kauai Museum’s 34th May Day celebration, you can enter your handmade lei to be judged in their annual competition. The contest lei will be auctioned after the judging. For those just joining in for the live entertainment and food, you can try your creative skills in a lei making workshop.

May 3 Kilohana Plantation, Lihue tastingkauai.com

World Inner Motion

June 6 War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue Kauaidancecenter.com This dance extravaganza is a compilation of multimedia and live dance performances featuring original music, costumes and choreography. With a cast of 75 Kauai Dance Center students, the acts range from ballet to hip hop to contemporary dance.

Makai at Lagoon Tower

SPoTLiGHT on

THe BiG iSLanD

Hilton Waikoloa Village introduces an unprecedented luxury experience Hilton Waikoloa Village, the 62-acre oceanfront resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island, unveiled an elevated experience with the Makai concept at Lagoon Tower in February 2014. Featuring 162 newly renovated rooms, including nine expansive suites, the Makai program at Lagoon Tower provides exclusive benefits and positions guests oceanfront with unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, Kohala Mountain and Dolphin Quest Lagoon. As the Hawaiian word “makai” suggests, guests revel in the elegantly appointed rooms and suites while overlooking glistening blue waters off the Kohala Coast. Coupled with a new level of luxury, the experience exudes the ultimate in Hawaiian hospitality including upgraded amenities and services. Upon arrival guests are welcomed with dedicated check-in, expedited luggage service and lobby greeting with refreshing towels. A private Makai concierge facilitates all aspects of each guest’s stay including a dedicated phone line to answer any questions throughout the day, as well as planning assistance to help with the week’s itinerary. The attentive concierge fields questions and facilitates activities from spa appointments and dinner reservations to snorkeling excursions and zip-lining to help guests capture the essence of Hawai‘i. In room, Makai guests are treated to luxurious Makai amenities such as plush robes, along with daily complimentary bottled water and the hotel’s signature turndown service with a cultural card and flower. After undergoing a $15 million renovation last year that transformed the Lagoon Tower rooms with elegant upgrades to the bathrooms, linens and furnishings, the Makai concept adds a new layer to the unpretentious retreat within the expansive resort. hiltonwaikoloavillage.com

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Photos: Sharon Dewey-Fields

The Natural Way

Find soothing treatments and natural products at Kalona Salon & Spa Kalona Salon & Spa, established by Master Stylist/Colorist Sharon Dewey-Fields, has been offering beauty and balance services on the Big Island for the past 17 years. The original Kalona Salon opened at Hualalai in 1996. A satellite salon opened at Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort in 1999. In December of 2012, Kalona Salon & Spa relocated to a beautiful new space at the Keauhou Shopping Center Courtyard, continuing it’s standards of luxury full-service hair, skin, nail and body treatments along with it’s bounty of professional products. Owner Sharon Dewey-Fields arrived on the Big Island in 1992 from the San Francisco Bay area. Passionate about making use of the island’s natural bounty, she embarked on a quest to create an islandinspired line of products. Today, Kalona Spa’s signature line offers a harvest of natural products for the hair and skin. Inspired by white ginger, Awapuhi Ke‘o Ke‘o Gelle is a client favorite weightless hair gel. A unique Manako (Mango) Mousse is an alcohol free, non-aerosol styling tool. For the ultimate in a rich, luxurious face and body crème, Macadamia Paka Kreme was developed to address dryness using macadamia and kukui nut oils, helping to stabilize and rebalance moisture levels of the skin. Early in her career, Dewey-Fields was introduced to the quintessential natural product, Aveda, which she says was green before most of us understood the meaning or impact. A proponent from the beginning, she appreciates Aveda’s commitment to sustainability and the quality of their pure flower and plant essence based products. Recently added to the array of natural product lines at the salon are Invati, which is a natural solution for thinning hair, and the award winning label.m Organic. Kalona Salon & Spa recently participated in the Hawaii Energy Program for Small Business, which provides retrofit lighting to qualified small businesses. kalonaspa.com thePacificEdge.com

Guided Nature Adventures All Inclusive ~ Award Winning

Exclusive, small group, guided ecotours to explore mountain summits, private waterfalls, native rainforests & more. Ask about our kama‘āina rates!

808-331-8505 | hawaii-forest.com HAWAII FOREST & TRAIL Celebrating 20 Years of Sharing Hawaii’s Nature

Keauhou is home to several locales significant to Hawaii’s rich history, including a ho-lua course used in sporting events by ancient Hawaiian nobility. Now, island visitors can partake in a variety of activities that not only celebrate the site’s rich history, but afford adventures and thrills, support local industry and showcase Keauhou in all of its natural beauty.

www.keauhouresort.com

Waikoloa

Beach Resort the gathering place of the kohala coast Stunn ing Ac c omm o d At i o n S • c h A mpionS hip golf • World-clASS Sh op p ing & d ining KAMA‘Ā

WaIKoloa BEaCH CouRSE

Waikoloa Beach Resort enjoys a spectacular setting along one of Hawai‘i Island’s most scenic coastlines, offering stunning accommodations at Hilton Waikoloa Village along with an inspired collection of condominiums, two breathtaking Big Island golf courses and two world-class shopping centers. Prove yourself at the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. ocean front Beach Course, or take it to the next level at the Kings’ Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish.

1.877.WAIKOLOA

•

50%

CAL

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Great kama‘āina & group rates now through mid-December! ALL WEEKEND TOURS BEFORE 11 AM

Zip. Trek. Rappel.

QuEEnS’ MaRKETPlaCE

KIngS’ SHoPS

Explore treasures and pleasures fit for royalty at Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops. Stroll an artful collection of boutiques, galleries, visitor services and even a gourmet market for provisions. From stunning ocean, lagoon or lake view dinner houses to casual (our simple recipe for fun) family dining, Waikoloa Beach Resort restaurants nourish body and soul with culinary explorations of Hawai‘i’s diversity. We also offer the 808-331-3620 | kohalazipline.com Kohala Coast’s only food court, with fast food options for those on the go or on a budget.

WAIKOLOABeAchResORt.cOm

30 minutes north of Keahole Airport (KOA) on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy. at Waikoloa Beach Dr.

Da Poke Shack is Yelp’s top pick Poke. It’s a local favorite, but not something you might expect to see ranked as the number one food in the nation. A surprising 2014 list of top places to eat by Yelp puts Hawai‘i Island’s Da Poke Shack at the top. Based on customer reviews, the list includes famous upscale restaurants and hole-in-the-wall food stands from across the United States. Ike’s Place in California ranked 59th. Le Bernardin in New York placed 45th. Alinea in Chicago came in seventh. But the fresh seafood creations at Da Poke Shack in Kailua-Kona won the hearts of more than 600 foodies and earned it first place. From bowls to plates and sides upon sides, Da Poke Shack offers more than a quick meal. Traditional seasonings mixed with contemporary ingredients give a whole new meaning to the idea of poke. The avocado aioli poke, Dynamite, is a Yelp winner. Spicy bowl Pele’s Kiss is also a Yelp favorite from Da Poke Shack. First opened in 2010 by Albert Vasconcelles, Da Poke Shack sources all its fish locally from family and friends with boats and from personal fishing excursions. Even their daily hours let customers know they are getting the freshest fish around: “Open daily 10am–6pm, unless we’ve gone fishing.” “We pride ourselves on serving only fresh fish, and if that means closing so we can go catch our own fish, we will, and have,” says Melissa Duignan of Da Poke Shack. With reasonable prices and more than 620 reviews, Da Poke Shack has been deemed the “ultimate, trybefore-you-die” foodie experience. Don’t wait another minute to spoil your taste buds. As Hannah C. from Yelp says, “Get your #nomnom on.” —Kara Jernigan dapokeshack.com

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Photos: Da Poke Shack

Winnahz Poke

Merrie Monarch Festival April 20–26 Edith Kanakaole Stadium, Hilo merriemonarch.com

Join Hawai‘i’s most talented kane and wahine halau in this celebration of kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula. Dancers will compete for Miss Aloha Hula, Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana top honors at the 51st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the internationally acclaimed three-day hula competition. Other festivities will include live music, art shows and a parade through Hilo town. Call the Merrie Monarch office at (808) 935-9168 to find out how you can be a part of this cultural celebration.

Island

Fun

Earth & Ocean Festival

Ironman Half Triathlon

Makaeo Pavilion, Kailua-Kona kona-kohala.com

Fairmont Orchid Resort, North Kohala ironmanhonu.com

April 12

Experience traditional Hawaiian cultural practices as local organizations share the importance of conservation in Hawai‘i. Educational booths and activities on coral reef and ocean stewardship will be offered throughout the day. Featuring food from local businesses and live performances by Weldon Kekauoha and The Hiccup Circus, the Earth & Ocean Festival is a free family event at the Surf & Turf Theatre.

Big Island Chocolate Festival May 2–3

Fairmont Orchid Resort, North Kohala bigislandchocolatefestival.com This two-day, chocolate-centric celebration invites patrons to indulge in the decadence of fine wines, handcrafted ales and of course, chocolate. Events will include a cook-off, live entertainment, dancing and a silent auction. Supported by the Kona Cacao Association, festival proceeds benefit Hawai‘i Community College-Palamanui’s “Equip the Kitchens” campaign.

May 31

Experience the beauty of the Big Island as you test your strength and stamina in this qualifier series Ironman triathlon. Swim 1.2 miles off the shore of Hapuna Beach; ride 56 miles of the Ironman championship bike course through Hawi; run 13.1 miles along the historic Ala Loa foot trail which circles the Mauna Lani and Fairmont Orchid golf courses. Finish in the top 28 to qualify for the Kailua-Kona Ironman World Championship, held on October 11.

Kamehameha Day June 11

Kamehameha Park, Kapa‘au kamehamehadaycelebration.org Remembered as the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands, Kamehameha I is honored at this annual celebration. The day begins with a lei draping ceremony at 8am, where a 25-foot lei is hung around the neck of the King Kamehameha statue in Kamehameha Park. A parade starts in Hawi at 9am and will march to Kapa‘au, where the remainder of the day will be spent experiencing traditional Hawaiian music, dance, food and arts.

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Pacific Edge Magazine’s January–March Issue Launch Pacific Edge Magazine celebrated the release of the January–March 2014 issue with its first wrap party and networking event of the year. More than 300 guests converged upon the newly-renovated, Vladimir Ossipoff-designed IBM Building to celebrate the issue’s spotlight on Kakaʻako’s revitalization, including an exclusive tour of the area’s luxury condo residences courtesy of The Howard Hughes Corporation. —thepacificedge.com —Photos: Dave Livingston

Green Magazine Hawai‘i January–March Issue Launch Element Media debuted the January–March 2014 issue of Green Magazine Hawai‘i, which centered around Kakaʻako’s “urban sustainability” initiative at Honolulu Design Center’s Cupola Theatre. With more than 160 guests joining Green’s staff to celebrate, attendees got to pick up free copies of the newest issue, visit sponsor booths and partake in a hosted bar and pupu provided by HDC.

—greenmaghawaii.com

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—Photos: Dave Livingston

Numerous events take place around Town, providing great opportunities to celebrate, educate and network.

Green Drinks Honolulu Green Drinks Honolulu hosted its first sustainability-centric networking event of the year amidst Fat Tuesday celebrations at the brand new Fresh Café Downtown. More than 100 guests got the chance to check out information from the Hawaii EcoTourism Association and hear a few words from Stuart Coleman, the Hawai‘i Chair of the Surfrider Foundation, while relaxing and mingling to the sounds of folk band Cynth & the What’s His Faces. —facebook.com/GreenMagazineHawaii

—Photos: Dave Livingston

Maximizing Opportunities SMEI Honolulu presented its Leading Edge Seminar, “Maximizing Opportunities to an Expanded Marriage Audience,” at The Pacific Club on January 21. Representatives in local event planning, publishing, catering, marketing and tourism offered a panel to explore marketing opportunities and quality practices concerning same-sex weddings and the LGBTQA target market. —smeihonolulu.com —Photos: Dave Livingston

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Chamber week Chamber of Commerce Hawaii hosted the first-ever Chamber Week, January 13–17, with a variety of events designed to keep members and the local business community informed and engaged in the organization’s business advocacy work and legislative issues. The week-long event included State of Business: The Economy of Small Business Panel discussion, a legislative 101 class, the manufacturing initiative launch party, a walk around at the Capitol, a legislative meet and greet at Highway Inn and a military appreciation sign waving event. —cochawaii.org —Photos: Dave miyamoto

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Cultural Showcase

Local film festivals get the spotlight Springtime in Hawai‘i means sunshine, tradewinds and international movie showcases across the islands courtesy of major local film festivals. Each year, these events bring together thousands of film enthusiasts, from aspiring young filmmakers to industry professionals and celebrities. Fans converge on these events to celebrate the diversity of filmmaking at these spring showcases, where Hawai‘i becomes a Hollywood-esque hub of glamor, creativity and cultural cinematic celebration. —Alyssa Fukumoto

Hawaii international film festival

Photo: Rae Huo

April 4–10, 2014

 Started as a project by the University of Hawai‘i’s East-West Center, the 1981 inaugural Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) commenced with just seven films from six different countries. HIFF has steadily grown in reputation and size throughout the years into an international film industry mainstay. The event has boasted a personally chosen film each showcase by the late, great film critic Roger Ebert, awarded acting achievements to the likes of Maggie Cheung, Samuel L. Jackson and Ken Watanabe and now hosts more than 70,000 attendees in its showings on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island. Intent on showcasing and fostering an impressive array of local and international film talent, HIFF also hosts Creative Lab, an opportunity for aspiring script writers, directors, actors and producers to participate in interactive workshops and presentations with industry professionals to accelerate their attendees’ involvement in the film industry. Each of Creative Lab’s free accelerator tracks is exclusive to applicants whose script or project ideas are accepted by HIFF officials. Those chosen may also get an exclusive opportunity to ﬂy to the mainland to take part in weeklong immersive film programs and meet with top industry experts.

Photo: Randy Jay Braun

hiff.org

maui film festival June 4–8, 2014

The Maui Film Festival (MFF) is a nationally recognized spectacle of talent and star power, where the average movie connoisseur can sit shoulder-to-shoulder with A-list celebrities as they view films in a relaxed, picturesque setting. This event is accustomed to receiving Hollywood’s elite, the likes of Clint Eastwood, Jake 78

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gyllenhaal, Elizabeth Banks and Olivia Wilde roamed the festival grounds and interacted with guests in previous years. Last year’s MFF honored Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain with the prestigious Nova Award for outstanding, versatile onscreen performance and recognized acclaimed young actress Brie Larson with their Rising Star Award. The Maui Film Festival is, of course, not only intended for Hollywood bigwig recognition. Called “Hawai‘i’s answer to Sundance” by the

Los Angeles Times, the show features an impressive array of international and local filmmaking alongside cultural showcases in food, dance and history. Last year’s festival kicked off with a hula performance, a special presentation honoring local legends, surfer Eddie Aikau and Hokule‘a navigator Nainoa Thompson, and two Hawai‘icentric documentaries. mauifilmfestival.com

freSH eDGe THe PerfeCT Pour

HONOLULU BEERWORKS IS KAKA‘AKO’S PREMIER CRAFT BREW PUB

A neighborhood can have hip wall art, exciting restaurants, plentiful housing and a convenient location, but it’s not complete without one thing: a no-fuss, no-frills, justgood-beer-and-good-food neighborhood bar. When geoff Seideman looked at Kaka‘ako, he saw an up-and-coming area that had this exact niche to fill. Luckily, Seidemen’s passion and skill for brewing (honed over years of research, self-teaching and working at other go-to beer locales in Honolulu) was coming to a head; it was time for him to open his own place and burgeoning Kaka‘ako couldn’t be a more perfect location. It took a lot of hiccups and a lot of elbow grease—Seideman did a lot of the basic contracting work himself—but it has resulted in quite the payoff. Honolulu Beerworks is unique in a couple of ways. It’s O‘ahu's only on-island brewery, says Seideman, set in an open warehouse-like building that matches the rustic-industrial vibe of Kaka‘ako perfectly. Its space, though modest in size, boasts a small outdoor beer garden (complete with decorative growing hops), something you won’t find elsewhere on the island. It’s the perfect laid back environment to grab some hearty grinds or knock back a couple of reasonably priced pints, brewed on-site in massive tanks just behind the bar. “This is a working brewhouse,” says Seideman. “It’s not a show. You get to smell the malts, the beer and the yeast fermenting. We want people to see and be part of that.” In fact, Seideman’s vision was pretty simple: a range of good quality homebrewed beers paired with an uncomplicated comfort food dinner menu and a casual deli setup for lunch. “We want people to come here, spend a couple of hours, hang out and relax,” says Seideman, alluding to the open and inviting atmosphere that makes people from all walks of life feel at home. When it comes down to it, Honolulu Beerworks is the type of place geoff would want to go for a beer and, he says, it’s what Kaka‘ako is missing. Or more appropriately, what Kaka‘ako was missing.

HONOLULU BEERWORKS 328 Cooke Street honolulubeerworks.com [ By : n aTa L ie S CH aCk | P HoTo : Dav e miya moTo ] 80

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