Hawaii Business Magazine April 2024

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At HFA, we invest in the personal and professional development of our team members. Our development programs support their individual pursuits of becoming the best version of themselves, both inside and outside of work. Life is short, and work should be a place where individuals feel valued, respected, seen, and acknowledged. What we’ve discovered is that when people feel valued, have opportunities for growth, and possess a strong sense of belonging, we all grow together! We are on a mission to make generational changes.

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CONTENTS

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Temperatures Up, Sometimes Dangerously So People in treeless, low-income areas on O‘ahu, such as this stretch of Mō‘ili‘ili, suffer most in heatwaves. Federal funds are now flowing in to help expand the urban tree canopy and cool the city.

Nonprofit Helps Moms with Breastfeeding, Sleep and More Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition provides access to maternal health care and education for mothers and children.

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Prince Hawaii Wants to Manage Hotels Beyond Those It Owns The new strategy comes as its Japanbased parent company pursues an asset-light strategy that it believes is a more durable business model.

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Actors Help Nursing Students Learn to Care for Real Patients In “My Job,” Alex Munro tells how his training in directing and performance helps him lead simulations that advance nurses’ training.

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2024’s Best Places to Work: 78 Companies Make the Cut Find who led the way in each category and how two Best Places take extra steps to recruit and retain their employees despite major challenges.

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Want Your Fleet to Save Gas? JDM Hawaii has an Answer In our “Parting Shot,” a brief look at a company that imports used Japanese mini trucks with fuel-efficient threecylinder engines.

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Building a Healthier Future Together Kaiser Permanente addresses Maui’s mental health needs and forms nonprofit partnerships to increase food security in the Islands.

15 Best Places to Work Profiles Learn more about how select companies have created workplaces where employees are engaged and committed.

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PHOTO: AARON YOSHINO

Dire Consequences Nationwide When Local Journalism Dies Staff Writer and Engagement Editor Noelle Fujii-Oride writes about the immense value in last month’s report on the lives of local Filipinos.

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“Our employees are like family.

It’s very important that they have the best health care possible.”

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Why Local Journalism Matters The response to this magazine’s recent story on Filipinos in Hawai‘i illustrates why our work is integral to healthy, informed communities

BY NO ELLE FUJII-O RIDE

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N THE MARCH PRINT ISSUE AND ONLINE start-

ing Feb. 21, Hawaii Business Magazine published a story by staff writer Chavonnie Ramos highlighting the struggles, achievements and goals of 10 local Filipinos. Although Filipinos now make up the second largest ethnic group in the Islands, they continue to be underrepresented in higher education and many professional fields.

In her thoughtful and inspirational article, Ramos, who is a proud Filipina, tells the stories of people who have broken down barriers to achieve more visibility, more opportunities and more success for themselves and their community.

She digs into the history and trends of Hawai‘i’s Filipino population, too.

Within hours of her story being published online, Ramos was inundated with emails from readers. Many expressed gratitude for her story, saying it encouraged them to reflect on the progress Filipinos have made and that it gave them optimism for their community’s future.

Su Lazo, director of the Filipino Community Center and president of JCI Hawaii, gave us permission to share some of her emailed comments: “Mahalo for writing the article and more importantly, adding another reason for Filipinos to feel proud of their heritage, feel less alone in their struggles, and see what’s possible for them here at home.”

A NATIONAL CRISIS

Ramos’ article and the response to it illustrate another reason why journalism matters – especially local journalism.

You’ve probably heard about the layoffs that have plagued American journalism. They’re nothing new as print, digital and broadcast organizations continue to struggle financially, but in January alone over 500 journalists lost their jobs, according to the job market consulting firm of Challenger, Gray and Christmas. In all of 2023, the news industry lost nearly 2,700 jobs, the firm said.

Another report, this one specifically focused on newspapers, highlights another grim statistic: The U.S. lost an average of 2.5 newspapers per week in 2023, according to Northwestern University’s Medill School for Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications.

The local media landscape looks dire, too. At press time, the corporate owner of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and its papers on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island was undergoing a court-supervised restructuring and preparing to sell. Their 6

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staffs have shrunk dramatically in recent years and all publish much fewer of their own stories than a decade ago.

The Maui News, which is owned by a different corporation, was for sale, too. And you probably noticed that the print editions of Hawaii Business and its sister publications have also gotten smaller.

JOURNALISM NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT

While the future of the journalism industry looks exceedingly uncertain, a future without journalism is even grimmer. Local communities suffer when on-the-ground reporters disappear and there’s no one to hold politicians and decisionmakers accountable. And because the society we live in is experiencing increasing inequality and polarization, the misinformation and disinformation that rapidly spread on social media often reinforce divisions and longstanding prejudices.

Local communities need reporting that is diligently researched, gives community members the nuanced information they need to make informed decisions, and accurately, respectfully and fairly includes marginalized and underrepresented voices. Journalism has the power to help increase understanding of different perspectives and opinions, dismantle stereotypes and stigmas, and encourage constructive, rather than combative, dialogues.

There are some bright spots in the journalism industry, like new nonprofit journalism organizations that have popped up around the country. But being a nonprofit is not a panacea. Regardless of its business model, journalism needs community support to survive.

Community support must go beyond wishes and prayers. If you believe in the importance of journalism, invest money in it through subscriptions, advertising, donations or other means. If local journalism disappears, Hawai‘i and its people will suffer.

NOELLE FUJII-ORIDE, STAFF WRITER AND ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

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noellef@hawaiibusiness.com Staff Writer CHAVONNIE RAMOS chavonnier@hawaiibusiness.com Copy Editor ELROY GARCIA Design & Photography Art Director MALLORY ADAMS-NAKAMURA malloryan@hawaiibusiness.com Contributing Designer KELSEY IGE Contributing Designer AMY LOWE Staff Photographer AARON YOSHINO Digital Digital Director RANDALL LIBRAMONTE randalll@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7531 Digital Media Specialist MICHELLE TAN michellet@hawaiibusiness.com Sales & Marketing Co-Publisher KENT COULES kentc@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 364-5869 Account Executive PAM SAITO pamelas@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 364-5897 Account Executive YONGCHAE SONG yongchaes@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 228-5078 Senior Account Coordinator REBECCA BROOKING rebeccab@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7560 Events Manager MAGDALENA DURAK HERSHEY magdalenad@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7578 Events Coordinator OLIVIA DE SENA oliviad@hawaiibusiness.com Circulation circulation@pacificbasin.net

Chairman DUANE KURISU Chief Executive Officer SUSAN EICHOR Chief Operating Officer BRANDON KURISU Chief Revenue Officer PATRICK KLEIN

NAME: ALEX MUNRO JOB:

HEALTHCAST PROGRAM MANAGER, UH MĀNOA

Alex Munro with actress Jill Jackson 10

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PH OTO BY M A R K G A L A C G A C

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Actors Help Nursing Students Learn to Care for Real Patients

BY A IMEE WICKLER

BEGINNINGS: Alex Munro completed his undergraduate education at Roanoke College in Virginia and earned his Master of Fine Arts in directing and doctorate in performance studies at UH Mānoa.

Munro has been program manager for HealthCast, a collaboration between the Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing and Department of Theatre + Dance, since its inception at UH Mānoa in 2013.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY: In the program, actors pose as patients to give nursing students the chance to deal with situations they might face in their careers, Munro says.

“A lot of health care institutions use simulation to bridge classroom learning and caring for actual patients. Here at the simulation center, students get to practice their skills, see what they’re doing well and learn from mistakes.”

Most of the time, nursing students practice with mannequins.

However, certain social and emotional scenarios require humans to simulate person-to-person interactions, Munro says.

FULFILLING WORK: “It’s really awesome when you’re in the room as the simulated patient, as the actor, and you can see in real time when those learning moments go off with the nursing students,” he says.

After every simulation performance there is a debrief, where nursing students reflect on what they did well or not so well, and ac-

tors can give feedback, which Munro says the students crave.

“We’ve had a lot of actors come through and have tapped into a more truthful emotional pool in their acting. So many say they can’t cry on the spot or have trouble conveying grief or pain, and then 15 seconds into the performance they are sobbing and sniffling. There is something about simulation performance that really helps actors become more confident in their abilities.”

CHALLENGES: Munro says a constant

challenge is scheduling. HealthCast does simulations every week and the current pool of actors is made up primarily of students, so it takes a lot of coordination to accommodate classes, shows, homework, jobs and other demands on their time.

DAY IN THE LIFE: Some days Munro

runs rehearsals, brings new actors onboard, gives tours of the center, provides performance feedback and supports actors. Other days he is learning how to use cameras and edit videos now that UH has received a grant to support simulation learning in the Pacific Islands.

IMPORTANCE: Sometimes simulation

requires actors to play roles in deeply emotional scenarios, like ending life support for a spouse, so the program likes to get ice cream to cheer them up afterward.

Munro says that in one ice cream debriefing with the actors, a professor popped in and said: “I really want to

thank you for sharing your time, talent and willingness to go there for our students because you are helping people you will never meet. Because you went there today, our doctors, nurses, spiritual care providers and social workers are better prepared to help families who are going through this.”

Munro adds: “These are some of the best performances we’ll never see. Simulation is confidential and just for a handful of students, but because of that experience, health care students are going to do better work when they are with their clients and in the community.”

ADDING ELEMENTS: “We’re starting to go beyond just our actors and our theater and dance students. We now partner with our makeup students who help do things like old-age makeup and wounds to make simulation more realistic. We also partner with our scenic design students who create new props for some scenarios and deepen the relationship between theater, dance and nursing.”

HealthCast next plans to support simulations at UH West O‘ahu and Leeward Community College.

GET INVOLVED: While most actors in

simulations are students, HealthCast does recruit from the community to provide the program with more diversity and authentic representation.

Those interested can email Munro at abmunro@hawaii.edu to learn more.

THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR CL ARITY AND CONCISENESS.

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Nonprofit Helps Moms and Babies with Everything from Prenatal Care to Breastfeeding and Sleep

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EALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES Coa-

lition of Hawaii is a nonprofit that provides access to maternal health care and education for mothers and children.

Tanya Smith-Johnson, the organization’s policy director, says HMHB’s mission has been the same since its founding in 1992: to help underprivi-

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leged mothers and at-risk newborns.

“We believe in a child’s right to be born healthy and raised in a safe and nurturing environment,” says Smith-Johnson, who’s also director of the nonprofit’s community-based doula program. She says the group strives to provide equal access to quality health care and to eliminate health disparities. Respect for diversity is key, she says, and so is educating families to make healthy choices.

HMHB’s Hawaii Cribs for Kids program has guided 1,200 families on safe sleeping practices for their children.

The curriculum includes education on risk factors and how to create a safe sleep environment. And parents learn the importance of tracking their baby’s health throughout the first year of life, and gain insight into infant crying, which can help reduce infant abuse.

Upon completion of the course, each

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HEALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES COALITION OF HAWAII

BY AUSTIN BO URCIER

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“I DON’T KNOW WHERE I’D BE WITHOUT THEM.” —Colleen Veasey, mother and beneficiary of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies

Donated diapers being distributed on Maui for wildfire survivors.

Healthy Mothers Heathy Babies shipped its mobile clinic from O‘ahu to Maui after the Lahaina fire to bring families pre-natal and post-natal care and supplies.

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family receives a free Graco Pack ‘n Play portable playpen.

“It’s one of those things we use for everything,” says mother Colleen Veasey. “We use it as the crib for my baby.

It’s his primary sleeping spot. That was a huge help.”

In another program, Piko Pals, new parents meet in small groups to share their experiences. Smith-Johnson says parents can often learn from each other, while gaining emotional support and reducing social isolation.

T h e Ma n a Ma m a p ro g ra m i s HMHB’s holistic approach to maternal care. Clinical services, including prenatal care, contraception services, pregnancy testing and counseling, and basic infertility services, are provided to mothers

by HMHB’s staff. Clients can also learn about pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, lactation, and wellness.

Veasey says the lactation consultant she worked with through HMHB was incredibly helpful with breastfeeding. “When breastfeeding wasn’t going super well and I was getting stressed out, I got a lactation consultant through them, certified, and my insurance covered it,” she says.

“Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies will help women get a lot of these services covered through their insurance. I wouldn’t know how to get any of these things covered by insurance, or even know they were covered by insurance, if it weren’t for HMHB.” After the Lahaina fire, HMHB shifted more resources to help families on Maui.

From day one, Smith-Johnson says, “we were able to immediately get supplies and our team on the ground to help out.”

Necessities such as baby wipes, formula, food and diapers were provided and HMHB’s mobile clinic, typically located on O‘ahu, was shipped to Maui.

The mobile clinic gave “us the ability to be mobile and reach displaced people and get them care and supplies,” says Smith-Johnson.

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Building a Healthier Future Together Kaiser Permanente is working to help address Maui’s mental health needs and forms nonprofit partnerships to increase food security in the Islands.

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Kaiser Permanente staff offered Educational Theatre workshops at Lahaina Intermediate School. From left to right: Billoah Greene, Ruffy Landayan, Joseph Zavala, Johanna Auxais, and Shanna Beauchamp-Hill.

Maui Mental Health Relief How Kaiser Permanente and local nonprofits are working to help Maui families with keiki take care of their mental health.

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ental health support is a top concern on the island of Maui. Though the Lahaina fire occurred eight months ago, the grief and emotional effects from the disaster have taken their toll on survivors, who are still healing.

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Hawai‘i nonprofits are working together to support Maui residents and their keiki, who are experiencing psychological distress, such as stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the wildfires.

“Our goal is to support every keiki

who has been impacted by the fires, which number in the thousands,” says Nicholas Winfrey, president and chief professional officer of Maui United Way. “We understood the mental health aspect is one of the key focal points that the community has to work on, especially as you look into the future with addiction and suicide rates increasing after disasters.”

Maui United Way’s program focuses on filling in the gaps of support for keiki survivors by bringing in licensed practitioners to have

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conversations with the children at the hotels where they are staying and at after school programs, then getting them the help they need. It is also bringing in additional support for teachers so that they can understand and identify who needs help.

“When we collaborate with partners like Kaiser Permanente, they’re working hand in hand with us,” says Winfrey. Both Kaiser Permanente and Maui United Way look outside of the box to find ways to compound efforts.

The intent is to help as many people as possible. “What we want to do is just empower them,” he says.

Social emotional development Among the Maui nonprofits rising to meet the needs of keiki is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui. Its Lahaina clubhouse has been closed since the fire, but the organization has been providing outreach activities to West Maui youth through mobile and pop-up services.

Moving from a park to a hotel lobby and a school, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui modified its services to emphasize social emotional development activities, like outdoor recreation, to support physical and mental well-being.

“For many families, these outreach efforts served as the only free, fun, and safe activities available for youth on the West Side, allowing kids to just be kids and giving parents some peace of mind that their keiki were wellcared for in a desperate and hectic time,” says Ashley Mason, director of impact and development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui.

Kaiser Permanente supported the West Maui outreach services, specifically the Halona Kai Satellite Club Site at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Kā‘anapali through Thanksgiving and the temporary site currently at Lahaina Intermediate School. The assistance has allowed the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui to reinstate after-school programming, and create fun events, such as the Keiki Fest.

“The staff, programs, and activities have been my safe place, the one constant in my world of relentless change,” says youth Christopher Leslie of the Lahaina Club.

Mason said the West Maui outreach operations have served 622 youths. It continues to serve West Maui youth every day, after school at Lahaina Intermediate.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente brought its national Educational Theatre program to Lahaina Interme-

“Our goal is to support every keiki that has been impacted by the fires, which number in the thousands...”

– NICHOL AS WINFREY,

President and Chief Professional Officer of Maui United Way

diate School students and staff for six workshops. The 40-year-old Educational Theatre program uses theater and social emotional arts, such as drumming, as a tool to help children, teens, and adults to make informed decisions about their health.

The Educational Theatre team gave small workshops with Lahaina Intermediate School teachers and school staff, covering stress awareness, regulation, and how to apply it to the classroom setting. Then they conducted experiential workshops with students and staff together sitting in a circle.

“Each student is given an instrument of some type and the way that we keep interest up is through drum

Servicing All of West Maui After the wildfires and following the loss of its Lahaina Clinic, Kaiser Permanente shipped two mobile health vehicles to provide health care and first aid for members and nonmembers in West Maui.

The vehicles are operating out of the Royal Lahaina Hotel.

“They’re taking everybody,” says Ailene Schwartzlow, medical social worker for Kaiser Permanente. The patients don't need to have Kaiser Permanente health coverage, or any insurance for that matter. The mobile health vehicles offer mental health and psychiatry services, pediatric care, lab work, follow-up care, and any nonemergent service.

“We're also planning on opening temporary clinic modules this Spring,” Schwartzlow says. The modules will be located in Kā‘anapali and increase the amount of help that can be given to the community.

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facilitation,” said Shanna Beauchamp-Hill, program supervisor for the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre. “It’s not a drumming class or anything like that, but we utilize the drum as a nonverbal tool to get students talking about their feelings and learning different regulation activities.”

Beauchamp-Hill said they taught the students how to identify and redirect thought. They also worked with gratitude and had a lot of breathing activities.

“When we’re in the room with our participants, our students, our wonderful teachers, you can really feel the energy,” said Beauchamp-Hill. “You can really hear and see and feel the impact happening.”

Parents needing a support system for themselves and their children can turn to Surfing Moms, a national nonprofit locally formed in 2021, that connects moms, or any male or female caregiver, with other moms and their children.

The Surfing Moms are paired with another surfing mom and they split a two-hour surf session. One parent paddles out, while the other watches the kids, and then they swap turns.

It has an active group on Maui and is waiving all costs for participants for one year.

“What it does is it really creates this community of people who are there all to show up for one another,” said Elizabeth Madin, founder and president of Surfing Moms. “There’s someone there [and the] whole reason they’re there is to help you take care of yourself, and to

help you take care of your children.”

Kaiser Permanente awarded Surfing Moms a grant to launch its program in 2024 and it will be used to create wraparound services for the mothers and children. “We’ll also be providing one-on-one counseling services through the generous grant from Kaiser Permanente with licensed Hawai‘i-based counselors,” said Michelle Gorham Dasic, strategy and development leader for Surfing Moms.

Also this year, Surfing Moms is offering two surf therapy cohorts. This provides caregivers some time with a trained surf therapist, who uses the ocean and therapy to support healing.

“Another thing that I think is quite important is having the children see the mothers, or the parents, engaging in self-care and looking after themselves and keeping themselves fit and healthy,” said Madin. “That sets a really good example for the children.”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE SURFING MOMS

Surfing Moms brings two parents, or caregivers, together so that one can surf while the other takes care of the kids on shore.

Caring for parents

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Caring for our community In 2023, Kaiser Permanente funded more than $3.9 million in grants to Hawai‘i nonprofit community-based organizations.

This includes $2.2 million in grants and employee giving to help aid the Maui disaster relief efforts. Distribution of funding was divided amongst the following key areas:

FOOD INSECURITY

$723,000

Tackling Food Insecurity HELPING PEOPLE ESCAPE POVERTY

$485,000

HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING

$715,000

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE HAWAII FOODBANK

IMPROVING CARE ACCESS

$358,000

MAUI DISASTER RELIEF

$2,200,000

The many innovative ways nonprofits are making healthy food more accessible.

H

unger is a persistent issue in Hawai‘i that exists in every county.

In total, there are 170,970 people facing hunger in the Islands, according to Feeding America, and 54,180 are children.

Kaiser Permanente is addressing food insecurity through a number of grants to nonprofits, who have found innovative and progressive ways to make healthy food more accessible to people.

“Food insecurity is so highly correlated with all these negative health outcomes, like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We want to be the healthy option,” said Amy Miller, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Foodbank.

The Hawai‘i Foodbank’s Farm to Food Bank program is a unique way to save and distribute food that would have otherwise been discarded. It pays for the costs associated with harvesting crops

in cases where a farmer doesn’t feel it makes economic sense to take it to the retail market.

“We have a grant through the USDA for the Farm to Food Bank program and it requires a 100% match,” said Miller. “I think this is the third year in a row Kaiser Permanente has come in with a 100% match. It really helps to have a partner in the community like Kaiser Permanente that we can really count on.”

Last year, through all of its programs, the Hawai‘i Foodbank distributed 19.5 million pounds of food. “No matter what your economic status is, everyone should have access to safe and healthy food,” said Miller.

Long-Term Support The Maui Hub also works with local farmers through its online marketplace. The nonprofit organization gives farmers and

K A I S E R PE R M A N E N T E

19

SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

The Hawai‘i Health Access Program (HHAP), a no-

cost health care plan completely underwritten by

Roots Reborn partnered with the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, which examined the impact of wildfire toxins on people, to ensure minority groups were represented in the assessment.

ranchers a place to sell products directly to local people in hopes that it will help them increase food production.

“The other part of the mission is to make sure that the food produced and sold through Maui Hub is not just for the wealthy, that it’s accessible to all Maui residents, including our most vulnerable,” says Autumn Ness, president of Maui Hub. Following the Maui fires, Maui Hub rolled out a Long-Term Fire Relief Nutrition Program supported from the start by Kaiser Permanente. It gives Lahaina families credits every month to use in the online store, where they can shop for locally grown fresh produce and local meats.

“That support lasts for a year so they have the confidence to know that they can be fed with good food and it’s, mentally, really amazing to know that your community has got

20

A PR I L 2 0 24

Kaiser Permanente, was introduced in late 2023 to help Maui residents who were unable to get any other health coverage.

“HHAP members pay no monthly premium or outof-pocket costs for most covered services at Kaiser Permanente facilities,” says Ailene Schwartzlow, medical social worker for Kaiser Permanente. “The program was help-

ful to our undocumented members in our community.”

Roots Reborn Lahaina, a Mauibased community hub for immigrants impacted by the fires, found a high success rate for all of its applications to the program, and was able to enroll 127 individuals. “It’s an incredible program and we knew that the folks that we serve, specifically our undocumented

you,” says Ness.

The nonprofit organization Feed the Hunger Fund provides loans to smaller, often overlooked small food entrepreneurs in the Islands. Last year, it loaned $2.5 million to Hawai‘i entrepreneurs. Feed the Hunger Fund was also able to offer grants to these small businesses, using funds provided

by Kaiser Permanente.

“Our loans are really meant to go to low-income small businesses who are left out of the financial markets, and they don’t have access to the capital to either start businesses, or to grow their businesses, and they don’t necessarily have the technical assistance, or someone they can count on to run their business plans by,” says Patti Chang, CEO of Feed the Hunger Fund.

“That’s what I think is the secret sauce of our organization,” she adds.

“We’re there for these businesses pre-loan, even before we make a loan, and post-loan, which can be up to five years.”

In response to the Maui fires, Feed the Hunger Fund created a new campaign called the Maui Build Back Stronger Small Business Grant Program, which sent support to 47 small businesses – and it will soon be

community, would be eligible,” says Veronica Mendoza Jachowski, co-founder and executive director for Roots Reborn Lahaina.

“A lot of those folks that got health insurance, they were getting health coverage for the first time,” Jachowski says.

“The impact that it’s having and will have, we can’t even begin to quantify.”

helping more. “If the time comes for some of them to decide that they want to start again, or that they want to start in a different manner, they know that we’re there for them,” says Chang.

Targeting Kūpuna The King Lunalilo Trust utilizes a community association to identify kūpuna who are food insecure on the West Side of O‘ahu, from Kapolei to Mākaha. Beneficiaries are not required to apply to receive help.

“We have worked with the Hawaiian Homestead Associations to identify kūpuna,” says Keolamaikalani Dean, CEO of the King Lunalilo Trust.

“The requirements are simply that the community identifies that the kupuna needs hot meals.”

The local-style meals are at no cost, and are delivered by volunteers.

Since the program began in August 2023, it has delivered 11,000 meals for 265 kupuna.

“Kaiser Permanente awarded us $75,000 to provide hot meals delivered to kūpuna experiencing food insecurity,” says Dean. “Our kūpuna meal delivery program is only the first step in our plans to serve more kūpuna on the West Side of O‘ahu.”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROOTS REBORN LAHAINA

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H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

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•

THE HEAT IS

RISING MORE TREES IN HONOLULU.

WILL HELP COOL IT OFF.

by CYNTHIA W ES S EN D OR F photography by AAR ON YOS H IN O

- 22 -

HAWAI‘I ORGANIZATIONS WERE AWARDED $42.6 MILLION

IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO EXPAND THE URBAN TREE CANOPY. SOME NEIGHBORHOODS NEED IT MORE THAN OTHERS.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

23

Heather McMillen, coordinator of the state Kaulunani community and urban forestry program, says: “Trees are not beautification. Trees aren’t nice to do. This is critical infrastructure, and it needs to be part of the planning process.”

•

O

n the hottest day ever recorded in Honolulu – Aug. 31, 2019 – a group of volunteers organized by the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency attached heat sensors to their cars and collected readings around O‘ahu.

THE PR OJECT’S TIMING JUST HAPPENED TO COINCIDE with

the oppressive weather, brought on by a record-breaking marine heat wave that was cooking up the waters around the Islands.

The volunteers recorded startling discrepancies. While the air temperature hit a high of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the “heat index,” which also factors in humidity, reached 107.3 degrees, logged at the Waimalu Plaza shopping center between 3 and 4 p.m.

That was more than 22 degrees higher than the coolest temperature on O‘ahu recorded that hour.

This commercial stretch of ‘Aiea is one of the city’s many “urban heat islands,” where buildings, rooftops and pavement absorb the sunlight and

re-radiate it as heat. Few trees are around to cool the area by blocking and reflecting the sun, or, in a process called evapotranspiration, releasing water into the atmosphere through their leaves.

And there’s another layer of heat to consider. The heat index is measured in shade. But the tropical sun can dramatically heat surfaces, making a sunbaked sidewalk or parking lot significantly hotter.

John DeLay, an associate professor of geography and environment at Honolulu Community College, measured temperatures in direct sunlight and under the thick canopy of a monkeypod tree at Makalapa Neighborhood Park near Pearl Harbor. While the air temperatures in the shade and sun were nearly identical, surfaces in the shade were 12 degrees cooler.

“That’s why you’re feeling a significant difference in your body temperature,” he says.

About 1 million people live on O‘ahu, most in developed areas that are prone to the urban heat-island effect. Pockets of high heat and low vegetation can be found all along the coastal plains of O‘ahu and the Leeward Side, including

in Pearl City, Waipahu, Kapolei, and Wai‘anae.

In the core of Honolulu, low-lying neighborhoods get dangerously hot, as shown by the dark red areas of the O‘ahu Community Heat Map. At these hot spots – stretching from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to residential areas hugging Wai‘alae Avenue in Kaimukī – afternoon temperatures on that extremeheat day in 2019 reached 99.7 degrees and higher.

Jammed with apartment buildings and tightly packed houses, many of the trees and gardens in these dense urban areas have been cut down and paved over for parking.

Municipal “street trees,” wedged into small plots of dirt along sidewalks, can have short lives and stunted H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

25

• growth, with little chance of developing the thick, sprawling canopies of mature shower trees blossoming in a park.

Tree canopy maps created in 2022 by the state’s urban forestry program, Kaulunani, along with the U.S. Forest Service, show that in neighborhoods such as Kalihi, McCully-Mō‘ili‘ili, Kapahulu and the makai side of Waikīkī, and parts of Kaimukī and Pālolo, tree-canopy coverage is less than 8% and as low as 2% – far less than the city’s goal of 35% coverage.

Honolulu’s overall canopy coverage is estimated at 20%.

These neighborhoods are also some of the most disadvantaged parts of the city, as shown on the multilayered canopy map depicting income levels. Median household incomes in many of these areas fall in the lowest ranges – from $25,000 to $57,000 or from $57,000 to $76,000 – according to data from the 2015-2020 American Community Survey.

But travel south to north, into the cooler, often greener neighborhoods at higher elevations, and income levels tend to rise precipitously, a historical pattern that began in the 19th century as those with means moved out of the hot, congested town that had coalesced around the harbor.

HEAT IS A PUBLICHEALTH CRISIS

“T

hose over-paved areas that don’t have sufficient tree canopy are going to be the hottest,” Brad Romine of the Honolulu Climate Change Commission says.

Romine, a coastal resilience specialist with the UH Sea Grant College Program and deputy director of the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, has worked with the five-member commission to develop guidelines 26

A PR I L 2 0 2 4

that track the impact of urban heat and recommend ways for city and state officials to deal with it.

Average temperatures in Hawai‘i have risen 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1950, and about 3.5 degrees at the Honolulu airport, according to Matthew Gonser, chief resilience officer and executive director of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. Much of that rise has been in the past decade, and near-future projections show it will get hotter.

In a heat wave like the one in 2019, when trade winds collapse and humidity rises, the heat can be punishing on the body.

Dr. Diana Felton, head of the state Department of Health’s Communicable Diseases and Public Health Nursing Division, says that vulnerable people will bear the brunt of the impact of intense heat: the elderly and children, outdoor workers, people with chronic health conditions, and those who can’t afford air conditioning or access health care.

Felton is a lead member of a new DOH working group that’s studying the local health impacts of extreme heat, floods, drought, wildfires, mosquito-borne illnesses and five other climate threats illustrated on a circular chart that Felton calls, with dark humor, “the pinwheel of death.”

The Climate Change and Health Working Group was formed to expand climate-change planning beyond sea-level rise and protecting

••

“WE HAVE SEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN HOT DAYS AND WARM NIGHTS. … IT’S ONE OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS, IN-OURFACE RESULTS OF USING DIRTY FOSSIL ENERGY AND THE RESULTING CLIMATE CHANGES.” MATTHEW GONSER CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HONOLULU OFFICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY

infrastructure, she says. “No one was talking about the disease and injury that is going to come from climate change, and has actually already come.”

Felton is working with the group to gather evidence of how heat is impacting health in Hawai‘i, and is still sifting through data. But one fact is well documented across the globe: Fatalities rise when the heat index reaches 95 degrees – which can be air temperature of 90 degrees and humidity of 50%, for example – for an extended period.

“The longer the heat wave goes on, you have increased mortality,” explained Dr. Elizabeth Keifer, an assistant clinical professor at UH Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, at a seminar in January.

Romine says that urban Honolulu could experience intolerable heat in just a few decades. “I think we could surpass 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming by midcentury, and that’s only going to exacerbate heat waves,” he says. “What that means is more frequent and severe heat emergencies.”

At Honolulu’s Division of Urban Forestry, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, new administrator Roxanne Adams says her groundskeepers have switched to long-sleeved, high-visibility Dri-Fit uniforms that don’t require the extra layer of a safety vest. She plans to buy cooling neck wraps to supplement the ice water that work crews carry in their trucks.

“They notice the heat. We all notice that it’s hotter and drier than when we were kids,” Adams says.

“We’re not going crazy when we say, oh my gosh, it’s not as comfortable to sleep anymore,” Gonser echoes. “We have seen a marked increase in hot days and warm nights. … It’s one of the most conspicuous, in-our-face results of using dirty fossil energy and the resulting climate changes.”

Monkeypod trees line Kapi‘olani Boulevard from Atkinson Drive to South Street in Honolulu, offering shade to pedestrians. The entire grove is recognized and protected as “exceptional trees.”

FEDERAL FUNDS TO EXPAND THE CANOPY

I

n November, $42.6 million in competitive federal grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and administered by the U.S. Forest Service, was awarded to Hawai‘i groups to provide “equitable access to trees.” In raw dollars, only California, New York and Oregon received more money than Hawai‘i, and in terms of funding per resident, Hawai‘i topped the list.

“It just shows how ready people are to take on this kind of work. … I feel like in five years we’re going to look back and say, wow, this was an amazing time,” says Heather McMillen, an urban

and community forester.

McMillen heads the state’s Kaulunani program, an urban and community forestry initiative at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Her small office distributes grant money, does outreach and education, and partners with the city, state and nonprofit sector to improve the health and viability of Hawai‘i’s trees.

Kaulunani received a $2 million competitive grant from the U.S. Forest Service, and is launching a project to plant shade trees at select Title 1 schools, where at least 47% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

McMillen says that if you look at all public school campuses, and extend the footprint to include a half-mile buffer around the school, only 21% would meet the minimum goal of 30% tree canopy. But among the 67% of schools that are designated Title 1, or 197 schools, just 14% have these fuller canopies – an example of disparities in who has access to the cooling benefits of trees.

The project also involves creating a school forester position to work with teachers and staff on

maintaining the trees. “Planting the trees is the easy part. Helping them grow to their full potential … is a much longer-term commitment,” McMillen says.

Other groups receiving funding include the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests and the Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, both on Hawai‘i Island, and various county, state and UH Mānoa projects.

The largest U.S. Forest Service award in Hawai‘i, at $20 million, went to Kupu, a 17-year-old nonprofit that has trained thousands of young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, for jobs in conservation and natural resource management. In the process, its teams have cleared about 150,000 acres of invasive species and planted 1.5 million native specimens.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

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AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX = 99.7 - 107.3

= 94.5 - 95.5

= 98.4 - 99.6

= 93.0 - 94.4

= 97.5 - 98.3

= 91.1 - 92.9

= 96.6 - 97.4

= 88.6 - 91.0

= 95.6 - 96.5

= 85.1 - 88.5

CEO and co-founder John Leong explains that most of the $20 million grant will be re-granted to other groups in Hawai‘i and the Pacific region over the next five years, with Kupu providing technical expertise. The application process is expected to open in the second quarter of 2024.

In the world of urban forestry, the Kupu grant is a huge amount of money. For comparison, Hawai‘i’s 2023 state allocation for urban and community forestry from the U.S. Forest Service is $1.5 million. Many people interviewed for this article say they’re eager to find out who will win sub-grants from Kupu and what projects will be funded.

The broad theme of the federal grant is to expand the tree canopy and cool down places 28

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O‘AHU COMMUNITY HEAT MAP IDENTIFYING URBAN “HOT SPOTS” WAS DEVELOPED BY THE HONOLULU OFFICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY. BASED ON PEAK AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES RECORDED ON AUG. 31, 2019. THE FULL ISLANDWIDE MAP CAN BE FOUND AT TINYURL.COM/OAHUHEATMAP.

where people live, but the finer details require projects to benefit underserved areas. Projects linked to creating green jobs and engaging communities in planning and decision-making are also prioritized.

Kupu’s mission lands at the intersection of all those goals. Leong says it will seek out organizations that will bring trees to “under-resourced” areas, both urban and rural, and build up a workforce of arborists and conservation workers.

He’s especially focused on training and educating, both for those doing the work and the broader community that benefits from more trees, more jobs, and an understanding of how climate change will impact them and what they can do about it.

“When you educate a young person, you’re really impacting about seven people: their parents, their grandparents and their siblings,” he says.

In the fight against climate change, “We have all the right stuff in our Islands to be a model for the rest of the world,” Leong says. “But we also have to engage communities at the grassroots level, empower them and give them the resources they need on the ground to be successful. That’s really what this grant is about.”

WHY TREES ARE IMPORTANT n 2016, the nonprofit Smart Trees Pacific released the dispiriting results of its urban tree-canopy analysis.

Nearly 5% of the tree canopy, or about 76,600 trees, had disappeared in a fouryear span. The consensus among experts is that things haven’t improved since then.

Trees are cut to make way for larger houses or more parking space for multifamily homes.

They’re cut because they’re old, and then not replaced, or because it’s easier to remove a tree that’s interfering with a sidewalk or utility project than to work around it.

I

•

They’re cut because a homeowner is worried about liability. And many times, they’re cut because someone wants a better view or just can’t deal with the rubbish.

“It’s death by a thousand cuts,” says McMillen from the state’s Kaulunani program.

No one tree-removal project accounted for a significant portion of the loss, she says, and it’s happening on both public and private land.

Gonser, from the city’s climate change office, says street trees are sometimes destroyed maliciously. That’s an added insult when you consider all the nurturing required in a tree’s first few years, before it’s planted in the ground, and “it’s vandalism of a city asset and infrastructure.”

Trees can take years, even decades, to get large enough for

their benefits to dramatically overshadow their costs.

“They cost money to maintain, as do sidewalks, as do stoplights, as do fire hydrants. But unlike that kind of infrastructure, trees are the only kind of infrastructure that increase in value over time,” McMillen says.

An analysis conducted for the city’s Division of Urban Forestry found that for every dollar spent on Honolulu’s trees, the city gets back $3 in benefits.

Estimates in many other cities show even more positive cost-benefit ratios.

On the global level, trees are called the “lungs of the world” for their ability to pull enormous quantities of carbon dioxide from the air, which they store in their trunks and branches. With the help of the sun, trees then release oxygen through their leaves.

A dramatic NASA time-lapse video shows the forests of the Northern Hemisphere sucking carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis as trillions of leaves open in the spring and summer.

The lungs metaphor goes deeper as well. For people who feel connected to trees, or just aware of their contributions, trees don’t just make life on Earth possible, they make it worth living.

Trees provide shade and cooling. They clean the air by removing pollutants, and provide food for people and habitats for birds. They protect against flooding by absorbing stormwater and help prevent beach erosion.

Trees reduce noise in the city, and traffic calms along tree-lined streets. In hot climates, their shade makes a city more walkable and bikeable.

And there are intangible benefits too, McMillen says: Trees are the “keepers of memories” for anyone who spent time playing in them as a child, and they can strengthen social connections among neighbors sharing fruit from backyard trees. They help define a place and remind us where we are on this planet.

Trees can even change cortisol levels, heart rates, breathing and mood. At the Tropical Landscape and Human Interaction Lab at UH Mānoa, students’ physiological, “preconscious” responses were captured as they viewed images of trees. Lush, green canopies triggered states of relaxation while images of canopies with their tops lopped off had the opposite effect, says Andy Kaufman, an associate professor of tropical plant and soil sciences and a landscape specialist.

For all their benefits, trees and other vegetation are often taken for granted and treated as disposable.

“Nature is so important to us, but landscaping is the first thing to be cut and the last to be addressed,” says Kaufman, who founded and runs the interaction lab. “We should embrace living in nature,” not work against it, he says.

Kaufman has seen many examples of trees

chain-sawed at the top, which lets disease and pests enter the tree and weakens the branches that grow back from the stumps.

He’s seen trees clear-cut from an ‘Ewa school’s campus, a “complete streets” project in ‘Aiea that failed to include trees, new buildings constructed with only a tiny strip for plantings, and – in an especially egregious case – miles of oleanders along the Moanalua Freeway ripped out and replaced with concrete.

The biggest challenge, Kaulunani’s McMillen explains, is to get policymakers, developers, homeowners and anyone who cares about their neighborhood to change the way they think about trees.

“Trees are not beautification.

Trees aren’t nice to do,” McMillen says. “This is critical infrastructure, and it needs to be part of the planning process, not an additional thing to do if you have funds or if you have the inclination.”

WHERE TREES ARE NEEDED MOST

T

he City and County of Honolulu’s Division of Urban Forestry can trace its roots to the Shade Tree Commission, which started in 1922 to deal with the ongoing issue of how to cool a tropical city, now getting hotter with climate change. “I would love for our city to be a city in the forest.

I’m a firm believer that trees make everything look better, cleaner and more friendly,” says Adams, the division’s administrator.

Before joining the division last year, she spent two decades overseeing the more than 4,000 trees at UH Mānoa. The campus is an accredited arboretum and includes what’s probably the nation’s largest baobab tree, which is at least 110 years old.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

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• Her new role overseeing the estimated 250,000 trees in city and county parks and public rights-of-way offers a vastly larger canvas for planting – the entire island of O‘ahu – but also far more challenges.

At the moment, Adams’ division is finishing a complete inventory of all city trees, which will let her team know exactly what trees they’re responsible for, which ones need attention first and where to plant next. The project, funded in 2022 with $300,000 in federal assistance, will be done before the end of June.

She’s also been focusing on filling vacancies that have accumulated over the past decade. Adams says her team is nearly fully staffed to do the hard physical labor of digging holes and planting trees, many of which start from seeds in the division’s nursery at Kapi‘olani Regional Park.

Once the tree inventory is complete, Adams says her goal will be to plant where shade is needed most, such as in Kalihi, Mō‘ili‘ili, Kapahulu and Kaimukī, and outward to ‘Ewa, Nānākuli and Wai‘anae.

“We’re definitely looking at equity and will be planting in those neighborhoods,” Adams says.

Kaulunani and U.S. Forest Service maps track tree canopy coverage and heat vulnerability, and also data such as median family incomes in a particular area, the presence of impervious surfaces, the prevalence of asthma and cardiovascular disease, the number of residents by census tracts and Native Hawaiian populations.

That fuller picture of which neighborhoods are being left behind – economically, environmentally, medically – seems to be shifting the conversation about where to focus efforts.

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Gonser, from the city’s climate change office, says that, over time, patterns in how a community is designed and developed “can exacerbate increasing temperatures and make it hotter in places. There really are disparities or inequities as a result of these practices. … We’re trying to make sure that we bring focused, strategic attention to those neighborhoods.”

While planting in an older neighborhood full of hardened surfaces and densely packed housing requires more effort than in more remote areas, among urban foresters, anything is possible. Their often-repeated motto is “the right tree in the right place with the right care.”

In unshaded neighborhoods, for example, sections of concrete can be removed from sidewalks to make space for plantings. Clusters of small street trees can be planted together to create a bigger canopy. For something more ambitious, car lanes could be used for planting large canopy trees, such as the monkeypods that line Kapi‘olani Boulevard from Atkinson Drive to South Street – a grove that’s been designated as one of Hawai‘i’s “exceptional trees.”

While trees can pose difficulties, those difficulties are surmountable, Kaufman from UH Mānoa says. “There are always ways to restructure roads. You can always work around trees. … Green infrastructure should be business as usual in every municipality.”

He and a team of researchers recently found that using Silva Cells – a modular, suspended pavement system developed a decade ago – is the most promising way to grow healthy street trees in Hawai‘i. Unlike other methods they tested, the roots stayed contained rather than sprawling out and up, damaging infrastructure.

He says the long-term tests were the first ever conducted in a tropical urban environment, where trees and their roots grow year-round.

It’s not a magic bullet, Kaufman explains.

But better planting techniques could help expand the canopy in some of the city’s oldest, most crowded neighborhoods, where working-class and middle-class people began moving more than a century ago, as new tram lines opened up new possibilities.

THE OLD SUBURBS

H

onolulu, like everywhere, has been defined by shifting migration and development. Through much of its history, one trend seemed clear: wealthier people congregated in the

hills or near the water, while the less affluent settled in the low-lying, hotter middle.

The first hint of a city started in the early 1800s, as whalers began stopping here for parts, provisions and rest, and a makeshift harbor settlement emerged to meet demand. By 1845, the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i had officially moved from Lahaina to a now bustling Honolulu.

Wealthy ali‘i and white settlers were the first to leave the core, says William Chapman, the interim dean of UH Mānoa’s School of Architecture and a professor of American studies, with expertise in historical preservation. They fanned out for more space, less disease and often cooler climates.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu, for example, regularly retreated to her Mānoa house, near the present-day Waioli Kitchen and Bake Shop, where she died in 1832. In 1853, the German physician William Hillebrand built a house and planted trees at the site of Foster Botanical Garden.

In 1882, Anna Rice Cooke a n d C h a r l e s Mo n t a g u e Cooke, both members of missionary families, built a home on Beretania Street, on the site where the Honolulu Museum of Art is now. When electric streetcars were introduced in 1901, and the first automobiles traversed the city’s narrow roads, large estates were constructed in the hills of Nu‘uanu Valley.

Some are now occupied by foreign consulates.

After the kingdom was illegally overthrown by white businessmen in 1893, the global sugar and pineapple trade accelerated, along with immigration. Contract laborers first arrived from China in the mid-1800s, followed by people from Japan,

Roxanne Adams, administrator of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation’s Division of Urban Forestry, is responsible for trees in public parks and rights-of-way. It’s a big job that requires residents to help: “If neighbors are watching the trees in front of their house, the chances of survival increases greatly.”

Korea, Europe, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Kaka‘ako in the late 1800s was filled with small houses for artisans, stevedores and service workers, many of whom were Native Hawaiian, says Chapman.

Working-class and artisan-class residents began branching out into Kalihi and Liliha.

Streetcars opened up neighborhoods far beyond the harbor area. Many Japanese and Chinese workers, freed from contract labor that was deemed illegal in 1900, migrated east along King Street, renting or buying modest wooden houses stretching all the way to the rice fields of Mō‘ili‘ili.

By the 1920s, satellite communities as far away as Kapahulu and Kaimukī were developed as the rail lines expanded, while along the coast, affluent people had moved to the Diamond Head

area and were expanding into Kāhala.

John Rosa, an associate professor of history at UH Mānoa, says his great-grandfather on the Chinese side of his family built a house on 16th Avenue during Kaimukī’s first wave of development. In the 1950s, his grandparents moved to a house in the breezy mountains above the neighborhood, in Maunalani Heights, where he grew up.

Many prosperous families had moved mauka into Mānoa Valley and Nu‘uanu, where whitesonly “tacit agreements,” sometimes written into covenants governing new subdivisions, kept others out, explains Chapman.

These rules also determined the physical environment. “There were a lot of restrictions,” Chapman says. “It had to be a substantial lot. Residents weren’t allowed to build walls over a certain height. They couldn’t open a gambling den or a bar or a restaurant.”

The racial elements of the exclusionary practices were dropped after World War II, and the cooler, leafier neighborhoods opened to a mixture of people. Among the new Mānoa residents were many upwardly mobile Japanese residents who had gone to UH Mānoa on the federal GI Bill, Rosa says.

After the war, and before zoning laws were

% CANOPY COVER WITHIN URBAN AREAS = 1-8

> 30 - 60

> 8 - 15

> 60 - 76

> 15 - 30

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HONOLULU TREE CANOPY MAP, 2021, PREPARED BY EARTHDEFINE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, NOAA AND HAWAI‘I DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE.

enacted in 1961, high-rise apartments were constructed amid the single-family houses of Waikīkī and Makiki. Eventually, cars brought people to the new postwar suburbs of ‘Āina Haina and Hawai‘i Kai, and then even farther from the city.

Today, some of Honolulu’s old working-class, mixed-use neighborhoods can feel improvised, a mismatched collection of small wooden bungalows, motel-style walk-ups with open corridors, taller “bare-bones” buildings with interior hallways, and their posher cousins, the newer high-rise condos.

“Planners aren’t the ones that actually build cities. It’s the developers,” Chapman says. “It’s like a rowboat and a tanker. The tanker is the developers, and they pretty well decide what’s going to happen.”

• For example, setback regulations, which started in 1969, are still just 5 feet. “You’re supposed to put planting in the setback, but they’re often not very robust,” he says. “Developers probably see vegetation and trees as a luxury add-on. And if they don’t need to do it, they won’t do it.”

Chapman sees the old neighborhoods as “transitional,” with new housing set to rise in places like Isenberg Street in Mō‘ili‘ili.

There, a 23-story tower is under development by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and on Kapi‘olani Boulevard, the Kobayashi Group is constructing a 43-story condo.

But with no requirements for trees, shade, green walls or green roofs – on new high-rise projects or throughout the older neighborhoods – these urban heat islands will only get hotter.

GREENING THE CITY

C

ommunity groups have been focused on trees and shade since at least 1912, when the newly formed Outdoor Circle, a volunteer women’s group, planted 28 monkeypod trees in Honolulu’s ‘A‘ala Park.

Those trees still stand today.

The organization has spent the subsequent 112 years planting and protecting trees in public spaces. In 2017, the Outdoor Circle helped found Trees for Honolulu’s Future, a nonprofit group dedicated to increasing the urban tree canopy, advocating for laws and policies, and educating the public.

The group’s president, Daniel Dinell, spearheaded the educational component of the Makalapa Neighborhood Park project, which quantified the impact of shade on how we experience heat. Young “heat island investigators” from the underserved

area nearby learned to measure trees, read temperature sensors and test hypotheses.

Among the organization’s many projects, Dinell is also leading a group of “citizen foresters” to map the trees in Kaimukī and locate places to plant, and he’s working with the city to get trees in the ground. One of the big obstacles to new street trees, he says, is getting homeowners and renters to water the trees in their early years, when they’re still weak.

“Just activating the community is key to the goal of increasing the tree canopy,” Dinell says.

Government agencies can’t do it alone, Adams, the head of Honolulu’s Urban Forestry Division, says. “It’s critical that our neighborhoods, our friends, our family chip in and help us get this done. It’s a kōkua thing. If neighbors are watching the trees in front of their house, the chances of survival increases greatly.”

Residents can contact Adams’ division to request a street tree, at 808-971-7151 or DUF@ honolulu.gov. The city selects hardy trees that won’t become invasive pests; most native trees aren’t able to survive in harsh urban settings with vehicle pollutants and poor soils.

On Hawai‘i’s Arbor Day, about 4,000 trees, including fruit trees, are given away across the Islands. The next annual event, organized by Kaulunani and government, nonprofit and community partners, is scheduled for Nov. 2.

At the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, an ongoing effort to plant 100,000 trees on O‘ahu has passed the halfway mark. The agency’s online map tracks city plantings as well as trees planted on private property and larger restoration efforts.

The project, says Gonser, the office’s executive director, “was intended to be a campaign of awareness, and to celebrate those that are the true champions out in the community.” He says many plantings have not been recorded yet.

All of these efforts are steps in the right direction, and indications that more people and organizations recognize the value of trees in a time of rising heat and sweltering cities.

Globally, 2023 was by far the warmest year on record, according to NOAA. And while the heat affects everyone, it’s much worse in urban heat islands bereft of trees. And it’s particularly punishing for people without air conditioning.

“We’re already facing a lot of heat in these urban areas. It’s a problem we need to fix now,” says Romine, of the Climate Change Commission.

“And if we start addressing it now, it’ll make these communities safer, more comfortable and more equitable, now and for the future.”

• • What

Experts Would Like to See Next • Require trees and green features on new construction and refurbished buildings • Expand Honolulu City and County’s exceptional tree program • Encourage more species diversity to reduce vulnerability to disease and pests • Incentivize homeowners and businesses to use trained arborists • Require homeowners to get permission before removing large trees • Replace dark roofs with solarreflective panels or coating • Add green roofs and green walls with decorative or edible vegetation • Increase staffing and funding for urban forestry divisions • Plant trees at bus stops and playgrounds • Set up cooling centers and subsidize A/C for low-income residents.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

33

M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D WELLNESS CONFERENCE

On Feb. 15, Hawaii Business Magazine hosted the first Stressed to Strong: Mental Health and Wellness Conference at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

Employers, experts, leaders and HR managers came together to learn how to improve employee wellness, retention and productivity. Attendees described this conference in three words: inspirational, impactful and informative. Mahalo to our attendees, panelists and sponsors for making this event a great success.

MAHALO TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS FOUNDING SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSORS:

“As founding sponsor of the inaugural Stressed to Strong event, UHA was honored to partner with Hawaii Business to bring forth topics of mental health, resilience and vulnerability. Our team left feeling inspired by both keynote speakers, Angela Lee and Joe Roberts, who bravely shared their personal stories of resilience and hope.

Special mahalo to the Hawaii Business team for creating a space for the business community to gather and learn the importance of mental well-being and the power of community support. UHA Health Insurance remains committed to supporting the health and well-being of your employees.”

— H OWAR D L EE, PR ES I D EN T & C EO , U H A H EALT H I N S U R AN C E

S I LV E R S P O N S O R S :

SPECIAL PARTNERS:

MEDIA PARTNER:

“HMSA was honored to be a sponsor of the Stressed to Strong: Mental Health and Wellness Conference. It was a powerful event that illuminated just how many local leaders, managers, and employees care profoundly about mental health and well-being. This conference reminds us that Hawaii’s people are our most valuable resource, and we must invest in our people to ensure every individual has the ‘hope to dream of what is possible’ in their lives. HMSA looks forward to engaging in forums like this that improve the health and well-being of our workplaces and communities.”

— CAM I L L E R O C K ET T, D I R EC TO R , CO M M U N I T Y H EALT H AN D EQ U I T Y, H M S A

“The Stressed to Strong conference achieved a high bar: delivering valuable content for our entire team. For myself and our HR director, both keynote speakers and the panels we were part of underscored that we are moving AlohaCare in the right direction. Throughout the afternoon, we heard common challenges and relatable anecdotes. Equally important, the speakers shared personal stories, helpful advice and tangible ideas for optimizing our employee experiences. The insightful discussions validated our hard work to keep shaping the environment that is needed for this moment in time and the coming years.”

– FRANCOISE CU LLEY-T R OT M A N , C EO , A LO H ACA R E

“At Systemcenter, we’re delighted to witness the increasing enthusiasm for workplace design that nurtures productivity and happiness. Our dedication to crafting spaces that enhance productivity, foster collaboration and promote overall well-being is fundamental to organizational success. A heartfelt thank you to all of the event contributors for your unwavering commitment to positively shaping our work environment.

Together, we’ve come a long way, and we eagerly anticipate the ongoing journey of constructing resilient, thriving cultures and workplaces.”

– ST EPH AN EDWAR D S , PR ES I D EN T, SY ST EM C EN T ER

“The Stressed to Strong conference was incredibly insightful and thought-provoking. I left that room feeling more equipped and confident in having conversations surrounding mental health and employee wellness. Talking about mental health used to be very rare, even nonexistent, but just having an event that prioritizes overall wellbeing shows how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next in creating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and seen.”

– M EGAN R AM O N ES , D I G I TAL CO N T EN T PR O D U C ER , H AWAI I N EW S N OW

A I W I A ' S H

TO

2024 T H E S E 7 8 C O M PA N I E S E X C E L AT C U LT I VAT I N G ENGAGED, COMMITTED WORKFORCES

36

A PR I L 2 0 24

89 OF THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WORK. 93 SAY THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND. Best Places to Work companies are achieving some rare feats

by C Y N T H I A W E S S E N D O R F

BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE ARE CONTENDING with widespread

disenchantment about work, and engagement levels are stuck at 33%, according to a Gallup survey. The vast majority of employees say they’re not happy in their jobs and they’re just doing the bare minimum, or less.

There’s no quick fix or secret formula for building an energized, committed workforce. But there are lots of ways to erode the bond between employer and employee, and it often starts at the top. Michael Kamaka, VP at Bowers + Kubota, says it succinctly: “When it comes to employees, if you don’t care about them, they’re definitely not going to care about you.”

The companies and nonprofits on Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work 2024 list strive to create better experiences for everyone, according to surveys of employees and company representatives by the Texas-based Workforce Research Group, Hawaii Business Magazine’s partner on the project.

Employees at these companies say they’re highly satisfied with their jobs, managers, co-workers and company culture, according to survey responses, and they’re overwhelmingly positive when responding to prompts such as: • This organization treats me with dignity, not as just a number.

• I am part of a team with a common purpose.

• This organization actively promotes diversity and inclusion.

• I believe in this organization’s leadership.

• I intend to remain at this organization for the foreseeable future.

So what are these companies doing differently? How do their core principles, practices and benefits translate into employees who feel genuinely heard and valued, and who, in return, do their best work?

Two Best Places to Work, Bowers + Kubota and Parents And Children Together, rank first and third in the large companies category, and they’ve consistently performed well for over a decade. Despite being very different organizations – one is an architecture and engineering firm, the

other a social services nonprofit – there are some striking, and instructive, similarities.

BOTH STARTED SMALL AND HAVE STAYED TRUE TO THEIR ROOTS.

Bowers + Kubota launched as a tiny firm in 1980, and has since grown to nearly 300 employees across the Islands.

As it’s grown in size, potentially burdensome processes and procedures have expanded as well.

“But we don’t want to become bureaucratic,” says Brian Bowers, president of Bowers + Kubota. “I’m proud that we’ve been able to maintain this family-centric, nimble organization that really puts the employees first.”

In 1968, Parents And Children Together started as a grassroots organization dedicated to improving life at Kuhio Park Terrace, now called the Towers of Kuhio Park, in Kalihi.

Today, with a staff of more than 300, the nonprofit stays focused on the mission.

“We started as a community group that collectively came together to work on solving problems,” explains Ryan Kusumoto, president and CEO of PACT. “That foundation helps keep us going. Nothing we do happens in a vacuum … but involves listening to the community. In terms of our workplace, it means listening to your staff.”

BOTH FACE INDUSTRY WIDE CHALLENGES FINDING AND KEEPING EMPLOYEES.

Today, Bowers + Kubota confronts an ongoing workforce shortage, which means it’s competing for a small pool of engineers and other skilled professionals. Those potential hires have plenty of other job opportunities, with enticing salaries and benefits packages.

Parents And Children Together competes for talent too, and in a notoriously difficult field. Nationally, 4 in 10 employees in the social services sector leave their jobs every year, says Kusumoto, often the result of burnout from working with clients in crisis.

Like Bowers + Kubota, PACT also struggles with a

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

37

shortage of highly educated and licensed professionals, especially in areas such as mental health and early learning.

BOTH FOCUS ON THEIR PEOPLE, IN WAYS THAT GO BEYOND LIP SERVICE.

To attract employees and get them to stay, the organizations have to distinguish themselves. They do it by working to create warm, collaborative cultures.

“The managers and leadership realize that the company’s biggest asset are the people. Everything we do follows that mantra. We have to take care of our people,” says Kathleen Chu, VP at Bowers + Kubota.

The company organizes mentoring opportunities, social events, volunteering activities and more to help employees feel connected to each other. At family events, top executives make sure they talk to everyone, and they visit employees in the hospital when they’re sick.

“At the end of the day, anyone can get a job with more pay and more benefits. But I don’t think you get the same camaraderie,” Kamaka says. “We have teams that are fiercely loyal to each other. They’ll do whatever it takes to help each other out. I think that connection is what people like.”

At PACT, Kusumoto says he focuses on belonging, which is a more meaningful measure than employee engagement. “When we focus on the word belonging, we think about how to get that deep connective tissue with our employees,” he explains.

It starts at the beginning of the relationship, by hiring people who share PACT’s values. “When you come to work for us, it’s because you care about this community,” he says. “We’re not here to tell people what to do. We’re here to walk alongside individuals and help them get to the place they need to be.”

He also gives new employees his cellphone number, with instructions to call or text at any time. “I want to hear their stories because that helps make me be better,” Kusumoto says. “Just saying you have an open-door policy is not enough. You have to be intentional about it.”

BOTH RELY ON EMPLOYEE SURVEYS TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE.

Bowers + Kubota participates in both the Hawai‘i Best Places to Work survey and a national industry-specific survey. The senior management team reviews all the responses, publicly answers employees’ questions and follows up with specific actions to address problems.

For example, after getting feedback from younger employees who were struggling with Hawai‘i’s housing costs, Bowers + Kubota rolled out a pay raise. The company also started to hold “rap sessions” between employees and managers to get people talking and sharing more.

“We’re always looking for that edge and to improve our policies and practices,” Bowers says. “Whether it’s quantitatively or qualitatively, you always want to be growing in some way as a company because if you’re not moving forward, you’re probably moving backwards.”

38

A PR I L 2 0 24

PACT also scours the annual Best Places survey for new ideas and to see what’s working or not. Based on employee feedback, it initiated all-gender bathrooms and formed affinity groups that encourage open dialogue among staff.

And it started up an extremely low-interest microloan program to help people deal with emergencies such as car breakdowns and medical expenses.

The nonprofit introduced monthly online meetings that gather staff from across the Islands for information sharing and special speakers. And it expanded its wellness programs and training on how to handle difficult issues, such as suicide prevention.

BOTH SPLURGE ON BENEFITS THEY’RE BEST ABLE TO OFFER.

Bowers + Kubota offers a suite of benefits, such as competitive salaries, fully paid family medical insurance and a 401(k) plan with a company match. But the company goes much further to let employees know they matter: In 2012, it launched an employee stock-ownership plan, or ESOP, which is fully funded by Bowers + Kubota.

Every employee is a shareholder, and they can withdraw their funds or roll them over into IRAs when they leave. “We’ve had people leave after only 10 years with literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in their retirement accounts,” Bowers says.

Human resources expert and Bowers + Kubota principal Amy Matsushima leads staff in elaborate role-playing games so that people understand how an ESOP works, and how their actions affect share price. “The concept can be a little challenging at first, but when they see that first statement, it starts to click into place,” she says.

At PACT, which largely operates from state and federal contracts, Kusumoto says the biggest financial challenge is making sure it can pay people competitive salaries without cutting the quality of services. The organization applies for grants, hosts fundraisers, and advocates for higher payments from state contracts, which have remained stagnant for a decade.

To improve the overall compensation package, people are given lots of paid time off to decompress and rejuvenate.

Employees get 21 days of vacation; 12 sick days, of which five can be used for personal days off; and 14 days for holidays.

That’s eight full weeks away from the job each year, plus extra days for sick leave.

“Our staff are dealing with individuals with mental illness, they’re dealing with the child welfare system, with domestic violence, with poverty. They’re carrying the weight of the clients we service, so it’s really tough,” Kusumoto says.

“We don’t blink an eye with regards to the amount of days we give off,” he says, “because we know that when people come to work, they work.”

See the next pages for a sampling of benefits offered by all 78 companies and nonprofits on Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work 2024 list.

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S A T A G L A N C E % employee % dependent medical medical coverage # of paid coverage paid by paid by holidays employer employer per year

Retirement contribution match?

Formal profitsharing plan?

Employee % of Fully or % of ownership executives partially paid employees programs who are maternity who tele(e.g., ESOP)? female leave? commute

Company Name

Co. profile page

AlohaCare

42

100%

60%

11

Yes

No

No

62%

No

85%

American Floor & Home

44

95%

60%

11

No

No

Yes

45%

No

5%

Aqua Engineers Inc.

44

87%

87%

11

Yes

Yes

Yes

20%

Full

0%

Atlas Insurance Agency

44

100%

50%

10

Yes

Yes

No

55%

No

20%

Bayer Hawaii

42

90%

90%

16

Yes

No

Yes

60%

Full

1%

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty

45

100%

NR

14

No

No

No

80%

No

5%

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

42

100%

100%

12

Yes

Yes

Yes

26%

Partial

5%

Burns & McDonnell

45

75%

50%

9

Yes

No

Yes

NR

Full

10%

Castaway Construction & Restoration LLC

44

100%

0%

10

No

Yes

No

40%

Partial

5%

Central Pacific Bank

42

93%

68%

15

Yes

No

No

35%

Partial

40%

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

45

100%

0%

10

Yes

No

No

50%

Partial

0%

Child & Family Service

42

NR

NR

16

Yes

No

No

73%

No

5%

Chun Kerr LLP

45

100%

NR

11

No

Yes

Yes

47%

Full

52%

Control Freaks Hawaii

45

100%

0%

0

No

No

No

25%

Partial

30%

CW Associates CPAs

44

100%

NR

11

No

No

No

50%

Partial

99%

Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc.

42

90%

85%

12

Yes

No

No

45%

No

20%

Diamond Head Dental Care

45

100%

0%

7

Yes

No

No

7%

No

12%

Dynamic Planning & Response LLC

46

75%

0%

11

Yes

Yes

No

25%

No

10%

Edward Jones

44

79%

68%

9

Yes

Yes

Yes

53%

Full

20%

EnviroServices & Training Center LLC

44

100%

0%

11

Yes

Yes

No

0%

No

100%

Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii

45

98%

98%

6

Yes

Yes

Yes

66%

Partial

52%

Finance Factors Ltd.

44

100%

50%

11

No

Yes

No

7%

No

75%

First Hawaiian Bank

42

96%

73%

15

Yes

No

Yes

44%

Full

22%

G70

44

99%

50%

8

Yes

Yes

No

39%

Partial

80%

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

44

100%

50%

14

No

Yes

No

79%

Partial

99%

Hawaii Dental Service (HDS)

44

100%

74%

11

Yes

No

No

68%

Partial

86%

Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services

44

100%

50%

17

No

Yes

No

15%

Partial

20%

Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos

46

NR

NR

10

Yes

No

Yes

100%

Full

100%

NR = No response H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

39

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S A T A G L A N C E % employee % dependent medical medical coverage # of paid coverage paid by paid by holidays employer employer per year

Retirement contribution match?

Formal profitsharing plan?

Employee % of Fully or % of ownership executives partially paid employees programs who are maternity who tele(e.g., ESOP)? female leave? commute

Company Name

Co. profile page

Hawaii Group, The

46

100%

0%

12

Yes

No

No

83%

No

13%

Hawaii Information Service

46

100%

0%

9

Yes

No

No

67%

No

100%

Hawaii Mortgage Experts

44

100%

50%

10

No

No

No

50%

No

100%

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

42

100%

50%

14

Yes

Yes

No

35%

No

60%

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

43

100%

95%

11

Yes

Yes

No

44%

Partial

50%

HEMIC

44

100%

50%

14

Yes

No

No

50%

No

70%

Hickam Communities LLC

44

80%

80%

12

Yes

No

No

67%

No

4%

Hickam Federal Credit Union

44

100%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

55%

No

3%

HiEmployment

46

99%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

66%

No

10%

Independent Energy Systems

46

NR

0%

11

Yes

No

No

1%

No

10%

iQ 360

46

100%

0%

13

No

Yes

No

80%

No

88%

Island Insurance

44

100%

50%

8

Yes

Yes

No

21%

No

75%

Island Palm Communities LLC

43

80%

80%

12

Yes

No

No

57%

No

4%

Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting

44

100%

0%

0

Yes

No

No

1%

No

0%

Kilauea Pest Control

44

100%

0%

4

No

No

No

43%

No

26%

Kupu

44

100%

0%

8

No

No

No

55%

Partial

65%

Lawson & Associates Inc.

46

100%

100%

10

Yes

No

No

100%

No

7%

Life Cycle Engineering

44

75%

0%

10

Yes

Yes

Yes

14%

No

21%

Make-A-Wish Hawaii

46

100%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

100%

No

96%

N&K CPAs Inc.

44

100%

0%

12

Yes

Yes

No

28%

Full

80%

New York Life Insurance

43

NR

NR

10

Yes

Yes

No

80%

Full

60%

Noguchi & Associates

44

100%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

40%

Partial

50%

Nordic PCL Construction Inc.

44

91%

94%

11

Yes

Yes

Yes

27%

Full

1%

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i

43

75%

75%

11

Yes

No

No

71%

No

50%

Okahara and Associates Inc.

46

100%

50%

11

No

No

No

3%

No

6%

Pacific Biodiesel

44

100%

NR

9

Yes

No

No

67%

No

13%

Pacific Whale Foundation

44

75%

0%

8

Yes

No

No

60%

No

3%

Pacxa

44

100%

50%

7

Yes

Yes

No

25%

No

98%

NR = No response 40

A PR I L 2 0 24

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S A T A G L A N C E % employee % dependent medical medical coverage # of paid coverage paid by paid by holidays employer employer per year

Retirement contribution match?

Formal profitsharing plan?

Employee % of Fully or % of ownership executives partially paid employees programs who are maternity who tele(e.g., ESOP)? female leave? commute

Company Name

Co. profile page

Panda Restaurant Group Inc.

43

80%

50%

2

Yes

Yes

Yes

29%

No

NR

Parents And Children Together

42

98%

0%

14

Yes

No

No

84%

No

80%

Premier Solutions Hi LLC

46

100%

0%

11

Yes

Yes

No

15%

No

14%

Prince Resorts Hawaii

43

100%

100%

12

Yes

No

No

48%

Full

5%

ProService Hawaii

43

100%

88%

7

Yes

No

No

47%

Full

30%

Pyramid Insurance

44

100%

75%

8

Yes

Yes

No

60%

No

80%

RIM Architects LLC

46

100%

25%

9

Yes

No

No

10%

No

10

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

44

100

0

11

No

No

Yes

0%

Partial

80%

Seagull Schools

44

100%

0%

17

Yes

No

No

67%

No

0%

Servco Pacific Inc.

43

85%

85%

8

Yes

Yes

No

18%

Full

23%

Servpac Inc.

46

100%

0%

13

Yes

No

No

71%

No

0%

St. Andrew's Schools

44

100%

0%

18

Yes

No

No

100%

No

1%

Swinerton

43

99%

99%

11

Yes

Yes

Yes

15%

Full

5%

Symbrosia

46

100%

50%

13

No

No

No

50%

Full

4%

UHA Health Insurance

44

100%

100%

13

Yes

Yes

No

25%

No

80%

USAble Life

45

94%

80%

12

Yes

No

No

12%

Full

99%

Verity CPAs

46

100%

0%

9

Yes

No

No

71%

Full

21%

WATG

46

75%

50%

14

No

No

Yes

40%

No

90%

WestPac Wealth Partners

46

100%

100%

24

Yes

Yes

No

60%

Partial

40%

Windward Auto Group LLC

44

100%

0%

9

Yes

No

No

25%

No

2%

Windward Synergy Center

46

98%

0%

9

No

No

No

100%

No

22%

Zephyr Insurance Company Inc.

46

100%

60%

11

Yes

No

No

4%

No

10%

NR = No response

YO

A U W NT TO

DO

BE

A BEST PLACE TO WORK?

NOMINATE YOUR COMPANY Register your company now for the Best Places to Work survey at bestplacestoworkhawaii.com. Deadline to register is Oct. 18, 2024.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

41

LARGE COMPANIES 25O OR MORE HAWAI‘I EMPLOYEES

T H E R E MAI N I NG L ARG E C O MPAN I ES ARE L I ST E D AL P H AB E T I C AL LY.

AlohaCare HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 270 HI

alohacare.org

Central Pacific Bank HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 732 HI

cpb.bank

Child & Family Service

1.

HEADQUARTERS: Waipahu EMPLOYEES: 280 HI

HEADQUARTERS: ‘Ewa

Beach

EMPLOYEES: 326 HI

childandfamilyservice.org

bowersandkubota.com

Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. HEADQUARTERS: ‘Aiea EMPLOYEES: 713 HI

dlslab.com

First Hawaiian Bank HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 1,984 HI

fhb.com

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union HEADQUARTERS:

2.

Bayer Hawaii HEADQUARTERS:

Leverkusen, Germany EMPLOYEES: 497 HI hawaii.bayer.us

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A PR I L 2 0 24

3.

Parents And Children Together

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 304 HI

pacthawaii.org

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 381 HI hawaiistatefcu.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BOWERS + KUBOTA CONSULTING INC., BAYER HAWAII, AND PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

L A RGE C OM PA N I E S HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 379 HI

hawaiiusafcu.com

Island Palm Communities LLC

MEDIUM COMPANIES 50-249 HAWAI‘I EMPLOYEES

HEADQUARTERS:

Schofield Barracks EMPLOYEES: 390 HI islandpalmcommunities. com

Panda Restaurant Group Inc. HEADQUARTERS:

Rosemead, CA EMPLOYEES: 479 HI pandarg.com

Prince Resorts Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 1,577 HI

princeresortshawaii.com

ProService Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 284 HI

proservice.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SWINERTON, NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL HAWAI‘I

Servco Pacific Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 1,038 HI

1.

Swinerton

HEADQUARTERS: San Francisco, CA EMPLOYEES: 133 HI

swinerton.com

servco.com

2.

New York Life Insurance HEADQUARTERS: New York, NY EMPLOYEES: 83 HI

hawaii.nyloffices.com

3.

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 54 HI

hawaii.nm.com

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

43

M E DI U M C OM PA N I E S T HE REMAINING M EDIUM COMPANIE S A RE LISTED A LP HABETICALLY.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 83 HI

American Floor & Home

hawaiicommunity foundation.org

americanfloorandhome.com

Hawaii Dental Service (HDS)

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 125 HI

Aqua Engineers Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Kalāheo EMPLOYEES: 93 HI

aquaengineers.com

Atlas Insurance Agency

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 106 HI

atlasinsurance.com

Castaway Construction & Restoration LLC HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 90 HI

castawayhawaii.com

CW Associates CPAs

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 71 HI

cwa.cpa

Edward Jones HEADQUARTERS:

St. Louis, MO EMPLOYEES: 140 HI edwardjones.com

EnviroServices & Training Center LLC HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 61 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 136 HI

hawaiidentalservice.com

Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 74 HI

hawaiidrs.com

Kilauea Pest Control

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 79 HI

kilaueapest.com

Kupu

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 66 HI

kupuhawaii.org

Life Cycle Engineering HEADQUARTERS:

Charleston, SC EMPLOYEES: 60 HI lce.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 78 HI

standrewsschools.org

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 170 HI

Windward Auto Group LLC

HEMIC

nogins.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 117 HI

hemic.com

Hickam Communities LLC HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 90 HI

hickamcommunities.com

Hickam Federal Credit Union

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 111 HI

hickamfcu.org

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 55 HI

Nordic PCL Construction Inc. HEADQUARTERS:

Edmonton, Alberta EMPLOYEES: 142 HI nordicpcl.com

Pacific Biodiesel

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 84 HI

biodiesel.com

Pacific Whale Foundation

financefactors.com

pacxa.com

A PR I L 2 0 24

St. Andrew’s Schools

Noguchi & Associates

hawaiimortgageexperts.com

Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting

44

seagullschools.org

uhahealth.com

Pacxa

g70.design

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 134 HI

nkcpa.com

islandinsurance.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 105 HI

Seagull Schools

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 58 HI

Hawaii Mortgage Experts

Finance Factors Ltd.

G70

rnsha.com

UHA Health Insurance

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 59 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Wailuku EMPLOYEES: 145 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 120 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 65 HI

N&K CPAs Inc.

Island Insurance

gotoetc.com

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 140 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Waipahu EMPLOYEES: 151 HI

kapiliroof.com

pacificwhale.org

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 102 HI

Pyramid Insurance

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 66 HI

pyramidins.com

HEADQUARTERS: Kāne‘ohe EMPLOYEES: 116 HI

jerryforthepeople.com

SMALL COMPANIES 15-49 HAWAI‘I EMPLOYEES

T H E R E MAI N I NG S MAL L C O MPAN I E S ARE L I ST E D AL P H AB E T I C AL LY.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 30 HI

betterhawaii.com

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

PHOTO: COURTESY OF EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS OF HAWAII, USABLE LIFE AND BURNS & MCDONNELL

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 30 HI

1.

Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 24 HI

expresspros.com/HonoluluHi

ceramictileplus.com

Chun Kerr LLP HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 36 HI

chunkerr.com

Control Freaks Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 15 HI

controlfreakshawaii.com

Diamond Head Dental Care HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 29 HI

diamondheaddental care.com

2.

USAble Life

HEADQUARTERS: Little Rock, AR EMPLOYEES: 28 HI

usablelife.com

3.

Burns & McDonnell

HEADQUARTERS: Kansas City, MO

EMPLOYEES: 19 HI burnsmcd.com

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

45

SM A L L C OM PA N I E S Dynamic Planning & Response LLC

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 40 HI

dynapnr.com

Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu /

Reston, VA

EMPLOYEES: 33 HI

hawaiienergy.com

The Hawaii Group

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 31 HI

thehawaiigroup.com

Hawaii Information Service

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 18 HI

hawaiiinformation.com

HiEmployment

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 22 HI

hi-employment.com

Independent Energy Systems

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 15 HI

independentenergy hawaii.com

iQ 360

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 17 HI

iq360inc.com

Lawson & Associates Inc. HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 17 HI

lawsonsafety.com

Make-A-Wish Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 28 HI

hawaii.wish.org

Okahara and Associates Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Hilo EMPLOYEES: 36 HI

okahara.com

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Premier Solutions Hi LLC HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 20 HI

10 KEY DRIVERS OF ENGAGEMENT

premiersolutionshi.com

RIM Architects LLC HEADQUARTERS:

Anchorage, AK EMPLOYEES: 20 HI rimarchitects.com

Servpac Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 18 HI

servpac.com

Companies that make the Best Places to Work have strong results from a confidential survey of each organization's employees conducted by the Workforce Research Group. The survey results account for 80% of a company’s final score.

In the survey, employees are asked if they strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree or are neutral on 80 different statements. Based on this year’s survey of Hawai‘i employees, here are the main factors that lead to employee engagement.

Symbrosia HEADQUARTERS:

Kailua-Kona

1.

symbrosia.co

I like what I do for this organization.

EMPLOYEES: 24 HI

2.

I believe in this organization’s leadership.

Verity CPAs

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 19 HI

veritycpas.com

WATG

HEADQUARTERS: Irvine, CA EMPLOYEES: 18 HI

3.

This organization treats me with dignity, not as just a number.

4.

I understand what is expected of me.

watg.com

WestPac Wealth Partners HEADQUARTERS:

San Diego, CA EMPLOYEES: 40 HI westpacwealth.com

Windward Synergy Center

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 17 HI

windwardsynergycenter.com

Zephyr Insurance Co. Inc.

5.

This organization is committed to producing highquality products and services.

6.

I have fun at work.

7.

8.

My job is wellaligned with my abilities.

I typically feel like I make progress at work.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 21 HI

zephyrins.com

9.

10.

We have a cooperative culture in this organization.

I believe my compensation is fair.

OTHER CATEGORIES Professionals of Hawaii

2. Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos 3. USAble Life MEDIUM EMPLOYER

1. New York Life Insurance 2. Nordic PCL

Construction Inc.

3. Kupu

LARGE EMPLOYER

1. Bayer Hawaii 2. Servco Pacific Inc. 3. Prince Resorts Hawaii

HEALTHIEST COMPANIES SMALL EMPLOYER

1. Express Employment

Together

4. Northwestern Mutual

Hawai'i

5. CW Associates CPAs

BEST RESTAURANT TO WORK FOR IN HAWAI I

MEDIUM EMPLOYER

1. Swinerton 2. UHA Health Insurance 3. Nordic PCL

Construction Inc.

LARGE EMPLOYER

1. First Hawaiian Bank 2. Prince Resorts Hawaii Inc. 3. Bowers + Kubota

Consulting Inc.

BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR WOMEN 1. Make-A-Wish Hawaii 2. Windward Synergy Center 3. HiEmployment 4. Better Homes and

Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty 5. New York Life Insurance

HAL L OF FAME NUMBER OF YEARS ON THE LIST

Panda Restaurant Group Inc. Edward Jones, 20 Servco Pacific Inc., 20

BEST PLACE TO WORK IN HOSPITALITY IN HAWAI I

Nordic PCL Construction Inc., 18

Prince Resorts Hawaii

ProService Hawaii, 18

Professionals of Hawaii

2. Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos 3. WestPac Wealth Partners

AC E S TO

T

1. Express Employment

PL BES

1. Hawaii Energy / Leidos 2. New York Life Insurance 3. Parents And Children

K

SMALL EMPLOYER

OR

BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY W

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO WORK

BEST PLACE TO WORK ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS Okahara and Associates Inc.

Island Insurance, 18

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc., 17 Atlas Insurance Agency, 16 Central Pacific Bank, 15 First Hawaiian Bank, 14 EnviroServices & Training Center LLC, 13 The Hawaii Group, 13

BEST YOUNG BUSINESS TO WORK FOR

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, 13

Windward Auto Group LLC (Founded in 2021)

Swinerton, 13

Pacific Biodiesel, 13 Panda Restaurant Group Inc., 12 Hawaii Mortgage Experts, 11

BEST PLACE TO WORK ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Burns & McDonnell

Pacxa, 11 Parents And Children Together, 11 American Floor & Home, 10 CW Associates CPAs, 10

BEST FAMILY-OWNED PLACE TO WORK

Okahara and Associates Inc., 10 Servpac Inc., 10

Lawson & Associates Inc.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

47

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

20 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Servco Pacific Inc.

‘24

BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

F

ROM AUSTRALIA TO HAWAI‘I,

Servco’s team members (also known as Team Servco), are a collective of over 2,000 like-minded individuals. Guided by a value-driven business model, Servco is a diversified business with operations in the automotive, mobility, and musical instruments businesses. Servco’s portfolio encompasses Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and investments in mobility and music creation, such as Hui Car Share, hydrogen-based mobility solutions, and Roland Corporation. As the company’s journey of innovation continues, Servco is evolving to provide mobility solutions to serve the needs of its customers and communities in Hawai‘i and beyond.

“We take immense pride in our team members, whose continued dedication and flexibility serve as a constant source of inspiration,” said Peter Dames, President & CEO. “I am

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grateful for the ongoing collaboration with team members who exemplify our Core Values of Respect, Service, Teamwork, and Innovation.

Their contributions play a vital role in Servco’s success.”

Servco’s Mentorship Program enables ongoing development of its team members by fostering meaningful connections and sharing knowledge. Over the past four cohorts, over 40 mentor-mentee pairs have participated in the program. Spouses and children of team members are also eligible for scholarships to pursue a college degree from the Servco Foundation.

In addition to investing in professional growth, Team Servco members enjoy competitive compensation packages, generous subsidies on family medical and dental premiums, and discounts on Servco products and services. Servco was the first company to offer a profit-sharing program in Hawai‘i for its team mem-

bers—a benefit that continues today.

Team members are encouraged to lend their time to building better communities by volunteering with local nonprofits. This year, Servco’s team members are focusing their service efforts on four areas: Youth Services, Sustainability, Wellness, and Social Mobility.

Servco also recognizes the hard work of its team members through company events including an annual Team Servco Dinner and a biennial Family Fun Day. For more information on joining one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for the past 20 years running, visit servco.com/careers.

2850 Pukoloa St., Ste. 300 Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 564-1300 servco.com

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

18 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Island Insurance

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

W

HAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE in business for over

80 years, rank in Ward Group’s top 2% of U.S. property and casualty (P&C) insurers for 16 years, and make Hawaii’s Best Places to Work list for 18 years? A local team of caring experts who are “Island Strong.”

Since 1940, Island Insurance has provided personalized solutions and superior service to Hawaii’s families and businesses as the only locally-owned P&C insurer in the state.

Built on a solid foundation of local values, Island continues to support its employees and give back to the community in a myriad of ways.

Island employees enjoy: • Competitive benefits including medical, dental, drug and vision coverage • Paid personal time off and observed holidays • 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions • Profit sharing • Employee discounts on insurance products

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

• Continuous training and leadership development programs • College scholarship opportunities for children and grandchildren of employees • Fun employee appreciation events and giveaways • Free on-site flu and COVID vaccinations • And more!

To show its appreciation for employees, the company plans yearround events including ice cream socials, spirit week with prizes, holiday lunches with games, and giveaways like University of Hawaii sports tickets and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Island also supports community involvement by participating in various charity walks such as the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and Alzheimer Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, corporate matching of donations up to $500 per employee per year, and two work days of paid time off annually for employees to volunteer with approved local nonprofit organizations. Giving back is a shared commitment; for instance an employee-run snack shop funds gifts and

essentials for Helping Hands Hawaii’s Adopt-A-Family program which assists families in need so they too can experience the joy of the holidays.

Last but not least, Island encourages and highlights employee achievement with service awards, merits of achievement, customer service week celebrations, and leadership development opportunities.

“Recognition and appreciation programs are part of our culture,” says Chairman of the Board Tyler Tokioka. “We are constantly building an engaging corporate culture that will attract and retain the most talented employees.”

1022 Bethel Street Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 564-8200 www.islandinsurance.com

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

49

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

18 ye ars!

PLATINUM

ProService Hawaii

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

A

T PROSERVICE HAWAII, fostering a vibrant workplace culture goes beyond offering fun environments and exceptional benefits—it’s about empowering employees to reach their full potential through professional growth opportunities. For three decades, ProService has led the way in HR solutions, becoming the backbone of Hawaii’s business community and earning the esteemed title of one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for 18 consecutive years.

Central to the success is an unwavering focus on employee development. ProService understands that investing in team members not only enhances their individual career trajectories but also strengthens the collective capacity to deliver unparalleled service to clients. Brandon Emery, Pricing Manager at ProService, reflects on his 8-year journey: “Working at ProService Hawaii has been instrumental in my career.

The company believes in promoting from within and providing opportu-

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nities for personal and professional growth. Starting as a part-time entry-level Payroll Coordinator fresh out of the University of Hawaii, to now leading a team as a Pricing Manager in Finance, ProService has helped me push my boundaries, innovate, and realize my potential.”

ProService’s commitment to continuous learning is evident in its culture. Through career pathing and continuing education benefits, employees are empowered to expand their skill sets and excel in their fields.

“While working at ProService, I took the Certified Payroll Professional examination with a cohort of my peers.

Not only did it further my confidence and payroll knowledge, but it opened up so many doors for me to advance and move upward in my now 10-year career within ProService,” said Maile Kauakahi, who is now a Platform Assurance Manager.

Beyond professional growth, ProService remains committed to supporting employees through comprehensive benefits, including

generous PTO, 3/2 hybrid work, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, student loan repayment assistance, and more.

As another year of excellence begins, ProService Hawaii remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering employees and helping more businesses thrive in Hawaii, fostering a culture of growth and innovation, and delivering exceptional service to clients. Together, the mission-driven team will continue to elevate and inspire, driving success for both team members and the businesses served.

6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Ste. 200 Honolulu, HI 96825 (808) 725-6877 proservice.com

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

16 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Atlas Insurance Agency

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Atlas Insurance employees and families volunteering in our community!

A

S WE CELEBRATE OUR 16TH YEAR of being named one

of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work and our 95th year of serving Hawaii, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the clients and community partners who have allowed us to be their insurance navigation partner.

As a local company deeply rooted in our island home, we have seen many changes, but one thing that remains is our steadfast commitment to being a business that does what is right for our clients and employees.

Hawaii is not simply a place where we do business, it is our home. It is where we live, where we raise our families, and where we work.

At our core, our employees are the ones who have carried on the legacy of our founder, Masayuki Tokioka, who committed to creating a local company that serves the community in 1929.

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

This year also marks the 22nd anniversary of the Atlas Insurance Agency Foundation, which has allowed us to give back nearly $2 million to our community.

Through the foundation, we have been able to support causes we’re passionate about not only financially but through volunteering our time and resources.

Our longstanding relationship with the community means we have had the opportunity to serve generations of families and continually improve our skills to find ways to protect what is most valuable to our clients. As Hawaii’s largest insurance agency, we have the resources to be cutting-edge and provide unprecedented support.

We look forward to continuing to serve Hawaii for the next 95 years and beyond and continuing to be Hawaii’s insurance leader!

201 Merchant Street, Suite 1100 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 533-3222 www.atlasinsurance.com

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

51

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

15 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Central Pacific Bank

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

F

OR 70 YEARS WE’VE BELIEVED IN OUR PURPOSE,

our people, and this special place we call home.

This year, Central Pacific Bank marks 70 years of believing. Believing in Hawaii. Believing in the hopes and dreams of our customers. And, of course, believing in our employees.

Consistently recognized as one of Hawaii’s best places to work, and ranked one of the top banks in the nation according to Newsweek, CPB instills a sense of pride and purpose in our employees as they live the values established by the bank’s founders.

These values include supporting Hawaii’s people, businesses, and communities. Since the 1950s when CPB began offering financial resources for individuals to build homes and start businesses, to the bank’s recent commitment to support the people of Maui after the devastating wildfires of 2023, CPB and its employees continue to make a significant impact in the lives of our customers and the broader community.

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This dedication is ingrained in our company culture – it’s what we were founded on and what continues to drive us today.

We also believe in giving back to our employees by prioritizing their health and development. Comprehensive benefits such as health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off are just some of the ways we support our team. We also provide financial assistance for home purchases and opportunities for career advancement through innovative training programs and web-based sessions.

At CPB, we not only prioritize professional development but also foster personal connections among colleagues through events organized by our Employee Club. Hiking trips, movie nights, food tastings – there’s something for every interest at CPB. If you want to be part of a company that values exceptional service to its customers, community, and employees alike, CPB is the place for you. Come join us and discover why it truly is where people like banking.

220 South King Street Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 544-0500 www.cpb.bank

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

13 ye ars!

PLATINUM

EnviroServices & Training Center

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

E

NVIROSERVICES & TRAINING CENTER, LLC isn’t your typical

environmental consulting and engineering firm. You won’t find packed offices, framed diplomas on walls, and desks littered with spreadsheets. Instead, you’ll discover people scattered throughout various collaborative workspaces, pinned pictures of furry friends, and plants and aquariums naturalizing desks.

Hey, some of us may be nerds and love the occasional Star Wars trivia, but don’t get us wrong – we roll differently. On skateboards and bikes to be more specific. We’re a team of over 60 qualified scientists and engineers with offices on O‘ahu, Maui, and in Dallas. We’ve also successfully completed thousands of projects in Hawai‘i, the Continental U.S., and throughout the Pacific Rim. We have popcorn Thursdays, ping-pong conference tables, and company sponsored Fantasy Football

B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K

leagues. We prioritize a healthy work-life balance with flexible work-from-home schedules, supportive employee assistance programs, and access to fitness centers. Our people stay healthy and resilient with treadmill workstations, spaces to do yoga, and annual in-office flu and vaccine clinics.

While we’re honored to again be named as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work, we aren’t focused on accolades and past achievements.

Instead, we are centered on fostering a supportive and innovative workplace that inspires our team’s genuine passion for what we do. We love making a meaningful difference to the clients we serve and in the communities we live. Employees eagerly participate in ocean cleanups, serve meals at homeless shelters, and donate to company-wide fundraising events for local nonprofits.

We’re not here to boast about ourselves, but we will brag about

our one-of-a-kind team! To the ETC ‘ohana, thank you for your incredible creativity and unwavering dedication toward solving the challenges of our clients, the betterment of our community, and protecting our environment over the last 30 years. We can’t wait to embark on the next 30-year journey and beyond!

505 Ward Ave., Suite 202 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 839-7222 www.gotoetc.com

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

53

S PEC I A L PR O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2024

13 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Hawaii State FCU

‘24 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

H

AWAII STATE FCU IS MORE THAN A BANK, and not just

another credit union. We’re a place where “Always Right

By You” isn’t just a tag line to those we serve, but a promise to our employees, who enjoy generous benefits, opportunities for career advancement and a healthy work-life balance.

Our employees are the cornerstone of our organization. They provide our more than 120,000 members statewide with outstanding service experiences and accompany them along their financial journeys day in and day out. They are also the reason why we place so much importance on hiring and retaining hard-working, talented individuals – providing them with the tools and resources to ensure that they can perform their jobs successfully.

One way Hawaii State FCU does this is by providing employees with a competitive compensation and benefits package. We also take care of our employees’ physical, mental

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A PR I L 2 0 24

and financial health and well-being by offering a number of wellness and engagement activities, financial literacy classes, and counseling in-person, over the phone and online. In addition, the credit union also encourages employees to contribute actively to our community, donating time, resources and support to a number of local nonprofit organizations.

We also strive to provide a workplace that is fun, productive and offers opportunities for professional and life-long learning and growth. And with the recent opening of our new Hawaii State FCU Headquarters building in 2023, it further underscores our long-term commitment to offering an innovative and collaborative environment in which our employees can truly thrive.

As a company, Hawaii State FCU is committed to emphasizing trust, respect and integrity in all we do, and fostering solid relationships that help strengthen our organization, our members, and our community.

Discover more about Hawaii State FCU and explore the stories of our employees. Scan the QR Code to watch their journeys.

333 Queen Street Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 587-2700 www.HawaiiStateFCU.com

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11 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Parents And Children Together

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2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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OR MORE THAN FIVE DECADES, Parents And Children

Together has been dedicated to improving the lives of Hawai‘i’s children, individuals, and families, fostering safe and promising futures. From our humble beginnings as a single program in Kalihi, we’ve evolved into a multi-faceted statewide agency, offering educational and social services tailored to the unique needs of our most underserved communities.

As the people of Hawai‘i continue to face ongoing challenges from affordable housing shortages, soaring inflation and rising poverty rates, building resilient communities has never been more critical.

Every employee at PACT—regardless of position—plays a vital role in our mission. Whether directly involved in program services or behind-thescenes administration, each contribution is valued and essential to our collective success. We celebrate the diversity of our team and recognize that every individual matters in our

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journey of creating a peaceful, safe and vibrant future for our state.

At PACT, we are united by our commitment to the well-being of local residents and families. What energizes us most is the positive impact we make by giving a voice to our clients, including ALICE families, our youth and survivors of abuse, who are oftentimes overlooked.

We recognize the strength that lies in fostering open and ongoing dialogue with the communities we serve. Through active listening and collaboration, we empower individuals and families to be architects of positive change in their lives.

Our diverse range of statewide programs reflects our holistic approach to community well-being.

We understand that safe, healthy and nurturing homes are the cornerstone of a flourishing society. To that end, we offer comprehensive services including early childhood education, domestic violence intervention, child abuse and neglect prevention, behavioral health support

and community building initiatives.

Cross-sector collaboration is key to our success, and we proudly work alongside numerous partners across our community including nonprofits, government, and corporations. By joining forces, we amplify our statewide impact to address the multifaceted needs of our clients while advocating for long term change. Together, we strive to build a resilient and interconnected community where the power of every voice is acknowledged and opportunities for growth and fulfillment are accessible to all.

1300 Halona Street Honolulu, HI 96817 (808) 847-3285 ParentsAndChildrenTogether.org

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Island Palm Communities LLC

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Lendlease, the owner and manager of military housing projects across the U.S., has benefited military spouses, offering them career continuity and advancement opportunities within the Lendlease/WINN community network, crucial during geographic relocations due to military assignments.

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OR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, Island Palm

Communities (IPC) has been celebrated as one of Hawaii’s “Best Places to Work,” marking a sustained period of excellence recognized by its employees, who attribute this to: • The organization’s commitment to professional and personal growth.

• A dedicated focus on team safety and well-being.

• The cultivation of a workplace that thrives on diversity and inclusivity.

“From senior leadership to peer-topeer interactions, our organization prioritizes creating an environment where recognition and opportunities for coaching and growth are not just words but actions that breathe life into our daily operations,” shares Ka’eolani Winner, Director of Property Management.

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“Our goal is to cultivate a workplace where individuals feel valued, supported, and recognized — we’ve established local initiatives, such as our Hype Squad and Malama Program, to complement and amplify the impact of our broader corporate programs, ensuring that every achievement is recognized and celebrated.”

IPC’s commitment to its staff’s happiness and development is evident through various programs, such as leadership and cross-training, mentorship opportunities, and awards. IPC’s dedication extends beyond its immediate community, with employees actively supporting via volunteerism. From Malama Maui’s Fire Survivor donation drive and donation drives for earthquake survivors in Turkey, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to support near and far.

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IPC provides nearly 400 employees comprehensive benefits, including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and a wellness and incentive program promoting community volunteering. In response to evolving employee needs, added benefits include: • Enhanced gym membership discounts.

• Health monitoring devices.

• Online wellness counseling.

• Flexible hybrid work options.

• Pet insurance.

• Engaging in team events.

Iris KirkPilger, Project Director, highlighted IPC’s community-oriented ethos: “Our employees are proud of their contributions to our residents and each other. Their resilience and dedication make our workplace safe, joyful, engaging, and fulfilling. This ongoing commitment to supporting the workplace and the wider community underpins IPC’s continued recognition as a top employer and its pivotal role in fostering a positive and inclusive culture.”

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3703 McMahon Road, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857 877-487-4323 www.islandpalmcommunities.com

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Hickam Communities LLC

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ICKAM COMMUNITIES (HC) PROUDLY CELEBRATES its

recognition as one of Hawaii’s “Best Places to Work,” a testament to its unwavering commitment to employee satisfaction and engagement.

As a collaborative venture between Lendlease and the U.S. Air Force, HC provides quality housing for over 2499 military families, primarily at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), fostering a supportive and vibrant community.

This esteemed acknowledgment stems from our employees’ high satisfaction attributed to our inclusive workplace culture, ample professional and personal growth opportunities, and a steadfast commitment to safety and wellness.

Sylwia Surmacz, Director of Property Management, emphasizes our dedication to our people, stating, “At Hickam Communities, we prioritize the well-being of our residents and team members alike, recognizing that our collective success hinges on our talented and diverse staff. We’re focused on nurturing their talents and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.”

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“Hickam Communities’ open-door policy and culture of innovation are central to our operations, encouraging every team member to contribute ideas that enhance our business and community environment,” shares Tom Adams, VP of Winn Residential Military Housing Services.

Mladena Johnson Providence, Project Director at Lendlease, adds, “We are proud to underscore our commitment to community support, including offering paid volunteer time off for employees to engage with local charities and participate in food and clothing drives, reflecting our deep commitment to the military and broader communities. In addition, we offer comprehensive benefits to our full-time employees, including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and programs that inspire community volunteerism. Moreover, our dedication to sustainability and the conservation of Hawaii’s precious resources is evident in initiatives like our ESS Program, which promotes

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energy efficiency and attracts employees who share our commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Hickam Communities’ ambition to provide exceptional living experiences extends across all military branches, demonstrating our comprehensive approach to customer experience and programming. Our recognition as a “Best Place to Work” is an accolade and reflects our commitment to our employees, residents, and community.

Hickam Communities LLC 211 Mercury Street, Honolulu, HI 96818 888-329-4758 www.hickamcommunities.com

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Express Employment Professionals

EXPANDING HORIZONS: OUR COMPANY’S GROWTH JOURNEY

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xpress Employment Professionals, a leading staffing agency in Hawaii, is excited to announce the opening of its third location in Honolulu, specifically dedicated to its growing Licensed Medical division, Express Healthcare Staffing. This expansion not only signifies physical growth but also highlights the agency’s commitment to serving the community and creating employment opportunities. The new location on Nimitz Highway began operations in February, with the team ready to embark on this exciting chapter.

Express Employment Professionals serves as a bridge connecting talented individuals with fulfilling job opportunities and assisting businesses in finding the perfect match for their needs. With expertise in various sectors such as Office Services, Professional, Skilled Trades, Licensed Medical, and Light

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Industrial, the agency has earned recognition for its exceptional service, including awards like “Best Places to Work,” “Best Workplaces,” “Forbes America’s Best Recruiting Firms,” and “Best of Staffing Client Satisfaction.”

As the agency continues to grow, it is actively seeking passionate individuals to join its mission of empowering the Hawaii community through meaningful employment. Whether you are interested in helping individuals find their dream job or assisting businesses in building strong teams, there is a place for you in the Express Employment Professionals family.

The agency’s growth extends beyond physical expansion, as it has collaborated with top-tier technological partners to enhance its capabilities and invested in training programs to equip its team with the necessary skills. Looking ahead, the goal for 2024 is to expand the client base while remaining committed to empowering both companies and applicants. Express Employment

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Professionals invites you to join them on this journey of growth and transformation, where together, they can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and businesses, one placement at a time.

1130 N. Nimitz Hwy, Ste A-135 Honolulu, Hi 96817 (808) 525-5225 www.expresspros.com/honoluluhi

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Finance Factors

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stress management sessions, and an annual health fair to promote physical and emotional health. Financial well-being is addressed through personalized retirement planning sessions, 401(k) matching, bonuses, and subsidies for transportation, parking and education.

The company’s commitment to its employees extends to community involvement, with initiatives such as non-profit gift matching and corporate volunteer events. In 2023, the Finance Factors Foundation and its employees actively participated in various community service initiatives and fundraisers, supporting over 40 Hawaii nonprofits and donating over $100,000.

Finance Factors’ Annual Charity Breakfast stands as a beacon of unity and philanthropy within our organization, showcasing the remarkable spirit of collaboration and community engagement that defines us. The Charity Breakfast brings over 70 employee volunteers together to cook up delicious local-style breakfast plates right

INCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1952, Finance Factors

has evolved into the largest locally-owned depository financial services loan company in Hawaii, specializing in residential and commercial real estate lending with 13 branches spread across four Hawaiian islands and a mortgage center in Guam.

Finance Factors has a long track record of going above and beyond to deliver the right solutions at the right time to our customers. President Rob Nelson attributes the company’s enduring success to its dedicated workforce, emphasizing their agility, compassion and commitment to our core value of Aloha.

The company’s emphasis on employee well-being is evident through a comprehensive range of programs aimed at supporting physical, emotional, and financial health. Finance Factors offers onsite, remote and hybrid work models for eligible positions, 100% paid Kaiser medical insurance, gym membership subsidies, onsite immunizations,

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outside our downtown headquarters to sell to the public, with all proceeds going to a local nonprofit organization. The Charity Breakfast epitomizes the power of teamwork and serves as a shining example of what we can accomplish when we unite for a worthy cause.

Finance Factors’ President Rob Nelson emphasizes the significance of the people, culture, and mission in setting the company apart. He expresses gratitude for the smart, driven, and compassionate colleagues who contribute to the company’s success, creating a work environment characterized by connections, engagement, and camaraderie.

1164 Bishop Street, Suite 300 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 www.FinanceFactors.com

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Child & Family Service

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Perks of working at CFS:

• In addition to 16 paid annual holidays, employees are allowed time off to volunteer to support CFS programs, and/or other community-based organizations, on their birthdays, and for preventative health care.

• The organization focuses on and cares about their employees’ wellbeing.

• Up to 280 hours of paid time off for sick and paid leave is provided.

• The opportunity for professional development and training through an annual employee leadership academy cohort where employees learn from peers and local leaders.

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FS CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

of strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children in Hawai‘i, while providing one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work! Child & Family Service values community engagement and meets families where they are to build connection and collaboration for a thriving future.

In a single year, CFS’s caring staff provides statewide support to seven percent of Hawai‘i’s total population. This includes direct services to 15,691 individuals and another 110,000 lives touched through phone calls, referrals, educational presentations, and providing for those visiting walk-in family centers.

The team at CFS helps Hawai‘i families address serious life issues, from keiki to kūpuna, with positive results. As one of the state’s largest human services organizations, CFS offers referrals to community resources, counseling, and therapeutic

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programs to help individuals and families heal from trauma, prevent abuse and neglect, and break the cycle of generational poverty.

CFS programs are working to implement the Transition to Success® (TTS) model—an evidence-based, anti-poverty intervention, with the goal of disrupting the cycle of poverty across the islands.

The TTS framework treats poverty as a condition, not as a character flaw. The model provides support to families by focusing on 21 social determinants of health.

Applications are open for a variety of family-centered, full-service positions statewide. CFS careers offer extensive benefits and an inspirational experience that will leave you feeling motivated about the work you do. Our staff care deeply about people – family, community, and teammates. They think longterm about the future and are committed to making lasting change, strengthening families, and fostering

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hope for keiki in Hawai‘i. To learn more about employment opportunities with CFS, scan the QR code on the right side of the page.

Our ‘ohana style of business cultivates a warm and safe working environment. Leadership models a welcoming culture and encourages communication, information flow, and supports adaptable learning styles with various training methods.

91-1841 Fort Weaver Rd. Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (808) 681-3500 www.childandfamilyservice.org

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AWAIIII BBUUSSIINNES ESSS HHAWA

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N&K CPAs, Inc.

N&K CPAS HAS BEEN SERVING HAWAII AND OUR 1,000 LOCAL CLIENTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

At our company, our culture is not just a buzzword; it’s the very essence of who we are. It’s palpable the moment you step into our office space or engage with one of our employees – filled with an overwhelming sense of collaboration, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and best of all - fun! Accounting work can be the same, almost anywhere you go. For us, it’s about who you are working with and the environment you are working in.

Our culture is dynamic, shapes our identity, drives innovation, and fosters growth in our business and in our people. At the heart of our culture are our company’s core values – Be Curious, Be Courageous, Be Committed, Be Conscientious, Be Considerate. We celebrate those who are curious to understand the why, seek new opportu-

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nities, find ways to contribute, put forth their best effort, and appreciate their teammates and clients. Our values are a way of life and propel us forward, united in our mission to help our clients and our team members succeed.

In addition, empowering our team members’ voice has allowed us to elevate our culture more than ever. For example, we launched four new benefits that were most requested in our employee benefits survey – paid maternity leave, unlimited PTO, transportation assistance, and education assistance.

We believe that each person in our company owns our culture, and as such, our team members are included in decisions, like this, that have an impact on their lives.

Overall, our definition of success goes beyond achieving individual success. Our culture is about lifting one another up and fostering a collaborative spirit. We place

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importance on building strong relationships with one another, with our clients, and with our community.

Whether it’s through casual coffee talks, our coaching and buddy program, team-building activities, community service projects, or simply our monthly pau hanas, there are many opportunities to intentionally engage with and serve one another.

We are humbled our employees voted us as a Hawaii Best Places to Work, for the second year in a row. We will continue our mission, together!

999 Bishop St #2200 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 524-2255 nkcpa.com

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Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

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ORTY SEVEN YEARS AGO

James Doran Jr and his brother Richard opened a flooring store in Kahului after moving to the Valley Isle from Massachusetts.

This two-person collaboration grew into a second generation family owned business with a 33 member employee team. Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours supply tile, stone, stone and quartz countertops and cabinetry to Maui homeowners. This is their seventh year being recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Hawaii.

“Most of our employees have been with us 10-29 years. This Best Places To Work recognition is a testament to their experience working together to serve our clients,” says James R Doran III, company President. “My father instilled in us that our employee team is our most valuable resource and our extended Ohana.

That is a part of his legacy that we will always honor and celebrate.”

Doran says that “the compa-

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ny makes sure employees receive competitive salaries, full benefits package at no cost to them which includes medical, dental, chiropractic care, a $50,000 life insurance policy, gym membership and participation in our Incentfit program that incentivizes healthy behaviors by giving them $1 every day they get over 8,000 steps, $2.50 to go to the gym, $25 to get their annual flu shot, $75 to get their covid vaccine, $50 to get their annual physical, step challenges, birthday bonuses and a matched 401K retirement plan.”

Ceramic Tile Plus was also named one of the Most Charitable Companies in Hawaii. “Over the past 5 years we raised over $70,000 for the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation. Since the wildfires in August, we have been raising money for the Maui Strong Fund and have donated nearly $20,000 so far. The company also allows youth groups to have Car Washes in their parking lot every Saturday. The groups usually

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raise about $1,000+ each weekend to fund their activities.”

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours has everything you need, and more than you imagined, providing beautiful finishes for Maui’s new home or remodeling projects.

PLUS

25 South Kahului Beach Road Kahului, HI 96732 (808) 871-7595 www.CeramicTilePlus.com

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Hawai‘i Energy

(administered by Leidos)

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S MAJOR INFLATION and climate change drastically impact our ways of life, the Hawai‘i Energy team remains laser-focused on its mission of pursuing a cleaner, more affordable Hawai‘i through energy conservation and efficiency. That mission has guided their adaptive and steady team as they continue to find innovative ways to help everyone keep energy costs down.

Since its start in 2009, Hawai‘i Energy has supported more than 41,000 energy-saving upgrades at local businesses by subsidizing purchases of energy-efficient equipment, providing business consultations, and by training our clean energy workforce to sell and service energy-saving products. Along with supporting large companies like hotels and grocery stores with reaching environmental, sustainability, and governance (ESG) goal targets, their Energy Advantage program also provides LED lighting for small businesses at

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significantly lower costs, and their EmPOWER Grant – which began in 2020 at the height of the pandemic – has provided hundreds of businesses and nonprofits with crucial funding to replace aging, inefficient equipment.

Hawai‘i Energy also works closely with community organizations to host several residential appliance trade-in programs to help rural and lower-income communities trade their old, energy-hog fridges for energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® certified models.

Hawai‘i Energy team members are passionate, driven, and embrace a work culture that prioritizes collaboration and nurturing leaders to be ready to grapple with whatever obstacles block their path. As the only local organzation 100% focused on energy efficiency work, they are joyfully and determinedly up for the challenge. Employees have access to company sponsored professional development opportunities,

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a virtual learning suite, bi-annual trainings on diversity and inclusion, and human-centric wellness plans.

Those wellness plans include paid family leave for any new parent, gym membership & equipment reimbursements, flexible hours, and hybrid work schedules. If you stop by their office, you might see one of their regularly hosted yoga and meditation sessions, a multimedia club with lively discussions, and lunch and learns to further development and connection.

Hawai‘i Energy’s commitment to the community is at the heart of their success. Hawai‘i Energy is proud to be one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for the seventh year in a row!

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45 N King St 5th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96817 (808) 537-5577 hawaiienergy.com

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Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i

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OR OVER 54 YEARS, NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL HAWAI’I

has been dedicated to helping clients approach financial planning with confidence, so they can live the life they’ve always wanted while being ready for whatever comes their way. We believe in doing the right thing, and to us, the right thing is making sure our clients won’t have to worry about their financial future. That’s because the financial strategies we recommend are based on each client’s life and priorities, and every financial plan is specifically tailored to help them reach their unique goals.

“We live our mission of elevating the trajectory of peoples’ lives. This mission guides every aspect of our organization, from the individuals that join our team, to the way we conduct business here in our local community,” says Jamie Delgadillo, Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual Hawai’i. At our core, we prioritize the growth of our advisors’ skills, continuously foster a diverse and inclusive workforce, and provide unwavering support and mentorship. This unique combination empowers our team to build on a culture of success while

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also meeting our clients’ needs in an everchanging financial landscape.

We take pride in our commitment to diversity and gender equality in our field force. In 2023, over 50% of the new financial advisors we’ve added to our team have been women, highlighting our dedication to empowering women in the finance industry. Our Hawai’i leadership team also sets a remarkable example, with 57% of our members being women. In 2023, Managing Director Jamie Delgadillo received the ‘Business of Pride Award’, a testament to his mindset of continuously championing diversity and inclusion at our firm.

Northwestern Mutual Hawai’i led the Western Region in various production categories this past year.

In 2024, FORTUNE Magazine recognized Northwestern Mutual as one of its World’s Most Admired Companies, ranking high for social responsibility, quality of management, and quality of products and services.

Year after year, Northwestern Mutual Hawai’i continues to partner with various community organizations such as Make-A-Wish Hawai’i, The Hawai’i Foodbank, and the Hawai’i LGBTQ Legacy Foundation.

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In 2023, Northwestern Mutual partnered with the American Red Cross and successfully raised over $163K for those impacted by the Maui fires.

As we expand our footprint in Hawai’i, we embrace our responsibility of uplifting the community, prioritizing the needs of our clients, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce for our local leadership team and financial advisors.

737 Bishop Street, Suite 1700 Mauka Tower, Honolulu, HI 96813 hawaii.nm.com DISCLOSURE: NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL IS THE MARKETING NAME FOR THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (NM) MILWAUKEE, WI

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Aqua Engineers, Inc.

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to the employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). David Paul, President and CEO, says, “Aqua continues our founders’ tradition of providing the best value in water and wastewater operation & maintenance services. We focus on training our employee-owners to become licensed operators and drive our employee-ownership culture.”

As a service provider, Aqua considers its employee-owners as its most important asset. Our benefits include competitive compensation and a share of approximately 50% of operating income in distributions through annual cash bonuses & retirement profit sharing contributions. The other 50% goes to employee-owners as “shareholders” through stock price growth.

Employee-owner growth and development remains our number one priority. Through company paid training, licensing, certification and bonus programs, we help our employee-owners further develop

WARD WINNING AQUA ENGINEERS, INC. is Hawaii’s

100% employee-owned company that owns, operates and maintains water and wastewater facilities statewide. From its humble beginnings on Kauai 44 years ago to today’s largest and most experienced water and wastewater management company in Hawaii, Aqua operates over 40 wastewater treatment facilities, 15 water systems and over 70 wastewater pump stations. Five of our wastewater treatment plants are R-1 facilities, producing the highest quality effluent and conserving millions of gallons of potable water every day. Aqua’s mission is to deliver excellence in the operations, maintenance, management and engineering of our clients’ water and wastewater systems, while supporting the health and safety of the community and protecting our environment through innovative, sustainable services and solutions.

In 2006 the company was sold

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Aqua Engineers’ benefits include: • Two Bonus Programs: • Annual Incentive Bonus Program • Annual License & Certification Bonus Program • Retirement Plan that consists of: • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) • 401(k) & Profit-Sharing Plan with 2% match • Up to 25 Days of Paid Time Off & 11 Paid Holidays Per Year • Health/Dental/Vision (Aqua pays 75-90% of premiums) • Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability Insurance • Company Paid Training, Licensing and Certification • Leadership Development Training Opportunities • Wellness Program & Employee Assistance Program • Annual Company Uniform & Shoe Allowance

their skills and prepare them for internal advancement into challenging careers that maximize their abilities and personal satisfaction.

We believe that employee-ownership promotes greater commitment through a shared understanding of key business disciplines and a culture of greater unity.

Although separated by islands, employee-owners are able to network (via travel and videoconferencing) by participating in various company activities: staff meetings, trainings, stock valuation celebrations, employee appreciation lunches & activities, community projects & events, holiday parties, etc. Our President’s Messages and quarterly ESOP newsletters also help keep the Aqua Ohana informed statewide on a regular basis!

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3560 Koloa Road, Kalaheo, HI 96741 (808) 332-7381 www.aquaengineers.com

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HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

and wellness classes. Our employees have access to mental health care alongside other generous benefits such as 100% coverage for single medical, drug, vision, and dental insurance. Advocating for quality health care for our employees and their families is a priority for HawaiiUSA.

EMPOWERMENT AND IMPACT

Working at HawaiiUSA is more than a job, it is an experience. We create a culture and environment that is reciprocal and empowering for our team members. The tools and resources available for our employees are meant to equip them with the confidence it takes to succeed at their job and in their lives. Whether it’s tuition assistance for continued education, or an opportunity to become a certified financial counselor, HawaiiUSA invests in its most important asset: our employees. Education is in our DNA, and we believe in the power of education to help develop our employees into leaders who can further invest their talents and strengths into the community.

SERVING OUR MEMBERSHIP

Not only do we enable our employees to be better leaders, but we challenge them to help people in the best way possible. Relationships are a big part of our company culture. The expectation of our team members is to ensure that members can trust them and they feel valued at every touch point. Although our credit union has locations on every major Hawaiian island and is statewide, we treat each other like family. This is evident in the mutual respect between our employees and our members. Learning and growing together is part of the HawaiiUSA legacy for creating a better Hawaii.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Our philosophy is that a holistic approach is necessary to support the well-being of our employees. We highly encourage work-life balance by offering work from home options

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ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION

As a high performing organization, we encourage a learning culture that enables creativity and innovation. We empower our employees to do meaningful and worthwhile work, utilizing data for informed decision making and applying organizational values for moral compassing. Because our members are at the core of everything we do at HawaiiUSA, our employees strive to do their best work each day.

1226 College Walk Honolulu, HI 96817 hawaiiusafcu.com IG: @hawaiiusafcu FB: facebook.com/hawaiiusafcu

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HEMIC

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Administrative Services, • HEMIC Foundation – our 501(c)3 non-profit arm that supports organizations across Hawai‘i who care for our local community.

ROM OUR FOUNDING IN 1996, HEMIC has been ded-

icated to serving Hawai‘i’s workers and businesses.

Once known primarily as Hawai‘i’s leading workers’ compensation provider, HEMIC has evolved into a family of companies with solutions for the insurance and risk management needs of Hawai‘i businesses.

At HEMIC, we know that our employees are the key to delivering on our promise to our customers, so we are committed to making our enterprise a “Best Place to Work.” We actively invest in developing our staff’s technical expertise, encouraging innovation, and enabling professional growth through opportunities like cross-functional training and leader development programs. Collaboration is integral to our culture, so we focus on building cross-disciplinary teams and strong account management.

In all we do, HEMIC’s core values of excellence, integrity, connection, and belief guide and inspire us. We encourage a creative environment that empowers problem-solving, so that we can deliver the best possible service experience for our

The HEMIC family is comprised of: • HEMIC – the State’s premier provider of workers’ compensation coverage for on-the-job injuries and illness, with a unique online portal of safety tools and resources and a team of risk management consultants to serve policyholders, • EPIC – providing temporary disability insurance (TDI) for off-thejob coverage, • HIMI – offering additional commercial insurance products, risk management consulting, and new offerings including a Small Business Program and Third-Party

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HEMIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE: • Leadership and career development opportunities • Benefit allowance for medical, dental, and other insurance, cash-out option • Company-paid life, AD&D, longterm disability insurance, and identity theft benefit • Flex spending account (FSA) and health reimbursement account (HRA) • Pre-tax 401(K) with 6% company matching • Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance • Parking, bus pass, and travel allowance • $1,000 charitable giving match • Unlimited coffee, espresso and ice cream bar • Generous PTO, 14 paid holidays – and your birthday off!

employees and customers alike.

Giving back to our island community extends beyond our day-to-day operations: The HEMIC Foundation supports impactful local charitable efforts and creates partnerships to make a lasting difference.

At the heart of it all, HEMIC is powered by our people and our relationships.

915 Fort Street, Suite 100 Honolulu HI 96813 (808) 524-3642 www.HEMIC.com

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WestPac Wealth Partners

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San Diego Business Journal, Inc. Magazine, and Fortune Magazine, for several consecutive years.

At WestPac Wealth Partners, we believe in fostering a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. We empower our employees to excel in their roles and provide our clients with the highest level of personalized service.

By working together, we strive to create a brighter financial future for our clients and contribute positively to the communities we serve.

If you’re looking for a team for your financial journey, look no further than WestPac Wealth Partners. With our time-tested track record, commitment to excellence, and dedication to our community, we are ready to help you take control of your wealth and build a clear path to your financial future. Join us, and let us help make your financial dreams a reality.

INCE 2007, WESTPAC WEALTH PARTNERS has

been an integral part of the Hawai’i business community.

Our reputation as a Best Place to Work certified by Hawai’i Business Magazine since 2019 reflects our unwavering commitment to providing clients with the confidence they need to take control of their financial future. Our team of skilled financial representatives works tirelessly to guide our clients in making informed decisions about wealth accumulation, protection, and enjoyment, all while honoring our core values of respect for family, and dedication to our community.

As a testament to our dedication to our community and employees, we have received numerous accolades nationally, including Great Place to Work Certification and recognition as a Best Place to Work

by Hawai’i Business Magazine,

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500 Ala Moana Blvd.

Waterfront Plaza Building 3, Suite 400 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 695-2100 www.WestPacWealth.com WestPac Wealth Partners is an Agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. Securities products and advisory services offered through Park Avenue Securities, LLC (PAS), member FINRA, SIPC. OSJ: 5280 Carroll Canyon Rd., #300 San Diego, CA 92121 619.684.6400. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. This firm is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS. Insurance products offered through WestPac Wealth Partners and Insurance Services, LLC a DBA of WestPac Wealth Partners, LLC. | CA Insurance License #0I29680 | 2024-170494 Exp. 03/26

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Prince Resorts Hawaii

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UCCESS CAN BE MEASURED IN MANY WAYS. At Prince

Resorts Hawaii (PRH), it’s measured by the quality of their relationships—with guests, employees and the community. In all they do and with every thoughtful detail, they provide a luxury experience for their guests and focus on being the employer of choice in Hawaii’s hospitality industry. And this year, PRH is the only hotel group to receive the honor of Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2024 Hawaii’s Best Places to Work. It’s the third year in a row PRH has been recognized with this award.

As an organization, PRH understands the value of people and provides its employees with a supportive, collaborative environment.

Each employee is an integral partner, empowered to go beyond the

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expected, and encouraged with ongoing growth and leadership opportunities.

Generations of families have spent their careers at a PRH hotel, which speaks to the positive working environment and the blend of hospitality values at the core of the company.

“We strive to reimagine hospitality by recognizing the culture and environment of each locale combined with the best traits of luxury service from around the world,” said Shigeki Yamane, president of PRH. Staying true to its lineage of culturally distinct luxury hotels, PRH owns and manages three award-winning oceanfront hotels and golf courses in Hawaii: Prince Waikiki on the island of Oahu, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, both on the island of Hawaii. American environmentalist and venture capitalist Laurance S. Rockefeller, inspired by the area’s incredible beauty and gracious hospitality, built the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii Island’s first luxury resort.

One of the reasons PRH keeps getting voted as one of the Best Places to Work by its employees is

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the company’s philosophy of Lifetime Wellness for its staff. This is not just a human resources program, but a core value of promoting well-being, both while at work and at home, including financial, personal, physical and social care for every employee at PRH. Enlarging the circle of care, each employee is given a paid Make A Difference day to be involved in an activity that gives back to the community, especially in areas of sustainability.

100 Holomoana Street Honolulu, HI 96815 (808) 956-1111 www.princeresortshawaii.com

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taking us beyond the expected.

MAUN A KE A B EAC H HOTE L AUTO G R A P H CO L LE C TIO N

THE WESTI N H AP U NA B E AC H RE S ORT

P RI NC E WAI KI KI

Three years running!

We are proud to share this journey with you.

A P R E MIE R CO L L E C T I O N O F WO RLD-CLASS O CE ANFRO NT RE S O RTS A N D GO L F CO U R S E S ON O ‘AH U AND IS LAND O F H AWAI‘ I

PRINCERESORTSHAWAII.COM

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Diagnostic Laboratory SILVER Services, Inc.

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Opening day for one of DLS’ new Patient Service Centers at Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa, Big Island.

A blessing is held for DLS’ newly relocated and expanded Patient Service Center in the Kahala Office Tower which opened in October of 2023.

CULTURE DRIVEN GROWTH

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS), Hawaii’s largest locally owned laboratory, has been undergoing a period of healthy expansion in recent months. These new locations on Kaua‘i, Big Island and O‘ahu are not just the product of executive level negotiations. They’re a direct result of DLS’ frontline and backline employees living the ICARE values of innovation, compassion, aloha, respect and excellence when interacting with patients and each other. These guiding principles are ingrained throughout the company through conscious, purposeful initiatives that help make DLS a great place to work.

ICARE

For all employees, from their first day in Na Pilina, DLS’ orientation program, the ICARE values are connected to each role to begin influencing performance and guiding decision making. Leaders talk with employees about ICARE and what it means to live them, and the

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behaviors associated with showing them to others. When an employee is recognized, DLS celebrates the values they demonstrated.

SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Supported by its motto of Great Science, Great People, employees are the heart of DLS. They put patients first with creative and innovative approaches. The team ensures a safe environment for patients, customers and employees by redesigning workspaces, offering remote work and flexible shifts, continuously communicating and offering a variety of listening posts. Through the Career Connections program, employees are given the tools, techniques and resources that enable them to grow and prosper with ongoing training to increase skills and deliver tremendous service for customers. DLS fosters career progression by actively engaging employees in development discussions. This helps guide them to positions where they feel they can make the greatest impact.

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LŌKAHI

DLS employs 800 people across 50 locations throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. Keeping everyone engaged and connected to purpose across geographical barriers can be a challenge. In partnership with the management team, the Lokahi Committee, made up of employees from across the company, creates avenues for two-way communication, teambuilding and fun to celebrate our diversity and our focus on the mission.

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc.’s growth reflects the relationship between organizational workforce investment and employees’ commitment to DLS values. Together, they create a culture dedicated to community engagement and employee well-being. Receiving its fourth consecutive Best Places to Work recognition from Hawaii Business Magazine is a testament to these corporate driving forces.

99-859 Iwaiwa Street Aiea, Hawaii 96701 (808) 589-5100 DLSLAB.com

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Kupu

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N ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I, THE WORD “KUPU” can mean

to sprout, to grow, or to develop.” When lava transforms a forest into a landscape of solid rock, the kupukupu fern is one of the first plants to begin the process of reforestation, breaking through hard surface and making the environment hospitable to other wildlife once again.

Founding Kupu as a nonprofit in 2007 after years of doing mālama ‘āina (caring for the land) together, Kupu’s cofounders – John Leong, Julianna Rapu Leong, and Matt Bauer – dreamt of developing an organization that would do for Hawai‘i’s youth and sustainability community what the kupukupu does for its ecosystem: unlock potential and achieve growth where some may only see challenge and deficit.

Today, Kupu is proud to be a leading sustainability organization working across Hawai‘i. Each year we support a network of over 150

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sustainability organizations and give hundreds of youth and young adults opportunities to start or level-up careers in conservation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs. Working “upstream” to grow Hawai‘i’s green workforce, Kupu partners with schools and teachers who choose to take their lives in a better direction. Some of Kupu’s participants choose to enroll in our GED program or alternative learning program.

While running a diverse array of a dozen different programs, Kupu maintains the common thread of supporting youth and restoring ‘āina.

Since our founding, Kupu and its 6,000-plus participants have removed over 151,000 acres of invasive species, planted more than 1.6 million native species, and contributed more than $200 million in estimated socioeconomic impact. This success is only possible because of our employees, who serve as the foundation of all that we do. We are grateful to them for choosing

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Kupu, and honored to be recognized once again as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work. With our employees, board, participants, partners, donors and volunteers by our side, we’re committed to continuing to kupu (grow) for years to come.

677 Ala Moana Blvd Suite 1200, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 735-1221 www.kupuhawaii.org

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Lawson & Associates, Inc.

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OMING UP ON OUR 15TH YEAR IN BUSINESS, we

celebrate the Lawson team with 2024 - Year of the Tribe!

Mahalo, for being named Best Places to Work again in 2024.

Lawson’s team of safety management professionals is a committed, talented group. Our shared core values of loyalty, excellence, continuous learning, self-discipline, ethics, and leadership continue to define who we are, who we hire, and how we support each other.

Together we are great, making the journey satisfying and purposeful.

Our company culture is a key component, and every member of our Tribe drives it. We work collectively and focus on a common goal – helping companies improve through safety management systems to be safer and more effective. When you seek to help others and strive for excellence, success for the whole Tribe and the individuals naturally follows.

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Highlights of this past year include work on some of the largest and most challenging projects and clients in Hawaii. The Tribe brings a ‘we’ mindset and team effort to problem solving, walking out the process with our clients to help them achieve their goals. Every step along the way, we grow in our technical skills, safety management, certifications, and leadership.

We create high-performing teams where everyone knows where to focus their efforts to achieve outstanding results together. We are all committed to helping every Lawson Tribe member be successful.

At a recent team meeting, the Tribe got to express what they feel makes us unique: Trust, honor each other, reliable, supportive, disciplined, consistency, resilience, common goals, responsible, receptive, SMEs, humble, approachable, lead by example, fun, tight, involved,

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adaptable, humility, engaged, uplifting, passionate, committed, mentorship, collaborative, proficient writers, proactive, versatile, patient, EQ, competitive, positive attitude, lead and follow, innovative, courageous, inclusive, transformative, open-minded, problem solvers, accountable, motivated, loyal, educated, respectful, diverse.

Here’s to 2024 and Lawson’s Year of the Tribe! We also congratulate the other organizations in BPTW 2024 and wish you all an amazing year of growth, opportunity, and purpose.

1312 Kaumualii Street Honolulu HI 96817 (808) 441-5333 www.lawsonsafety.com

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Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting

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Left Photo: Just one of our many roofing crews showcasing their expertise and teamwork as they seamlessly complete a beautiful shingle install, turning this roofing project into a long lasting shield against the elements. Right Photo: Jobert and his crew showing some aloha after completing another successful roofing installation.

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UR MISSION IS TO BUILD A BETTER HAWAII, and we

believe that starts with the best opportunities possible for our tradesmen. By building a great team, we can provide a great service for our customers. We are thrilled to announce that Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting has earned a spot on the “Best Places to Work” for 2024.

This recognition is more than an honor; it is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and generosity that our incredible team brings to work each day.

Over the past year, Kapili has experienced significant growth. Beginning with 119 employees in 2023, we now boast a dynamic team of over 150 skilled professionals. This growth is not just numerical but also reflective of the rich diversity, specialty, and experiences that each member brings to the table, contributing to the unique fabric of our company culture.

The secret behind our success lies in our commitment to creating a nurturing work environment that

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values each team member’s unique contributions and encourages individual growth. At Kapili, every voice matters, and every idea is welcomed with open arms.

Our company core values play a pivotal role in fostering this culture. From team-building events that strengthen bonds and enhance collaboration to rewarding programs that recognize and appreciate efforts, we ensure that our team members feel valued and motivated. Furthermore, we provide opportunities for upskilling to support the professional development of our staff, reinforcing their sense of connection and loyalty towards the company.

But what truly sets us apart is our unique work culture. Here at Kapili Roofing, we are not merely colleagues; we are a family. We cultivate a close-knit community that promotes trust, loyalty, and respect among all team members, enhancing job satisfaction and fostering a sense of belonging.

Our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch service and ensuring customer satisfaction further boosts team morale. We take

immense pride in our transparent communication approach, which fosters trust within our team and strengthens our reputation as a desirable place to work.

As we continue to grow, we remain devoted in our commitment to setting new standards in both employee satisfaction and customer service. At Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting, our team is our greatest strength, and our customers are our motivation to constantly improve and innovate. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive work environment, where every voice is heard and ideas are valued.

Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting Employee Benefits: • Competitive Private & Davis Bacon Prevailing Wages • Davis Bacon Profit Sharing Contributions • Medical, Vision, & Dental Insurance • Paid Time Off • Discretionary Profit Sharing • 401k + 100% Match Up To 4% • Employee Recruitment Program Earning Up To $1000

94-221 Leonui Street Unit A Waipahu, HI 96797 (808) 621-7663 www.kapiliroof.com/ tradesmen-careers

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UHA Health Insurance

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WE ARE UHA PROVIDING MEDICAL, DRUG, AND VISION PLANS FOR HAWAI‘I SINCE 1996.

UHA was founded by physician educators from the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine. Inspired by the values of our physician founders, we are compassionate, trustworthy, genuine, ethical, knowledgeable, and fair.

These qualities, combined with our physician-guided health plans, have helped to build trusted relationships with the employers and employees that we serve.

LARGE ENOUGH TO SERVE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE

Because of our physician-founded legacy, we recognize our privileged duty, or kuleana, to care for Hawai‘i’s people and the health of our community.

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IN 2023 WE ACCOMPLISHED:

• $500,000+ in charitable donations to various Hawai‘i organizations.

• 78,000 customer calls on average are serviced by our call center team.

• 300 new physicians joined UHA’s network to serve our over 60,000 members with Hawai‘i’s largest physician network.

• 33 in rankings for the 2023 Top 250 Hawaii companies and recognized for the past decade as one of the Most Charitable Hawaii Organizations by Hawaii Business Magazine.

• One of Hawai‘i’s Best health insurers as voted by readers of Star Advertiser.

• And recognized as a 2024 Hawai‘i Best Place to Work by Hawaii Business Magazine.

For over 27 years, as we’ve worked to influence Hawai‘i healthcare for the better, we’ve been able to serve countless lives through our benefits and coverage, charitable donations, customer service, advo-

cacy of prevention and well-being and our dedicated nursing team.

Mahalo Hawai‘i for your trust, partnership and aloha. To our dedicated team at UHA, thank you for making UHA a best place to work!

Together we’ll continue to uphold our founders’ vision to simplify healthcare and deliver it with heartfelt compassion.

Learn more about UHA by visiting uhahealth.com.

700 Bishop St 3rd floor, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 532-4000 uhahealth.com

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AlohaCare

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UR EMPLOYEES ARE THE HEART AND SOUL of

AlohaCare. As we celebrate our 30th year as a nonprofit health plan, that sentiment guides how we care for our employees.

“Our commitment to our team aligns with our member approach to address whole-person care,” said CEO Francoise Culley-Trotman.

“Because a happy and healthy workforce translates to quality care for our members, providers and community partners.”

While our competitive compensation and expanded benefits are best-in-class, staff are supported in many other ways that reflect our mission, values and culture. We’ve created a welcoming and collaborative environment to foster a great hybrid work experience. And during

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times of hardship, employees can receive the assistance they deserve.

AlohaCare was founded in 1994

by Community Health Centers and other concerned organizations to make sure that quality healthcare would be accessible to all as Hawai‘i implemented QUEST Integration as its Medicaid program. To fulfill that responsibility, we remained committed to only serving Medicaid beneficiaries or those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

Our staff know they are an important part of this vital mission that strengthens Hawai‘i’s safety net. We provide health insurance benefits for 85,000 members statewide – from newborns through kupuna, through all stages of life. That is made possible through our dedicated employees on each island who make a difference in their own communities.

Our staffing needs are diverse – from accounting and marketing to community health workers and pharmacy technicians and everything in between. To learn more about our innovative and collaborative work culture, visit alohacare.org/Careers.

1357 Kapi‘olani Blvd. Suite G101 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 973-0712 www.alohacare.org Additional staff and offices on Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, Hilo & Kona

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Pyramid Insurance Centre, Ltd.

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YRAMID INSURANCE CENTRE

was founded nearly 40 years ago and is one of the largest locally owned insurance agencies in Hawaii.

Their team of over 65 staff and over 85 professional agents on every major island are experienced, motivated, and dedicated to providing clients with advice and guidance while exceeding expectations for reliable and friendly local customer service and support.

Pyramid’s commitment to customerfirst features and best practices is in every aspect of its operations. This shared goal has resulted in a company culture that is customerfocused and engaging for its staff.

• Customer Service phone hours of Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. meet customers’ various work schedules and enable flexible work hours for staff.

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• Experienced account managers work with agents to provide the best insurance solutions for clients.

Fostering strong relationships with both clients and agents creates a collaborative environment that benefits everyone involved.

• Satellite offices offer customer convenience while helping to reduce staff commutes and encouraging work-life balance.

Pyramid staff are provided benefits such as: • Medical, dental, drug, and vision coverage • 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions • Profit sharing • Paid time off and observed holidays • Flexible remote work schedule and business casual dress attire • Insurance discounts • Training and leadership development programs Quarterly All Company Meetings, weekly department meetings, and company-wide potlucks are a few ways Pyramid fosters an environment of open communication and appreciation. Pyramid’s Annual Holi-

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day Party is the highlight of the year where teams from all offices on the Neighbor Islands are flown to Oahu for a day of great food and fun.

Supporting non-profit communities is also a priority for the company.

The company’s year-end donation drive for the Salvation Army Maui Wildfire Recovery and Relief Fund had staff and agents donating $2,636 in a matter of weeks. The Pyramid Insurance Foundation’s matching donation program brought the total to $5,641. Other community engagements include the Hawaii Community Foundation, the American Heart Association Hawaii Heart Walk, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Aloha Chapter, and the Hawaii Foodbank.

Pyramid Insurance Centre. Ltd. www.pyramidins.com (808) 527-7667 LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook @pyramidinshi

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Prince Resorts Hawaii Wants to Manage Hotels Beyond Those It Owns Prince’s parent company is pursuing an asset-light strategy. Here’s what that means for the Hawai‘i division of Japan’s Seibu Group.

BY NO ELLE FUJII-O RIDE

PHOTO: COURTESY OF PRINCE RESORTS

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The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is one of three hotels that Prince Resorts Hawaii owns and operates.

RINCE RESORTS HAWAII SAYS IT’S CHANGING ITS DECADES LONG FOCUS on

owning and operating three luxury hotels and three golf courses on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island and is set now on expanding its hotel management business in the Islands.

The change comes as Prince Resorts Hawaii’s Japan-based parent company, Seibu Group, pursues an asset-light strategy to help it overcome challenges encountered during the pandemic and make its business model more durable. Seibu runs one of Japan’s largest hotel chains and also has interests in real estate, railway and bus operations, and sports.

Pursuing an asset-light strategy has led to the sale of 31 of Seibu Group’s 76 leisure properties to Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and a restructuring of its hotel holdings into two divisions: one for hotel operations and another for holding assets. Seibu’s goal is to grow its hotel operations business to 250 hotels in Japan and abroad.

Shigeki Yamane, president and CEO of Prince Resorts Hawaii, says Seibu has not instructed him to sell the Hawai‘i properties, but the diversified strategy lessens the overall company’s exposure to asset depreciation and any economic downturns and allows for faster expansion.

“Take Hawai‘i, for example: New assets are very difficult to attain at this point,” he says. “By concentrating on management services, we will still have the ability to grow without the H AWA I I B U S I N ES S

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obstacles of finding a property or land to purchase.”

WHAT’S NEXT

As of April, all Seibu hotels, including Prince Resorts Hawaii, will fall under the Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts brand, and their loyalty programs under Seibu Prince Global Rewards.

Prince Resorts Hawaii currently owns and operates the 563-room Prince Waikiki; The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and its 249 rooms; and the 252-room Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection; plus the Hawaii Prince, Mauna Kea and Hapuna golf courses.

“The positioning of Prince Resorts Hawaii, being more Western and able to handle that domestic as well as international market, is the best of both worlds,” says Rona Young, executive assistant to the Prince Resorts Hawaii president and corporate marketing manager. “So we’re in a prime position to be key in a lot of this.”

In the meantime, Prince Resorts Hawaii is preparing to begin an extensive $180 million overhaul of its Mauna Kea Beach Hotel rooms, restaurants, pool, spa and gardens.

Construction is expected to wrap up in spring 2025, in time for the hotel’s 60th anniversary.

Prince Waikiki’s fifth-floor public areas will also be renovated, and Hapuna Beach Resort’s carpeting will be redone and its bedspreads, curtains and furniture will be replaced.

FOCUSED ON GROWTH

Yamane says the Hawai‘i-based company was focusing on its own growth prior to Seibu restructuring its hotel holdings in 2022.

Prince Resorts Hawaii spent $55.4 million to renovate the Prince Waikiki in 2017 and $46 million on The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in 2018. It was also working on distinguishing its brand by using more locally sourced products, reducing waste, and adopting more energy-efficient practices. The resort company says it also wants to create a 100,000-

tree forest at its Hāpuna property, and to better engage and care for employees.

Prince Resorts’ three hotels were recognized by the Hawai‘i Green Business award program in 2022, and Hawaii Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work program in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Its

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Mauna Kea and Hāpuna hotels were also approved as Blue Zones Project worksites in 2022; under the program, the two hotels partner with the Blue Zones Project to create healthier work environments, according to Prince Resorts.

“The new strategy gave us an op-

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Carrier Hawaii is your single-source solution for cooling, ventilation and intelligent controls. Turn to the experts with service and distribution across the islands.

©2024 Carrier

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Locally owned distributor: Carrier Hawaii Kapolei Honolulu Kahului Kailua-Kona (808) 677-6339 • CarrierHawaii.com

portunity to stop and rethink our definition of assets,” Yamane says. “Our greatest asset may just be our staff with our employee program of lokomaika‘i, sharing genuine hospitality, and our management teams with their experience and unique management styles fostered in an environment that encourages innovative growth.”

He adds that employees are key to Prince Resorts’ success and are why the Prince Waikiki has been the No. 1 traveler-ranked O‘ahu hotel on TripAdvisor for over four years.

“Profit is not a singular goal for us,” he says. “We have always operated with operational excellence and longevity in mind. With these distinct values, which are different from other larger domestic hotel chains, and our sales/marketing tools that draw from international expertise, we can provide potential new partners access to the strength of a diverse international company with a much larger hotel selection.”

Prince Waikiki employees stamp copper hinana fish that now hang in the hotel’s lobby as part of an 800-piece installation by artist Kaili Chun.

Commercial Furniture & Storage Solutions

DESIGNING FOR WORKPLACE WELLNESS SINCE 1976

CONTACT US

(808) 847-0911 info@systemcenter.com systemcenter.com

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Company Imports Cars Built for Japan

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O N E O F J D M H AWA I I ’ S 15 employees completes a 48−point inspection of an imported kei truck, or Japanese mini truck.

JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market and refers to the older, used vehicles the company imports from Japan.

Kei vehicles, which include passenger cars, trucks and vans, are more fuel efficient than regular cars because they have three-cylinder engines with 45 to 50 horsepower, says Slater Robinson, owner of JDM Hawaii. They’re also smaller at 1,500 to 2,000 pounds and come in brands well known in the U.S. like Honda, Subaru and Suzuki, and lesser-known ones like Daihatsu.

LOCATION: KAIMUKĪ, O‘AHU

PHOTOGRAPHER: AARON YOSHINO

“I thought it would be a perfect alternative” to more expensive and less fuel-efficient trucks like Toyota Tacomas and Ford F−150s, he says.

Federal law requires that all cars not built for the American market must be at least 25 years old before they can be imported. Robinson says JDM Hawaii sources gently used cars; all are inspected, and repaired if needed, before being sold.

Robinson estimates he’s imported 2,000 kei vehicles since starting JDM Hawaii in November 2020. About 70% stay on O‘ahu; the rest are shipped to the Neighbor Islands. jdmhonolulu.com

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Building a Maui Food System for the Future T H E M AU I E M E RG E N C Y F E E D I N G TA S K FO RC E I S TA K I N G L E S S O N S L E A R N E D F ROM T H E M A U I F I R E S A N D B U I L D I N G A P L A N F O R R E S I L I E N C Y.

Left, Jennifer Karaca, Common Ground Collective executive director. Right, volunteers prepare meals for displaced residents in late August 2023.

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was there was no existing overall plan for Maui that was ready to be rolled out Ground Collective (CGC) for disaster response and feeding all started serving up plate lunches to these people,” Karaca says. displaced Maui residents in the wake of Karaca and relief partners started the August 2023 fires, she thought they to brainstorm what could be done to would be on emergency duty for maybe a make sure this kind of vulnerability few weeks. after a disaster doesn’t happen again, “We started doing hot meals out of the and to tackle the critical issue of food kitchen at the University of Hawai‘i Maui insecurity, which was reaching crisis College (UHMC) the mornlevels on Maui years ago. ing after the fire,” Karaca, In September 2023, CGC “We work, we CGC’s executive director, launched the Maui Emerlive, we eat and says. “At that point, my train gency Feeding Taskforce breathe Maui of thought was, yeah, we’re (MEFT), a grassroots effort County. [The a small organization, but we to open lines of communimembers of the cation among community can fill this gap until these larger agencies come in and taskforce] are the organizers and government handle it.” community, and officials, advocate for Instead, Karaca says, we’re in the best greater collaboration, the ad hoc coalition position to come and ease daily burdens on of CGC, UHMC staff, families. up with plans that displaced Chef Hui, World Central “We work, we live, we eat we know will Kitchen, and Salvation and breathe Maui County. be the best for [The members of the taskArmy ended up providing between 8,000 to 10,000 force] are the community, the future.” meals a day to displaced and we’re in the best position  JE N N IFE R K AR AC A residents over the course to come up with plans that of the next few months, we know will be the best for a herculean task that the future,” she says. required finding farmers and food venThe taskforce, which has been dors that could keep up with the demand meeting multiple times a month since its and building out emergency distribution inception, brings together community infrastructure on the fly. hub leaders, local businesses, restaurants, “What we learned, unfortunately, chefs, and nonprofits. The collaborative H E N J E N N I F E R K AR AC A AN D H E R T E A M from Common

has worked to build a network of support for organizers and groups that have spent the last eight months feeding Maui, in addition to drafting community plans to strengthen the local food system and more quickly respond to residents’ needs during crises in the future. The ultimate goal is to develop institutional infrastructure and community connections that will help build food independence and resilience in Maui County.

MEFT partner Maui Food Bank is working with the taskforce to identify the food needs and gaps in services in Maui’s communities. Charity Hartman, Maui Food Bank’s agency director, says, “Partnerships and collaboration are at the heart of our mission, and we serve our community best when we work together. Gathering key stakeholders at the table is absolutely vital to successfully addressing food insecurity, and building resilient communities.”

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation has supported MEFT with a $155,000 grant from its Maui Strong Fund, part of a total of $2.9 million it has distributed as of March 1 to partners providing food, supplies, and resource hubs. “In a crisis, we have emergent priorities. In this case, it was feeding people immediately,” says Lauren Nahme, HCF’s senior vice president of Maui Recovery. “While we continue to deploy resources to make sure people have their food needs met every day, we are panning out to identify some of the island’s most long-standing challenges—food sustainability to affordable housing—and use our collective community strength to create new, systemic solutions for a better, more resilient Maui.”

T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T T H E M O R E T H A N 16 0 M AU I S T R O N G F U N D G R A N T E E PA R T N E R S M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E O N M AU I V I S I T H A W A I I C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D A T I O N . O R G/S T R E N G T H E N I N G/ MAUISTRONG FUND.

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