Pacific Edge Magazine Q2 2021

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M A G A Z I N E

JAMIE BROWN

President, CCIM SIOR Hawaii Commercial Real Estate

THE FUTURE OF

REAL ESTATE Hawaii Commercial Real Estate's Merger with Elite Pacific LLC. pg.4

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Business Woman of the Year

TRACY LAWSON

President & Founder Lawson & Associates, Inc.

H AWA I ‘ I ’ S

Women Leaders Meet Pacific Edge Magazine's Business Woman of the Year pg.20

Women lead.

Women inspire.

Women achieve.

Women reimagine.

At Hawai‘i Pacific Health, women are physicians, administrators, executives and more. Women are sharing their expertise and their commitment every day.

Together, we’re reimagining health care.

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NEVER FORGET

M A G A Z I N E

Where Your From E m b r a c i n g Tr a d i t i o n t o R e d e s i g n t h e F u t u r e Read more on the renovation section pg.47

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Jamie Brown

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P R E S I D E N T, C C I M S I O R H AWA I I C O M M E R C I A L R E A L E S TAT E

4 PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE

THE FUTURE OF

REAL ESTATE

The corner of Hotel and Nuuanu is Exhibit A on how we work as a team to help an investor create value in their investment real estate.

D

“

owntown Jamie Brown” met us at his office on Bishop Street, his hair still wet from a morning foil surfing session at Kaisers. He excitedly fired up a big screen monitor in his conference room to show us how Hawaii Commercial Real Estate’s merger with Elite Pacific LLC. is the final piece of his company’s business pivot.

A couple of years ago, Hawaii Commercial Real Estate’s business was dominated by leasing one of Hawai‘i’s biggest office complexes.

Since investment property sales and property management generate more revenue than leasing in today’s economy, Hawaii Commercial Real Estate developed a holistic approach where the property team handles the acquisition, leasing, management, and disposition, as opposed to the more traditional commercial real estate practice of having different teams handle each of the three functions separately.

Brown took us on a tour to show us what he meant. First stop was the iconic corner of Bishop and King Streets, home to Bishop Square, Hawai‘i’s largest office complex and a property that Brown helped sell to the current owners. “We have leased and sold many of Hawai‘i’s big office, retail, and industrial properties; but, being the landlord agent for Hawai‘i’s secondlargest office complex required a disproportionate amount of time and energy. So, we resigned from that project to focus our leasing business on what is called ‘tenant representation,’ where we work for

the tenant and not the landlord.”

Brown described how they just saved a big insurance firm about $1 million in occupancy costs over the next five years.

Next stop was 2 N. Hotel Street, home to Fête, Hachibei, Pizza Mamo (formerly known as Brick Fire Tavern), Encore Saloon, Daley, and Hawaii Office Centers. Brown and his team cold-called the Southern California developer who purchased the property previously known for seedy bars. They found tenants for the building, created cash flow, and then sold the building for the highest per-square-foot price in Chinatown at the time. “This building is Exhibit A on how we work as a team to help an investor create value in their investment real estate. With Elite Pacific, we have access to many more real estate investors, many of whom don’t know yet that they can create something like the 2 N. Hotel.”

About five years ago, Brown had a hunch that a significant synergy could be established with a large residential real estate brokerage. Residential agents have relationships with people who are real estate investors and own businesses. Yet, residential agents don’t typically ask their clients if they need help with commercial real estate. What if residential clients wanted to move up from owning a condo or house as an investment to an apartment building, retail center, office building, or warehouse? It would be a win-win-win situation, where residential agents could earn referrals from their relationships, their clients would be represented by commercial real estate professional

specialists, and the commercial agents would have deal flow. The reverse could happen as well. Brown approached two of the largest residential firms on the islands, but neither shared his vision. “Then, one day in 2019, Paul Mayer from Elite Pacific, the parent of Corcoran Pacific Properties, called me saying he had the same idea and had 200+ residential agents.” Brown and Mayer closed on the merger in November of 2020. “We are only a couple of months in, and we are already sending and receiving referrals with Corcoran Pacific agents.” Brown continued.

Our last stop was 1164 Nuuanu, the former Pegge Hopper Gallery building. Brown and his team helped two investors deeply connected to the local arts scene purchase the property in August 2020. “That deal started just before COVID,” Brown said. “We encountered permitting issues, lender underwriting changes, and a stale appraisal, but we managed to close the sale with a COVID discount. The new use is really cool and includes a coworking center for artists.”

Brown finished his tour talking about the neighbor islands. “We handle business on the other Hawaiian Islands as well. We already have two Hawai‘i island agents with commercial listings, and with Elite Pacific and Corcoran Pacific Properties, their extensive networking capabilities, over 200 Hawai‘i agents, and eleven offices, we can now establish a statewide footprint and truly be Hawaii Commercial Real Estate!”

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S P E C I A L

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Mona Hirata NEU EVENTS

6 PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE

S T O R I E S

A

Twist

ON TRADITION

BY NAOMI COOPER

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eneath the dark cloud of COVID-19, the experience of exchanging vows is still so important,” says Mona Hirata, Owner of Neu Events. “It’s these happy memories that allow people to focus on the positive and keep going.” In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mona took the lead on developing a new hybrid approach to virtual weddings, determined to keep herself and her industry alive. Her success not only proved that wedding ceremonies are still beautiful, meaningful, and worth celebrating during this time, but it also provided her with the opportunity to finally have her dream marriage come true.

In mid-March, Mona’s full calendar of weddings, private events, and non-profit fundraisers was postponed. While new online experiences flourished, weddings were at a standstill with the limited gathering and travel restrictions.

Although a couple could have a marriage ceremony livestreamed for their guests to see, the emotional investment and shared connections that people long for in a wedding ceremony seemed lost without the ability to hug each other, smell flowers, taste cake, drink champagne, or dance together. “You have to admit,” said Mona, “It’s kind of boring just watching people dance and eat through a screen.” So, Mona searched for other ways to keep people engaged through virtual lenses.

Eventually, a news report of nightclubs going virtual caught Mona’s attention. Nightclubs had been able to keep the feeling of club experiences alive with a cover charge to enter the Zoom Room, a dress code and pressure on appearances, a bouncer who would kick you out of the Zoom Room for bad behavior, and live DJ broadcasts with proper sound

equipment. Mona realized that upholding some of the same standard rules of a wedding ceremony, just like the nightclubs were doing for their industry, could bring a virtual wedding to life. She put together a COVID-19 compliance team, sought out her vendors and tech support, and decided to put Hawai‘i on the map. What Mona was not expecting was the trouble of finding a couple willing to test out their wedding dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then that Mona’s on-the-backburner wedding plans with her fiancé became the guinea-pig wedding for her business!

Mona hired a coordinator, so she could enjoy her wedding, and approached Chef Chai, one of Hawai‘i’s top chefs, as he kept his venue closed to the public on Mondays and had enough space to separate tables in compliance with COVID-19 regulations. With Chef Chai’s cooperation, Mona was able to set up an in-person ceremony at his Pacifica restaurant for eight in-person guests, her soon-to-be husband, herself, and the remote guests.

While a hybrid wedding may seem cheaper since there are fewer guests in person, Mona still had to arrange for technology accommodations, like a large LED-wall to visually host the remote guests, and pay for food delivery for remote guests that was arranged as a part of their attendance. Nevertheless, the hybrid wedding format allowed for an accelerated timeline, less in-person lines for meals and parking, less clean-up at the venue, and an unlimited number of guests that could be invited to the virtual livestream. The success of this wedding not only validated Mona’s genius idea to continue wedding ceremonies in a hybrid format during the pandemic, but it also gave Mona the chance to celebrate her love and tie the knot in a way she will be able to savor forever.

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T A B L E

O F

C O N T E N T S

Contents SERVICE

Brian Kealoha, Executive Director at Hawai‘i Energy Pg.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Q&A With Hawai‘i’s Women Leaders Pg.

STAYCATION

The Reinvention of the Mauna Kea Resort Pg.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Jon Muranaka, Owner at the Counter Pg.

16 22 48 55

PUBLIC RELATIONS TO ENGAGE • ENLIGHTEN • MOTIVATE

tlcpr.com

Corcoran Pacific has your home in Hawaii.

Locally owned and operated since 2005.

(Formerly Elite Pacific Properties)

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Expand your Real Estate Ownership & Property Management options.

Whatever your real estate goals, The Elite Pacific Group offers services that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. For Buyers and Sellers, Investors and second Home Owners, we have you covered.

W W W. E L I T E PA C I F I C . C O M © Copyright Elite Pacific, LLC. 2005-2020. All Rights Reserved. ©2020 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is independently owned and operated.

ARCHITECTURE

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P U B L I S H E R

N O T E

Publisher's Note When we created Pacific Edge Magazine sixteen years ago, we had one goal in mind— to champion the inspiration, innovation, and motivation of Hawai‘i’s vibrant business community and entrepreneurs through business and lifestyle. This past year was challenging not only for us but for everyone in the islands. The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the ways we live and how we do business, and things may never be the same again. Yet, Hawai‘i remains as resilient as ever.

Navigating through the uncharted waters of the pandemic has given me a greater understanding of the importance of my network, sticking to the founding values of my business, and selfcare. As Wendy Chang, Director of Institutional Advancement at Maryknoll School noted, “In order to do things you have never done before or to take your organization to places it has never been before, you will need to take risks, be courageous, and even fail from time to time.”

In this issue, we focus on the businesses and people leading the way in adapting, overcoming, and thriving within this new age of business operations. From some of Hawai‘i’s incredible women leaders to real-estate mergers to young entrepreneurs to hotel remodels, read on to find out what’s in store for the future of Hawai‘i.

Naomi Hazelton Owner, Publisher of Pacific Edge Magazine

12 PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE

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Q & A

Leader A BRIGHT

I always knew I wanted to do meaningful work, but I honestly didn’t know what that looked like.

From looking at your website, it appears that businesses that are reopening need to pay more attention to their air quality. Are you seeing a higher or different kind of demand for certain energy solutions and systems shifting from the pandemic?

We definitely have seen businesses using more energy by running their air conditioning systems more, leaving their doors open, and incorporating new appliances like air purifiers. During a pandemic, maintaining a safe and healthy environment takes on a greater importance than reducing energy consumption. However, businesses can do things to manage their utility bills due to increased consumption.

For example, when no one is in a space, there has been no evidence that continuing to run the A/C provides any benefit.

Minimizing the run time of this energy-intensive equipment is important. We also encourage businesses to look at other energy wasters and target those devices, since there isn’t much you can do when you have to address air quality. We have a number of resources and incentives available to help businesses reduce energy consumption and ultimately lower their electricity bill.

With everyone trying to save costs after the shift of 2020, are there some specific energy promotions or rebates you want to talk about that might not otherwise be well known to the public?

We recently announced a last call to apply for three of our current rebate offerings, including the Energy Advantage free LED lighting retrofit offer for small businesses and restaurants, the Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Incentive Program, and doubled rebates for commercial kitchen equipment. These offers are available until June 30, 2021, or funds run out.

Brian Kealoha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAWAI‘I ENERGY

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•

Energy Advantage: Free LED lighting retrofit offer for qualifying small businesses and restaurants. Projects must be installed and completed by June 30, 2021. After this date, LED lighting retrofits will no longer be free and revert to their original discounted rate.

•

Electric Vehicle Charging Station program: For eligible electric vehicle (EV) charging station installations, Hawai‘i Energy is offering rebates of up to $35,000.

To date, $70,000 in rebates are still available for EV charging stations that are publicly available or serve EV fleets. To qualify, charging stations must be installed, activated, and made available for use between Jan. 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021.

•

Commercial Kitchen rebates: Restaurants can receive double rebates for ENERGY STAR® commercial kitchen equipment, including reach-in refrigerators and freezers, convection ovens, electric griddles, and commercial fryers.

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2021 to qualify.

For more information on Hawai‘i Energy business rebates, go to https://hawaiienergy.com/forbusinesses/incentives.

Please describe yourself in three words: Passionate; Strategic; Collaborative What is your favorite quality in a team member?

Innovative—our work to reduce energy waste and be more efficient isn’t easy. I love it when someone on the team comes up with a new way or program to help Hawai‘i’s families and business save money by saving energy. It will take a lot of innovative solutions for Hawai‘i to reach its 100% clean energy future, and I’m proud to be working with a dedicated team that is always striving to serve our customers and our energy efficiency mission.

How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

Not all that much—at least right now. The pandemic has created financial hardship for residents and businesses alike, making our work even more important. In the first few months, we spent a lot of time helping people manage their rising electric bills from staying at home. Now we are more in the recovery phase, helping businesses reduce operational costs through energy efficiency.

Our Energy Relief Grant has helped over 251 nonprofits and small businesses to date.

What is your current daily routine?

The pandemic created a new daily routine since I am mostly working remote and my kids are also remote learning. This has provided me more time in the morning to meditate and get centered, lay out what I need to accomplish, and sneak in a walk with my dog. In the evening there is no routine, but I do try to get in some exercise; make sure my kids are fed and doing ok with their homework; catch up on relevant news, industry trends, and sports; and hopefully enjoy a good craft beer!

What are your favorite virtual tools to use currently in business?

I don’t know if I have a favorite as all of it has been necessary in order to operate seamlessly in a mainly remote environment. Beside all of the standard

web conferencing tools which are critical, we are upgrading our IT backbone to provide a better platform and ultimately level of service for clean energy contractors and customers. We are aiming to provide greater and greater self-service options as people have been much more open to this through the pandemic.

Did you always want this career track?

I always knew I wanted to do meaningful work, but I honestly didn’t know what that looked like. In my early years working for various electric utilities, I didn’t feel like I was making a difference. When I went into the private sector in 2005 to develop and construct clean energy projects, it was a gamechanger for me to stay in the energy industry.

Seeing how energy efficiency and renewable energy was saving the money while also helping reduce carbon emissions, I knew I wanted to further my career in this field. I have been fortunate to have a number of opportunities to lead great people, teams, and organizations who are equally passionate about the work and our mission. I am grateful for the five years I have had with Leidos managing the Hawai‘i Energy program. It has been the most rewarding work of my career.

What are two of the proudest accomplishments of your career?

Today solar parking canopies are all over the island, but ten years ago they weren’t. I am really proud of the work my team did with Chevron Energy Solutions when we built the largest solar parking canopy at the time on O‘ahu at the Oceanic Time Warner (now Spectrum) facility in Mililani. At nearly 1 MW, it made a huge impact on their bill, the environment, and ultimately paved the way for many more solar canopies in Hawai‘i.

I am also really proud of my team at Hawai‘i Energy. The success we have had helping Hawai‘i’s families and businesses has put Hawai‘i on track to achieve our energy efficiency goal to reduce energy consumption of 4,300 GWH by 2030. Thanks to the guidance and vision provided by the Public Utilities Commission, my team has been able to develop and implement programs to achieve these ambitious goals. From creating programs for nonprofits to specialized offerings for low-income customers, I am proud of the way my team always finds a way to rise to the challenge and collaborate with the several hundred Clean Energy Allies that implement these upgrades on a daily basis. The work becomes harder each year as we harvest the low-hanging fruit and move to the more difficult solutions.

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Steven Sullivan R E G I O N A L V P O P E R AT I O N S & PRINCIPAL BROKER PA R A L L E L C A P I TA L PA R T N E R S

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Field FORGED

IN THE

His management skills stem from hard beginnings in infantry life.

BY NAOMI COOPER

I

“

n the Marines, leading a bunch of 18 to 20 year olds like that, you get to see who is genuine and who is garbage,” says Steven Sullivan, the Regional VP of Operations for Parallel Capital Partners, overseeing the Hawai‘i region. His management skills stem from hard beginnings in infantry life, which later transitioned into security services at the Waikiki Landmark in the late ‘90s before getting into real estate management at Harbor Court. Steven has had a range of professional experiences, including the Waikiki Trade Center, where he had to get creative with tenants like The Shack and Club Zanzibar.

He had to keep business consistent and security strong while also dealing with drunken locals and tourists. Turning on the sprinklers or bright lights at 2:00 a.m. is a great way to force people to leave the premises and it is one of many tips he’s learned along the way. However, Steven’s greatest tip to success is mentorship and finding a good team.

Behind the scenes of property management, leasing, and acquisition is a multitude of security, janitorial, parking control, maintenance, landscaping, window washing, and auxiliary support teams. Some of the property management systems cost thousands of dollars to operate and they take the right kind of people and specialized training to keep things running smoothly. Luckily, Honolulu attracts some

amazing talent to draw from, which makes Steven’s job easier as he’s been able to work with leaders who really help the company’s tenants and clients. “My strength is recognizing good people,” says Steven.

“I love meeting people who haven’t reached their max level yet and taking them to the best version of themselves.”

One of the people Steven credits his work-life balance to is his wife, Denise. He says the moment he gets off work from 5:01 p.m. until 7:59 a.m. the next morning, he tries to shut off work-related talk and essentially “works for his wife.” For Steven, making time together with his wife is crucial. He also uses his marathon training hours as time to sort through a problem, think out his next speech, or prep a solution in his head. The attraction to challenge comes from a place of wanting to understand the details behind the bigger picture and excitement is what keeps him engaged. “One single individual really passionate about something they believe in is what gets me involved,” he elaborates about how he came to be in his second term as Governing Chairman of Voyager Public Charter School in Honolulu. Beyond this passion, he sits on the board of directors for the Kaka‘ako Improvement Association and is a twenty-two-time marathon finisher.

PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 19

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Tracy Lawson PRESIDENT & FOUNDER L AW S O N & A S S O C I AT E S , I N C .

2020

Business Woman of the Year

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Safety INTELLIGENCE

Safety is a process, not an outcome to be achieved.

Safety is doing the job the right way, safely.

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racy Lawson is a leader and innovator in the ever-changing field of Occupational Safety and Health. Working for the last 30-years in the male-dominated construction industry, she is a soughtafter subject matter expert for her field-experience and technical expertise.

heard repeating her philosophy of success: "By integrating safety into an organization's core operational elements, your safety culture can pivot from being something that is often an unwanted but obligatory business operation into a game-changing tool—helping operations be effective, smart, and profitable."

In December 2008, Tracy started Lawson & Associates, Inc., determined to share all that she had learned while being the Safety Director for her family's construction company, Corporate Vice President of Safety at Dick Pacific, and partOwner of an insurance agency. As President and founder of Lawson & Associates, Tracy manages the largest OSH support services firm in the State of Hawai‘i, while also serving as a role model for other women interested in her industry. Her impact and safety leadership can be seen across the state, having mentored and trained thousands of safety professionals, business leaders, and workers.

In 2020, Tracy and Chief Operating Officer Nalani Jenkins took a bold step by opening the Safety Intelligence Institute. Located in Kapalama, this 2,400 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility was built to create a space where the Safety Intelligence BluePrint could be shared with anyone who would listen.

Recently, Pacific Edge awarded Tracy with its Business Woman of the Year Award, which she described as “a tremendous honor," that “gave her team a platform to share their vision and values.”

Tracy noted that her team “looks forward to the next ten years of learning, building, and making a positive impact on our community and industry."

Today, the Lawson & Associates, Inc. team is 28 strong and growing, working with construction, general industry, and film clients. Their team of safety management professionals focuses on one thing—business improvement through effective Safety Management Systems (SMS). Safety isn't just about following the rules; it's about doing the job the right way the first time.

Tracy knows firsthand the positive impact safety can have on businesses, and she can often be

"Not all safety training is equal,” says Tracy. “We are Board Certified Instructional Trainers and virtual speakers. We have worked hard to provide classes that workers can relate to and convert to better performance in the field.” Tracy and her team offer free Safety Leadership courses and are recognized for their engaging, high-quality, and local technical safety training for businesses.

2020 has been a challenging year for Lawson & Associates, Inc.; however, Nalani Jenkins notes that “Our key to surviving and thriving is to focus on the 'why' behind what we do. Hawai'i's workers and businesses are our 'why.' We want everyone to be safe and their businesses to prosper."

Continually innovating and finding ways to go from good to great, Tracy and her team are already leveling up. They are continually expanding their capacity to create their desired results through employee involvement, collaboration, and accountability. They have also already begun implementing a new operating system for 2021, which Tracy believes is an essential step to helping her company and clients grow.

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Q & A

Wendy Chang EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, F O U N DAT I O N F O R MARYKNOLL SCHOOL

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Describe yourself in 3 words: Dream: A slogan that we promoted for the school last year, “Behind Every Dream,” truly resonated with me. At Maryknoll School, I am so grateful to be able to help our students to pursue their dreams through our donors’ contributions which provide tuition assistance, classroom equipment, and essential supplies.

Lead: I am excited to serve as Dean for the Rotary District 5000 Leadership Academy, where I help to prepare our state’s most talented Rotary leaders to become the next leaders in our community. As part of the Academy’s curriculum, Rotarians from across the state gather monthly and receive training, mentoring, and peer support.

Serve: Volunteering my time in the community gives me purpose. Sometimes a service project can seem too small to be significant, but I strongly believe that each volunteer act is a tiny step in creating the change we want to see in our world.

What is your favorite quality in a team member?

I enjoy being in a team with strong leaders.

Leadership is not about the position you hold or the title you carry. It is about taking action, creating impact, and caring for and respecting your teammates. Strong leaders are self-aware, adaptable, authentic, and collaborative.

How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

With the onset of the pandemic, our priorities changed, and we also understood that we had to find new ways to connect with our constituents. We focused less on soliciting donations and more on showing gratitude and caring for our community.

In the past twelve months, our team sent care packages; created welcome back gifts for our faculty and staff; brought our kupuna alumni together with a spirited virtual bingo; hosted a virtual donor thank you event; and more. We also organized a service project for our community to make fabric masks for health care workers from the safety of their homes.

During this challenging time, we have witnessed great compassion, resilience, and the strength

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of our families, alumni, faculty, and staff. Our donors have also continued to be generous. While our focus has been on building and bringing our school community together, the economic impact of this pandemic has affected some of our students’ families and their ability to afford the cost of tuition. To help our families, we have launched the Spartan Support Fund that provides emergency tuition assistance to those who have been financially affected by COVID. How do you manage stress and self-care?

The pandemic has taught me that it is important to manage stress and take care of myself so that I can continue to work and serve others. I manage my stress by spending quality time with my family, which includes eating dinner together, playing video games, or just talking story. When I am going through a tough challenge or disappointment, I find inspiration in my teenage son, who, as a high school student, is dealing with many challenges during this extraordinary time. He helps me with his positivity, and in turn, I hope I am helping him to see that adults have challenges they face too.

Weekday mornings are set aside for my husband and I to talk about the stresses that we are going through, and it helps me to reset and face the day ahead. On weekends, playing with our dog, reading books, and listening to podcasts re-energize me for the upcoming week.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

I learned that failure and fear are okay and that leading with vulnerability and courage can be powerful. In order to do things you have never done before, or to take your organization to places it has never been before, you will need to take risks, be courageous, and even fail from time to time. I learned not to beat myself up when I fall short of my own expectations, and to reflect and learn from those times when I have stumbled. I discovered that courage is acting in the face of fear, and that great things can happen when you lead with courage in spite of any fear. Leading with courage sometimes means learning to thrive in discomfort, having uncomfortable conversations, and acting when you do not have all the answers.

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What is your favorite quality in a team member?

Each team member always brings their own great perspective and style to the mix. The qualities I particularly value are a sense of creativity and the ability to think outside of the box to meet different challenges head on. An attention to detail and selfmotivation to follow through with their goals are two other qualities I admire. Lastly, having a good sense of time management and organization are important skills to succeed.

Mona Choy SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & REGIONAL MANAGER HOMESTREET BANK

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How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

In some ways, my career has shifted dramatically and in others it has remained the same. I am still focused on maintaining good relationships with my customers, providing the best quality service, and finding new opportunities for business and community partnerships; however, the methods I’m using to do that have moved to a technologycentric approach. I’ve adjusted to working from home as many others have, and I am engaging with people through the phone, email, web conferencing, and social media platforms instead of the physical face-to-face interactions of pre-pandemic life.

The biggest shift has been my focused approach to

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ensuring the health and safety of my employees and customers is handled. It has become imperative that their wellbeing is a top priority and so my scope of work has expanded exponentially due to these considerations.

How do you manage stress and self-care?

The most effective way that I’ve been able to manage stress and self-care has been through the increased quality time I spend with my family and our new household addition, a rambunctious puppy. Because my schedule hasn’t been filled by the usual business and community events during this time, I’ve been able to enjoy connecting with my three sons. It’s great to be fully present in the moments we have together whether it be watching a movie or simply sharing a meal. I love putting my mom hat on more often and relaxing with the people I love.

What are your favorite virtual tools to use currently in business?

Good WiFi has never been as cherished as it has been these past months; connecting with people means connecting online with Zoom and Webex.

Social media is a wonderful tool that I’ve quickly adapted to, as well, in order to conduct business effectively. It’s easy to shoot a message to anyone on my team no matter where we are or have a quick video chat; these resources make the workday seamless.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

The financial industry is still a male-dominated field, not only in executive positions, but also middle management and beyond. As a woman navigating this space, it has always been important to me to break through the ceiling in order to create opportunities for other women in business to become leaders. This leadership journey has presented itself with numerous challenges that I’ve had to work through. However, the strength I’ve developed has helped me to realize that female representation is vital in all industries. More importantly, it’s imperative we remain authentic along the way. Women bring so many unique and faceted perspectives to the table, and I believe we should be our whole and true selves in order to lead effectively without feeling like we must conform or change to a male-centric culture in order to be successful. I’ve learned that as a woman, I have always been strong. Yet, my femininity has made me a more compassionate and fair leader.

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If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?

I would like the crystal ball to confirm the path I know I’m on. I’m confident my future holds many opportunities to serve my community. I am passionate about improving the lives of children in need, especially foster children in our community— who deserve good families and bright futures. I know that a large part of my time will be spent with a few nonprofits dedicated to the causes that are close to my heart. I hope to help these boards to focus on their missions and contribute to their success.

What are two of the proudest accomplishments of your career?

My proudest accomplishments are, first and foremost, being able to have a thriving career while being a single mom to three wonderful sons; I am so proud of the drive they have for life and the people they are. Secondly, as an immigrant, it has been a fulfilling journey to build a career and be a part of my community. To be entrusted with leading the Hawai‘i region of HomeStreet Bank is an honor I do not take lightly. The sacrifices I’ve made and opportunities I’ve been given in order to become the leader I am today have all helped me to realize the responsibility I carry to look after myself, my family, my company, and my community. I am proud of where I am today because I can see all the places I’ve been before.

If you are a mom, what is the reality of managing kids and family life with your career demands? ​I truly believe everything is possible in life. As a single mom, my children always come first; prioritizing their needs and ensuring they are raised with a sense of positivity and a good moral compass has been an easy decision to make. Finding the tools and taking advantage of the resources available to me in order to manage my time has been something I’ve learned to rely on. No matter the demands of my career, staying close to my family and building trust between each of them has been the foundation on which I stand on. I consider myself to be somewhat of a “helicopter mom.” Yet, knowing when to give my kids their own space has been important, not only for the strength of our relationship but also in being able to juggle the different parts of our lives together. As a family, we always focus on the positive, how to make things work, and how we can create more opportunities for each other.

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Make your next meeting at Tidepools CONGRATULATIONS TO MARI GALIHER, ONE OF HAWAII’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS With an impressive career in communications and a keen sense for business, Mari welcomes you to Tidepools at CPB. She is showing small businesses, non-profits and entrepreneurs how to take advantage of this innovative meeting place at Central Pacific Plaza in downtown Honolulu.

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808-544-0500 | 1-800-342-8422 | Meet us at cpb.bank

Member FDIC

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business when there was no resort business! All of those experiences were preparation for the unfortunate arrival of the pandemic. By that time, our team was really good at adjusting to the job at hand.

How do you manage stress and self-care?

My self-care routine faltered at the beginning of the pandemic and especially after losing my husband Tommy to COVID-19. Staying centered has been a challenge. To regain my focus, I now walk, swim, or hike daily. And, there are so few cars on our roads these days, I can safely ride my bike to the beach for the first time in years! Daily meditation and stopping several times a day to just breathe are essential to my renewed self-care routine.

Laura Richards GENERAL MANAGER HANALEI COLONY RESORT

How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

My career actually shifted several years back. On April 14, 2018, hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed on Kaua‘i and Hanalei Colony Resort was largely cut off from the rest of the island as historic flooding swept through the area. My team and I quickly transformed the resort into a multi-faceted emergency community center helping to evacuate stranded guests and assisting nearby residents grapple with the most basic day-to-day needs during many months of recovery efforts.

Every day we had to reset and do the job at hand— hospitality related or not. At various times we housed a medical team, veterinary service, food and water distribution and postal services. With only one lane open on Kuhio Highway, our resort shuttle was the only mode of transportation in and out of the community for local residents. Classes for 48 students were held at the resort and our high school seniors held their graduation in our restaurant. We accommodated the National Guard who manned highway checkpoints and a team from Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization, which helped with disaster relief. We opened a satellite City Hall so residents could obtain building permits and worked with election officials to set up a polling location.

We maintained regular communication with staff who were laid off and served as the point of contact for our owners.

Over the course of eighteen months, we took care of our community and learned how to run a resort

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Did you always want this career track?

I grew up studying ballet and always thought that I would be involved in dance for my entire life, but life events and injuries led me in a new direction. I studied and worked in hospitality briefly, but was drawn to pursue a vocation as lay midwife for thirteen years. The day I saw Hanalei Colony Resort, however, I knew I was up for the challenge of reuniting with the hospitality industry. For thirty-four years, I have met the most remarkable people from all around the world and worked with many outstanding hospitality, charitable, and local organizations. As a manager of a smaller resort, I have learned to be a “Jill of all trades” and to be handson in every aspect of the business. It’s never boring… always exciting.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

I don’t think of myself as a woman in power, but an empowered woman able to accomplish anything I set my mind to. Becoming empowered is a process. You must be open to opportunities and embrace all of the imperfect moments. It takes grace, intelligence and fearlessness. It also helps to have a tribe of women— mentors, colleagues and friends— who help guide you along the way. I’m thrilled to see so many amazing and inspirational women leaders today. Every morning I challenge myself to mirror their endless potential and possibilities.

If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?

I am closer to retirement than most people in our business. And, in many ways, still processing the significant events that have taken place in my life over the past three years which makes it difficult to see the future.

What I can see now is less work and more family time playing with the grandkids. They keep me young! I also see me working on “me” and trying to answer many questions. Who am I without all the work each day? How do I want to give back to my community? How do I stay healthy for many years to come? So, I could certainly use a crystal ball to help me find these answers!

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Describe yourself in three words: Nimble: Creative; Resilient How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

I went from working in the office to working from home with my dog. I got comfortable and into a good groove of telecommuting. Now, I’m back in the office as of January 2021 at Central Pacific Bank’s new coworking space—Tidepools@CPB! How do you manage stress and self-care?

I enjoy going to the beach, golfing, talking long walks, and, safely, spending time with family and friends. Self-care and stress management are the most underrated, understated, yet, critical aspects of our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic paired with telecommuting made it easy to work long, strenuous hours; it was about three months in that I realized I needed to self-care and destress. Taking an hour or two out of each day to unplug made all the difference.

What are your favorite virtual tools to use currently in business?

FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom—staying connected while apart.

Did you always want this career track?

Yes, I’ve always sought to be in a career where I’m in a nimble position, a utility player on the team, and ready for new opportunities and projects while contributing my best work. I’m grateful for all of the mentors.

Mari Galiher

MANAGER, C O M M U N I C AT I O N S A N D SOCIAL MEDIA FCH ENTERPRISES

If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?

None of it, I just want to enjoy living in the moment and taking life day by day.

What are two of the proudest accomplishments of your career?

Being part of the #KeepHawaiiCooking team, with the ability to support the local community and restaurant industry when COVID first hit. As well as being part of the team to unveil and launch the new Central Pacific Plaza and the Bank’s new brand.

It’s moments like these that we will look back in history in amazement and awe of how we pivoted and thrived.

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had very few women role models and no women executive leaders that I could turn to for advice and encouragement.

Now that I am an executive, I want to do what I can to help the next generation succeed. Our new Women’s Executive Leadership Council will match talented students with women island leaders who will mentor, counsel, and help them navigate the professional career path. There are more open doors than before, but gender parity in most industries is still a long way off. We want to help close the gender gap and ensure that corporations and organizations benefit from all of the talents and strengths women have to offer.

Jennifer Walsh Ph.D

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & PROVOST HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

My work has taken on a new sense of urgency. We have over 4,000 students that entrust us with their educational goals and who have turned to us for assistance during this very difficult season. Many of our students have serious financial challenges because of pandemic-related job losses; others have found it difficult to focus on their studies because they are worried about their health or their loved ones’ health. This past year, I have worked hard to identify creative solutions so that students can successfully complete their courses while also attending to their physical and mental health needs.

I also anticipate that the pandemic-induced economic downturn will increase competition for professional and leadership positions; therefore, it will be important to create partnerships with industry executives, seasoned professionals, and the broader Hawai’i community to ensure that our graduates are well-prepared for success, no matter what the circumstances may be.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

My academic field has few women, so I had to learn to advocate for myself, to take advantage of every open door, and to take risks in order to get ahead. The path was certainly a bumpy one! I

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If you are a mom, what is the reality of managing kids and family life with your career demands?

I am an empty nester now, so family life is not nearly as busy as it used to be. I finished my Ph.D. when my youngest was just four years old, and this season was exhausting! I quickly learned to abandon any notions about personal or professional perfection and be content with accomplishing the bare minimum.

For women who are juggling career and family, please know you may not have time or energy to tackle a new professional challenge right now, but you will one day. Some of the best advice I received was from a trailblazing executive who encouraged me to set aside my professional goals for a season and prioritize my family. I would enjoy the time more if I was not mentally and emotionally conflicted, and I would do better work anyway once we were all sleeping through the night. She was right!

What are two of the proudest accomplishments of your career?

In addition to being an executive, I am also a political scientist with expertise in criminal justice policy. In 2009, I was invited to offer expert testimony on a sentencing policy that the New Zealand Parliament was considering. Policymakers incorporated my recommendations into a revised version of the bill, which became law in 2010. It was a proud moment to realize that citizens of another country benefitted from my years of research.

In my leadership career, my most rewarding moment was this past fall when we welcomed a record number of first-year students to campus so that they could pursue their dreams of attending college, even in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic. It took months of extensive planning to create a campus environment where they could live and study safely, but seeing them thrive despite the challenges of the last year has made it all worthwhile.

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On a personal note, one of the gifts of this pandemic time is that our family got to be a lot closer. We started having game nights, got into Disney plus movies, and learned how to be together well.

How do you manage stress and self care?

By having supportive people around me - my husband, mom, dad, brother all taking turns with the kids and cooking is how I’ve been able to find time to destress. I have a surf gang, an online boot camp, Saturday running partner, Sunday walking partner - basically, a scheduled social life. I schedule my life around my workout routines and family time, of which has developed into standing surf dates in the afternoons.

Alia Pan

PURPOSE LEARNING C O O R D I N AT O R & ENGLISH TEACHER LA PIETRA HAWAI‘I SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

How has your career shifted from 2020 pandemic?

This has been a huge shift on so many levels! The shift to online rearranged our entire lives just to figure out how to do this. I am an English teacher, not a manager of software systems! I see teaching as a community that is a safe place for students to take risks, to fail, to get back up and try again.

However, to set up that environment on zoom is so challenging. We are trying to recreate an emotional connection with each other on zoom with a camera which is uncomfortable. Then, in returning to campus, I am acting as a health and safety inspector and reminding students of the protocols for sanitization and social distancing practices. So, I used to say my job description was to teach kids literature but now, my job description is so different!

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What is your current daily routine?

I get up at 5am, slowly get life together and head to diamond head for a surf check with my surf crew. Some days I don’t feel like showing up but my friends keep me accountable. I’m thankful the beaches stayed open which has kept normality in my routine and exercise that is essential for me. Even if there is no surf, seeing the sunrise is the best way to start my morning.

By 7:30am, I am at school and once my work is done, I am rushing to get my kids in traffic by the 3:30pm pick up time.

Tell us a little about the concept La Pietra is taking with “Raising Women of Purpose on Purpose.”

When La Pietra started, it was in a time where there were limited spots open for girls to get a good private education that was not so heavily based on religion affiliations. La Pietra really opened the door for girls to have a hands on, progressive approach that really encourages social-emotional learning. We measure how a student learns by how they observe and organize ideas into a paragraph or substantiate their argument with evidence. To be a teacher here is really listening for and calling out the purpose of a student’s life. We help students to listen to the small voice that moves one to their calling. We expose them to the right resources and encourage them toward the unique way they are meant to grow. Learning and success is not just about getting a 4.0 gpa - it's about students finding purpose in the way that is intentional. We encourage emotional vocabulary that allows them to express moments of joy or despair with articulation that translates into life meaning. We hope our contribution is to help each child find their individual gifts, develop them and move forward intentionally.

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WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union is now a CDFI. What does this mean?

We are one of four Community Development Financial Institutions in Hawaii. We represent a lifeline of federal funding dedicated to restoring and diversifying local economies across 46 states.

Since March, our small credit union has delivered over $11 million dollars in pandemic aid in rent relief, emergency response loans, business boost programs and start up investments.

We’re a credit union of Kaua‘i and for Kaua‘i, dedicated to serving those who build, teach, protect and care for our island. For further information on CDFI funding reach out to us at aloha@kgefcu.org.

‘ www.kgefcu.org

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Describe yourself in 3 words: Vision, purpose, flow.

What is your favorite quality in a team member?

Reliability/Stability.

How has your career shifted from the 2020 pandemic impact?

I learned to master the art of triage, calmly and economically. 2020 was the culmination of all my previous career learnings: using all my skill sets and also pushing myself through false beliefs and fears to step up and show up for myself and my community.

How do you manage stress and self care?

My self-care regime is a combination of Peloton, meditation, hot magnesium salt baths, being in the ocean, spontaneous dancing, quiet time with my baby and a little Casamigos Reposado tequila. It gets me through!

What is your current daily routine?

Hit snooze once, splash cold water on my face, breathe deeply, practice mindfulness imaging, drink coffee, work, dance in the car, give myself gratitude reminders, enjoy family time, sleep.

What are your favorite virtual tools to use currently in business?

Zoom with funny backgrounds.

Dana Hazelton COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER K AUA‘ I G OV E R N M E N T EMPLOYEES FCU

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

Understanding that beliefs about my limitations and fears were easily reprogrammed through love and courage in my God given life path.

Did you always want this career track?

I’ve always wanted to support the human journey forward and to fight for the best aspects of humanity. In community development, I’ve learned I can directly affect major changes in the system, to encourage and promote the strengths in humankind.

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and destroy confidence, but I learned to view it as a learning experience to hone my craft. Failure happens more frequently than I care to acknowledge. Someone I admired shared with me, “Fail fast and fail forward.”

I often remind myself of this in both personal and professional endeavors.

Related to the first lesson I learned along the way, I also was taught to appreciate all experiences along my journey. The good, bad, and the indifferent. All the setbacks and successes, large and small, have shaped me into the leader I am today. I am grateful for the opportunities thus far and look forward to more.

Dailyn Yanagida C O N S U LTA N T H O G A N C O N S U LT I N G G R O U P

How has your career shifted from the impact of the 2020 pandemic?

Every single one of us has been impacted by the pandemic in some form, whether personal or professional. I too can share about the negative impacts that COVID-19 has and continues to have on our business. However, the pandemic has also brought unintended gifts and opportunities! While I miss the in-person opportunities to engage with our clients, the shift from in-person meetings to digital formats has allowed us to “see” those across the ocean. So many businesses have expanded their communication through the use of video conferencing and in doing so, we were able to expand our reach and strengthen relationships by meeting “virtually.” For example, we have still hosted educational sessions and meetings over lunch that were delivered to our clients using local restaurants and delivery services.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

I have never seen myself as a “woman in power.”

I have held various leadership roles over the past twenty years and am humbled by the invaluable lessons I have gained. The toughest lesson that I learned and still struggle with, is to accept failure as an opportunity to improve. Failure can be intimidating 40 PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE

Did you always want this career track?

This question makes me smile because throughout my life, depending on when I was asked, I wanted to do so many different things! My parents will tell you that I always talked about being a flight attendant, a newscaster, attorney, schoolteacher, a politician, and even a college professor! Obviously, I ended up being none of those. I happened to find my career by stumbling through life, and I have loved it every step of the way!

If you are a mom, what is the reality of managing kids and family life with your career demands?

The pandemic has changed life and work in ways I could have never imagined. With the combination of my sons’ schools transition to distance learning, their extracurricular activities being cancelled, and me working from home, time and space collided. For me, the challenge is managing these events and putting up guardrails on our time. Sometimes I end up working longer hours at home and family time is interrupted.

Other times, I feel the pressure of getting work done while I am enjoying the family time. The drawbacks are frustration and irritation with one another, and it often rears its ugly head! There is a time to work, a time to play and a time to rest. It is extremely hard to find that right balance and boundaries between all of these things.

What are two of the proudest accomplishments of your career?

Wow, tough question! While I cannot claim it as my accomplishment, I am proud to have been able to work for and with incredible leaders both male and female. It may sound like gratitude versus an accomplishment, but I am proud that in building my career, I earned the opportunity to be developed by truly amazing leaders.

In turn, I have been blessed with opportunities to develop others in my field—as a peer, supervisor, educator, or advisor. The opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with others is extremely rewarding. Reaching a point in my career where I was trusted to help someone else develop their own will always be an accomplishment for which I am very proud.

Guarantee Rate is proud be the sponsor of this year’s business achievement awards for the woman of the year.

Contact us today to lock in a low rate!

D.J Dole SVP Mortgage Lending O: (808) 375-1783 C: (808) 375-1783 dj.dole@rate.com NMLS ID 716937

Congratulations also goes to all the companies recognized and a special thanks to all the participating sponsors that made it possible to share the importance of supporting our local businesses. We look forward to next year’s event and look forward to better days ahead.

Leonard Loventhal SVP of Mortgage Lending O: (808) 650-2146 C: (808) 781-7817 leonard.loventhal@rate.com NMLS ID 318109

1001 Bishop Street, Suite 1000, Honolulu, HI 96813 • www.rate.com

Guaranteed Rate Inc,; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit nmlconsumeaccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply.

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What are your favorite virtual tools?

Simultaneous use of messages and notes on my phone and computer. The new iMessage pin feature has changed my life. Notes is my favorite because I can share it with all of our team members and access it on all of my devices. It makes finding things effortless while keeping all my thoughts organized.

What are the hardest lessons you’ve had to face in becoming a leading woman in power?

That the social determinants of health must be tackled little by little. We must celebrate each small win in this fight. We have to advocate for the chance and create the space to do good work. It takes money and approval, which take time, so we must be patient when striving to make an impact. I am grateful for our incredible team that pushes through each day.

There will always be people who try to discredit your good work, but you have to remember the reason for your service and push on. I was told that “Everyone does the best that they can with what they have at that moment” so I try to remember that with every obstacle. Each is an opportunity to grow.

Darrah Kauhane

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PROJECT VISION HAWAI‘I H AWA I I A N E Y E F O U N DAT I O N

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Resilient, Loyal, Passionate How has your career shifted from 2020 pandemic?

In February of 2020, I took the reins at Project Vision Hawai'i as Executive Director, without any clue that the world would drastically change in a matter of weeks. Instead of leading a vision organization, I am proud of our pivot to medical response for the underserved. We learn as we go and use our experience in rural international surgical work to bring quality and compassionate covid prevention to Hawai’i. We are grateful to our funders and partners for believing in us and funding our expansion.

How do you manage stress and self-care?

Time with my loved ones. New experiences together rejuvenate me.

In lieu of traveling, I am practicing gratitude for beautiful Hawai’i. I am glad to be home near our beautiful beaches again.

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If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?

The pathway to solving the issue of poverty. I’d love to see that the work we are doing every day will eventually lead to the elimination of homelessness and inequities in access to care. Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. It is our mission to eliminate disparities in access to care and I hope that one day we can make that a reality.

If you are a career mom,what is your reality of managing kids & family life?

I am not a mother but I have so much respect for our mana wahine who are able to balance both. I look up to my mother and those I work with for the way that they slay at work and at home.

What are your 2 proudest accomplishments of your career?

1- Vaccinating the homeless in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Administration and Partners In Care during this pandemic. It’s a team effort, always.

Merging Project Vision Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Eye Foundation in 2020 to create a powerful partnership allowed us to expand our reach and serve even more patients on a larger scale here in Hawai’i and abroad.

Its been an honor to serve during this time.

2- Setting up new annual training programs in Cambodia and Indonesia, and an eye clinic in Yap FSM in the same year with the Hawaiian Eye Foundation.

These clinics create jobs for local nurses and the programs share knowledge, which improve access to much needed medical services to the residents of these rural communities.

Empowered.

Inspired.

Driven.

“

If 50% of women are primary breadwinners within couples and single women are the number one category of homebuyers after couples, then responding to women as a market force is a smart investment. This way, we’re serving the top two groups of homebuying decision makers.”

-Lizzie Garner, Executive Vice President

Let’s grow together.

We’re changing the mortgage industry for the better.

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Visit careers.rate.com/grow-with-us or contact us to learn more!

Tana Feeley

Kinnie Lang

Lauren Jimenez

Porteia Falls

(808) 366-9300 tana.feeley@rate.com

(808) 457-2213 kinnie.lang@rate.com

(619) 799-8718 lauren.jimenez@rate.com

(808) 439-5707 porteia.falls@rate.com

SVP of Mortgage Lending

VP of Mortgage Lending

VP of Mortgage Lending

VP of Mortgage Lending

T. Feeley NMLS #316243 | K. Lang NMLS #422217; HI - HI-379410 | L. Jimenez NMLS #1239111 | A Lim NMLS #674838; HI - HI-674838 | P. Falls NMLS #1717800 Guaranteed Rate, Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

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As President and CEO of TLC PR, Teddi Anderson has helped build one of the state’s top communications firms, managing major clients across the government, travel, finance, retail, renewable energy, information technology, agriculture, nonprofit, and education sectors. Her knowledge of Hawai‘i’s key issues, history, and culture has helped lead the way for high-profile initiatives that touch audiences around the world, covering everything from public education to crisis and issue management.

What are some ways your relationship building and maintenance has changed from pre-pandemic to now?

Constant check-ins with clients have always been part of TLC PR’s ethos. We spend quality time strategizing and planning with them.

Having this built-in proactive approach helped us weather the pandemic. We have been able to go the extra mile to be of service, no matter what, making sure our clients feel held and supported during these challenging times.

Teddi Anderson PRESIDENT & CEO

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TLC PR

What type of skill sets do you find the most useful in your field of work?

Listening and hearing what isn’t being said. I listen between the lines to make sure we are identifying and addressing the real needs and issues, and that includes uncomfortable topics. Having a deep, meaningful relationship with each client means that we can truly be their voice and help them build the brand they envision, only better.

What do you love about PR? We’re here to build a client’s brand, message, and image by developing ideas that position them in the best possible light. When it clicks and the client is happy, there’s nothing better. That synergy develops from the long-term relationships we have enjoyed over many years, which often become lifelong friendships.

TLC PR has three decades of experience providing marketing, branding, and public relations support across a wide range of industries. For more, visit TLCPR.com.

What are some ways your relationship building and maintenance has changed from pre-pandemic to now?

Relationship building is about connecting with people, and for the past eleven months, that’s been online. In some ways, connection is enhanced because virtual meetings have made things more personal. We see people in their every-day environment with pets, kids, leaf blowers, etc. The important thing has always been having a genuine interest in the people you are connecting with and that doesn’t change whether it’s in person or virtual.

Piia Aarma PRESIDENT

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PINEAPPLE TWEED

What type of skill sets do you find the most useful in your field of work?

Storytelling, writing, imagination, curiosity, and critical thinking.

What do you love about PR? The variety! On any given day, you can be working on something related to health, environment, architecture, arts, a product promotion, or a startup company….the list goes on.

W O M E N

I N

B U S I N E S S

Q & A

What are some ways your relationship building and maintenance has changed from pre-pandemic to now?

2020 was a whirlwind and a completely different PR experience than I have ever had before. Thankfully, I was fortunate to work with amazing clients, but the pandemic affected their business in vastly different ways: they were either thriving, doing okay, or really hurting. For everyone, it was a year to dig deep for both financial opportunities and for the energy to push on for the long haul.

In some ways, it was the most creative year, because there was no time to think. Whenever anyone had an idea, we just went for it.

This was a great exercise in trusting your gut and going for it, and it was also a lot of fun to try new things with very little lead time.

What has not changed is building relationships. When I started in PR after college, my first press list was comprised of names, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of my media contacts. We would wine and dine editors in person, and it was great. Then it turned into running into media contacts at events and keeping in touch with coffee dates. Nowadays, many editors and writers move around so it's easier to keep track of people on social media or by text. Now, if there’s also a collaboration with an influencer, I usually exchange messages over Instagram or WhatsApp. No matter the medium, it's critical to stay closely connected and continue to forge strong relationships.

What type of skill sets do you find the most useful in your field of work?

I was trained in PR in the late 1990s, so the types of skills have evolved a bit. For example, when I was doing PR in NYC for a restaurant group, we were very hands-on and would pitch stories on new cocktails, new menus, restaurant renovations, celebrities who dined with us, and so on.

Now the majority of my PR work is spent on finding ways to communicate strategy and messaging of the company. I feel that I always try to put myself in the shoes of the customer or potential customer. I try to understand what they will feel when they watch a brand video or see a social media post. Since each business is so different, you really have to embody that brand, which takes a lot of focus and the ability to see things from many different perspectives.

Malie Moran INDEPENDENT PUBLICIST

Being creative is also very important and it doesn’t stop. I spend a lot of time working in the creative space, trying to put together content ideas, collaborations, and many daily projects that come up, all focused around big-picture storytelling and strategy. This makes PR work an around-the-clock job.

What do you love about PR? Whether it's through a promotion, an interview or an event, I love watching a business connect with and inspire their customers. I feel like I am constantly faced with problem-solving challenges, and I hear things like “we have not been able to solve this” or “we want to improve this,” and finding answers to these challenges is always rewarding. Seeing a successful project come through, especially if it was a long project, feels unbelievable. I definitely love the win!

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73-5617 Maiau Street 808 329-6500

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550 Ward Ave. 808 596-7333

www.HawaiianRugs.com

Close to home, but a world away.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a safe, indulgent escape.

Mauna Kea Resort is home to two iconic beachfront properties - the treasured Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and, newly renovated, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

Activities Located on two of the island’s best beaches, ocean activities include moonlight manta snorkels, stand up paddle and outrigger canoe adventures. On shore, experience two golf courses, the tennis and pickle ball courts, and wellness centers with Peleton bikes and scheduled fitness classes.

Dining We know dining traditions and have been serving them up for generations. From the legendary Mauna Kea Luau and regional cuisine at Manta Restaurant to Mediterranean cuisine dedicated to the islands at Meridia, the culinary options are endless.

Mauna Kea Resort’s complimentary evening dining shuttle makes it easy to enjoy all that the resort has to offer.

Kama‘aina Specials Just an island-hop away, book your Kama‘aina Staycation today!

With rates starting at 50% off, complimentary self-parking and waived resort charge (if applicable), there’s no better time to get away and discover what the Island of Hawaii has to offer.

MAUNAKEARESORT.COM/OFFERS Kama’aina specials based on single/double occupancy and subject to tax and room availability. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply.

Not valid with any other offers, discounts, promotions or group rates. Hawaii State Driver’s License or Hawaii State ID with Hawaii address required.

Decades in the Making A REFUGE FOR TOMORROW AND TOMORROW The story of the legendary Mauna Kea Resort and its iconic hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, has been shared for more than 50 years. When venture capitalist and conservationist Laurance S. Rockefeller was invited to Hawaii in 1960 by Governor William Quinn just one year after statehood, he toured the islands in search of potential development properties. Could this visionary possibly have known how timeless, how standard-bearing, Mauna Kea Resort would become? Through the ups and downs of the past five decades, what can be learned from the successes and challenges faced over the years by the Island of Hawaii’s first resort? And, how is the Resort’s forward-thinking management team approaching the next 50 years?

For insights, we spoke with Craig Anderson, vice president of operations for Mauna Kea Resort, Kansas Henderson, hotel manager, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and Tom Cross, hotel manager, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

But first, a quick review of the past 50 years. When Rockefeller discovered the white sandy stretch of beach known as Kauna’oa Bay, he knew it was where he would locate his first hotel in Hawaii. When Mauna Kea Beach Hotel opened in 1965, it was accompanied by a Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course and amenities befitting a luxury hotel of the day. Rockefeller’s vision also included a second hotel within the more than 1,800 acres he leased and later purchased from Parker Ranch. Before that vision was fulfilled, he sold the resort in 1978. In 1989, Seibu Railway acquired Mauna Kea Resort. In 1992 they fulfilled Rockefeller’s dream of a second golf course and in 1994 his dream of a second hotel debuted as The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Over the next 25 years the two hotels within Mauna Kea Resort’s sprawling oceanfront acreage, both fully owned by Seibu, operated autonomously from one another.

In 2015, just as Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was gearing up for their 50th anniversary, Craig Anderson was hired as Vice President of Resort Operations. With him came decades of hospitality experience, loads of energy, questions, and a renewed vision for the resort. Why were the two hotels so separate but in the same family?

How could the wisdom and aloha spirit of the team members and unique attributes of these iconic hotels with their world class beaches, award winning golf courses, tennis facility and restaurants be unified to allow Mauna Kea Resort to compete with other planned resort destinations here in Hawaii and around the world?

Immediate actions included focusing attention on the lifeblood of the resort, the team members themselves. The resort launched employee recognition programs to celebrate team leaders and team members who create Mauna Kea memories for guests, biannual celebrations for team members and their families, and Legacy Employee recognition events to honor tenured team members who serve as role models for coworkers and familiar connections for returning guests. The Resort executive team began holding regular, unannounced “surprise and delights,” to welcome team members to work with special snacks and treats prepared just for them. Informative quarterly all-team-member-meetings provide employees the up to date information on resort operations, business forecasts and guest comments with an open forum to ask questions and provide feedback and ideas.

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The celebrations and informational meetings are critical in unifying Mauna Kea Resort as one ‘ohana (family) bound by the past, thriving in the present and creating an exciting future, together.

In addition to on-property and team member related initiatives, the team has worked to reestablish Mauna Kea Resort as a good steward of the land through partnerships with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Na Ala Hele, the State of Hawaii’s trail and access program. The Resort, as part of the family of Prince Resorts Hawaii, has also launched a “Make a Difference” program where team members can earn wages for their time spent working with non-profit organizations in the communities where they live.

When Anderson arrived, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel had recently contracted with Marriott to tap their marketing power as part of the Autograph Collection brand.

The Collection’s tagline, “Exactly like nothing else,” was befitting the hotel’s architecture and history.

Exactly Like Nothing Else Anderson knew, however, that brand alone was not the answer. As expressed by hotel manager Kansas Henderson, “No new management team nor new brand was going to make Mauna Kea a better place in the eyes of generations of regular guests or long-tenured employees. But, we could make adjustments to more effectively capture Mauna Kea’s magic and highlight its existence to those who were not already aware. We could bottle it, so to speak, and turn it into memories for new guests and for our employees. But how?”

Henderson said achieving balance between past traditions and the expectations of today’s travelers was important. Extracting the DNA of Mauna Kea Resort Legacy Employees through their own words and ideas in order to teach those following in their footsteps became part of the resort’s mission, dubbed “Live to Share.”

Live to Share

Craig Anderson

Vice President of Resort Operations, Mauna Kea Resort

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Live to Share also became a mechanism to tap the wealth of team member knowledge and customer relationships. What more could the resort do to anticipate the needs of return guests as well as first time visitors to the resort?

What new programs, services and aesthetics could be introduced while preserving the essence of the resort’s rich legacy?

Kansas Henderson

Hotel Manager, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

From Live To Share a new Aloha Ambassador position was created and daily cultural activities are now offered at both hotels. At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a new Discovery Center offers a timeline history of the land upon which the resort is located (Auhupua’a Ouli) along with artifacts and photos from Parker Ranch, the one-time steward of this site. The Center also serves as headquarters for the hotel’s children’s program and cultural activities. A partnership with Honolulu’s renowned Bishop Museum is providing opportunity for preservation of the hotel’s invaluable and world-renowned collection of Asian, Pacific Rim and Hawaiian art and artifacts.

Cherished Hawaiian kapa (stamped bark cloth) has been preserved and new displays help ensure they will be available for generations to enjoy.

Finding the right brand to elevate Hapuna to the national stage took months of planning and thoughtful design. Once the decision was made, a nearly $50 million renovation and rebranding ensued. The hotel debuted its new look and new name as The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in May 2019. The Westin brand, known for its pillars of health, rejuvenation and wellness, was ideal for the hotel’s location fronting award winning Hapuna Beach, and its open-air, laid back, sophisticated vibe.

quarter to have a record year, but then COVID hit. It’s been tough on everyone, from team members on the bench without work, guests who yearn to escape to Hawaii Island and our owners Seibu Holdings who have been tremendously supportive throughout the closure. I’d be kidding if I didn’t admit that it’s been a challenge,” Anderson says. “But through it all, I’m reminded of Rockefeller’s vision, of generations of guests and team members who have helped the resort through difficult economic times, hurricane threats, a massive earthquake in 2006, and now COVID. We are unified in our determination to adapt and we’ll continue to evolve and grow.”

Tom Cross

Hotel Manager, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort’s transformation was guided by hotel manager Tom Cross who has been at the hotel’s helm since 2013. Cross embraced the rebranding as he encouraged, coached and guided his team through the successful transformation.

“The team was excited and they really embraced the Westin brand pillars as a natural fit for our hotel. There was a tremendous amount of hard work that went into the renovation ,” Cross said, “but now, guests and team members are enjoying the results.”

As the saying goes, nothing is as constant as change, and 2020 certainly brought about prodigious worldwide change with the COVID pandemic. Like many hotels in Hawaii, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel closed temporarily.

Mauna Kea Resort owners and executive team joined with vendors and resort homeowners to supply and distribute weekly food boxes to hundreds of furloughed team members.

As both hotels reopened in the fall of 2020 they did so with the implementation of new strategies and important health and safety measures. “We were on track in the first

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was considered revolutionary when it opened in 1965. It brought jobs to jobless plantation workers, and commerce and capital to jumpstart a visitor industry within the local economy. Mauna Kea Resort has become not only a place for the rich and famous, but also for kama’āina (local families) to celebrate special occasions. From rugged lands covered in thorny kiawe trees and a’a lava, Rockefeller’s vision transformed this special place into an oasis with incredible natural beauty, a true place of healing. Today’s leaders at Mauna Kea Resort; Anderson, Henderson, Cross and others, are focused on the possibilities of the future. Day by day guests are returning to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Social media has provided a vehicle to connect with those who crave an escape from their daily routine.

The Resort’s eight dining venues, under the leadership of F&B director Todd Oldham and Executive Chef Peter Abarcar, Jr. deliver innovative al fresco culinary and mixology inspirations to satisfy every palette for any occasion.

As we all yearn for a return to “normalcy” as we emerge from the grips of the pandemic, we are reminded of prophetic words spoken by Kahu Abraham Akaka in his Benediction at the opening of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel now more than 55 years ago: We came seeking peace in this Thy sanctuary We have dwelt upon The holy mountain, we have found peace and prosperity within Thy walls.

And when our eyes run from the sunlit height of Mauna Kea to the sunset horizon of Kealakahiki, Prepare us and all who come here, in this refuge, for tomorrow and tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s Mauna Kea Resort is here today and every day. It is indelibly rooted in the smiles and genuine aloha spirit of our team members, and it is captured in the rich memories treasured by multi-generational families, and first time visitors alike. To the world, Mauna Kea Resort has a simple message; E komo mai! We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our Aloha.

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presents

2021 The Pacific Edge Magazine Business Achievement Awards honors successful businesses and innovative leaders who promote best business practices and community involvement.

N O M I N AT E N OW ! www.pacificedgeawards.com/noMInate

Business Pivot of the Year » Healthcare Leader of the Year » Non-Profit Impact of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award » Young Professional of the Year » Business Executive of the Year Commitment to Green » Best New Business » Best Family-Run Business Social Media :: Influencer of the Year » Social Media :: Business Impact of the Year

LAST YEAR'S WINNERS

Hospitality Executive of the Year » Business Woman of the Year

JIM WALTERS Lifetime Achievement Award

MELISSA MIYASHIRO Commitment to Green Award

TRACY LAWSON Business Woman of the Year

KHAI TRAN Social Media Influencer of the Year

SHELLEY WILSON Healthcare Leader of the Year

TERI ORTON Hospitality Executive of the Year

JIM BRAMAN Hospitality Executive of the Year

MONICA BELZ Business Executive of the Year

S P E C I A L

I N T E R E S T

S T O R I E S

Endeavor A DARING

BY NAOMI COOPER

T

here’s a lot of fear. There are so many personal guarantees if this doesn’t work. It is putting my family house on the line,” admits Jon Muranaka, the new owner of The Counter franchise in Kahala Mall. Since October, Jon has been working full days in the restaurant serving up mouth-watering beef, chicken, Mahi, and even bison burgers with names like Old School; The Classic Cheeseburger; Nashville Hot, a buttermilksoaked and batter-fried chicken sandwich; and The Impossible Burger, a plant-based burger alternative.

Ironically, Jon has never worked in a restaurant or been an entrepreneur; but, mid-pandemic, he made an offer to the previous owner and banked on his knowledge from over twenty successful years in the financial and marketing industries.

Jon Muranaka OWNER THE COUNTER

Digital ads with search engines and rating sites like Yelp, a strong push on take-out options, and using his local-boy rep is how Jon steadily increased monthly sales and even exceeded last year’s prepandemic sales numbers. “I’m from Kaimuki and, yet, I had only eaten here once before I bought it,” Jon notes, as he explains why he felt the brand awareness was the push needed since the food was obviously already a hit. While COVID-19 restrictions are uncomfortable, he sees locals returning regardless, as many want to support local and appreciate Jon for working the place himself. His strong community spirit has led him to give away free meals during the pandemic through Helping Hands Hawaii, and he hopes to support other local businesses by bringing in local beers to the dinein menu. One day, Jon also hopes to set up profit sharing for his employees to ensure that they feel they are a part of the team. While he doesn’t get much time outside of the restaurant these days, his family spends Sunday with him at The Counter trusting his gut that “when everything seems to align, you just have to make it work.”

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Women in Business Dana Hazelton Community Development Officer at Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union

Hawaii’s Business Leaders—

Always Moving

Forward

Pineapple Tweed—positioning you and your company or organization as leaders in your industry and the community

Congratulations Dana Hazelton on your recognition as one of Hawaii’s leading women in business!

Your advocacy for women and minority owned businesses on Kauai strengthens the social fabric of our community. Your pivotal contribution to our 2020 certification as Kauai’s first Community Development Financial Institute means we have holistic options for restoring and building our economy, with women front and center.

Mahalo for all that you do!

‘

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Entrepreneur

BY AARON DEAL

Buddy Leong

Many may wonder what kind of entrepreneurship experience an eighteen-year-old like Leong could have, and the answer is...a lot.

VIRTUAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES

I

n March of 2020, high school senior Buddy Leong went on spring break only to never return to school in-person. Forced into virtual studies by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was left with a new virtual education schedule that was less-demanding and provided more free time.

Most high school students would have used the extra time to catch up on their sleep, hit the beach, or hang out with their friends but not Leong. He immediately began assisting Hawai‘i’s Deputy Director of Health Cathy Ross in sourcing personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies for medical professionals across the islands. He then helped found Team Save Hawaii Jobs and Businesses, a group formed at the onset of the pandemic that provides free financial information to local businesses on the CARES act’s Paycheck Protection Program—learning first-hand how to set up and operate Zoom webinars.

As the school year progressed, Leong became dissatisfied with the quality of his virtual education, with some of his courses meeting once a week for less than half an hour. Eager to learn and grow, he tried to think of ways he could use his background in entrepreneurship and business to start up

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something of his own. Many may wonder what kind of entrepreneurship experience an eighteen-yearold like Leong could have, and the answer is...a lot.

At age thirteen Leong took second place worldwide with his siblings in a Global Startup Battle business competition, by fourteen he had already been selected as a finalist for HVCA’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, and he just recently started running a webinar consulting business.

Leong utilized his entrepreneurial experience, professional connections, and newfound knowledge of webinars to create a free virtual educational platform for students to network and learn from professionals in a variety of fields. Virtual Student Experiences, or VSE, provides students with skills, advice, and knowledge from industry professionals on how to get into and be successful within whatever industry they’re considering. VSE has already hosted a range of professionals, from Scott Koo, Corporate Executive Vice President at SAMSUNG SDS to Mehul Smriti Raje, Software Engineer at Google. Leong has big aspirations for the organization and hopes to expand VSE across Hawai‘i and even to Universities across the country.

Find out more about Leong and VSE at their website www.virtualstudentexperiences.com.

JPG Hawaii Expands Business Reach and Gives Back to the Community JPG Hawaii Expands Out-of-Home Advertising Program and Offers Free Advertising to Non-Profit Organizations and Artists throughout Hawaii (Honolulu HI), December 9, 2020 – JPG Hawaii, a locally owned and operated, full-service design, print, and installation company, continues to adapt and expand their business reach throughout the Hawaiian Islands, in the midst of the uniquely challenging circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

JPG Hawaii Forms New Advertising Partnership with Aloha/Shell Gas Stations, Statewide In 2020’s fourth quarter, and as the economy at-large continues to experience the long-term effects of COVID-19, JPG Hawaii has formed an important new partnership with Aloha Gas/Shell Gas Stations throughout Hawaii. This exclusive advertising contract with all 53 statewide locations will include Pump Top Signage, Gas Nozzle Messaging, as well as in-store ads including Branded Hand-Sanitizer Stations.

On Average, each gas station location serves over 30,000 paying customers at the pump, monthly. Jean-Paul Gedeon, CEO of JPG Hawaii states, “Our goals in forming this partnership with Aloha Gas/Shell Gas Stations are to provide real business opportunities for organizations and companies within their local communities and neighborhoods, while also providing statewide reach and frequency through the broad network of stations across Hawaii. Through this new marketing program, we continue innovating to meet the needs of our ever-changing business climate.” JPG Hawaii’s most popular branded media products include Grocery Divider Ads, Branded Hand-Sanitizer Stations, Walls ads in malls, Pump Top Ads, and Gas Nozzle Ads. JPG Hawaii remains a business-to-business company, maintaining direct contracts and relationships with all media partners.

JPG Offers Expanded Media Opportunities for Local Businesses While JPG Hawaii has expanded their business focus to include essential PPE products in the year 2020, the company continues offering a wide range of branded media opportunities to local businesses. Earlier this year, JPG Hawaii expanded and adapted their company model to include the production of essential PPE, such as masks, gowns, gloves, and branded hand-sanitizer stations, in order to meet the needs of many local businesses. They were named the “Business Pivot Company of the Year” this month by Pacific Edge Magazine.

JPG Hawaii Spreads Aloha with Free Advertising for Non-Profit Organizations In addition to expanded business-reach, JPG Hawaii has provided no-cost branding opportunities for local non-profits and charitable organizations. These organizations include the Blood Bank of Hawaii, Malama Mentors, and others. Gedeon adds, “Our first loyalty as a family-run business will always be to the people of Hawaii.

Our advertising expertise and expanded business reach in 2020 have allowed us to give back to these organizations continuing to serve Hawaii during this vital time.”

JPG Hawaii has been operational in Hawaii since 2000 and originally began as a surf lifestyle clothing brand. This family-owned company has expanded over the last 20 years into a business-to-business service company with clientele throughout Hawaii and beyond. While JPG Hawaii has expanded their reach to a worldwide audience, their Hawaii born roots run deep, and their priority remains serving local businesses and maintaining long-term business relationships.

Learn more about advertising opportunities for your business by visiting JPGhawaii.com JPG Hawaii is a full-service Design, Print, and Installation Company with Local Roots and Global Reach. The JPG Media team offers years of experience specific to Hawaii’s Out-Of-Home market. We have deep expertise in all aspects of advertising and marketing, from research and media development to artwork and installation.

Our in-house team manages all Graphics, Printing, Installation and maintenance.