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
T A B L E
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Contents 16TH ANNIVERSARY Q&A With Hawai‘i’s Leaders Pg.
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ADVERTISING Naomi@elementmediahi.com (808) 721-1300 Pacific Edge magazine is a quarterly publication available through subscription, direct mail and at bookstores throughout Hawai‘i. The views expressed within Pacific Edge magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of management and ownership. Pacific Edge magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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Inspiration and innovation. Two key concepts that every business owner—be it a young entrepreneur or seasoned veteran—draws upon to maintain their company’s competitive edge. As such, these are two consistent themes that we highlight throughout every issue of Pacific Edge Magazine. In a recent conversation with some of our loyal readers and supporters, it came to our attention that Pacific Edge Magazine was the catalyst that gave them the confidence to start their own businesses and venture into the unknown territory of entrepreneurialism. Our features about other business owners who made the same leap and faced risk head-on gave these new entrepreneurs the hope that “they could do it, too.” It is this very message that we aim to communicate, through both our magazine and business networking events. With this in mind, we are excited to announce the inaugural Pacific Edge Magazine Women in Business program. It aired on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 7 p.m. on both KITV4 and Pacific Edge Magazine’s Facebook page via livestream. It is now available for viewing on our Pacific Edge Magazine YouTube channel. This year, we are also celebrating our 16th anniversary in true PEM style, with a fabulous issue soiree and networking event. Not only will we be recognizing the outstanding achievements of some of Hawai’i’s most successful and innovative companies, but we will also be celebrating the 16th anniversary of this publication and the founding of Element Media, Inc. For more information about the event and how you can attend, visit our website at Pacificedgemagazine.com. As we put 2020’s uncertain economy behind us, we will continue to bring you stories of inspiration and innovation. Pacific Edge Magazine is more than just pages of a quarterly publication. We are a community and forum for business professionals of all ages to gather and to learn, but most of all—to share hope. Mahalo & Aloha,
Naomi Hazelton Owner, Publisher of Pacific Edge Magazine
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On July 8, 2021, at 7 p.m., Pacific Edge Magazine partnered with KITV 4 Island News to air a show celebrating five amazing Hawaii women who hold leadership positions in a diverse range of fields: high-end retail, hospitality, real estate, and nonprofit and management. The show was so successful, (with very high AA ratings) that they are airing it once more on Sept 13th at 7:30PM, and streaming live on PEM's Facebook. Each year, Pacific Edge magazine dedicates one issue to some of our community's most hard-working, high-powered, and inspiring women. The magazine created the special issue seven years ago to showcase a strong voice for women in Hawaii and honor these amazing leaders. During the show, Naomi Hazelton, publisher and founder of Pacific Edge magazine, will have a roundtable discussion with five women who rose to the top of their companies while raising families, participating on nonprofit boards, and still managing to find time for themselves. Analisa Burgos, news anchor at KITV 4 Island News, will interview the honorees. These women excel in a diverse range of fields: high-end retail, hospitality, real estate, and nonprofit management. The women are: •
Shelley Cramer - Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fith Avenue, Honolulu
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Sherry McNamara, President and CEO of Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
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Sandy Narvaez, Director of Sales and Marketing at RitzCarlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
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Julie Arigo – General Manager of Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
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Ruthie Kaminskas – Realtor-Associate, Corcoran Pacific Properties
Follow @Pacificedge on Insta or Pacific Edge Magazine on LinkedIn or Facebook for more information. You can also view the program on PacificEdgeMagazine.com (under the Videos Tab) or on Pacific Edge Magazine YouTube.
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Q & A
Jeff Wagoner PRESIDENT & CEO O U T R I G G E R H O S P I TA L I T Y G R O U P
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Success is seeing my team members thrive. As a leader, my role is to provide the tools, resources and inspiration for colleagues to surmount challenges and be a compass if they get off track. We define The Outrigger Way as caring for our hosts, guests and place with our values as our guide. This includes celebrating and honoring achievements, embracing being responsible for our actions, treating people with respect and dignity and committing to being our best by doing the right thing, in the right way. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I’m grateful for every step taken in my journey. That’s not to say that every stage was easy – but I learned from each triumph and each failure – all which got me to where I am today. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Early in my career, hospitality industry icon Eric Danziger took me under his wing as a mentor; I had a front-row seat to his career trajectory and leadership style. He leads with integrity, purpose and is someone
I admire wholeheartedly. Becoming the CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group – an iconic brand based in paradise – was a dream opportunity and certainly a huge milestone in my career. What are your plans for the next 10 years? In the next decade, I plan to stay focused on running this incredible company and ensuring that we are good stewards along the way. As a premier beach resort brand, we’re sharply focused on caring for our coral reefs and the oceans fronting our properties through our global conservation initiative, Outrigger’s ZONE (OZONE). As we grow the brand, we are increasingly mindful of ESG (environmental, social and governance) benchmarks to ensure that we’re doing right by our people and the planet. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? One attribute that I’ve developed is a strong sense of what’s really important in business vs. busy work. This awareness is key, because it allows me to focus on decisions that sincerely make a positive impact on the business. Content employees make content customers, so I pay close attention to the needs of our team members and do everything I can to create a positive environment where people love to work and grow.
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Q & A
What milestones have shaped your life and career? I realized at a very young age the immense gift of my parents’ guidance, and I did not want to do anything to disappoint them. My life’s decisions have been governed very much by that inspiration. On the campus of the St. Francis Healthcare System on Liliha Street, there is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi that is dedicated to my mom. At the base of the statue, there are the words: “Valentina Lui-Kwan…Her love of God and family continues to inspire.” Becoming a parent myself, and my life with my wife Frances. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Develop real properties on the Big Island left to me by my parents. I want to develop the properties so my children and my brother Tim’s children (Tim has left us) have a moderate source of income security. The properties would be a remembrance of a gift from our parents to our children.
Ivan M. Lui-Kwan DIRECTOR S TA R N O ’ T O O L E M A R C U S & F I S H E R L AW C O R P O R AT I O N
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Optimum utilization of the leader’s insights, skills and resources to enable the group to achieve its goals. Reflecting on your life and career, are you comfortable with your choices? As one gets older, the view of the environment is clearer and the decisions are easier. Looking back on my younger life, I did not have the benefit of the experiences of a fuller life. Having said that, I am comfortable with my choices. I did my best with the resources available to me at those earlier times. I am fine with my choices, and I would not try to unwind my decisions.
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Continue and expand the youth leadership program in partnership with native Hawaiians, the Maori tribe Te Atiawa in New Zealand, and the East-West Center. In the first year of the program, we took Hawai‘i students to New Zealand from Nānākuli High School, Wai‘anae High School, Kupu, St. Andrew’s Priory and St. Joseph School in Hilo (my alma mater). The expanded program will include more students from New Zealand, and participation from more schools in Hawai‘i, Polynesia and Micronesia. Develop a program which provides more infrastructure and resources in the Hawaiian Home Lands communities to enable the 28,000 beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust on the waiting list to achieve home ownership. Words of advice for an exit strategy? At the front end of the transaction, optimize value, moving forward by identifying the challenges and by thoroughly vetting prospective solutions to the challenges. With a successful project, the exit will come easier. How have you grown in the past five years? In the past five years, I have found that my law degree has developed into a very valuable tool to achieve my goals. I took the bar exam in 1971. There were four of us in a study group who would meet every night to prepare together for the exam. Of the four, there is one person with whom I had almost no contact since 1971. Recently, I had occasion to speak with that person. He startled me by saying, “Ivan, you have made very good use of your law degree to do good things to help people.”
Creating new ways to keep Hawai‘i healthier. We’re reimagining health care with new choices and new services. From telehealth visits to vaccination clinics, we all work together to provide the health care Hawai‘i needs. Learn more at HawaiiPacificHealth.org.
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local distilleries making hand sanitizers, to restaurants going mobile with food trucks, to retailers converting from storefronts to online, to church services, theater and fundraising events going virtual, just to name a few. That we can make a difference in Hawai‘i’s sustainability. We saw the beautiful sights of sea turtles sunbathing on our shorelines, new life on coral reefs, cleaner beaches, and less pollution from vehicular traffic. It seemed the pandemic opened our eyes to how we can be kinder to our environment. As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? It is not title or money. It is when you have reached that point at which you can reflect on your career, your relationships with family, your quality of friendships, and your own self-image and feel truly fulfilled, blessed and happy with your life. To accomplish this in your life’s journey is success.
Julie Arigo
GENERAL MANAGER HALEPUNA WAIKIKI
What are some positive takeaways, having gone through this pandemic? That people are generally good. There were so many stories of amazing acts of kindness that people extended to even total strangers. Volunteerism seemed to increase, especially to help our kupuna and the homeless. It certainly heightened our aloha spirit. A change in priorities. Having to social distance from people for over a year now has made me think about the importance of with whom and where I spend my time. That innovation opens opportunities. This pandemic really displayed the creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and talent that many businesses and individuals in our community have. There were so many great examples of this, from
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As you reflect on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? If you had asked me this question 10 or 20 years ago, I would have probably mentioned several. However, I can now honestly say that every difficult situation I have experienced has led me to where I am now and where I am now is good for me. I have no regrets. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Being given the title of General Manager and entrusted to run an entire hotel operation. Being recognized outside of my workplace for my career achievements and contribution to the community. What are your plans for the next 10 years? In the next 10 years, I plan to continue growing in my career and put out my best efforts to be a respectful leader. I will also stay committed to doing what I can as a community servant. During this pandemic, the value of life became magnified, and so I have set my intentions to spend more time with my family and to take better care of myself. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? The last five years have been the most challenging of my career, having to close a hotel and open a brand new one within a year’s period, to going through this unprecedented pandemic. This has really forced me to push myself. I have learned so much about project management, strengthened my relationshipbuilding skills by conscientiously practicing emotional intelligence, and increased my skill set because of having to put on so many different hats within this past 5-year, time in which my resources were limited. And like everyone else, I have learned to manage and sustain both my personal and professional lives via the virtual world.
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John Leong
CEO KUPU AND PONO PACIFIC
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? To me, success has always been about creating impact and doing things of significance. I think what has changed is that my team and I have become more strategic and selective as we have gotten more experienced, and we are looking to invest time and energy into projects that will create the greatest amount of positive change that is sustainable. I feel I am only partway into my career, but it is important to me that the work continues on, or evolves, beyond my involvement and my current team’s leadership. We are invested in the longterm health of Hawai‘i and the Pacific region and want our work to position the next leaders to easily eclipse our impact.
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As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I feel I have been profoundly blessed by both the challenges and opportunities that we have experienced. No, I would not change anything. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t learn from my mistakes or setbacks, though. One thing I have learned is to be patient and not worry. Things happen for a reason, and I have a strong belief that when we are doing what is right, God always brings us through the worst storms, and oftentimes for the better. In my mind, good leadership is not someone who can predict everything or who has created a situation of stasis. Rather, good leaders who are creating change need to experience unprecedented situations, because that means they are leading their
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people into new, and hopefully better, territory that hasn’t been seen before. Rather than worrying about the outcomes, I have found that leadership is about bringing people together to move through the hills and valleys and stewarding our character as we move forward. That, more than anything else, is in our control and also determines the ultimate outcome. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Ho‘okupu Center: Kupu developed the Ho‘okupu center, a youth center in Kewalo Basin. We transformed an old, derelict facility of two decades, into a place that brings communities together, and breathes life back into the community. It is a cutting edge facility that serves young adults through alternative education and vocational programming and it has its own culinary/event space social enterprise run by our youth. This project reflects Kupu’s heart to restore people and places. It also reflects how much we need to integrate all aspects of our community, especially the extremely talented youth that don’t have the same access to opportunities as others. For us to solve big problems, we need spaces where people from all walks of life can intersect and work together. At the center, we have had events for mayors, governors and CEOs, hosted and run by young adults who are working hard to complete their education or working hard to succeed despite some challenges they faced. As an example, with funding from high level partners and the hands of our youth, our center provided over 100,000 meals during COVID-19 to people in need. We have also begun to see young adults from throughout the Pacific coming together. I believe Hawai‘i has the potential to be a place for thought leadership on developing transformative and restorative economies and societies for island communities in the Pacific. The second project that I think has been a highlight has been Kuilima Farm. This is under Pono Pacific, in partnership with Turtle Bay. The farm is an amazing project that will not only promote and grow sustainable agriculture in our state, but will also work to shift mainstream value sets by providing production of local produce, education for our community, and experiences. It is also working to be an economic catalyst to support North Shore farmers with important infrastructure like a wash/pack facility to help get products to the market in a safe way. I am really looking forward to our teams creating more projects at the farm, and other sustainable projects in our state (and beyond) that move our economy into one that provides more sustainable and valuesbased alternatives to shift demand and meet growing environmental and social needs.
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What are your plans for the next 10 years? As an Obama Fellow, I have had the privilege of working with 19 other change agents from around the world. It has been a huge privilege to become an international family with these amazing individuals. Through my relationships with them, and through the high-level leaders we have been exposed to, I have realized the importance of networks and strategic partnerships. For us to tackle the growing challenges in our world at the same rate or bigger than they are growing, we cannot do the work in isolation. We need the right people and partners who are aligned in heart and add different talents, experiences, and networks to the equation. The first 21 years of my career have been establishing some really great organizations that do important and impactful work. God willing, the next 10 years will be continuing to deepen our impact in Hawai‘i and elevating this work nationally and internationally to do our part in changing the narrative of our world. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? First off, spend time with your family. Even the best and most noble purposes and careers can take us away from what is important. Only you can be a spouse, parent, son/daughter, or friend to those who are in your sphere of influence, and your most important sphere of influence will always be your family, so invest there first. Treasure these individuals now and don’t wait till you exit. You’ll never look back and regret having spent time with those you love. You will, on the other hand, regret having a ton of success in work if you come home to find a home that is empty. Second, I believe each person has a plan and purpose and part of life’s adventure is for us to discover that. Pay close attention to seasons and cues in life that come from quiet time and reflection. Don’t be so busy that you miss the onramps or offramps in life. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? I think my waist is still a size 34 but COVID has definitely pushed that to maybe a 35, with all the good baking my wife has done. I have also learned to prioritize first things first. I found that as I focus on growing my character, doing what is important, and moving my hand from the wheel and more to the navigator’s seat at work, we’ve gotten more done than when I was involved in more day-to-day needs. We’ve really focused on hiring amazing people, and I’ve found my role has been to set them and other existing leaders in our organizations up for success. I’ve also realized that being strategic with my time and resources to do things that will have a multiplier effect is important, and to worry less about the consequences and focus more on taking risks for things that are pono. A quote from friends at the OpEd Project reflects this sentiment: “When you do things of consequence, there may be consequences; but the alternative is to be inconsequential.”
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Tranquili-Tea in a Cup LOCAL PURVEYOR BREWS UP WELLNESS COLLECTION TEAS
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he pandemic has sparked an undeniable shift in our collective understanding of health. None are more aware of this than Tea Chest Hawaii owners Byron and Satomi Goo, who recently launched a new line of teas that promote physical and mental wellness. Included in this new line are MANA, ‘OLENA, and NANEA, which contain organic and locally sourced ingredients that are natural and easily digestible and known to boost immunity, soothe inflammation, and alleviate stress and anxiety. These new blends also fit seamlessly into many lifestyles including keto, vegan,
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and vegetarian. And because Tea Chest Hawaii sources sustainably grown ingredients, they support many independently owned and family operated farms around the world including here in Hawai‘i. “We’ve carefully crafted these teas with specific plant-based nutrients to accompany anyone’s daily wellness ritual — or provide inspiration to create one,” says Tea Chest Hawaii’s CEO, Byron Goo. With over 25 years of experience crafting awardwinning teas, Byron and Satomi have worked to curate their teas using only the finest ingredients, and this new collection is no exception. MANA
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features organic adaptogens rich in antioxidants such as cinnamon, black tea, hibiscus, peppermint, and spearmint. ‘OLENA is a turmeric-based tea that fights inflammation and has an earthy flavor enhanced by the subtle heat from organic ginger and black pepper. And finally, NANEA is designed to promote feelings of calmness and combines chamomile with organic herbal ingredients from the Ayurvedic tradition, namely ashwagandha, cinnamon and lemongrass. What truly sets MANA, ‘OLENA, and NANEA apart from the rest are the two Hawai‘i-grown superfoods: moringa and mamaki. These adaptogens rebalance the body’s hormones to help naturally cope with stress and anxiety. All teas can be enjoyed hot, iced, or cold-brewed, so you can look forward to their aid year-round. To learn more about Tea Chest Hawaii and its products, please visit teachest.com.
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Q & A
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? A successful leader is one who can lead from the front, side or behind, depending on the situation. A leader must be fluid and adapt quickly to the changing needs of the work environment. The need to pivot was especially evident during the past year. Leaders needed to be resilient, positive, and forward-thinking in order to instill confidence in their employees and ensure, not only the company or organization’s survival, but how it would thrive post-pandemic. Successful leaders rely heavily on experiences and lessons they learned growing up. I was raised in Hilo with a strong sense of community and collaboration. Through the years at the Chamber, this is how I approached every initiative and effort. We emerge stronger and more successful when many hands are working together. You can take the girl out of Hilo, but not the Hilo out of the girl.
Sherry
Menor-McNamara PRESIDENT AND CEO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAII
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As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? If I were to change anything personally or professionally, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I thoroughly enjoy serving the business community and being married to my husband, John McNamara. The road to the present was a winding and bumpy one. However, along the way, I met wonderful people, had exciting jobs, and, of course, learned valuable lessons. These lessons have allowed me to benefit from my mistakes and apply them to grow and become stronger, both personally and professionally. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? The first milestone was winning a national award for State Chamber of the Year in 2018, which was a first for the State of Hawai‘i. This award was in recognition of our team’s hard work, the support and engagement of our members, and the many forms of advocacy work we perform in our community. The intensive process included a long application period and an extensive, in-person interview. While the process was challenging, it was also very natural, because I believe in the Chamber’s mission, which is to advocate for business. Telling the story of our local businesses and how they pour their hearts and souls into benefiting the community was easy for me. Another milestone is the partnership we cultivated with U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono on our “Hawai‘i on the Hill” event in Washington D.C. The initiative is a three-day program that includes a Welcome Reception, a Policy Summit, and the Taste of Hawai‘i event in the nation’s capitol building. The taste event has become the largest event of its kind in D.C. What started out with only 25 Hawai‘i businesses flying over to D.C., has grown into more than 80 businesses and approximately 200 people in 2019. For the taste event, we had 500 attendees in the first year, which included U.S. Senators and Representatives, Capitol Hill staff, and members of the D.C. community. In 2019, we had more than 2,500 attendees. While food and drinks were the attraction, different industries were represented to tell the story about Hawai‘i and showcase Hawai‘i’s products and services.
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The reason why I am so proud of this initiative is because it was a wonderful collaboration by members of the business community statewide and the support of our government leaders, including Honorary Chair Ron Kouchi, President of the Hawai'i State Senate, who’s been attending since the inaugural year. While we could not have Hawai‘i on the Hill in 2020 and 2021, we will definitely roar back in 2022 and we can’t wait to make it bigger, better, and bolder. What are your plans for the next 10 years? After 15 years with the Chamber, I still strongly believe in its mission. I thoroughly enjoy advocating for business and I’m passionate about the work we do. I’m also proud of the Chamber teams I have worked with, and honored by the support we have received from our Board and members. However, at some point, I do want to enter public service. My family history is rooted in public service, so I’ve always had this innate desire to eventually answer that call. When the time comes, I hope I’m able to help build a brighter future for the people of Hawai‘i. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? Leave the organization or company better than you found it, and ensure that your team has the tools to carry on without you. I want the next leader to be well positioned to succeed. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? When I first joined the Chamber in 2013, I felt tremendous pressure to do a good job for the organization and its members. However, with the support of amazing mentors, a solid circle of friends and colleagues, and a supportive team, I realized that it was okay to ask for help and collaborate with others in finding the answers. Also, through the Omidyar Fellows program (Cohort IV), I learned to find my inner voice, one that was true to myself. I also discovered a greater sense of confidence that was buried deep inside me. Life is about continuous learning, so I’m sure I will continue to grow in many ways as my journey continues.
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Sandy Santiago Narvaez DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING T H E R I T Z - C A R LT O N RESIDENCES, WAIKIKI BEACH
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Living authentically. Being able to wake up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror with dignity, gratitude and love for the person looking back at you is the definition of success. This comes from living a life that you authentically enjoy—prioritizing according to your values, being brave in your belief system and knowing that you are worthy of pursuing your dreams. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I wouldn’t change a thing. I would, however, give my younger self this simple advice: “You are the right person, in the right place, at the right time.” What are two of the most important milestones of your career? The birth of my two children. Family may appear to be exclusive of career, but I believe my family’s support has enabled me to grow in my career. The birth of my children taught me how to work toward a higher purpose, build empathy for my colleagues, and work efficiently to maximize my work and family time.
What are your plans for the next 10 years? I plan to attend law school this fall and utilize my degree to create a more holistic approach to tourism that will create cross-industry benefits for our islands. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? Each step you take—even if it is backwards—should be a step toward progress. If you decide to change fields, you may need to step back from a manager position into a coordinator position; however, you should find an opportunity for progress through experience in your new field or through the acquisition of new skill sets. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? I took an amazing opportunity to work for the top luxury hospitality brand in the world, The Ritz-Carlton. I previously worked at a successful hotel with an excellent, supportive team. I had no intention of leaving such an ideal position. However, I knew I needed to diversify my background, which included experience at a luxury resort. The only resort I wanted to work for was The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. A change into a completely different brand and company can be daunting, but I knew it came with progress. We may find ourselves hesitating toward our next move, but even a tentative step is a progressive step. PACIFICEDGEMAGAZINE.COM 19
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Yuka Nawano
PRESIDENT & CEO EGGS `N THINGS HAWAII INC.
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As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? I think success is something that comes from within. It’s not something necessarily measurable in terms of how many locations you’ve expanded, how much sales increase, how many awards and recognition you have gotten and so on, but just you knowing that you’ve done the very best you could have done under each circumstances, both in your life and career. If your heart is at a good place, then that to me is success. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? This is probably not just personally, as it would most likely influence professionally as well, but it’s interesting to think how it would have been if I also majored in Law and Design. My major in college was International Cultures. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? In the past 13 years since the company was founded, there are several milestones, but if I were to choose just two, #1 would have to be when the founder of Eggs ‘n Things, Jan Fukunaga, decided to entrust Eggs ‘n Things into my hands. I would have been just one of the fans of Eggs ‘n Things today if she wasn’t willing to take a chance on me. The other one was back in 2018, when Amazon made a Prime original drama based on my story of becoming the owner of Eggs ‘n Things. It was a really good opportunity to reflect back on my life during the process of communicating with the screenwriter, and it was interesting to see which parts of my story were highlighted in creating the entertaining fiction aspect of this drama. Although I was a bit reluctant when the producer first contacted me, I am glad that I said “ yes” as many people commented that they were inspired watching the show, and sometimes we would get customers saying that watching the drama prompted them to come dine at Eggs ‘n Things. The drama “Shiro to Kiiro: Hawai‘i to Watashi no Pankeiki Monogatari" (Hawai‘i and My Pancake Story) is only available on Amazon Prime Japan, but hopefully they’ll have it on Amazon Prime US too. What are your plans for the next 10 years? I plan on waking up each day, thankful that I’m alive, and going to sleep appreciating everything, the good and the bad that happened that day. In April 2020, my mentor, Irene Tomoe Cooper, who had been battling breast cancer, passed away. She really made
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Q & A
me realize that nothing is forever and the importance of focusing on the now. This very moment is the only thing we can really control. Sure, I do have hopes and visions of what my future would hold, for instance, being inspired and inspiring all around the world, but I believe that whatever plan, big or small, whether it becomes reality is an accumulation of each day that one lives. For the next three years, professionally [my goal] would be to focus on recovering financially from the pandemic. I say three years since international tourism, especially from Japan, probably will not be back to pre-pandemic level at least until spring 2022. Then in three to five years, [I’d like to] finish writing my book and devote more time to coaching and speaking to people, especially women who would like to start their own business, even if they don’t have any prior experience, like me. I would also like to do some volunteering projects for single moms and children of a single parent. Six years onwards, I don’t have a plan in stone, just looking forward to what happens! How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? It’s actually not easy to remember how things were five years ago because in March 2020, the world turned upside down, especially in the Food and Beverage Industry, with the majority of our locations being in a heavily tourism-reliant area. My policy until then was not to micromanage, but now I have to, as every penny counts in order to survive. I had to pivot in the way I look at things, accepting that there is really no point in stressing about what is out of my control, but doing everything that I possibly could to mitigate the damage. I had thought that I had already been through quite a lot of obstacles and challenges in my life, (like my Dad passing away during my adolescent years, having to pack up everything in three days and return to Japan from Detroit, getting heart surgery in college and being told if I didn’t, I would need a heart transplant before the age of 30, falling short on funds to open the Saratoga flagship restaurant and so on) and I really didn’t see this coming. But I guess I’ve grown in a way where I can say “Ok, Yuka, get through this challenge and it’ll just make your book / story even more interesting!”
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? I define success as being able to anticipate challenges and forming an action plan quickly to address such a challenge. Most would likely say success is based on profitability, winning contracts, and other accolades, but when the moment is dire, being able to perform is the truest test of success. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I would have become a brain surgeon or rocket scientist. Although Elon is kind of crazy, he is living my dream. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Finishing the 54-acre Kapolei Business Park, Phase 2 subdivision along with the 123-acre Kapolei Business Park West—which will sell out soon. The other important milestone is the completion of the Hawai‘i Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund's new training facility in Kapolei Business Park. This project marked nearly 300,000 square feet of warehouse that I had developed for various lot buyers in Kapolei Business Park since we delivered lots. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Extending Avalon's reach in Hawai‘i by growing its development, property management, brokerage, and consulting services.
Steven
Köthenbeutel EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AVALON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
What are some positive takeaways , having gone through this pandemic? A positive takeaway is that humans are a far more resilient group than we all thought. We still found ways to keep the lights on while drawing in an occasional crowd, when permitted. There was tragedy, but from the proverbial ashes, we will rise yet again. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? I never envisioned myself as an industrial developer, but in 2014, we acquired the 178 acres comprising Kapolei Business Park and Kapolei Business Park West. Since then, I have found industrial development to be fascinating. Logistics, storage efficiencies, clear height... I have found my experience to have given me an education in logistics that I would not otherwise have.
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Success is more of a process, rather than a destination, as one hits a milestone suddenly the landscape and horizon looks like one that you have never seen before. Many may say that having a great amount of expertise and excellence will lead you to becoming a leading authority within your market or industry defined as “success.” – However I began to realize over time that I only “know what I know with excellence”… but surprisingly, “I don’t know what I don’t know” – and when you have that revelation – it’s an amazing sense of “knowing” that unpacks unparalleled opportunities when you begin to examine these watershed moments and unleash creative integration where our pursuit and possibilities are endless! As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I have actually asked myself that question, looking back, and in those quiet meditative moments, there are so many “what ifs” that could have immensely impacted and re-chartered the course of my life in business entrepreneurship, my marriage to my one and only wife, mother of our children, lover and best friend, and my impact on other people, and I would say that through the messiness of my wrong decisions, my youthful impetuous assumptions, being overpowering when I should have throttled back, listening rather than speaking back and suffering the consequences, the moments when I hit the wall because of my ignorance, my determination to finish the race no matter what-I would not change a single iota of the past, for it was that divine predestination that shaped my character and values for who I am today.
Guy Akasaki
PRESIDENT & CEO COMMERCIAL ROOFING & WAT E R P R O O F I N G H AWA I I
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What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Knowing and living your core values is so important. It’s a topic which for many of us takes some soul searching and actually sets the trajectory for the beginning of your life and business. I have spoken to many entrepreneurs in my career both young and mature, and I leave them with this thought: How important are your core values of who you are and what you do and will do and why? Because one day you won’t be able to tell your right hand from your left, like in a surfing wipeout you
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won’t be able to tell which way is up or down. It is the core values you establish when you first start in business and in life that becomes your moral compass that allows you, like in Karate Kid, to close your eyes and navigate the treacherous currents of business. The fact that within our family of companies, the retention of employees has been 80 percent or higher, attributed to living aligned to our core values. What are your plans for the next 10 years? To continue to build business opportunities engaging the next generation, and to build on the momentum of the growth and maturity of our existing business platforms. Technology, as with construction, has definite connectivity that moves within and without the tapestry of normal business, and as we examine growth and integration with these technologies, understanding the velocity and immutability of block chain technology and its application to normal growing businesses... is quite exciting to see. I also would like to see us continuing to give back to our local community in meeting needs that arise. We have had the wonderful opportunity to support our local church through donations, and help various charities like the Ronald McDonald House Charities at the height of COVID-19 and donate our labor to install roofing over a community center for the homeless community, spearheaded by HomeAid Hawai‘i out at Kama’oku in Kalaeloa. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? My advice, don’t wait until the exit. Below are a few logical building block to be established to provide the basis for various options of exit. When these steps are done properly, it keeps one grounded, with no unrealistic illusions. Early on, speak to key people within your organization to understand that your active income can provide great stability, but one injury or health related issue and the world falls apart. Understand the value of passive income over active income. Establish early on the importance of core values, to build a collaborative spirit and to shape the next two generations. Always plan for the unknown, thinking of the
A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
worst case scenario for one’s business (such as last year with the pandemic) and execute planning to anticipate it happening. As a framework, always do GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financials to reflect accurately your financial picture at any one point in time, as well as the financial structure and stability over a performance period of time. It is always good to have third-party accounting financials. This allows consideration for multiple approaches of exits. As one pursues the finality of the “exit,” I would challenge you to know that this exit path is only the second chapter in the rest of your book, that captures an entire lifetime. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? Up until 2019, the economy had been on an upward trajectory, hitting milestones and exceeding many expectations. Having gone through multiple downturns, we had to consider the worst case scenario. If some unforeseen catastrophic event was to happen, what would we do? How do you even set a plan for something you don’t know? We had to plan to diversify our business sectors and create sub-sectors that would relatively assure our survival. Secondly, we knew that whenever there is an economic or catastrophic event, such as COVID, people and businesses will be looking through the lens of fear and uncertainty. More important was to anticipate how our employees and customers would feel, so we could understand their fears and expectations in moving forward, and plan for the engagement of that diversification many years before [a catastrophe] hits. As a result of this foresight and executive collaborations, 2020 expectations exceeded 2019 goals. So in a nutshell, despite the setbacks, uncertainty, and shutdowns, we were blessed, and actually incredibly astonished and amazed! For those who may say the horizon is bleak, that there is so much uncertainty framed in fear, I would encourage you to raise up your eyes and perspective, and look through the lens of fortitude, tenacity, and determination. Looking above the chatter of uncertainty and fear, you will be amazed and astonished to know that, unleashed, ordinary people like you and me can do some extraordinary things!
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Park West Gallery I S B R I N G I N G F I N E A R T T O W A I K Ī K ¯ I BEACH
W
hen Park West Gallery, the world’s largest art dealer, was looking for new locations for their global expansion, Hawaii was always at the top of their list.
“O‘ahu is one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” said John Block, Park West’s Executive Vice President. “So it made sense to us to bring some of history’s greatest works of art to this amazing island. This is a place that appreciates beauty.” The art dealer is making it easy for local residents and Hawaii visitors from around the world to appreciate art at the new Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery at Honolulu’s Waikīkī Beach Walk. The museum and gallery are open seven days a week, 10 am to 10 pm, and admission is free. Park West Hawaii offers visitors a 3,000-square-foot
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art experience they’ll never forget. As guests tour the museum collection, they’ll encounter original masterworks from art world legends like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Rembrandt van Rijn, and more. One particular highlight of the museum is its selection of Picasso’s ceramic works—Park West has the largest variety of Picasso’s ceramics on display anywhere in the world. Park West Hawaii is currently featuring the exhibition “From Renoir to Kostabi,” which has toured museums across the United States. The limited-time exhibition showcases artwork by acclaimed artists like Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Marc Chagall, Marcel Mouly, and Mark Kostabi. But Park West Hawaii isn’t just a traditional art museum. It’s also a vibrant art gallery that has an unbeatable selection of art for purchase, including
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original works from many of today’s most popular contemporary artists. Visitors can browse exclusive collections from artists like Peter Max, Romero Britto, Nano Lopez, Kre8, and Michael Godard. “Our goal is to make art accessible and enjoyable to everyone,” said Arturo Torrez, Art Director for Park West Hawai‘i. “That’s why we love showing off a mixture of the classical and the contemporary. We’re experts at helping people find the perfect work of art.” From Sunday to Thursday, the Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery offers guided tours at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and art seminars at 1 p.m. The tours are free, fast and fun—but you won’t just take away knowledge from your visit. For a limited time, guests will also receive a complimentary cocktail (must be 21 and older with valid ID), a free unframed artwork, and a $500 credit towards any purchase at the gallery. (Terms and conditions apply.) “We know how to make art exciting,” said Torrez. “We can’t wait to show Hawai‘i everything we have to offer.” The Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery is now open at Waikīkī Beach Walk—226 Lewers St, Suite L118, Honolulu, HI 96815. You can find more information at parkwesthawaii. com or by calling (808) 859-4871. Hawai‘i residents can enjoy a special kama’aina discount of 15% off any purchase or a buyer’s credit of $250 (whichever is greater).
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Q & A
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Success is also found in relationships. During the pandemic, we’ve been reminded that every partnership matters. Every time we care for each other matters. I saw how people from all walks of life came together and sacrificed themselves to protect others. When much was unknown about COVID, my brave team was at the forefront of caring for our vulnerable populations in a big way. Contrary to what society tells us, money and recognition are false indicators of power. With the right group of dedicated, passionate people, anything is possible. There is always a way to get the important things done when the drive to serve is strong enough. When your work is a source of joy and satisfaction, and you love what you do and those you do it with, you easily find success. I’ve also learned that success doesn’t only apply to my professional life, but my personal as well. It means being able to put work down and be present with my loved ones. Time is so precious, and we must make every second count. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? Life experiences don’t just make you stronger, but also wiser. My mistakes and trials have made me who I am today and have fueled my drive. The issues that I am passionate about today stem from what I have learned in the past. So, for those reasons, I wouldn’t change anything. However, I do believe that we can always improve, so I am always looking at ways to better my leadership skills and our ability as an organization to improve our service to our clients.
Darrah Kauhane EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PROJECT VISION HAWAII
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What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Milestones are those events that really define the direction of your life. My first international medical mission to the Belize-Guatemala border opened my eyes to the extreme inequity of basic human rights. From that moment on, I knew that my focus would be global health and finding ways to address social determinants of health for our most vulnerable populations. That trip showed me how to be flexible and innovative in setting up clinics and triaging thousands of patients a day. It also gave me an early example of canvassing and surveying in order to understand the needs of each individual first, by using data to guide me. That mission remains one of my favorites among the many I have served.
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The second most important milestone has been the experience of COVID-19. I truly feel that the past year has been a turning point in my life. Project Vision Hawai‘i (PVH) went through an executive transition, a legal merge (via a dissolution and acquisition) with my former organization, Hawaiian Eye Foundation. We redirected our entire team to respond to the needs of our homeless, incarcerated and minority populations, through meal deliveries, educational outreach, house calls, testing and vaccines. We did this through critical partnerships. One example of the collaborations that occurred was with the DOH’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Everyone came together to make in-home testing, isolation centers for the houseless, and mobile vaccine clinics possible, through important public- private partnerships. Both BHA and PVH staff worked day and night to make these efforts possible. Taking vaccines to the streets late at night with the Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC), going into Institute for Human Services (IHS) shelters and prisons to administer to inmates with DPS, and going house-to-house to hit our treatment centers and group homes with the Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) were so important due to the risk of the virus spreading in congregate settings. Providing necessary services to our most vulnerable, when no one else would, was one of the greatest successes of my career thus far. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Project Vision Hawai‘i is still strategically redirecting the goals of this newly defined entity. Ma ka hana ka ‘ike - in working, one learns. For the next decade, my goal is to continue to learn and grow Project Vision Hawai‘i and our partnerships. I feel it is crucial to collaborate with like-minded organizations who put the patients first, so that our offerings are holistic. Together, we will identify the pukas in service that exist, and have our staff and clients with live experience guide us on the next steps forward. I feel that hiring from within the communities that we serve is the best way to gain insight and to create meaningful programs that will be most beneficial to our clients. I hope to build a team full of staff who can encourage others with their own stories of success. Project Vision will continue to explore branching into behavioral health, housing placement, jail diversion, prevention of homelessness, and cultural trauma. Internationally, the halt of travel has kept us from our clinics abroad, but we look forward to resuming our training conferences, scholarship programs, and surgical trips as soon as possible. Our mission remains the same, as capacity-building requires consistency.
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Q & A
What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? The goal of any good non profit is to work yourself out of a job by solving a problem or creating systemic change to actively address the problem. This is done by diving to the root of the issue and attacking it from every angle. I won’t ever leave the world of public health and service to our community, but if we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that life can change very quickly. Pūpūkahi i holomua means to unite to move forward. We continue to unite with other organizations to benefit from their successes and failures, and share programs our clients need and desire. Together, we can offer solutions to issues as they arise. A strategic succession plan really should be implemented from the start. Even if you don’t have any intentions of ever leaving, you must ensure that your daily activities can continue in the event of an emergency. Policies and procedures must be constantly reevaluated so that processes are kept up to date. This foresight and organization of tasks will allow the programs to live on for years to come, even under extenuating circumstances. We must always have the wellness of our clients and team in mind. I feel that it is vital to build up your colleagues, partners and clients every day, so that they are empowered to take on new tasks and eventually step into leadership positions in your absence. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? My life has drastically changed in the last five years, but thanks to the strong bond of my family and friends, we are standing and serving together. Loyalty and heartfelt communication make all the difference. I have accepted my journey and the rocky paths necessary to get to this point, and I am grateful for the experiences that have made us whole. Being open and honest about who I am has taken courage, but it’s definitely been worth it. I am happier now that I am true to myself and my needs. I’ve come to understand the mantra that “you can't care for others if you don’t take care of yourself first.” Working without rest, I had to realize that my health and happiness are also important. Being selfless was my goal, but sustainable service requires me to value my needs as well. The ultimate goal in life is to share happiness and now that I have found that inner peace, I can give more to our patients. One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I hope to continue to make people feel that they matter, they are important, and they are loved.
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Probably the most significant was when I was promoted to Vice President here at PAC—this defined my role on an entirely new level, defining company strategies, focusing more on team building and building relationships with existing partners. The second, undeniable milestone was when I became CEO. Although the company had a textbook plan and it was in the plan that I was training for this, the timing was very unexpected, due to the sudden passing of our Founder and CEO. It was an extraordinary time, one that I thank our founder every day for preparing me for, including the lesson of making sure I continue to learn and listen. Listening has really gone to the top of the list. Listening to the team and to our partners is critical.
Tanja
Janfruechte CEO PACIFIC AIR CARGO
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Success can be so many things. For me, it's many things, but one that comes immediately to mind is longevity in a team. At Pacific Air Cargo (PAC), we have a large portion of our team (and most management) that have been here since the inception of the company in 2000—many, including myself were promoted from within and continue to lead the company with the same vision. As you reflect on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I can’t think of anything specific other than the small decisions that are made that we wish we could change. I'm happy with my path, so therefore don’t think I'd want to change anything.
What are your plans for the next 10 years? My plans are to hopefully continue with PAC for as long as I have the honor to do so. We have long-term commitments from both our customers and partners that require growth from us to fulfill; so frequency of our schedules is a focus, for one. We've already grown from five to six flights weekly, and we’re now working on a seventh . Personally, I hope to travel more; there is a lot of the world I have not seen and would love to experience. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? Make sure you have a succession plan in place. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? I am fairly new to my CEO position. Five years ago, I was VP, and although part of the leadership team, I had a different leadership role that I’d gained a few years earlier. Our entire organization had to pivot and overcome the loss of our leader. We were taught and led by one person for 20 years, so pivoting from this without losing any remembrance or respect of what we learned in our past was very important. Quite honestly, I grew up very fast with little choice, but was very thankful for the many years of experience in various roles I had to help me grow into my new position. COVID-19 then came along, and drove us to pivot in other directions. For example our flights operate round trip between Los Angeles and Honolulu —when COVID forced Hawai‘i (and the world) to shut down, we were flying our planes back to Los Angeles empty so we worked with partners to re-route and "share" flights to get us through the unique and sudden change.
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Q & A
As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I am not at a point of reflection. It might sound trite, but I do believe life truly is a continuous journey of self-awareness, learning from the outcome of good, as well as bad ideas, and living in the moment. There is no difference between personal and professional life, because in the end, it all contributes to a life well lived. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Having been named the first female CEO of the Year and receiving AIA Fellowship are wonderful recognitions of accomplishments that I am quite proud of, but I would not call them the most important milestones in my career. Frankly, I am far from done with my career, and at this point, would mention the following two pivotal moments: •
The day in the early 2000s when the firm recognized the lack of true pro bono projects for non-profits in the architectural profession and developed our 1% program based on a national model. In essence, AHL and our consultants pledge to provide 1% of our firm’s work effort pro bono to non-profits, which translates into about 2000 hours of architectural work annually. This program defines me and my passion to be relevant and make a difference. Since 2004, AHL has provided services to 18 non-profits. Our most recent project is Ho’ola Na Pua’s Pearl Haven, a residential treatment facility dedicated to healing and education for survivors of child sex trafficking.
•
The day I accepted the opportunity to be part of the five-member team that formed the City and County of Honolulu’s inaugural climate change commission. In some ways it was the next logical step in our profession’s role in recognizing the critical nature of climate change. In 2009, AHL offered the “Free Green” program to encourage sustainable practices among small businesses in Chinatown. We are inaugural members of Hawaii Green Growth’s Sustainability Business Forum, in addition to being part of the commission whose role was to develop climate change policy recommendations. This was an honor, as well as an opportunity to increase impact.
Bettina Mehnert PRESIDENT & CEO AHL
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? The definition of success does not change throughout one’s career, however, it is a reflection of one’s ability to adjust priorities over time. Success is about finding balance: knowing when to lead and when to follow; knowing how to balance changing needs – both in our professional, as well as our personal life. Being successful includes knowing how – and when - to care for personal health and mental well-being. Sometimes people point out that there never seems to be balance, however, the realization of what is most important at a given time creates a balance. For example, balance defines company growth for us at AHL: our success is never solely financially driven. Amongst other things, success is also measured by the relevance of our contributions to the community. COVID was a perfect example of our community’s changing needs.
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Both of these two parts of my life are bigger than fleeting moments of single milestones: they are the root of subsequent empowerment and success of others; they ultimately allow architecture to serve and shine in a world that needs all the help we can give.
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YWCA O'AHU DIRECTOR EWOC BUSINESS CENTER 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Ph: (808) 538-7061 Email: Mbdaewoc@Ywcaoahu.org www.ywcaoahu.org/Mbda-Ewoc The MBDA EWOC Business Center at YWCA O'ahu helps minority women-owned businesses grow with federal, state, and private contract opportunities, through free minority certification training, business analysis, market access and access to capital. YWCA O'ahu celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2020, noted as the oldest and largest women’s membership organization in Hawai‘i. The 501(c) (3) organization supports women and girls by providing opportunities for economic advancement, leadership/ business development, and health and wellness. What is new at YWCA O'ahu? In September 2020, we launched the Enterprising Women of Color Business Center (“EWOC”). We are one of five across the nation funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (“MBDA”). The EWOC Center helps minority women-owned businesses grow with federal, state, and private contract opportunities through free minority certification training, business analysis, market access and access to capital. Now more than ever, local businesses need support to navigate and grow in these quickly evolving times. This Center closely aligns with YWCA Oahu’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Together with our Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, which helps start-up businesses, we aim to bring rich offerings to our community. In Hawai‘i, there are over 44,000 women-owned businesses generating $7 billion, but that is only about seven percent of state revenue. Moreover, there are less than 30 certified women-owned businesses competing for government and corporate set-aside contracts. Many socioeconomic and historical factors have made it challenging for women-owned businesses, but this also means there is abundant opportunity. Our EWOC Center is here to help. Who can participate in EWOC programs? The EWOC Center is focused on minority women-owned businesses. Clients served represent an inclusive group of African American, Asian American, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Hasidic Jewish business owners. Whether you are a two-year-old company seeking guidance or a multi-generation business looking to expand, our Center can help. Visit our website, complete a client form and tell us your needs.
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Kailua-Kona
Kahului - Maui
Honolulu
Honolulu
73-5617 Maiau Street 808 329-6500
259 E. Wakea Ave. 808 877-7200
560 N. Nimitz Hwy. 808 524-7769
550 Ward Ave. 808 596-7333
www.HawaiianRugs.com
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? I define success as having a strong, cohesive, happy team of employees that help me run my business, making it feel effortless. As you reflect on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? I have been so lucky in my career; I have accomplished everything I set out to do so far. I would not change a thing professionally. On the personal side, I have also been really lucky. I delayed having children while focusing on my career, but eventually decided to go for it and I am now the proud mother of a beautiful 4-year-old. I could not ask for anything more! Kalei, my daughter, is my pride and joy. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? I grew up in Hawai‘i, then moved to Europe for several years while learning my craft. When I came back to Hawai‘i, I started working at Alan Wong's. Becoming a pastry chef at his King Street location and opening my business are probably the two most important milestones of my career. What are your plans for the next 10 years? I have recently become an instructor at Leeward Community College in their culinary program, teaching the fundamentals of baking. I would love to develop their pastry program further.
Abigail Langlas CHEF & OWNER CAKE WORKS
What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? You tell me, I am still struggling with that one! The perfect scenario would be to sell your business to a long-time employee. While I have a great team, there is no one person that I see taking over eventually. Not for lack of ability, necessarily, but because the right person has to have the drive to run a business as well. It isn't for everyone. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? Having my daughter forced me to manage my business better, and not be in the shop 24/7. In learning to delegate more, and be less hands on, it has allowed me to pivot and follow my other passion, which is teaching the next generation. I never thought I could own a business and teach full time, but here I am, doing it!
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
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 PARTNERS
Steven pictured here with fellow mentor Brian Yano. As an experienced business leader, how do you define success? Success can easily be defined by titles or tasks, or completing a difficult job or life goal, but I feel true success in this part of my life/career is building successful teams and mentoring others. Having the opportunity to mentor and work with talented individuals and teams, and not only assist them through turbulent times, but help them to become better versions of themselves through those challenges. Passion and determination, with the right guidance, is a force to be reckoned with in any industry, and also leads into building good succession plans. Sometimes that means making tough decisions, or taking on roles that a person may need to grow into, but I always enjoy seeing those individuals develop. A perfect example: [Julie Miyashiro] is a young admin assistant
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I hired in 2007 who I’ve had the pleasure to work with throughout her career. She is now an Asset Manager for a major Japanese retail company, a licensed real estate broker, and studying to complete her CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member designation). She put in the work and it shows. I’m truly honored to witness that transformation, and how she has developed into a successful Asset Manager while continuing to challenge herself. As you reflect back on your life and career, would you change anything personally or professionally? Professionally, I’ve been told I have a certain intensity and focus when completing tasks at work, but that’s just the discipline I learned as a young infantry sergeant in the Marine Corps. I truly enjoy the challenges provided on this journey, and would not
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want to change anything. On a personal level, I want to continue to be a loving husband and provide as many happy experiences to my wife as time will allow. This requires a careful balance between work and play, and managing that time with efficiency and empathy for others who are on this journey with us. My beautiful, loving wife really did a number on me (somehow I became a huge Disney fan) and I would say enjoying life with her is my greatest focus. The day I proposed to her in front of the Partners statue at Disneyland was the happiest day of my life. Seeing her walk down the aisle with the three Olomana peaks in the background was my second happiest moment. What are two of the most important milestones of your career? Being hired by Marlene DeCosta and Brian Yano (my mentors) at CBRE and being assigned to manage Waikīkī Trade Center in 2005. The 205,390 square-foot property with several nightclubs and a mix of office and retail tenants opened my eyes to mixed use projects and the complexities of that type of operation. The operational challenges my team had to overcome with several night clubs were immense. Luckily, we hired the right people, and made crucial decisions early in that project that made it successful. Also, my time at The Shidler Group was important. That’s around the time I became more involved with the community. Fast forward to today, and I’m the Regional Vice President of Operations for Parallel Capital Partners for our Honolulu portfolio. Those earlier experiences provided clarity on a lot of what I do today. I’m able to use those skills to improve and expand on efficiencies that greatly benefit our properties, employees and tenants. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Time is short, but my focus in the next 10 years will be to continue to find ways to give back. I come from nothing, and I want to leave this world a better place. Currently, I serve Special Olympics Hawai‘i as a board member, and am serving the second year of a two-year term as the Governing Chair of Voyager Public Charter School. For the Special Olympics, I help to organize a fundraising team called Drop808 that rappels off the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa every November foran event called Over The Edge. Raising those funds assists SOH directly in its mission of using sports, health, education and leadership programs to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
A N N I V E R S A R Y
Q & A
For Voyager, many people in the community don’t realize that a charter school is actually a public school, and as a public school, tuition is free to all residents of the state of Hawai‘i. The purpose of charter schools under Hawai‘i Education Laws is to offer parents choices within the public school system. A significant advantage of Voyager is the freedom from traditional constraints that discourage innovation in regular public schools, in regards to creation of a curriculum, hiring staff and personalizing the educational experience for each child. In short, what both provide to the community is important, and I want to continue helping these organizations in their missions. What are some words of advice for an exit strategy? Time does not stop for anyone, so leaving a lasting impact once we're gone is important to me. I’m truly blessed with a loving wife, friends, and excellent career that is rewarding. I’ve been down the path of residential and commercial real estate for the last 23 years. I started my career as a security guard in 1998, and am now a Regional Vice President of Operations and licensed real estate broker for Parallel Capital Partners Hawai‘i. I attribute my success to hard work, commitment to excellence, and working with people who are as passionate about their jobs as I am. The best advice I can give anyone is to work hard and surround yourself with people that mirror and support your goals. I’m definitely not done. I want to continue finding ways to attract tenants and grow our business in Hawai‘i. We are fortunate to have some of the best tenants in the Honolulu market at Davies Pacific Center, Waterfront Plaza and Waikīkī Marketplace. We take pride in staying ahead of our competition in the services we provide, and will continue to find innovative ways that allow our tenants to operate their businesses efficiently in our spaces. How have you grown and pivoted in the past five years? Being adaptable in a never-ending, constantly changing work environment. Embrace change; it is constant, and how we react to it is what will define us and keep us competitive. We're only here for a short time, so enjoy the journey.
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C O NN ECTIO N S
NETWORK.
EDUCATE.
CELEBRATE.
Pacific Edge Magazine celebrates their first business networking soiree of the year at the White Sands Hotel on July 18, 2021. Thanks to Kualoa Ranch for the amazing pūpū!
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C O N N ECTIONS Former PEM Young Professional Feature, Lauren Chun, celebrates 10 years of business.
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C O NN ECTIO N S
NETWORK.
EDUCATE.
CELEBRATE.
C O N N ECTIONS The first ever, Pacific Edge Magazine's Women in Business television show.
Program rebroadcasts at 9/13 @ 7:30pm and will streamed live on Pacfic Edge Magazine Facebook.
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