Hawaii Business Magazine April 2025

66 HOUSELESS COMMUNITY PERSEVERES AFTER FOUNDER’S DEATH

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Care More Try Harder And Go Further

Tradewind Group is a local company born and raised in Hawai‘i, and founded on the principle that success relies on our deep sense of kuleana and aloha for our community. www.tradewindgrp.com

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FEATURES PHOTO COURTESY: FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK

AFTER AN INTERNSHIP, IRENE MA WAS OFFERED A JOB AT AMAZON. SHE INSTEAD TOOK A POSITION AT FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK FOR LESS MONEY SO SHE COULD STAY IN HAWAI‘I AND HAVE BROADER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. READ MORE ABOUT HER ON PAGE 72.

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Record 90 Companies on Best Places to Work List See what companies and nonprofits made the cut, which ones rank 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the large, medium and small categories, and who made the Hall of Fame.

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Houseless Village Keeps Twinkle’s Vision Alive Leaders she appointed at Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae before her death keep the community on track as they build their permanent communal village.

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Workforce Development System Not Sustainable We report on private, nonprofit and government initiatives that aim to counter worrisome trends by training workers for needed, skilled jobs that pay living wages in Hawai‘i.

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New in the Office? I Was & Here’s What I Learned Young staff writer talks with HR experts and offers ideas on how to cope, network, manage your side gig and prioritize mental health.

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Women Entrepreneurs Conference has Answers The half-day conference May 2 offers three dozen speakers and experts on financing, training, successful exits, opportunities, networking and more.

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CONTENTS

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HomeAid’s Communal Projects Quickly Meet Housing Needs The nonprofit has completed five kauhale projects on O‘ahu and taken the lead on Maui’s Ka La‘i Ola, a multiphase project housing those affected by the wildfires.

PHOTO COURTESY: HOMEAID

Despite Your Anxiety, Don’t Tune Out the News Editor Steve Petranik explains why being uninformed makes things worse and offers lower-stress ways to keep informed.

9 Advanced Leadership Training Now Available in Hawai‘i Hawai‘i Leadership Academy provides a short, intense program that prepares vice presidents, directors, senior managers and department heads for bigger roles.

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Children’s Discovery Center Combines Play and Learning Families and school groups engage with displays and toys that engage the senses of touch, sight, hearing and smell at the center next to Kakaʻ‘ako Waterfront Park.

14 My Job Takes Me Underwater at Locations Worldwide Merlinda Garma – who is also a deputy public defender and a mother – has spent two decades as the host of the TV show “Hawaii Skin Diver.”

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Making Oxtail Soup at Tip Top Motel, Cafe & Bakery Tip Top has an extensive menu, but “our bestseller is oxtail soup,” made from a longtime family recipe, says the restaurant’s fourth generation owner, Jonathon Ota. 82

SPECI A L A DV ERTI SIN G SECTI ON Profiles of Some of the Best Places to Work Learn more about how select companies have created workplaces where employees are engaged and committed.

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HAWAII BUSINESS (ISSN 0440-5056) IS PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY PACIFICBASIN COMMUNICATIONS. ©2025 PACIFICBASIN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ANY UNAUTHORIZED COPYING, DISTRIBUTION, OR ADAPTATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL RESULT IN LIABILITY OF UP TO $100,000. EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING AND BUSINESS OFFICES AT 1088 BISHOP STREET, SUITE LL2, HONOLULU, HI 96813. TELEPHONE (808) 534-7520. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL ADDRESS CHANGES TO HAWAII BUSINESS, P.O. BOX 913, HONOLULU, HI 96808. SUBSCRIBERS NOTIFY THE SAME OFFICE. PLEASE INCLUDE NEW ADDRESS AND OLD ADDRESS (MAILING LABEL PREFERRED) PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I, AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. SUBSCRIPTION: ONE YEAR $24.99 / TWO YEARS $34.99 / THREE YEARS $44.99. FOREIGN: ONE YEAR $53.99 (US FUNDS).

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HB EVENTS C O N N E C T W I T H H AWA I I B U S I N E S S M AGA Z I N E

L O C A L LY OW N E D , L O C A L LY C O M M I T T E D SINCE 1955.

Our goal is to strengthen the local economy and help our communities thrive.

Publisher KENT COULES kentc@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 364-5869

LEARN, CONNECT AND BE INSPIRED FRIDAY, MAY 2 Prince Waikiki The third annual half-day conference is an informative and motivating event that helps women-owned businesses succeed.

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS, BUILD YOUR NETWORK FRIDAY, JULY 25 Hilton Hawaiian Village The 12th annual Leadership Conference is dedicated to the advancement of Hawai‘i’s emerging leaders.

Editor & Executive Publisher STEVE PETRANIK stevep@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7584 Editorial Managing Editor CYNTHIA WESSENDORF cynthiaw@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 224-7943 Staff Writer RYANN NOELANI COULES ryannc@hawaiibusiness.com Staff Writer SHELBY MATTOS shelbym@hawaiibusiness.com Copy Editor ELROY GARCIA Editorial Interns: SAVONNA ANDREWS, LAUREL GALVIN, ALLYSON WHALEY

Design & Photography Creative Director JEFF SANNER jeffs@hawaiibusiness.com Staff Photographer AARON YOSHINO Digital Digital Director RANDALL LIBRAMONTE randalll@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7531 Sales & Marketing Account Executive YONGCHAE SONG yongchaes@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 228-5078 Account Executive CHAZ TIOGANGCO chazt@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 387-1672 Senior Account Coordinator REBECCA BROOKING rebeccab@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7560 Events Manager MADELENE MARTINBIANCO madelenem@hawaiibusiness.com • (808) 534-7578 Events Coordinator OLIVIA DE SENA oliviad@hawaiibusiness.com Circulation circulation@pacificbasin.net Connect with us on social media: HawaiiBusiness HawaiiBusinessmagazine Hawaii Business is published by

UPCOMING EVENTS: SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

Hawai‘i Excellence in Business Awards

Money Matters Financial Conference

Organizations chosen as finalists for Hawai‘i Excellence in Business Awards are recognized at this evening celebration, where we announce the winners for 2025.

TBD

A full day conference where attendees will choose from one of five “tracks” to gain knowledge and tools to navigate the complex world of personal finance.

TBD

For more information on events, visit hawaiibusiness.com/events or contact Madelene Martinbianco, Events Manager, at madelenem@hawaiibusiness.com

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

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Don’t Look Away: Ignoring the News Cedes Control of It to Someone Else

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NOWING THAT I’M A JOURNALIST, PEOPLE FREQUENTLY TELL ME THEY CAN’T FOLLOW THE NEWS ANYMORE. The turmoil in

Washington, D.C., has pushed many over the edge, but then you also have wildfires and climate change, poverty and inequality, racism and intolerance, wars and violence, the uncertain economy. Every day seems to bring a fresh wave of scary reports.

It’s no surprise that many people are tempted to tune out entirely, believing that avoiding the news will help maintain their mental well-being. Sometimes I feel the same way.

While briefly stepping away for a mental break sometimes makes sense, disengaging from current events doesn’t – either for you personally or for Hawai‘i and America. Avoiding the news doesn’t make problems disappear. It only makes people less prepared to navigate them.

Most important: In a democracy, decisions are made by the people who show up. If citizens withdraw from the news because it feels overwhelming, they surrender their influence and voice to those who remain engaged – potentially allowing misinformation or extreme viewpoints to dominate public opinion. Informed citizens are better equipped to challenge falsehoods, participate in debates and advocate for meaningful change.

Even on a personal, selfish level, you cede any power you might have when you become less informed about issues that directly shape your life, family, home and money: Public policies, economic trends, health crises and government decisions shape everything from job opportunities and investments to your personal health.

Without awareness, you will be unprepared.

DON’T JUST READ, THINK

I hate the term “consuming the news” because it shortchanges the importance of your thinking. Reading the news gives you the opportunity to think differently.

Here’s an important example: If your candidate lost an election, you could blame the stupid voters who voted for someone else, or you could try to understand why they chose differently. The next election campaign is not only an opportunity to change their minds but your own.

Here are ways to stay informed while minimizing anxiety.

• Choose your news sources: Instead of scrolling endlessly through sensationalized social media feeds that

rely on explosive headlines to grab your attention, choose reliable news outlets known for factual reporting and balanced perspectives. And make a conscious effort to understand perspectives other than your own.

• Set boundaries: Rather than consuming news all day, set specific times to check updates. A short morning or evening review of headlines can keep you informed without overwhelming your emotions.

• Focus on solutions-based journalism: Many media outlets, including Hawaii Business Magazine, emphasize solutions to problems rather than just reporting on crises.

Engaging with stories about problem-solving efforts can help maintain hope.

• Think historically: Knowing that Hawai‘i and America have survived wars, natural disasters and economic depressions should bolster your confidence that we can survive modern crises. And knowledge of the past can help guide your thinking about how to solve today’s problems.

If you fear for the future of American democracy as I do, read “How Democracies Die” by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt to understand how other nations destroyed their democracies in ways that sound all too familiar today.

• Use a local tool: Though diminished from the past, Hawai‘i still has a vibrant news media ecosystem. The easiest way to stay on top of it is by subscribing to Today’s Hawai‘i News, a free email newsletter sent twice every weekday by Hawaii Business Magazine. It summarizes local news from over a dozen outlets and gives you links to the full reports. Sign up at hawaiibusiness.com/newsletter-signup-2.

• Engage in meaningful discussions: Talking about current events with others can provide new perspectives and lessen the feeling of isolation in understanding complex topics.

• Take action: Combat your feelings of helplessness by getting involved, whether by volunteering, donating to causes or simply voting.

Tuning out the news might provide relief in the short term, but uninformed citizens abdicate their responsibility. Widespread unawareness guarantees the future will be worse than it could be.

STEVE PETRANIK EDITOR AND EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

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BY STEV E PETRANI K

Advanced Leadership Training Now Available in Hawai‘i for Your Rising Executives The Hawai‘i Leadership Academy fills a shortage in local training with a short but intense program that prepares vice presidents, directors, senior managers and department heads for even bigger roles

THERE ARE SEVERAL TRAINING PROGRAMS IN HAWAI‘I DESIGNED TO PREPARE FIRST-TIME MANAGERS TO SUCCEED IN THEIR NEW ROLES, AND OTHER PROGRAMS GIVE EMERGING LEADERS A HOLISTIC IMMERSION IN HAWAI‘I AND ITS UNIQUE CULTURE.

What has been lacking is a brief but intense program for experienced managers and executives that is hyperfocused on the elements of modern business success: strategy and decision-making; finances; agile leadership and change management; hiring, workplace culture and mentoring across generations; and AI and future business trends. Among the speakers will be some of Hawai‘i’s most prominent business leaders.

The Hawai‘i Leadership Academy will provide that knowledge and training in five half-day sessions, each Friday morning for five weeks. It is a partnership of the Hawaii Employers Council and Hawaii Business Mag10 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

azine, whose leaders recognized the need for a development program for executives with at least five years of managerial experience, like directors, senior managers, vice presidents and department heads.

The Hawai‘i Leadership Academy prepares your existing leaders for even greater success within your organization.

“Unlike other programs, Leadership Academy provides highly curated, immersive learning experiences and insights from top-tier C-suite executives,” says Sarah Guay, president and CEO of the Hawaii Employers Council. “The blend of executive skill building, strategic leadership development and intentional networking ensures all participants leave with tangible leadership tools and valuable professional connections that directly help their organization.”

Class size is limited to ensure a personalized experience, she adds.

“Organizations should enroll emerging and established leaders who are at the director level and above – people who have the potential to drive your company’s business growth and culture” and have the potential to take on even greater leadership roles, says Tracie Foglia, talent solution manager at HEC and the academy’s leader on curriculum development. “It’s ideal for professionals who want to refine their leadership approach, enhance their decision-making and expand their executive network.”

“Participants will learn practical, real-world strategies to navigate current and future challenges, and acquire practical tools to help them lead high-performing teams, manage change and foster employee engagement,” Foglia says.

They’ll also gain insights from Hawai‘i’s top leaders and learn how to apply those insights in Hawai‘i’s unique context. And they’ll gain entry

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

to a valuable network of academy graduates that will grow with each new cohort.

“Access to other cohort members gives them an understanding of how leadership concepts apply in other organizations. That really helps broaden and deepen their learning,” Guay says. “Finally, they will earn a prestigious certification recognizing their commitment to local leadership excellence, a certificate that will gain in prestige and importance with each new cohort.”

The dates for the first cohort are Fridays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26, and Oct. 3 and 10. Networking will begin at 7 a.m. and training will run from 8 to noon with most sessions at the Hawaii Employers Council’s headquarters at 2682 Waiwai Loop, off Lagoon Drive near the Honolulu airport.

The cost per participant is $3,500 with a $500 discount if enrollment is paid by June 1. After that early bird discount ends, the academy will offer 10% off for nonprofits. Learn more or register at hecouncil.org/LeadershipAcademy2025. Email Foglia at tfoglia@hecouncil.org.

The goal is for the program to run twice a year, but Guay says the first cohort will be unique. “There’s something special about being part of the inaugural cohort that sets the foundation for any development program, that really drives what it becomes,” Guay says. “And I’ve seen a pride in an inaugural cohort that is unique in their networking and ability to come together and mentor the cohorts that come down the road.”

prepares participants to confidently step into greater leadership roles with the skills needed to make a lasting impact on their teams and organization.”

Foglia adds, “I can read books and self-reflect, but when I can be in a room with a cohort of other leaders, I get this multiplier effect. I’m learning from the experiences and lessons of my peers as well.”

The participants’ time is valuable, so the program will be short but intense: an extensive curriculum effectively presented in 20 learning-heavy hours, Coules says.

Participants are expected to engage in interactive discussions, deal with leadership challenges and, most importantly, apply key takeaways to their roles.

“After graduation, they will be ready to take their teams to the next level and help power your company’s success,” he says.

HOW TO REGISTER Learn more or register at hecouncil.org/LeadershipAcademy2025.

HIGH-IMPACT PROGRAM

She says there is no more important time for advanced leadership training.

“Nationally, companies are at an 11-year low for employee engagement. Retention is critical here in Hawai‘i – the ability to keep your great employees, your great leaders, rather than always looking for, vetting and onboarding replacements,” Guay says.

Hawaii Business Publisher Kent Coules says, “Leadership Academy offers a high-impact program that H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 11

BY LAUREL GA LVI N

HomeAid Hawai‘i: Rapid and Communal Projects Meet Housing Needs HOMEAID HAWAI‘I IS A NONPROFIT THAT’S BEEN CREATING AFFORDABLE, COMMUNITYCENTERED HOUSING SINCE 2015.

“It’s very black and white,” says HomeAid Executive Director Kimo Carvalho. “You build homes, you reduce the homeless population.”

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HomeAid has completed five kauhale projects on O‘ahu and is developing others on Maui and Hawai‘i Island, among other projects. HomeAid expanded into two teams after the Lahaina fires, one focused on kauhale projects statewide, and the other on Maui’s Ka La‘i Ola, a multiphase

project housing those affected by the wildfires.

“Kauhale is a Hawaiian village community concept focused on communal living,” explains the HomeAid website. Using “traumainformed design principles,” it provides affordable housing and community support to assist those transitioning out of homelessness.

“You want to create spaces meant to heal people,” Carvalho says.

That includes a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, plus community and private spaces that allow residents to “live naturally,” as opposed to the strict structure of traditional shelters.

Kauhale projects have been built in Honolulu near A‘ala Park and on Middle Street, in Kāne‘ohe and elsewhere on O‘ahu.

HomeAid applied the methods used in its kauhale projects when asked by the state government to be the lead developer of Ka La‘i Ola, a community for those displaced by the Lahaina fires.

The housing project broke ground in April 2024 and its first residents moved in Aug. 9. Today, Ka La‘i Ola houses 140 families across 153 modular units.

The ultimate goal is to build 450 units on the 57-acre site – roughly the size of 43 football fields or about half the size of Ala Moana Beach Park. The modular units can last several decades and can be moved

RENDERING COURTESY: HOMEAID HAWAI‘I

HOMEAID OVERSEES THE DEVELOPMENT OF KA LA‘I OLA, A MULTIPHASE HOUSING PROJECT ON MAUI FOR WILDFIRE SURVIVORS. TODAY, 140 FAMILIES LIVE IN 153 MODULAR UNITS, AND THE GOAL IS TO BUILD 450 UNITS.

and reused in different housing projects, according to Kalewa Bancaco.

Bancaco, born and raised on Maui, became senior project manager for HomeAid’s Maui Housing Initiative in May 2024.

“It meant that I could help my community,” she says. “I can listen to the community directly, my family, and basically just advocate for them, make sure their voices are being heard and implemented.”

Ka La‘i Ola was designed to bring people back home and back together, Bancaco says, and will

eventually include playgrounds, a community center, resiliency center and community spaces for barbecues and other gatherings.

HomeAid has partnered with Hui No Ke Ola Pono, a nonprofit health care center, to offer health care to Ka La‘i Ola residents.

HomeAid’s public and private partnerships help keep kauhale housing affordable. “We’re truly talking deep affordability, in the amount of like $350 to $750 a month for rent,” Carvalho says. “[Residents] need that kind of price point so they can save. The

more they earn, the more they save, the more they can actually work toward that next step.”

Carvalho describes what HomeAid’s projects mean to its staff, partners and the people it serves.

“Every project that we do is not just a project. There’s a lot more to it that we own and we become connected to, and then we value our approach, because it’s more than just development.”

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Kids Learn While Playing at the Children’s Discovery Center THE HAWAII CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER IS THE CULMINATION OF A LIFETIME OF WORK

BY LORETTA YAJIMA – work now

carried on by her daughter, Liane Usher, and supported by a community of staff and volunteers.

Children, families and school groups that come to the center next to Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park learn while playing with displays and toys

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that engage their senses of touch, sight, hearing and smell. Visitors first enter a large room filled with colorful displays, and an automated voice encourages them to “imagine a world where everything is kid-sized.”

On the center’s first floor, children can play countless roles, such as a weather reporter, bus driver, clerk or scientist. One area helps children learn how the

different parts of their bodies, such as the heart and the mouth, work together. The first and second floors include a stage with costumes and props and a puppet theater where children can perform stories straight from their imaginations.

The second floor explains the history of Hawai‘i, while the floor above it contains exhibits explaining the history and culture of various countries, including Japan, Vietnam, Korea and China. In addition, a water exhibit teaches children about rainforests here and around the world.

Before founding the center inside the Dole Cannery in 1989 with only volunteers, Yajima visited children’s museums across the mainland to see what types of exhibits and programs engaged children. In 1998, the center moved into its current building with 45,000 square feet of space – almost the size of a football field – spread across three floors.

Usher says one of her proudest achievements is the center’s Discovery Camp program, which started in 2005 and is often offered during school breaks. The camps have themes and include hands-on activities, outdoor play, a visit to the center’s exhibits and a supervised lunch.

During the Covid pandemic, Usher says, the center rose to meet community needs by keeping some programs open even though the center itself was closed due to state mandates.

PHOTO: JEFF SANNER

“It felt amazing to really be able to support our community … It really became a win-win for everyone, because we were able to care for the children of essential workers and keep our teachers employed,” Usher says.

“Being able to see the kids still interacting with each other when they would normally have to be at home, that’s incredible.”

Since the pandemic, the center has resumed all of its programs, including toddler play time, opportunities for field trips and private birthday parties.

Usher grew up playing in the center with her sisters and other children. It was “like a second home,” she says. As she grew older, she became a teenage volunteer, gained a passion for early childhood education and later earned a master’s in education from Harvard University.

“I really feel like the center is an extension of my family,” she says.

Usher isn’t the only one with a life-long involvement in the center; she says full-circle moments happen frequently, when individuals who attended the center’s programs as children go on to volunteer or work there.

Michael Pietsch has watched the center and its members grow. Pietsch attended Punahou School with founder Loretta Yajima and has sat on the center’s board for over 20 years.

“It’s really a labor of love and Loretta lived it to the fullest,” he says.

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M Y

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BY ALLY W HALE Y

NAME: MERLINDA GARMA JOB: HOST OF TV SHOW “HAWAII SKIN DIVER”

21 Years Underwater and on TV BEGINNINGS: Merlinda Garma was crowned Miss Honolulu in 2003 and while attending a get-together after her victory, she met the owner of Hana Pa‘a, a fishing supply store on Dillingham Boulevard in Kalihi. He told her about a new fishing-centric TV show that was in the works and needed a host. Intrigued, she decided to audition for the role.

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“There were only two people who showed up for the audition of ‘Hawaii Skin Diver,’ me and Cathy.” That was Cathy Nakamoto, the editor of the TV show, who Garma says didn’t want to be on camera but came to ensure there would be at least one candidate. “So I kind of got the role by default.”

HIGHLIGHTS: Since it debuted in 2004, the TV show on Spectrum OC16 has taken viewers on freediving and spearfishing adventures around the world. It airs weekdays at 7:30 pm, with new episodes premiering on the first Tuesday of each month.

Garma enjoys meeting divers and their families and seeing the pride they have in their catches. She’s also

PHOTO: COURTESY MERLINDA GARMA

“As soon as I became an attorney and as soon as I became a new mom, scheduling our times to film was the most challenging part.”

IMPORTANCE: She says she is grate-

ful that the show has showcased and revitalized the important local tradition of spearfishing.

“Little girls and boys will come up to me and say, ‘I want to be a diver,’ and I’m like ‘Fantastic! You can do whatever you want.’ It’s encouraging to see that other generations are following in their footsteps and are still perpetuating this sport.”

loved working all these years with the show’s tiny crew: Nakamoto and her producer/husband Kyle Nakamoto, who are occasionally supplemented by Garma’s husband, Shae Grimm, and son, Ansel.

“It’s always been just a skeleton crew, and it’s just reflective of Hawai‘i in general. It’s very family-oriented and that’s what I love about the show – meeting families and working in this hānai family.”

WHAT IT TAKES: Hawai‘i-born

Garma was not an avid diver before she joined the show, but has learned a lot from the people who appear with her on camera.

“Being around these divers who are super experts, you learn fast.” In an experience that she says points to how connected Hawai‘i is, one of those especially helpful divers was married to a woman that Garma danced Tahitian with.

CHALLENGES: Garma’s calendar has

been especially full since becoming a deputy public defender in 2015 and later a mother.

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

ENSURING EMPLOYEES ARE HIGHLY ENGAGED TAKES WORK, BUT IT’S WORTH IT A talent specialist with the Hawaii Employers Council explains what the best companies do differently

J U ST WHEN IT S E E M E D L IKE EM PLOYEE ENGAG E M E N T N UM BERS HAD HIT R O C K B OT TO M , THEY SLIPPED E V E N LOW E R .

Only 31% of employees nationally said they felt involved and enthusiastic about their jobs last year, according to a Gallup survey – a 10-year low.

In Hawai‘i, engagement figures are probably no higher, says Tracie Foglia, the talent solutions manager at the Hawaii Employers Council. Foglia is spearheading a new HEC initiative to help the council’s approximately 750 member organizations attract the best people, and effectively engage and develop them so they’ll stay.

Finding and keeping talent is the single biggest problem that local leaders worry about, she says. Yet many of those leaders haven’t adapted to employee needs for meaning and connection in their jobs, which is crucial today, she says.

“For me, it all comes down to engagement,” says Foglia.

THE NEW RULES OF ENGAGEMENT While there are no easy fixes for poor or lackluster engagement, “it isn’t rocket science,” says Foglia.

“It’s really about employees having an emotional connection to the work they do for the organization, its mission, vision and values.”

In her previous position as a recruiter for a local staffing company, Foglia says, she would “essentially shuffle people across Hawai‘i organizations because employers weren’t telling them how the work they did mattered, and that wasn’t engaging them.”

And you can’t get people to commit to an organization using tools of the past, she adds. “We used to throw a pizza party or have board games in the breakroom, and we would call it engagement. But engagement is not entertainment,” says Foglia.

“We want to do work where we know that we matter, where we can commit to an organization and we know that the organization is committed to us.

We want to do work that we’re fulfilled by,” she says.

Engaged employees stay at their jobs longer and deliver better results, says Foglia. “You not only keep the great talent that you have, but their hearts and minds are engaged in the work the company does, and they become advocates for your company.”

She says a narrow focus on key performance indicators and other metrics will “impact not only the experience of the employees, but your bottom line.” In a McKinsey survey, for example, 99% of respondents who said their company’s talent management was very effective also said their companies outperformed competitors, compared with 56% of all other respondents.

3 WAY S T O I M P R O V E EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: The most

important way to help people feel engaged at work is by giving them the opportunity to develop their skills, says Foglia. That can take the form of tuition assistance, training and workshops, or cross-departmental training and “exposure.”

“Exposure is my favorite one,” she says, as it lets employees shadow a leader, bringing them into rooms and conversations and preparing them for new roles.

Among 2025’s Best Places to Work companies, 91% say they help employees take work-related courses, and 87% assist with attending business workshops and conferences or getting professional certifications.

Forty-two percent offer reimbursement for advanced degrees.

Job shadowing and cross-training are offered at 89% of the Best Places to Work, and 83% provide formal mentoring.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: The

second-most important engagement tool, Foglia says, is building flexibility into employee schedules when possible and prioritizing work-life balance, which improves physical and mental well-being.

She says employers need to honestly assess people’s workloads and capacity. Do they need assistance? Can projects be delayed or sent elsewhere?

Is there an off-hours policy that protects the employee’s private life?

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“If I’m on PTO, am I expected to check my email?” Foglia asks. “A little part of me dies inside when I read someone’s out-of-office message and it says, ‘I’m on vacation and will reply when I’m able.’ ” Among this year’s selected companies, 88% say they offer flexible work hours, and 71% say employees are discouraged from checking emails and voicemails after work.

But only 40% of those companies say employees are not permitted to work during vacation, and only 44% require employees to take vacation time.

CARING MANAGERS: The third-most

important factor that determines whether employees feel fulfilled and valued is their direct manager, says Foglia – and many managers need training and skills to effectively lead a team.

She says managers can be taught to ask questions – What are your biggest challenges? How can I help? – and to actively listen. “People’s well-being and their ability to share with others when they’re having a hard time is completely dependent on the direct manager,” she says.

Managers at Best Places to Work companies excel at building positive relationships with employees. In survey results gathered from employees, 93% say their bosses treat them respectfully, 92% say their bosses are mindful of their personal needs, and 90% say their bosses willingly listen to suggestions and want employees to reach their full potential.

At an organizational level, while 95% of employees say they understand how their work impacts their companies’ success, only 84% believe their companies value them.

PAY A N D B E N E F I T S M AT T E R Beyond these foundational elements, fundamentals such as pay and benefits are crucial for engagement, says Foglia.

“The vast majority of people work because we have a financial need. If your company does not have market pay, you’re going to lose employees and not attract employees.”

And while many companies offer a suite of benefits, Foglia 22 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

says, employees are often unsure of what benefits they have and how to use them. She suggests that companies explain the value of benefits, especially more complex ones such as 401(k) plans and employee stock ownership plans, and organize financial literacy workshops. An employee stock ownership plan gives employees partial or full ownership of a company.

On the Best Places to Work list, 97% of organizations offer 401(k) plans or something similar, 34% offer profit-sharing plans and 21% offer ESOPs. All of the companies say they offer medical benefits, and 87% of employees say their share of the costs is reasonable.

As for pay, only 68% of employees at Best Places to Work companies say their compensation is fair.

H AWA I ‘ I ’ S U N I Q U E A D VA N TA G E Foglia says that Hawai‘i has inherited the relentless work culture of the mainland, which is “the only one I know where, when people are on vacation, they still feel a need to check in with the office.”

Rather than looking somewhere else for healthier models, she says workplaces can find the guidance they need at home.

“One of our amazing superstrengths in Hawai‘i is our culture of aloha. We naturally try to build connections to people. So why don’t we double down on that and really leverage that in the workplace?”

She says companies should consistently make time to talk with employees about why their work matters and how important they are to the team and the company. “What better place to engage people than here?”

SEE THE NEXT PAGES FOR A SAMPLING OF BENEFITS OFFERED

BY ALL 90 COMPANIES AND NONPROFITS ON HAWAI‘I’S BEST PLACES TO WORK 2025 LIST.

10 KEY DRIVERS OF ENGAGEMENT Companies that make the Best Places to Work list report very positive results from a confidential survey conducted by Workforce Research Group. Participants responded to 80 statements with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree or neutral. The employee survey accounts for 80% of a company’s final score, while the HR survey accounts for 20%.

Based on this year’s survey of Hawai‘i employees, here are 10 key motivators that lead to engaged employees:

1.

I believe this organization values me.

2.

I like what I do for this organization.

3.

I believe in this organization’s leadership.

4.

This organization is committed to producing high-quality products and services.

5.

I understand what is expected of me.

6.

I have fun at work.

7.

I typically feel like I make daily progress at work.

8.

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

9.

My job is well-aligned with my abilities.

10.

I believe my compensation is fair.

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S AT 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 Fully or Employees % ownership partially paid required to employees programs maternity take time working (e.g., ESOP)? leave? off? remotely

Company Name

Co. profile page

Adventist Health Castle

26

NR

NR

8

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

2%

AES Hawai‘i

27

NR

NR

10

Yes

No

No

Full

No

46%

AHL

27

100%

96%

9

Yes

Yes

No

Partial

No

4%

Alexander & Baldwin

27

97%

84%

12

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full

No

80%

American Floor & Home

27

95%

60%

11

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

5%

American Savings Bank

26

94%

70%

11

Yes

Yes

No

Full

No

NR

Aqua Engineers Inc.

27

87%

75%

11

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full

Yes

0%

Atlas Insurance Agency

27

100%

50%

10

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

20%

Bayer Hawaii

26

90%

90%

7

Yes

No

Yes

Full

Yes

1%

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i

29

100%

0%

14

No

No

No

No

Yes

90%

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

26

100%

100%

12

Yes

Yes

Yes

Partial

Yes

4%

Bristol Hospice Hawaii

27

NR

NR

10

Yes

No

No

No

No

80%

Castaway Construction & Restoration LLC

27

100%

0%

10

No

Yes

No

Partial

No

5%

Central Pacific Bank

26

93%

68%

15

Yes

No

No

Partial

Yes

0%

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

29

100%

NR

7

Yes

No

No

Partial

Yes

0%

Child & Family Service

26

NR

NR

16

Yes

No

No

No

No

3%

Chun Kerr LLP

29

100%

NR

11

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

0%

CW Associates CPAs

27

100%

NR

11

No

No

Yes

Partial

Yes

9%

Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc.

26

90%

85%

12

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

20%

Diamond Bakery

27

100%

NR

11

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

0%

Diamond Head Dental Care

29

100%

NR

7

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

15%

Dynamic Planning & Response LLC

29

50%

NR

11

No

Yes

No

No

No

15%

Edward Jones

27

79%

69%

10

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full

No

18%

Elcco Electric Inc.

27

100%

50%

11

Yes

Yes

No

Partial

No

2%

EnviroServices & Training Center LLC

27

100%

0%

10

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

90%

Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii

29

98%

98%

6

Yes

Yes

Yes

Partial

No

13%

Finance Factors Ltd.

27

100%

60%

11

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

5%

First Hawaiian Bank

26

97%

88%

14

Yes

No

Yes

Full

Yes

22%

First Insurance Company of Hawaii

27

100%

90%

11

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

42%

G70

28

99%

50%

8

Yes

Yes

No

Partial

No

80%

NR = No response H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 23

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S AT 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 Fully or Employees % ownership partially paid required to employees programs maternity take time working (e.g., ESOP)? leave? off? remotely

Company Name

Co. profile page

Hale Kipa

28

100%

0%

6

No

No

No

No

Yes

75%

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

28

100%

50%

14

No

No

No

Partial

Yes

95%

Hawaii Dental Service

28

100%

70%

11

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

10%

Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services

28

100%

50%

17

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

20%

Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos

29

75%

75%

10

Yes

No

Yes

Full

No

23%

The Hawaii Group Inc.

29

100%

0%

13

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

19%

Hawaii Information Service

29

100%

0%

9

Yes

No

No

No

No

21%

Hawai‘i Public Health Institute

29

100%

50%

16

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

56%

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

26

100%

50%

15

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

NR

Hawaii Zipline Tours

29

100%

NR

0

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

0%

HEMIC

28

100%

50%

15

Yes

No

No

No

No

20%

Hickam Federal Credit Union

28

100%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

Full

Yes

1%

HiEmployment

29

99%

0%

11

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

10%

Imua Family Services

29

100%

0%

19

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

0%

Independent Energy

29

100%

100%

11

Yes

No

No

Full

Yes

1%

iQ 360

30

100%

NR

13

No

Yes

No

No

No

88%

Island Insurance

28

100%

50%

10

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

8%

Island Palm Communities

26

80%

80%

12

Yes

No

No

No

No

4%

Kapili Solar Roofing and Painting

28

100%

50%

6

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

0%

Kilauea Pest Control

28

100%

NR

4

No

No

No

Partial

No

15%

Kupu

28

100%

NR

13

Yes

No

No

No

No

66%

Lawson & Associates Inc.

30

100%

100%

20

No

No

No

No

No

8%

Layton Construction

28

85%

90%

10

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

5%

Life Cycle Engineering

28

90%

50%

10

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

60%

M. Dyer Global

28

100%

10%

11

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

4%

Make-A-Wish Hawaii

30

100%

NR

16

Yes

No

No

No

No

21%

Mitsunaga & Associates Inc.

30

100%

NR

20

No

No

No

No

Yes

5%

N&K CPAs Inc.

28

100%

NR

12

Yes

Yes

No

Full

No

75%

New York Life Insurance

27

NR

NR

10

Yes

Yes

No

Full

No

50%

Noguchi & Associates

28

100%

NR

12

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

9%

NR = No response 24 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

BEST PLACES TO WORK B E N E F I T S AT 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 Fully or Employees % ownership partially paid required to employees programs maternity take time working (e.g., ESOP)? leave? off? remotely

Company Name

Co. profile page

Nordic PCL Construction Inc.

28

91%

94%

11

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full

No

0%

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i

27

75%

75%

11

Yes

No

No

Partial

Yes

50%

Okahara and Associates Inc.

30

100%

50%

11

No

No

No

No

No

5%

Pacific Administrators Inc.

28

80%

50%

13

Yes

No

No

No

No

0%

Pacific Biodiesel

28

100%

30%

9

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

5%

Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Co.

28

80%

70%

10

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

3%

Pacxa

28

100%

50%

10

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

98%

Parents And Children Together

26

98%

0%

14

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

80%

Premier Solutions Hi LLC

30

100%

NR

11

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

25%

Prince Resorts Hawaii

26

100%

100%

12

Yes

No

No

Full

Yes

5%

ProService Hawaii

26

100%

18%

9

Yes

No

No

Full

Yes

38%

Pyramid Insurance

28

100%

50%

10

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

50%

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

28

100%

50%

11

No

No

Yes

Partial

No

60%

Seagull Schools

28

100%

0%

20

Yes

No

No

No

No

0%

Servco Pacific Inc.

26

85%

NR

8

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

2%

Service Rentals & Supplies LLC

28

100%

50%

6

Yes

No

No

No

No

3%

Servpac Inc.

30

100%

NR

12

Yes

No

No

No

No

2%

St. Andrew’s Schools

28

100%

NR

17

Yes

No

No

Partial

No

3%

Sustainable Island Products

30

100%

0%

6

Yes

No

No

Full

No

62%

Swinerton

28

100%

50%

10

Yes

No

Yes

Full

Yes

0%

T&T Tinting Specialists Inc.

30

80%

NR

7

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

0%

UHA Health Insurance

28

100%

100%

12

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

80%

USAble Life

29

94%

80%

12

Yes

No

No

Full

No

99%

Verity CPAs

30

100%

NR

8

Yes

No

No

Full

Yes

0%

Waimānalo Health Center

28

100%

50%

11

Yes

No

No

No

No

30%

WATG

29

75%

50%

14

No

No

Yes

Partial

No

100%

WestPac Wealth Partners

30

50%

50%

14

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full

Yes

45%

Windward Auto Group LLC

(now called Jerry V’s Auto Group)

28

85%

NR

7

Yes

No

No

No

No

2%

Windward Synergy Center

30

98%

NR

9

No

No

No

No

No

5%

Zephyr Insurance Company Inc.

30

100%

60%

11

Yes

No

No

Partial

Yes

35%

NR = No response H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 25

25O OR MORE HAWAI‘I EMPLOYEES

LARGE COMPANIES

T H E RE MAI N I NG L AR G E C O MPAN I E S AR E L I ST E D AL P H AB E T I C AL LY.

Adventist Health Castle HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 969 HI adventisthealthcastle.org

American Savings Bank HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 968 HI asbhawaii.com

Central Pacific Bank

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 697 HI cpb.bank

Child & Family Service HEADQUARTERS:

‘Ewa Beach

EMPLOYEES: 326 HI childandfamilyservice.org

1

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Waipahu EMPLOYEES: 290 HI bowersandkubota.com

Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. HEADQUARTERS: ‘Aiea EMPLOYEES: 735 HI dlslab.com

First Hawaiian Bank

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 1,908 HI fhb.com

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 376 HI hawaiistatefcu.com

Island Palm Communities HEADQUARTERS:

Schofield Barracks EMPLOYEES: 402 HI islandpalmcommunities.com

Prince Resorts Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 1,559 HI princeresortshawaii.com

Parents And Children Together

2

HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 312 HI pacthawaii.org

26 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

3

Bayer Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS:

Leverkusen, Germany EMPLOYEES: 433 HI hawaii.bayer.us

ProService Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 444 HI proservice.com

Servco Pacific Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 1,045 HI servco.com

MEDIUM COMPANIES 50-249 HAWAI‘I EMPLOYEES

T H E R E MAI N I NG ME D I U M C O MPAN IES ARE L I ST E D AL P H AB E T I C AL LY.

AES Hawai‘i HEADQUARTERS:

Arlington, VA EMPLOYEES: 64 HI aes-hawaii.com

AHL

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 100 HI ahl.design

Alexander & Baldwin

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 99 HI alexanderbaldwin.com

American Floor & Home HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 123 HI americanfloorandhome.com

Aqua Engineers Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Kalaheo EMPLOYEES: 90 HI aquaengineers.com

Atlas Insurance Agency HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 108 HI atlasinsurance.com

Bristol Hospice Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Salt Lake

1

City, UT

EMPLOYEES: 176 HI bristolhospice.com/hawaii/

Castaway Construction & Restoration LLC

Edward Jones

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 90 HI

HEADQUARTERS: St. Louis, MO EMPLOYEES: 139 HI

castawayhawaii.com

CW Associates CPAs

edwardjones.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 65 HI cwa.cpa

Diamond Bakery

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 62 HI diamondbakery.com

Elcco Electric Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 72 HI elccoelectric.com

EnviroServices & Training Center LLC

2

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i

HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu

EMPLOYEES: 55 HI northwesternmutual.com/office/hi/hawaii/87832138

3

New York Life Insurance HEADQUARTERS:

New York, NY EMPLOYEES: 80 HI newyorklife.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 55 gotoetc.com

Finance Factors Ltd.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 108 HI financefactors.com

First Insurance Company of Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 216 HI ficoh.com

C ON T I N U E S ON N EXT PAG E > H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 27

G70

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 102 HI g70.design

Hale Kipa

HEADQUARTERS: ‘Ewa Beach EMPLOYEES: 100 HI halekipa.org

Hawai‘i Community Foundation

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 84 HI hawaiicommunityfoundation.org

Hawaii Dental Service

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 134 HI hawaiidentalservice.com

Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 64 HI hawaiidrs.com

HEMIC

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 123 HI hemic.com

Hickam Federal Credit Union

HEADQUARTERS: Pearl City EMPLOYEES: 105 HI hickamfcu.org

Island Insurance

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 140 HI islandinsurance.com

Kapili Solar Roofing

HEADQUARTERS: Waipahu EMPLOYEES: 156 HI kapiliroof.com

Kilauea Pest Control HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 78 HI kilaueapest.com

Kupu

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 69 HI kupuhawaii.org

Layton Construction

HEADQUARTERS: Sandy UT EMPLOYEES: 56 HI www.laytonconstruction.com/ meet-hawaii/

Noguchi & Associates nogins.com

Nordic PCL Construction Inc. HEADQUARTERS: Edmonton,

Alberta

EMPLOYEES: 173 HI nordicpcl.com

Pacific Administrators Inc. HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 51 HI pacadmin.com

Servco Pacific Inc.

Swinerton

Island Insurance

19

Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services

Pacxa

Nordic PCL Construction Inc.

19

Pacxa

pacxa.com

ProService Hawaii

Parents And Children Together

biodiesel.com

Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Co.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 117 HI pacificguardian.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 92 HI

Pyramid Insurance

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 66 HI pyramidins.com

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 66 HI rnsha.com

Seagull Schools

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 147 HI seagullschools.org

Service Rentals & Supplies LLC

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 63 HI service-rentals.com

St. Andrew’s Schools

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 77 HI standrewsschools.org

Swinerton HEADQUARTERS:

San Francisco, CA EMPLOYEES: 150 HI swinerton.com

LCE.com

uhahealth.com

HEADQUARTERS: Pearl City EMPLOYEES: 78 HI mdyerglobal.com

N&K CPAs Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 59 HI nkcpa.com

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 169 HI

Waima-nalo Health Center HEADQUARTERS: Waimānalo EMPLOYEES: 127 HI waimanalohealth.org

Windward Auto Group LLC

(NOW CALLED JERRY V’S AUTO GROUP)

HEADQUARTERS: Kāne‘ohe EMPLOYEES: 126 HI jerryforthepeople.com

28 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

NUMBE R OF YEARS ON THE LIST

Pacific Biodiesel

HEADQUARTERS: Wailuku EMPLOYEES: 91 HI

UHA Health Insurance

M. Dyer Global

HALL OF FA M E Edward Jones

Pacific Biodiesel

Life Cycle Engineering

HEADQUARTERS: Charleston, SC EMPLOYEES: 104 HI

BPTW

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 56 HI

21

21

19

Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

18

Atlas Insurance Agency

17

Central Pacific Bank

16

Pacific Administrators Inc.

14

14

13

12

12

American Floor & Home

11

CW Associates CPAs

11

Okahara and Associates Inc.

11

16

Servpac Inc.

American Savings Bank

AHL

15

11

10

First Hawaiian Bank

Hawaii Dental Service

EnviroServices & Training Center LLC

Hawaii Information Service

The Hawaii Group Inc.

Island Palm Communities

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

New York Life Insurance

15

14

14

14

Imua Family Services

14

10

10

10

10

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

10

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.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 24 HI bbbshawaii.org

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 30 HI ceramictileplus.com

Chun Kerr LLP

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 39 HI chunkerr.com

Diamond Head Dental Care HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 36 HI diamondheaddentalcare.com

Dynamic Planning & Response LLC

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 43 HI dynapnr.com

USAble Life

Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii

1

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 23 HI expresspros.com/HonoluluHi

The Hawaii Group Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 36 HI

HEADQUARTERS: Little Rock, AR EMPLOYEES: 27 HI

thehawaiigroup.com

usablelife.com

Hawaii Information Service HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 16 HI hawaiinformation.com

Hawai‘i Public Health Institute

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 48 HI hiphi.org

Hawaii Zipline Tours

HEADQUARTERS: Honomu EMPLOYEES: 19 HI

WATG

2

HEADQUARTERS:

Tustin, CA

Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos

HEADQUARTERS:

Honolulu / Reston, VA EMPLOYEES: 34 HI hawaiienergy.com

3

EMPLOYEES: 15 HI watg.com

ziplinetourshawaii.com

HiEmployment

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 22 HI hi-employment.com

Imua Family Services

HEADQUARTERS: Kahului EMPLOYEES: 42 HI discoverimua.com

Independent Energy

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 23 independentenergyhawaii.com

C ON T I N U E S ON N EXT PAG E > H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 29

iQ 360

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 16 HI iq360inc.com

Lawson & Associates Inc. HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 15 HI

OTHER CATEGORIES

lawsonsafety.com

BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR WOMEN

Make-A-Wish Hawaii

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 28 HI hawaii.wish.org

Mitsunaga & Associates Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 38 HI mitsunagaassociates.com

Okahara and Associates Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Hilo EMPLOYEES: 38 HI okahara.com

Premier Solutions Hi LLC

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 19 HI premiersolutionshi.com

Servpac Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 18 HI servpac.com

Sustainable Island Products

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua-Kona EMPLOYEES: 21 HI sustainableislandproducts.com

T&T Tinting Specialists Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 26 HI tnttinting.com

Verity CPAs

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 18 HI veritycpas.com

WestPac Wealth Partners

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO WORK SMALL EMPLOYER

1. Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos 2. Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii 3. USAble Life MEDIUM EMPLOYER

1. New York Life Insurance 2. Layton Construction 3. Nordic PCL Construction Inc. LARGE EMPLOYER

1. First Hawaiian Bank 2. Prince Resorts Hawaii 3. Parents And Children Together

HEALTHIEST COMPANIES SMALL EMPLOYER

1. Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos 2. Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii 3. WestPac Wealth Partners MEDIUM EMPLOYER

1. First Insurance Company of Hawaii 2. AHL 3. Alexander & Baldwin LARGE EMPLOYER

1. Child & Family Service 2. First Hawaiian Bank 3. Central Pacific Bank

SMALL EMPLOYER

1. Hawai‘i Public Health Institute 2. Windward Synergy Center 3. Chun Kerr LLP

BEST PLACE TO WORK IN HOSPITALITY IN HAWAI‘I

MEDIUM EMPLOYER

PRINCE RESORTS HAWAII

LARGE EMPLOYER

BEST PLACE TO WORK ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

1. G70 2. Edward Jones 3. Atlas Insurance Agency 1. Island Palm Communities 2. Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc. 3. Bayer Hawaii

BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEES SMALL EMPLOYER

1. Hawai‘i Energy / Leidos 2. Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours 3. Express Employment Professionals of Hawaii MEDIUM EMPLOYER

1. Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i 2. New York Life Insurance 3. CW Associates CPAs LARGE EMPLOYER

1. Parents And Children Together 2. American Savings Bank 3. First Hawaiian Bank

SERVICE RENTALS & SUPPLIES LLC

BEST YOUNG BUSINESS TO WORK FOR WINDWARD AUTO GROUP LLC ( N OW CAL L E D J E R RY V’ S AU TO G R OU P )

BEST PLACE TO WORK ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SERVICE RENTALS & SUPPLIES LLC

BEST FAMILY-OWNED PLACE TO WORK SERVICE RENTALS & SUPPLIES LLC

HEADQUARTERS:

San Diego, CA EMPLOYEES: 40 HI westpacwealth.com

Windward Synergy Center

HEADQUARTERS: Kailua EMPLOYEES: 20 HI windwardsynergycenter.com

Zephyr Insurance Co. Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Honolulu EMPLOYEES: 20 HI zephyrinsurance.com

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D O Y O U W A N T TO B E A B ES T P L A C E TO W O R K ?

N O W F O R T H E B E S T P L AC E S R E G I S T E R YO U R C O M PA N Y L AC E S T O W O R K H AW A I I.C O M. T O W O R K S U RV E Y AT B E S T P F R I DA Y, O C T. 17 , 20 25 .

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS

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HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025

21 ye ars!

PLATINUM

Servco Pacific Inc.

‘25

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, 2025

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T SERVCO PACIFIC INC., WE ARE PROUD TO BE A DIVERSE TEAM OF OVER 4,000 DEDICATED TEAM MEMBERS (also

known as Team Servco) who are committed to delivering innovative mobility solutions for our customers and communities. Servco spans a variety of industries, including automotive, mobility, and music, with a strong presence across Hawai‘i and Australia. Servco is more than just a company, it is a team founded on four Core Values: Respect, Service, Teamwork, and Innovation.

“What makes Servco truly exceptional is our people,” said Peter Dames, President & CEO. “Their integrity, and steadfast commitment drive our growth and create an extraordinary workplace.

We’re proud to build a place where our Core Values continue to be at the forefront of everything we do.”

Servco continues to be dedicated to the development of team

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members through a mentorship program where team members help one another to grow their leadership and interpersonal skills. Servco also invests in the future of its team members and their families through the Servco Foundation, offering scholarships to help spouses and children pursue higher education.

Team members are encouraged to give back to the community through Team Serve, an employeeled initiative that collaborates with local nonprofit organizations. The program focuses on key areas such as Youth Services, Earth, Wellness, and Social Mobility, uniting team members to make a positive impact across all parts of the community.

In addition to professional development opportunities, our team members can enjoy competitive compensation, substantial subsidies for family medical and dental

premiums, and exclusive discounts on Servco products and services.

Servco was the first in Hawai‘i to introduce a profit-sharing program, and it’s a benefit that continues today.

Servco also celebrates the hard work of its team members through memorable company events, including an annual Team Servco Dinner and biennial Family Fun Day. Learn more about joining one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for 21 years at servco.com/careers.

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

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PLATINUM

Island Insurance

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

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 17 years, and make Hawaii’s Best Places to Work list for 19 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

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• 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 vaccinations • And more!

To demonstrate commitment to employees, the company hosts a variety of employee events throughout the year to celebrate holidays and the accomplishments of the company. Island also fosters community engagement by supporting multiple community organizations like the Hawaii Food Bank, Kuhio Park Terrace Back to School initiative, Ala Wai Genki Ball project, Lau Kupu Day and the Alzheimer Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The company also matches qualified employee donations up to $500 annually and offers two paid work days each year for employees volunteering with approved local nonprofit organizations. Giving back

is a shared value, exemplified by the employee-run snack shop, which funds gifts and essentials for Helping Hands Hawaii’s Adopt-A-Family program—bringing holiday joy to families in need.

Additionally, Island celebrates and supports its employees through service awards, achievement recognition, Customer Service Week celebrations, and leadership development opportunities. These events support Island’s goal of creating an engaging corporate culture that attracts and retains top talent in our community.

828 Fort Street Mall, Ste 200 Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 564-8200 www.islandinsurance.com

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PLATINUM

Atlas Insurance Agency

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Atlas Insurance employees and families volunteering in our community!

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T ATLAS INSURANCE AGENCY, WE AREN’T JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT INSURANCE, we are passionate

about ‘ohana, community, and creating an environment where the spirit of aloha thrives every day. For the 17th year in a row, we have had the honor of being named one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work – a testament to our team and our deep commitment to fostering a positive, innovative, and supportive office.

Beyond the workplace, our heart lies in serving the local community. Employees actively participate in charitable initiatives, and volunteer efforts that uplift Hawaii’s people and environment. Through the Atlas Insurance Agency Foundation, we have the opportunity to give back financially to causes we are passionate about. This dedication to service strengthens our core values of Kākou and Alaka‘i as leaders who believe in the collective power of working together.

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We celebrate milestones together and support each other as we grow personally and professionally with the understanding that when one of us succeeds, the whole team wins. We believe that employees who are listened to and valued show the same respect and care for our clients.

Our employees are the heart of our organization and key to our success.

Our longstanding relationship with the community - dating back to 1929 – has allowed us to employ and serve generations of families and continually improve our skills by finding ways to protect what is most valuable to our clients.

As we continue to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant – our dedication to our people and the community. Hawaii is not simply a place where we do business, it is our home.

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

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PLATINUM

Central Pacific Bank

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

WE GOT YOU: OUR PEOPLE, OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR COMMUNITY At Central Pacific Bank, We Got You. It’s more than a tagline – it’s a promise to our customers, employees, and community.

For our customers, it means that, regardless of where you are in life or what financial needs you have, we can help. For our employees, it’s about providing the best employment experience possible. And for the community, it means caring for this special place we call home, a tradition started by our Nisei founders over 70 years ago.

Recognized as one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work, one of America’s Best Regional Banks by Newsweek, and one of America’s Best Banks by Forbes, CPB is a place where people grow, thrive, and make a real impact.

We’re committed to building a stronger Hawaii – one where local families can achieve homeownership and small businesses can succeed.

We work closely with housing developers to expand access to affordable homes and advocate for legislation that makes homeownership more ac-

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cessible for local residents. Through initiatives like WE by Rising Tide, we also empower women entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and support to build thriving businesses.

Our people are at the heart of our success, and we invest in their wellbeing. Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, career development opportunities, and an incredible hybrid work schedule.

Professional growth is a cornerstone of our culture. Programs like our Voyagers Leadership Program provide emerging leaders with mentorship and development opportunities, while our esteemed Hoku Awards recognize top-performing employees with an unforgettable trip to celebrate their achievements.

But what truly sets CPB apart is our culture. Our Friendship Floor fosters collaboration and connection, making the workplace an energizing space where ideas flow and relationships grow. Outside the office, our Employee Club brings colleagues together for everything from hiking adventures to food tastings and movie nights.

At CPB, we’re more than just a bank – we’re an ohana that supports one another, a company that believes in Hawaii’s future, and a place where people love to work.

Join us and experience why at Central Pacific Bank, We Got You. Central Pacific Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

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

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PLATINUM

EnviroServices & Training Center

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

A

T ENVIROSERVICES & TRAINING CENTER (ETC), WE DON’T JUST WORK ACROSS HAWAI‘I—WE WORK FOR HAWAI‘I. Every soil

sample we test, every outfall we monitor, and every solution we develop is a step closer to protecting the place we call home. Our team is driven by a simple but powerful belief: what we do matters.

With over 60 professionals from diverse backgrounds, we thrive on collaboration while blending expertise with a deep sense of responsibility to create lasting environmental solutions.

Whether we’re ensuring clean drinking water, safeguarding coastal ecosystems, or helping businesses dispose of hazardous materials responsibly, we take pride in knowing that our efforts have a meaningful impact.

For 14 years in a row, ETC has been one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work, not for the titles or accolades, but the culture we’ve cultivated over 31 years in business. We strive for a workplace where employees feel valued, support-

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ed, and inspired to grow. Here, learning is encouraged, mentorship is second nature, and every challenge is met with teamwork.

But success at ETC is about more than just hard work, it’s about balance.

We know that to care for Hawai‘i, we must first care for ourselves. Our office is designed to be a place where employees can recharge–whether that’s through a friendly game of hallway bocce ball, a moment in the Zen Zone, or sharing a pau hana drink with colleagues from our in-office tap.

We celebrate our wins, support one another through challenges, and create an atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work.

By thinking big and acting small, we strive to create meaningful change that ripples far beyond our office walls.

Through volunteer projects, fundraising efforts, and disaster relief initiatives, we take action where it’s needed most. Our employees even nominate nonprofit organizations to receive donations from our charitable gift fund, ensuring we

support causes closest to our hearts.

As we celebrate another year of doing what we love, we remain committed to making a meaningful difference—not only through the work we do for Hawai‘i, but also by fostering a workplace where our employees feel inspired, valued, and connected to something bigger than themselves.

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

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PLATINUM

American Savings Bank

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ITH AWARD-WINNING BENEFITS FROM DAY ONE AND UNIQUE PERKS SHAPED BY FEEDBACK, AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK SETS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAMMATE EXPERIENCE. Over the past 100 years, ASB

has built a collaborative culture where teammates are inspired to bring their A-game every day.

“We’re honored to celebrate an incredible milestone this year: being named a Best Place to Work in Hawaii for 15 years!” said Beth Whitehead, executive vice president and chief administrative officer. “We believe that when our teammates thrive, our customers and community do too.

That’s why we invest in their well-being with meaningful benefits, a positive workplace culture and opportunities to grow personally and professionally.”

ASB stands out by continuously adapting its benefits to meet the holistic needs – mental, physical and financial – of teammates. Weekly paydays and a casual dress code were introduced based on feedback, while initiatives like

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Teammates celebrate ASB’s 100th year of serving Hawaii with birthday-style festivities.

a dog-friendly Campus and student loan repayment assistance address barriers like financial insecurity and costly pet care. Great benefits aren’t enough – what matters is making sure they’re relevant, meaningful and truly improve teammates’ lives.

Designed with the teammate experience and well-being in mind, ASB’s Campus is a hub for collaboration and connection, featuring free Starbucks machines, a fitness center, an arcade and outdoor lanai games like pool, foosball and air hockey. The Teammate Experience Council helps ensure ASB remains a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and heard.

Recognition and appreciation are woven into ASB’s culture.

Teammates enjoy fresh-pressed orange juice and weekly soft serve for birthdays and work anniversaries, as well as monthly Kalo-oke sessions. During Teammate Appreciation Month, ASB goes all out with a month of celebratory activities and every other year, teammates across the state are united at a Ma-

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

halo Party to celebrate with local food, oversized lawn games and live music.

With strong support from ASB, teammates focus on bringing real impact to the community – logging more than 9,000 volunteer hours and contributing $210,000 to ASB’s annual workplace giving campaign in 2024.

By prioritizing the well-being of its teammates and actively listening to their feedback, ASB has been recognized as a Best Place to Work in Hawaii for 15 years…and the best is yet to come!

PO Box 2300 Honolulu, HI 96804 (808) 627-6900 www.asbhawaii.com

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14ye ars!

PLATINUM

Hawaii State FCU

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

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 tagline for 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 136,000 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 take care of our employees’ physical, mental, and financial health and well-being by

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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 encourages employees to contribute actively to our community, donating time, resources, and support to several local nonprofit organizations.

We are committed to creating a fun and productive workplace, offering opportunities for professional growth and lifelong learning. Our Hawaii State FCU Headquarters reflects our dedication to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment where employees can 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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PLATINUM

Island Palm Communities LLC

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

I

SLAND PALM COMMUNITIES (IPC) HAS EARNED THE TITLE OF ONE OF HAWAII’S BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR THE 10TH TIME, a testament to our

commitment to fostering professional growth, career stability, and a supportive environment where individuals feel valued. This recognition underscores the initiatives IPC has in place to nurture specialized development, leading to personal growth and fulfillment.

Employees benefit from mentorship programs, leadership training, and cross-training opportunities designed to advance their careers.

IPC, a partnership between Centinel and the U.S. Army, is the Army’s largest residential privatization project.

As a leading military housing provider nationwide, Centinel supports service members and their families by ensuring career continuity for military spouses through the Centinel/WINN community network and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program.

IPC also emphasizes recognizing employee achievements through initiatives such as the Hype Squad and Malama Program. IPC provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, gym discounts, pet insurance, and B E ST P L AC E S TO WO R K

options for hybrid work arrangements. Our people are the source of our success, which is why we offer benefits supporting their diverse needs, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.

Ka‘eolani Winner, Island Palm Communities, Director of Property Management, expresses her gratitude for the team’s hard work and dedication: “Every day, I have the privilege of watching our team work with passion and dedication, striving to provide the highest level of support for our military community which consists of 7,580 homes. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork ensures the best care for our residents and makes this the best place to work!”

Beyond the workplace, IPC employees contribute to the betterment of Oahu’s communities, demonstrating their commitment to positively impacting them. Through various volunteer activities, such as Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Drive and local cleanups, employees dedicate their time to helping those in need. The company’s nearly 400 employees collaborate with local contractors to promote economic growth, sustain stable jobs for Oahu, and support small businesses throughout the island.

Environmental stewardship is a significant part of IPC’s mission. We are proud to be a 15-year Tree City USA recipient, a testament to our dedication to preserving Oahu’s natural beauty through sustainable landscaping and tree restoration projects. This is a responsibility we are proud to uphold.

Island Palm Communities is more than just a housing provider. It is a community builder, a workforce supporter, and a champion of employee success.

The ongoing recognition as one of the Best Places to Work is a testament to IPC’s unwavering commitment to its people, purpose, and progression for employees, military families, and the Oahu community. We are proud to be a part of a shared mission, a community with a common purpose.

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

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PLATINUM

Imua Family Services

‘25 B E ST PLAC E S TO WO R K WI NNE R

2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

I

MUA FAMILY SERVICES IS GRATEFUL TO AGAIN BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN HAWAII. This distinction highlights our

organization’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment, sustained by a dedicated and talented team that embodies our mission of helping each child reach their full potential.

Our exceptional employees are at the heart of Imua Family Services’ success. Their unwavering dedication to the organization and the families we serve generate profound impacts in our community, a fact that is especially magnified during challenging times.

Our team’s commitment to ensuring that every child and family receives the support they need is not only commendable but is also a testament to the strong sense of community that permeates our organization.

Imua Family Services is dedicated to maintaining an environment where employees are deeply valued and motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. The agency’s focus on employee well-being, professional development, and supporting a collaborativeworkplaceculturedemonstrates this dedication, as does the organiza-

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tion’s emphasis on teamwork and the sharing of ideas. Together, these practices help enhance Imua’s collective effort to help families in need.

As a 78-year-old organization built upon the ideals of inclusion and diversity, Imua Family Services is sorely aware that changes and challenges are an inevitable part of running a meaningful and effective non-profit in today’s world. As our team confronts current and future obstacles, we are reassured by our history of resilience and adaptability, our ability to navigate challenges while maintaining a high level of service, and our commitment to excellence and championing our community.

We at Imua Family Services celebrate this recognition as one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work and proudly congratulate our staff members who all stand as shining examples of what it takes to create a meaningful impact in Hawaii.

Anything is possible when passion, dedication, and teamwork are infused in our work, and Imua Family Services pledges to continue to inspire that in our team members and the community at large.

(808) 244-7467 discoverimua.com Imua Family Services Early Childhood Development Center 161 S. Wakea Ave. Kahului, HI 96732 Molokai Service Center, Kaunakakai 130 Kamehameha V Hwy Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Imua Discovery Garden 2471 Main St. Wailuku, HI 96793

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Child & Family Service

• Generous Benefits: 16 paid holidays, up to 280 hours of paid leave, and time off for volunteering and preventive healthcare.

• Growth & Leadership: Opportunities for advancement, mentorship, and an annual Leadership Academy where employees learn from industry leaders.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and programs are designed to help employees care for their families while also taking care of themselves.

125 YEARS OF STRENGTHENING HAWAI‘I’S FAMILIES—INCLUDING OUR OWN

For over a century, Child & Family Service (CFS) has been a lifeline for families across Hawai‘i, providing vital services that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Our commitment to care doesn’t stop with those we serve—it extends to our employees.

As one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work, CFS fosters a culture where mental health, well-being, and professional growth are top priorities. We believe that those who care for others also deserve to be cared for. That’s why we provide a supportive, inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered.

A WORKPLACE THAT CARES

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nomic hardship by treating poverty as a circumstance, not a character flaw. By strengthening individuals and families through 21 social determinants of health, we create sustainable solutions that break generational cycles of financial hardship.

JOIN OUR MISSION-DRIVEN TEAM

A career at CFS is more than a job— it’s about being part of something bigger. We don’t just think about today; we are building a brighter, healthier future for Hawai‘i’s keiki, families, and communities.

“It’s an amazing thing to work with people whose attitudes, actions, values, and dreams create a culture where hope and healing is made possible every day!”

– CFS Employee

At CFS, we recognize that a healthy team creates a stronger community.

Our employees are more than just staff—they are part of an ‘ohana dedicated to making a difference.

• Wellness First: A safe, supportive environment that prioritizes mental health and emotional well-being.

BEST PLACE S TO WOR K WIN N ER

GOLD

BREAKING BARRIERS, TRANSFORMING LIVES

CFS is a leader in transforming lives through innovative, evidence-based interventions. A prime example is our Transition to Success® model, which addresses the root causes of eco-

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

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GOLD

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HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025

Express Employment Professionals

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS IN HAWAII: A YEAR OF GROWTH AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

SUPPORT FOR MAUI’S REBUILDING EFFORTS

Express Employment Professionals actively supported rebuilding efforts, leveraging their resources and expertise to help the community navigate through challenging times.

In 2024, Express Employment Professionals continued to make significant strides in Hawaii, contributing to the local economy and community. With global revenue of $3.7 billion and 427,000 associates employed across 870 franchise locations, the company marked 2024 as a year of remarkable achievements.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025

As we move into 2025, Express Employment Professionals aims to build on its successes and continue its mission of helping people find meaningful work. With a focus on innovation and adaptability, the company is poised to navigate the ever-changing job market and meet the evolving needs of both employers and job seekers. The future looks bright for Express Employment Professionals in Hawaii, as they remain dedicated to positively impacting the local community and economy.

Beyond job creation, the company engaged in community support initiatives.

They partnered with local organizations to help schools, with team members serving as Board Members, and participating as Judges for SkillsUSA. This partnership prepares students for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.

Express Employment Professionals played a crucial role in job creation in Hawaii, helping thousands of job seekers find meaningful employment. The company’s commitment to matching the right candidates with the right employers has boosted the local economy and provided a wide range of employment opportunities, from temporary to full-time roles.

CERTIFICATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Through the Express Learn program, Express Employment Professionals offered ways for individuals to gain work certifications. This initiative helps people “skill up,” providing companies with more well-equipped staff and enhancing job seekers’ employability.

FOCUS ON ALLIED HEALTHCARE POSITIONS

An additional focus on Allied Healthcare positions addressed the growing demand for healthcare professionals, supporting local facilities with skilled and dedicated staff.

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knowledge, efficiently identifying and placing the best candidates for employers and job seekers alike.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

BEST PLACES TO WOR K WIN N ER

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

MAXIMIZING AI RESOURCES

To capitalize on top talent, the company maximized their AI resources and

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HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025

Finance Factors

• Flexible work models (onsite and hybrid).

• 100% paid Kaiser medical insurance.

• Gym membership subsidies, onsite immunizations, and wellness programs.

• Personalized financial planning, 401(k) matching, and performance-based bonuses.

FINANCE FACTORS: A WORKPLACE ROOTED IN ALOHA AND PURPOSE

For over 70 years, Finance Factors has been dedicated to building generational wealth—offering competitive CDs and savings rates alongside personalized home loans and commercial real estate loans. As a locally owned company, we take pride in fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and community impact, making Finance Factors not just a great place to work, but a place where teammates feel valued and empowered.

Our commitment to our people is reflected in our recognition as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work, where we excelled in categories such as: ✔ “I would endorse this organization’s products and services.” ✔ “I typically go above and beyond for this organization.” ✔ “I find purpose in my work.”

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY

A COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

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“Our team’s dedication, agility, and heart create an environment where people thrive. It’s not just about what we do—it’s about why we do it,” said Rob Nelson, President and COO of Finance Factors.

With a strong foundation rooted in Aloha, innovation, and service, Finance Factors continues to be a place where teammates grow, succeed, and give back.

At Finance Factors, community service is at our core. In 2024, the Finance Factors Foundation and its teammates donated over $100,000 and supported more than 40 Hawai‘i nonprofits through fundraising and volunteer work.

A highlight is our Annual Charity Breakfast, where over 70 teammates come together to cook and sell local-style breakfast plates outside our downtown headquarters.

A TEAM WITH HEARTS

Finance Factors prioritizes its teammates with benefits designed to support physical, emotional, and financial health, including:

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1164 Bishop Street, Suite 300 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 (808) 522-2000 FinanceFactors.com

At Finance Factors, our people, culture, and mission set us apart. Our teammates are driven, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.

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N&K CPAs, Inc.

Beyond surveys, we create realtime opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. In addition to our Strategic Planning Committees, Work Environment Committee, and Senior Advisory Council, we regularly integrate brainstorming sessions into our team and firm meetings. These open forums allow employees at all levels to bring forward ideas that directly address challenges they face.

While we can’t implement every idea, we take action where it counts. Some of our most impactful initiatives—refining our coaching and performance management program, enhancing our technology stack, and even redesigning office spaces for better collaboration—originated from employee-led discussions. The result? A workplace that evolves with its people rather than one that resists change.

At N&K CPAs, people will always be our most valuable asset. That’s why we celebrate contributions, encourage open dialogue, and continuously strive to improve. Whether through coaching, leadership

AT N&K CPAS, BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF HAWAI‘I’S BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW ISN’T JUST AN AWARD—IT’S A REFLECTION OF OUR PEOPLE-FIRST PHILOSOPHY. While we continue to

prioritize key aspects of our culture – like fostering a fun work environment, offering competitive pay and benefits, and creating strong career opportunities – what truly sets us apart is our commitment to listening, adapting, and ensuring every team member feels heard and valued.

Agile leadership and a growth mindset aren’t just principles we follow—they’re embedded in how we operate, driving both our culture and our success.

We believe that culture isn’t dictated from the top—it’s shaped by the people living it every day. That’s why we don’t just invite feedback; we rely on it. Whether it’s suggesting benefits that improve work-life integration, refining processes to enhance efficiency, or influencing firm-wide policies, our employees play an active role in shaping our future.

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development, or simply fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, we are committed to making each team member feel heard and valued.

As we look ahead, our peoplefirst philosophy remains the foundation of who we are. At N&K CPAs, employees don’t just work—they build careers, drive meaningful change, and help build a stronger firm.

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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OR THE PAST 48 YEARS (SINCE 1977) CERAMIC TILE PLUS AND EXCLUSIVELY YOURS, a sec-

ond-generation, family-owned business, has supplied tile, stone and quartz countertops and cabinetry to its clients, contractor, builder, designer and architectural communities.

“Our employees are members of our extended Ohana,” says James R. Doran III, president of Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours. “Over 75% of our team are long-term employees who have been with the company 13 to 30 years. I think that says a lot about who we are as an organization. We have an amazing team and — as my father (our founder) always reminded us – they are our most valuable resource. This relationship is a part of his legacy that we will always honor and celebrate.”

All employees receive the same benefits as the company’s leadership and are able to take advantage of the company’s robust benefits pack-

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age that includes full medical and dental insurance, a $50,000 life insurance policy, chiropractic coverage, gym membership, birthday bonus, paid vacation and personal days and 401k matching retirement plan.

There’s also our IncentFit Wellness Program that incentivizes healthy activities. When they walk 8,000 steps a day, they earn $1. When they go the gym, they get $2.50. When they receive the flu vaccine, they get $25, and for their annual physical they get $50.

“We’re trying to incentivize being healthy and doing healthy things. Not only does it keep employees happier and healthier, but it also helps to keep operations running smoothly with fewer sick days.

“We are so happy to be able to celebrate our 8th year being recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Hawai‘i,” says Doran. “It’s a real point of pride for all of us.”

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Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours has everything you need and more than you imagined, providing beautiful finishes for Maui’s new home and 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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AWAI‘I ENERGY IS HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF HAWAI‘I’S BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR 2025. This prestigious rec-

ognition highlights the organization’s deep commitment to the community and its dedication to creating a workplace where employees can thrive, grow, and feel supported in all aspects of their lives.

For over 15 years, Hawai‘i Energy has been at the forefront of supporting Hawai‘i’s clean energy transition.

Created under the state Public Utilities Commission with a goal to help families and businesses minimize energy waste, save on electricity costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future, the Hawai‘i Energy program incentivizes the adoption of energy-efficient products, aids local business managers in improving facility operations, and works across economic sectors to collaborate with and train the next generation of clean energy professionals. The work the team does every day is driven by a passionate group of

individuals committed to creating a better, more sustainable Hawai‘i.

In a world of increasing economic uncertainty and rapidly changing policies that impact the bottom line, Hawai‘i Energy leadership works hard to ensure team members feel supported, valued, and engaged. From flexible/hybrid work schedules, to fostering a family-friendly office environment, Hawai‘i Energy – with support from parent company Leidos – aims to care for employees in many aspects of life, addressing professional development opportunities, wellness bonuses, college tuition reimbursements, and of course, fun team-building events like office yoga and a popular book & podcast club.

As a small team doing big work in the energy space, good organizational health is a top priority and is critical to business success. Recognizing this has resulted in a team that demonstrates strong commitment to the mission, creativity in solving challenges, and excellent collaboration skills, ultimate-

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ly helping Hawai‘i Energy become a leader in Hawai‘i’s energy sector.

Hawai‘i Energy is proud to be recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for the eighth year. If you or someone you know is looking for meaningful work with a great team, visit HawaiiEnergy.com/career to learn more about opportunities.

Hawai‘i Energy/Leidos 45 N. King St Suite #500 Honolulu, HI, 96817 (808) 537-5577 hawaiienergy.com

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Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i

F

OR OVER 55 YEARS, NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL HAWAI‘I has

been at the forefront of providing tailored insurance and investment strategies, enabling clients to focus on what truly matters—with the ones who matter most. The firm prides itself on guiding clients every step of the way, embodying the belief that the right financial plan can transform hope into choice. “With the right financial plan, you won’t have to hope for the life you want; you can choose to live it,” reflects the company’s core mission.

On August 1st, 2024, the downtown Honolulu office proudly launched as Northwestern Mutual’s newest Network Office. Previously operating under a Network Office in San Diego, this transition marks a significant expansion in Hawai‘i, allowing for more localized decision-making and a deeper commitment to enhancing the lives of the Hawai‘i community through comprehensive financial planning.

Managing Partner Jamie Delgadillo emphasizes this local focus: “Our transition to a Network Office means we have 100% local ownership, with business investments delivered locally,

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by a growing team of Hawai‘i-based talent. This change positions us to sustain and even accelerate the rapid growth trajectory we have been on since 2018. I am excited about the impact we can have, helping our clients achieve their dreams.”

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i’s commitment extends beyond financial products; it also prioritizes the growth of its team. Since launching as a Network Office, the local leadership team has focused on building centralized programs and functions, education opportunities, and leadership development programs for both advisors and team members.

Nationally, Northwestern Mutual has been recognized as a Top 100 Internship Program by WayUp for 2024 and has topped the industry in “Quality of Products” and “Financial Soundness” on FORTUNE’s latest “World’s Most Admired” list.

Grounded in the core values of Kūpono (Excellence), Ho‘ohui pū (Inclusion), Wiwo ‘ole (Courage), Ho‘ohanohano (Integrity), and Ho‘omaika‘i (Gratitude), Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i actively partners with community organizations including Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i, The Hawai‘i

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Foodbank, Special Olympics Hawai‘i and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business. As they expand their footprint across the islands, the firm remains dedicated to uplifting the community and fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce.

Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i recognizes there are countless individuals seeking to establish financial security, increase their wealth, and safeguard what they have already built. To our current clients, and future partnerships, we are incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to support you in your financial journey.

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) AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN MILWAUKEE, WI.

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Aqua Engineers, Inc.

A

In 2006 the company was sold to the employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). David Paul, President and CEO, says, “Aqua’s focus on effectively operating and maintaining our client’s water and wastewater systems supports our vision of clean water in Hawaii.

We strive to deliver the best value services with our growing pool of licensed operators and driving 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, conference/workshop

QUA ENGINEERS, INC. IS A 100% EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANY THAT OWNS, OPERATES AND MAINTAINS WATER AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES STATEWIDE.

From its humble beginnings on Kauai 45 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.

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Aqua Engineers’ benefits include: • Two Bonus Programs: • Annual Incentive Bonus Program • Annual License & Certification Bonus Program • Two Retirement Plans: • 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 with AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance • Company Paid Training, Licensing and Certification • Leadership Development Training Opportunities • Wellness Program & Employee Assistance Program • Annual Company Uniform & Shoe Allowance

attendance and bonus programs, we help our employee-owners further develop their skills and prepare them for internal advancement into 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 can network (via travel and videoconferencing) by participating in various company activities: staff meetings and 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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HEMIC

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

• On-the-ground support across the Islands • Personalized claim and safety services • Seamless management of insurance products and services under one roof

LOCALLY GROWN, BUILT ON ALOHA

At HEMIC, being 100% local isn’t just about where we’re based – it’s how we do business. Inspired by the spirit of Aloha, we are committed to supporting Hawai‘i’s workers and businesses with solutions designed for our community.

We believe that when you take care of your people, success follows.

That’s why we invest in our employees like ‘ohana, providing opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and cross-functional collaboration. Our teams work together across disciplines, bringing expertise and innovation to everything we do.

For our customers, we offer more than just insurance policies—it is a promise to deliver comprehensive risk management services, giving businesses the tools and support they need to thrive. Our local presence means: • Deep understanding of the Hawai‘i business landscape

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As the HEMIC Family of Companies, we provide a full range of risk management solutions: • HEMIC – Workers’ Compensation coverage, backed by safety consultants and an exclusive online safety portal.

• EPIC – Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) for off-thejob coverage.

• HIMI – Additional commercial insurance products, risk management consulting, and specialized services, including a Small Business Program and Third-Party Claim Administration Services.

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• HEMIC Foundation – A nonprofit dedicated to supporting organizations that care for our local community.

At HEMIC, our core values – excellence, integrity, connection, and belief – guide us every day. We foster a creative, problem-solving environment that empowers our employees and ensures we deliver the best possible service to our customers.

915 Fort Street, Honolulu HI 96813 P.O. Box 3376, Honolulu HI 96801 (808) 524-3642 HEMIC.com

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WestPac Wealth Partners

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ESTPAC® WEALTH PARTNERS IS A PRIVATELY-HELD FINANCIAL FIRM, FOUNDED IN HAWAII, WITH THE INTENT TO ASSIST OUR CLIENTS IN MAKING SMART FINANCIAL DECISIONS. Our mission

revolves around understanding each client’s future aspirations to maximize their wealth potential effectively. Our process allows us to provide tailored strategies that align precisely with our clients’ goals. By crafting personalized life maps, we help safeguard our clients’ financial futures. Recognized nationally as the #1 Best Workplaces by Fortune, our commitment to a vibrant corporate culture translates directly into exceptional service for our clients. WestPac proudly earned the top spot on the 2024 Fortune Best Medium Workplaces™ List, a testament to our outstanding workplace environment. This accolade reaffirms our belief that WestPac is among the nation’s premier employers. At WestPac Wealth Partners, formerly Wealth Strategy Partners, our success is rooted in authentic leadership and B EST PLACES TO WOR K WIN N ER

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a genuine concern for our team members’ well-being. We foster a supportive atmosphere that nurtures personal and professional growth, essential for our team’s success. Being named a top medium-sized workplace underscores the dedication of our entire team. This achievement reflects the trust and commitment of our advisors, clients, and communities alike. Reach out to learn more about why WestPac is the best place to work for, and with.

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500 Ala Moana Blvd.

Waterfront Plaza Building 3, Suite 400 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808.695.2100 westpacwealth.com/hawaii

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GOLD 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 | | This award is not issued or endorsed by Guardian or its subsidiaries. | 7715570.1 Exp. 03/27

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Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc.

with colleagues and contribute to the community. The DLS workforce plays a vital role in ensuring accurate, high-quality diagnostic services while also creating a welcoming and supportive environment for those they serve.

With locations across the state, DLS provides diverse opportunities for job growth. Many team members have built long-term careers at DLS, advancing through training programs, certifications and promotions. Beyond professional development, DLS invests in its employees’ well-being. From company-wide appreciation events to community support initiatives, DLS fosters an environment of ‘ohana and mālama. Employees value the sense of teamwork, where colleagues become mentors and friends, creating a workplace that feels both professional and welcoming.

As DLS continues to grow, its ICARE values remain at the core of everything it does. Company president Mark Wasielewski emphasizes this people-first philosophy, “We know that the strength of DLS comes from our employees. When

FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES, INC. (DLS) HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF HAWAII’S BEST PLACES TO WORK, a testament to

its commitment to both employee engagement and exceptional patient care. Now nearing its 40th anniversary, DLS continues to grow, innovate and uphold its responsibility as a trusted provider of laboratory services across the islands.

In 2024, DLS expanded its reach through growing partnerships with multiple healthcare systems, improving access to quality care on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island and in Central O‘ahu. This collaboration reflects DLS’s ongoing mission to bring laboratory services closer to the communities that need them most.

While expansion is important, the DLS leadership team recognizes that its true strength lies in its people.

DLS fosters a workplace culture rooted in innovation, compassion, aloha, respect and excellence (ICARE). These values are reflected in the way employees interact with patients and clients, collaborate

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we invest in them—whether through career development, recognition or simply fostering a supportive workplace—we create a company where people love their work and where patients receive the best care possible.”

As the largest locally owned laboratory in Hawai‘i, DLS offers employees more than just a job—it offers a place to belong and a sense of purpose that makes a lasting impact in communities across the state.

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

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Kupu

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UPU, HAWAI‘I’S LEADING CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION NONPROFIT ESTABLISHED IN 2007, IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO ITS MISSION: PREPARING YOUTH FOR CAREERS THAT WILL HEAL ENVIRONMENTS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR CHANGING TIMES.

Kupu is reaching Hawai‘i and the greater US-affiliated Pacific with more impactful programs than ever before, all within three core areas of hands-on training and expertise: education, community-based national service, and ‘āina -based resilience.

“I am part of a team with a common purpose at Kupu,” says Kupu’s External Affairs Officer, Kepa Barett, who first found the organization as a 16-year-old joining Kupu’s Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps summer program. “I’m surrounded by people who have experienced upward mobility within the organization and even been recruited after returning for many of the youth programs like

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me. Empowering is an understatement when it comes to the opportunities that can be harnessed once you join the Kupu ‘ohana.”

Kupu offers a variety of paid, hands-on learning opportunities, including Kupu ‘Āina Corps, Nā Manu ‘Elele Stewards, Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps Summer program, Hawai‘i Youth Sustainability Challenge, Conservation Leadership Development Program, and Environmental Education Leaders.

Its Culinary Social Enterprise and Community Programs provide employment training for underresourced youths, in addition to GED completion, life skills development and trauma-informed services. More than 100 graduates from these programs have received alternative high school diplomas, while also gaining professional experiences in catering through events held at the Ho‘okupu Center — a beautiful full-service event space and also educational home base for the culinary and community members.

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Kupu has trained more than 6,000 teens and young adults in conservation, sustainability, and environmental education to date.

For their service, Kupu has presented $8.1 million in education awards to support the continued growth of its members. Kupu currently has 400 people on payroll, and a core staff of 70 to 80 people, many of which are alumni of Kupu’s programs.

Kupu has generated more than $229 million in economic benefits to the state of Hawai‘i with a 1-to-3 cost to benefit ratio.

“This is more than a great place to work,” Kepa concludes. “This is where the next generation of problem-solvers and protectors create regenerative economy for a more resilient Hawai‘i.”

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55 Merchant St # 3100, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 735-1221 www.kupuhawaii.org

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Prince Resorts Hawaii

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025 SILVER

With Timmy Chang, UH Athletic Program Thank You to Prince Resorts Hawaii Hospitality Career Programs

ABOVE: Joint Leadership Training = In Unison BELOW: Prince Waikiki Christmas Party = Smiles all around

PRINCE RESORTS HAWAII: A LEGACY OF EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT

A consistent hospitality award winner, Prince Resorts Hawaii (PRH) has a secret sauce: empowering and trusting its employees. Each employee, whether in housekeeping, bell/valet, engineering, or front desk, is encouraged to do what they feel is best for a guest’s experience or for property operations. This drive for independent entrepreneurial thinking is guided by a clearly defined vision, expectations and an approachable leadership.

“Recognition as a Best Place to Work validates all the effort we put into our employees, guests and the community. We genuinely care about creating the best experience for anyone who walks through our doors,” notes Shigeki Yamane, president of PRH. “Our recipe for success has paid off in staff and guest loyalty, even extending to returning generations of families.”

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This genuine care is one of the major reasons PRH can boast of its legacy guests and it is also demonstrated by the longevity of its employees: 18% have worked at PRH for 25+ years, with an average employment tenure of 11 years. Prince Waikiki is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and 59 out of 483 employees have worked there since opening. Success stems from the team’s ability to integrate time-honored practices and expertise with new insight and cutting-edge innovation.

Exceptional caring translates to the community as well. One example includes employee-initiated and implemented programs to encourage students to learn about and seek hospitality careers. As a part of an ongoing educational program, PRH teams work with University of Hawaii athletes and local elementary through high school students to give them an opportunity to learn about the various career paths in hospitality and a chance for hands-on experiences and internships. The program’s success can be measured by the number of students subsequently hired and additional schools asking to participate.

This outward community focus in a company that offers employees a superior benefits program and upward mobility opportunities makes

for an exceptional place to work. In addition to excellent health and wellness programs, a particularly unique benefit in the industry–an annual Health Reimbursement Arrangement contribution of $500 a year to each eligible full-time employee–is offered for medical purposes or to accumulate as an employee retirement account.

PRH is one of the few hospitality groups in Hawaii that also owns golf courses with each luxury hotel: Prince Waikiki, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection. PRH is a subsidiary of Seibu Holdings, Inc. and part of Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide.

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

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UHA Health Insurance

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 2024 WE ACCOMPLISHED: • Over $500,000 in charitable donations to various Hawai‘i organizations.

• 69,000 customer calls serviced on average by our call center team.

• 387 new physicians joined UHA’s network to serve our over 59,000 members with one of Hawai‘i’s largest physician networks.

• Pioneered the first LASIK vision benefit, offering members $350 per eye (lifetime maximum of $700) for LASIK surgery.

• Ranked 30th on the 2024 Top 250 Hawaii Companies list and recognized for the past decade as one of the Most Charitable Hawaii Organizations by Hawaii Business Magazine.

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

For over 28 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, advocacy of prevention and well-being, and our dedicated nursing team.

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025 SILVER

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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Jerry V’s Auto Group

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SILVER

S HAWAII’S DEALER FOR THE PEOPLE, we show up to make

a difference. We learn hard, work hard, and play hard to build lifelong relationships that will leave a legacy for our families, community, and Hawaii. Our team members are the heart of our business, and we believe in creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Whether you’re a new hire or a seasoned professional, we strive to make every employee feel like part of the Jerry V’s family.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package to ensure our employees are well taken care of.

We understand the importance of financial and personal wellbeing and make sure that our team is supported every step of the way. Additionally, we offer performance-based rewards, allowing our employees to feel recognized and appreciated for their hard work and

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dedication. These incentives help foster a culture where excellence is not only expected but celebrated.

At Jerry V’s, we believe that work should be fun and rewarding.

Our company events provide opportunities for employees to bond and relax outside of the office.

From at-work BBQs and summer picnics to our Christmas party, we celebrate achievements together and make lasting memories. We also keep the excitement going with special prizes such as a trip to New York or a relaxing staycation.

These fun perks allow our employees to recharge and enjoy time away from the daily grind.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of our company’s ethos. We believe that by working together, we can overcome challenges and achieve remarkable results. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, offer feedback, and support one another. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and helps create solutions that benefit everyone.

We embrace an ‘Ohana culture, deeply rooted in the Hawaiian tradition of family. At Jerry V’s, we genuinely care for one another—celebrating successes and supporting each other through challenges. This sense of belonging creates a strong, close-knit community where everyone feels part of something truly special.

46-177 Kahuhipa St, Kaneohe, HI 96744 (808) 233-6000 jerryforthepeople.com

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i

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OR OVER 60 YEARS, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAWAI‘I HAS BEEN IGNITING YOUNG LIVES THROUGH ONETO-ONE MENTORING. By fostering

confidence, resilience, and success, we ensure that every child has the support needed to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Our mentorship programs have supported thousands of young people and families from diverse backgrounds. With caring mentors, keiki make healthier choices, build resilience, and envision a brighter future. By providing positive role models, we create a ripple effect that strengthens families, schools, and communities.

Our dedicated staff are the heart of our mission, fueling life-changing mentorships that shape brighter futures. From the first introduction to ongoing support, they ensure every mentor-mentee match thrives. Case managers conduct check-ins, offer

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emotional support, educational resources, and tackle obstacles. Collaborating with schools, community groups, and local businesses to expand opportunities, creating lasting change and empowering keiki to become confident individuals.

In 2024, we reached significant milestones by re-launching our SchoolBased Mentoring Program, bringing mentorship into public schools to uplift elementary-age keiki. We also expanded our community programs offering vital resources to teens and young adults. These initiatives provide mental health support and mentorship opportunities to more youth, helping them navigate trauma, build resilience, and achieve stability.

We are excited to establish our permanent office and Mentoring Center in Kaka‘ako, a dedicated space where keiki will receive expanded case management, counseling, and community engagement.

Serving O‘ahu, Maui, and Kaua‘i, we are committed to shaping a brighter future for keiki across the islands. As we continue to expand our reach, we invite you to be a part of this life-changing mission. Whether you become a mentor, enroll your

HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025 SILVER

child in our free programs, or support us through donations, your involvement makes a BIG impact.

Help shape the next generation of Hawaii’s leaders. Visit bbbshawaii. org to learn more and become part of our ‘ohana today.

info@bbbshawaii.org (808) 521-3811 bbbshawaii.org

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HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025

St. Andrew’s Schools

SILVER

The Priory All Girls, Grades K-12

Queen Emma Preschool Coed, Ages 2-5

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A CULTURE OF CARE

St. Andrew’s Schools prepares students to achieve their educational goals in a culture of care, love, respect, and service. We focus on personalized, experiential learning to draw out each student’s unique gifts and talents while instilling a love for learning and a desire to strive for the highest in all that they do. This culture of care and educational excellence is what makes St. Andrew’s Schools special.

DEVELOPING COURAGEOUS AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERS

As an Episcopal school founded

by Queen Emma Kaleleonālani, we carry out her legacy of courageous and compassionate leadership.

Our faith and our school values – expressed as aloha, kuleana, and mālama – create an environment that honors the worth and dignity of every human being. Because they are known and understood,

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The Prep All Boys, Grades K-6

our students are ready to engage in learning that challenges them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

TAKING ACTION TO MAKE AN IMPACT

As they grow with us, we inspire students to investigate the world, recognize multiple perspectives, and communicate their ideas – with the goal of taking action to make a difference. To support this impact-based learning, our curriculum integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math to challenge students to solve problems in creative and innovative ways.

CULTIVATING LEADERS THROUGH AUTHENTIC WORK

Our Global Leadership curriculum, Priory in the City program, and exceptional college counseling position graduates for success because they have direct experience in leadership and community problem-solving.

The Priory is footsteps from vibrant downtown businesses and the seat of government. Before graduating, Priory students engage in authentic workplace experiences through internships that prepare them for college and beyond.

KŪLIA I KA NU‘U (STRIVE FOR THE HIGHEST)

Developing a strong sense of self gives all our students the confidence to become changemakers in their communities. St. Andrew’s nurtures the growth of each child by setting high expectations in an environment filled with lovingkindness. Our students can be themselves while becoming their best, in a place where they know they belong.

224 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 536-6102 www.standrewsschools.org

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Adventist Health Castle

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OUNDED IN 1963, Adventist Health Castle is deeply rooted in our community and dedicated to exceptional care. Our awardwinning 160-bed Level III Trauma medical center offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, expert primary and specialty care clinics, urgent care and home care services throughout O‘ahu. Our compassionate and talented team of 1,250 employees, 370 active medical staff and 70 employed providers unite under one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.

Recognizing that caregivers need care too, Adventist Health Castle prioritizes the well-being of our employees with access to a Well-Being Hub, offering tools and resources such as free licensed counseling, support programs and career development resources.

Committed to helping employees build meaningful, long-term careers

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in healthcare, Adventist Health Castle offers paid training programs for Certified Nursing Assistants, Medical Assistants, Mental Health Technicians and Surgical Technicians.

Employees have access to extensive career advancement resources, including personalized support, continuous education opportunities, and skill-building programs to foster professional growth.

A deep sense of community and genuine care for our employees are at the heart of Adventist Health Castle’s workplace culture. Milestones are joyfully celebrated at each five-year employment anniversary, while continuous recognition programs ensure every team member feels valued for their individual contributions. Our vibrant special events—such as ‘Ohana Day and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting— strengthen the bonds between staff and their families, highlighting our commitment to a supportive and deeply connected workplace.

We actively engage in giving back through volunteering at local food banks, participating in community outreach initiatives, workforce readiness programs and educational

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efforts within the community, enriching both the community and employee lives.

At Adventist Health Castle, unmatched quality and empathy defines our approach. We’re recognized nationally for clinical excellence with top-tier physicians, innovative technology and comprehensive expertise.

We offer competitive benefits to support wellness and work life balance, including healthcare discounts and exclusive access to the Perks at Work program.

Join Adventist Health Castle, where compassionate care meets professional excellence.

Explore opportunities today at AdventistHealthCastle.org/Careers.

640 ‘Ulukahiki St, Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 263-5500 AdventistHealthCastle.org

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HAWAI‘I’S TOP EMPLOYERS 2025

Bristol Hospice Hawaii, L.L.C.

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CULTURE OF YES: THE HEART OF OUR HOSPICE. At Bristol Hospice

Hawaii, L.L.C., we believe in creating an environment where compassion and possibility thrive. At the core of our mission is a commitment to saying “yes “—to patients, families, and staff fostering hope, dignity, and empowerment. It’s not just a tagline; it’s the lifeblood of our work culture, making this hospice a truly exceptional place to heal, connect, and grow.

What sets our hospice apart is our unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for our patients and families. Saying “yes” to special requests creates joyful, meaningful moments through extraordinary care.

This philosophy also extends to our staff, who are at the heart of our mission. Our work environment inspires collaboration, creativity, and professional growth. A foundation of open communication, mutual respect,

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and shared commitment fosters a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered. We encourage innovation and trust our team members to think outside the box, fostering a culture that values their voices and expertise.

We provide ongoing support to our employees through mentorship programs, wellness initiatives, and flexible scheduling, helping them care for themselves while they care for others.

By prioritizing staff well-being, we cultivate an atmosphere of positivity and resilience that extends to every aspect of our hospice.

In 2024, our unwavering commitment to excellence earned us a perfect score on the Deemed CHAPS accreditation survey, reaffirming our dedication to quality and the highest standards of care.

The result? A team inspired to bring their best every day and a hospice where patients and families feel truly cared for. Our “Culture of Yes” isn’t just a guiding principle, it’s a promise to embrace life’s possibilities and make every moment count.

Choosing Bristol Hospice means joining a community where compassion and possibility have no limits.

25 55 Merchant St STE 2900, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 536-8012 | bristolhospice.com

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M. Dyer Global

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DYER GLOBAL IS HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE’S . BEST PLACES TO WORK. As

Hawaii’s premier international relocation, storage, and logistics provider, we have spent over 50 years delivering seamless moving experiences with precision, professionalism, and the spirit of Aloha. Our expertise extends across the islands, the mainland, and the world, ensuring every relocation is handled with the highest level of care.

Our journey began with a deep commitment to serving the U.S. military, providing reliable, secure relocation services for service members and their families. Over the years, we have grown significantly to become Hawaii’s most dependable and trusted provider of relocation and logistics solutions, supporting families, businesses, and government agencies alike. Reliability and dependability are the cornerstones of our operations, and we take B E ST PLACES TO WOR K WIN N ER BRONZE

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pride in having a team that embodies these values every day.

What sets M. Dyer Global apart isn’t just our industry leadership—it’s our people. As an employee-owned company (ESOP), we believe that when employees succeed, the company succeeds. Our culture is built on trust, accountability, and a deep sense of Ohana, where every team member takes pride in their role and supports one another like family. Our people drive our reputation as the most reliable and efficient operation in Hawaii.

We are also committed to innovation. By implementing cutting-edge software, advanced technology, and optimized processes, we move faster than our competitors and equip our employees with the best tools to excel.

Continuous improvement is a core value—whether through leadership training, safety programs, or process enhancements, we ensure our team is always prepared to deliver top-tier service.

Employees also have unique opportunities to travel internationally for hands-on training at partner locations.

These experiences provide real-world insight into the global moving process

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and allow employees to immerse themselves in different cultures, strengthening both their professional expertise and personal growth.

At M. Dyer Global, leadership believes in people first—a wellequipped, well-trained team will always provide the best service.

Our strong, family-oriented culture, focus on innovation, and commitment to excellence make us more than just a business—we are a true Ohana, moving lives with care, commitment, and innovation.

98-054 Kuleana Rd. Pearl City, HI 96782 808.456.4200 mdyerglobal.com

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Mitsunaga & Associates, Inc.

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OR OVER FIVE DECADES, MITSUNAGA & ASSOCIATES, INC. (MAI) HAS BEEN WEAVING ITS EXPERTISE INTO THE FABRIC OF HAWAII’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT. Now

under the leadership of CEO Lois Mitsunaga, this family-founded firm has evolved into a woman-owned, locally operated full-service architecture, engineering, and construction management powerhouse that brings a unique perspective to every project, combining deep local knowledge with innovative design solutions that shape our island communities.

Doing business in Hawaii for over 50 years, MAI has evolved from its initial focus on structural engineering to become a comprehensive firm

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offering integrated architecture, civil, electrical, and structural engineering, and construction management services. This holistic approach allows us to deliver seamless solutions for some of Hawaii’s most significant projects, from educational facilities and healthcare centers to critical infrastructure developments.

What sets MAI apart is our commitment to cultural sensitivity and sustainable development. We understand that each project must not only meet technical specifications but also honor Hawaii’s unique cultural heritage and environmental needs. As stewards of our island home, we prioritize sustainable design practices and low-impact development strategies that protect our natural resources for future generations.

Our success is built on the foundation of our diverse, talented team and our collaborative approach to problem-solving. As a womanowned business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we bring fresh perspectives and inclusive leadership to every challenge. This diversity of thought, combined with our technical expertise and local insight, enables us to create innovative solutions that truly serve our community’s needs.

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Being recognized as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2025 Best Places to Work is a testament to our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values creativity, excellence, and professional growth.

“While honoring the legacy my father built, I’m proud to lead MAI into a new chapter that embraces innovation, while staying true to our local roots,” says Lois Mitsunaga. “This transition to a woman-owned business brings fresh perspectives to our industry while maintaining the family values that have always been at our core.”

As MAI looks to the future, the firm remains dedicated to enhancing Hawaii’s built environment while nurturing the next generation of local talent in architecture and engineering.

747 Amana Street, Suite 216 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 945-7882 www.mitsunagaassociates.com

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Pacific Guardian Life

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OR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, PACIFIC GUARDIAN LIFE (PGL) HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO “SHARING OUR LIVES WITH YOURS.” We provide

dependable financial products and services that are designed to meet the changing needs of our customers, partners, employees, and their families.

Our achievements reflect the hard work of our incredible team. We are devoted to fostering a workplace that encourages growth, well-being, and a sense of community, and we are honored to be recognized as one of Hawaii’s “Best Places to Work.”

Employee development is important to us. By investing in our employees’ futures through training programs, we empower them to reach their full potential. Employees are invited to take courses to gain further industry skills and earn certificates. PGL reimburses tuition and provides the support they need for their studies. In addition, each year, a

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number of employees are selected to participate in a leadership conference in Japan, where they share their knowledge with other participants and gain invaluable knowledge in return.

Beyond professional development, PGL prioritizes the well-being of its employees. We understand that a well-rounded work-life balance is important for both individual happiness and overall productivity.

Flexible work arrangements, generous vacation time, and weekly yoga classes are some of the ways that we promote a healthy environment.

What truly sets PGL apart is our strong sense of community. Employees feel connected not just through their work but also through various company events and initiatives. From team-building activities and cultural celebrations to volunteer opportunities and anniversary luncheons, PGL encourages collaboration and camaraderie.

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In addition, our commitment to community extends beyond our offices. PGL proudly participates in local charities and our employees are very involved. Recently, we held a bake sale to benefit Aloha United Way, collected recyclables to earn proceeds for Toys for Tots, and donated over 174 pounds of food for the Hawaii Foodbank.

In essence, Pacific Guardian Life is more than just a workplace; it’s a community where employees are valued, their growth is nurtured, and their well-being is prioritized, and we are honored to be presented with an award reflecting this.

1440 Kapiolani Blvd #1700 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 955-2236 | pacificguardian.com

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! s r a e y 9 1

PLATINUM

ProService Hawaii

‘25 BEST P LACES TO WORK WINNER

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

A

T PROSERVICE, OUR PURPOSE IS TO EMPOWER EMPLOYERS TO SUCCEED IN HAWAII. For over

30 years, our employees have partnered with employers, providing HR solutions that enable their businesses to thrive. We’re honored to earn this recognition of being Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for 19 consecutive years!

The opportunity we have to champion Hawaii employers, along with the core values that guide how we behave and serve our clients, is the common denominator that attracts and retains team members.

Our “employee promise” is that each person will grow in their career, make a mark to affect change, and work with a great team of amazing people.

It’s common to see team members join ProService at entry-level positions and grow into leadership roles. The culture, collaboration, and solutioning opportunities make it ripe for every employee to grow and be held accountable to reach their full potential.

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Ben Kapule, Benefit Services Manager, reflects on his 5-year journey starting as a frontline employee to now being a manager, leading a team of eleven: “When I joined ProService answering phone calls, I never imagined where the journey would lead. The company saw potential in me and through meaningful development opportunities, I grew from handling client questions to being a manager over our Benefits team. That’s the ProService difference—we don’t just talk about employee growth, we make it the foundation of everything we do, creating a ripple effect that extends from our team to every business we support across Hawaii.”

Along with career development, ProService offers benefits that include flexible time-off, hybrid work arrangements, employee assistance programs, financial planning support, and retirement matching.

We also offer family-focused leave policies and education debt assistance programs that support overall employee well-being.

We’re honored to champion Hawaii employers everyday, and behind each employer we serve is a committed, dedicated ProService team member. It’s our people, culture, and purpose that truly make ProService a special place to work.

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

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BY RYA NN NO E LANI CO U LE S

This Houseless Community Perseveres After Its Leader’s Death The dream of Twinkle Borge lives on at Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae, both in the harbor village she helped organize and in the permanent community residents are building on 20 acres in Wai‘anae Valley

T

WINKLE BORGE WAS THE LEADER AND SOUL OF PU‘UHONUA O WAI‘ANAE – the “Refuge

of Wai‘anae” – and when she died in August, I worried about the future of her community of houseless people.

At Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae roughly 200 people, a quarter of them children, live in makeshift shelters next to the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor. But their dream was to build a community where they could live together in permanent homes, so

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they and their supporters raised $1.4 million – enough to buy 20 acres in Wai‘anae Valley in 2020. They named the place Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae Mauka, or just “Mauka” for short.

Residents say nobody could possibly fill Borge’s “big slippahs.”

Nonetheless, construction has begun on the Mauka community, whose organizational foundation was laid by Borge.

Pia Bear is one of six overseers that Borge appointed before she died. Each of those overseers represents a different section of the

village; Bear represents Section 1 at both the harbor and Mauka.

She is among the 18 residents of Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae who now live at Mauka. The handful of container homes they’re in now are temporary.

As construction of more permanent homes is completed, more residents will move into the valley.

Bear moved up to Mauka a year ago but says she still visits the harbor village “almost every day. I have a sister who’s still there. I have a niece still there, and a great-nephew and a lot of friends.”

PHOTO: RYANN NOELANI COULES

“We got a handful that’s just running wild right now, that don’t care, that won’t even listen. But as the six overseers, it’s hard to do what Mamas did, because all she needed to do was talk to them and they would stop. With us six overseers, it’s a lot more challenging.”

TURNING A VISION INTO REALITY

HOUSELESSNESS CAN IMPACT FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS, AS IS THE CASE WITH THE FAMILY OF PIA BEAR, WHO IS AN OVERSEER AT PU‘UHONUA O WAI‘ANAE. PICTURED ARE BEAR’S NIECE (LEFT), BROTHER-INLAW AND SISTER, WHO IS HOLDING HER NIECE’S NEWBORN. ALL ARE RESIDENTS OF PU‘UHONUA O WAI‘ANAE.

When I asked how the villagers are making decisions without Borge leading them, Bear says, “She already had it set in place. She had six overseers, and then she had her captains in each section, and then she had her co-captains in each section, and we just kept it the same way she had.

“So with the six overseers, they pretty much come together and make the final decision on the harbor. We vote, and as long as we get four votes, it’ll pass. And then up here, it’s just basically the people living here now that make decisions for Mauka.”

Bear says she tries to help solve problems when neighbors come to her. If they’re fighting, she says, she’s a mediator. “Up here, I collect everybody’s maintenance fees, give them receipts, make sure my neighbor’s OK, make sure nobody’s coming in and out during the night, making sure your home is safe and your neighbor is safe. To me, that’s just daily stuff.”

Still, Bear admits the community’s overseers are struggling to hold down the fort as well as “Mamas” did, using Borge’s nickname.

James Pakele is the co-founder and president of Dynamic Community Solutions, a nonprofit that emerged in 2017 as an offshoot of Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae. Pakele says he’s never been houseless himself but, like many of the camp’s residents, he grew up in Wai‘anae in poverty.

He says his family was “lucky because we got to live Hawaiian homestead. We was poor too, but we still fortunate because we’re not sitting on the [Hawaiian Home Lands] list when plenty guys on the beach still sitting on the list and people dying on the list,” Pakele says.

He believes becoming houseless can happen to anybody: “You take the breadwinner in your household.

One cancer diagnosis and you’re done. The breadwinner in your household driving to work, boom, accident. You’re done. You think it cannot happen to you, but it can.”

Pakele helped lead discussions with then-Gov. David Ige and other government officials, including a pivotal moment in 2018 when he, Borge and others persuaded Ige not to sweep the harbor village.

“We told him, ‘No break the community. Let us move,’ ” recalls Pakele. What Pakele and other community leaders proposed was ambitious: Raise enough money to purchase land and legally build permanent housing for Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae’s residents.

Ige was persuaded. “I appreciate that he believed us, because I don’t know if I would have believed myself if somebody was telling me what I was telling him,” Pakele says.

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IN ADDITION TO ABOUT 250 RESIDENTS, ABOUT 150 ANIMALS LIVE AT THE HARBORSIDE VILLAGE. “WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DUMP DOGS HERE, SO OUR PEOPLE END UP TAKING KULEANA WITH THE DOGS,” TWINKLE BORGE TOLD ME IN 2023. FOR MANY HOUSELESS PEOPLE, DOGS OFFER NOT JUST COMPANIONSHIP BUT ALSO SECURITY, HELPING TO DETER TRESPASSERS AND THIEVES. PHOTO: RYANN NOELANI COULES

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PHOTOS COURTESY: DYNAMIC COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS

AFTER SEVEN YEARS OF PLANNING, FUNDRAISING AND CONSTRUCTION, AN INITIAL GROUP OF PU‘UHONUA O WAI‘ANAE RESIDENTS WILL MOVE INTO THE FIRST PHASE OF COMPLETED MAUKA TINY HOMES SOON.

The first donor, Nareit Foundation, contributed $150,000, which was then matched through a challenge grant. That garnered media attention and more donations poured in. In just two years, Dynamic Community Solutions raised $1.4 million, enough to buy the 20 acres in Wai‘anae Valley known today as Mauka.

COST-EFFICIENT, COMMUNAL COMMUNITIES Construction, which began in 2020, is also being funded by donations and grants. Pakele says

the community plans to build tiny houses in eight phases: The first three phases will each include six to eight duplexes that can accommodate about 25 people.

“Phase one is done,” says Pakele, and he hopes phase two will be completed in April. At full buildout, there will be enough housing for 250 residents.

The goal is to make the Mauka village cost-efficient, which means individual homes will not have kitchens and bathrooms. “If you pull those out of the house and you have them share that, then you’re building bedrooms, and that’s simple and easy,” Pakele says.

The plan is to build commu-

nal restrooms and kitchen spaces throughout the Mauka village, although Pakele says the community is still figuring out how many will be needed.

Mauka’s 24/7 indoor plumbing and electricity will be a major upgrade from conditions at the harbor encampment down “Makai,” where residents rely on portable toilets, costly generators and limited time frames when they can use the harbor’s waterspouts to shower.

Pakele says Dynamic Community Solutions received a grant from the federal EPA to install five microgrid systems to generate electricity from solar panels, and three containerized farming sysH AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 69

PHOTOS: RYANN NOELANI COULES

LONGTIME RESIDENT SHYANN ROSE POSES WITH HER DOG, LILY, IN THEIR HOME. BOTTOM RIGHT: A PU‘UHONUA O WAI‘ANAE RESIDENT NEAR THE BEACH GENERATES POWER WITH SOLAR PANELS.

tems in which temperature, water and lighting can be controlled.

“That is going to be super exciting because that is going to merge technology with agriculture, and we’re going to be able to introduce it to our kids,” he says.

“The idea is to make food cheaper and offset that cost, but also make the healthier choice, the cheaper choice and the easier choice, because it’s going to be more available.” And having high-tech ag on the property may also provide a lucrative business opportunity for residents to earn money by selling the produce they grow.

Pakele estimates the monthly rent will be about $200 to $250, but “if we can get microgrids put in here that offset the cost of electricity, that’s gonna come down significantly. I would love to be able to tell people only $100, $150, whatever.”

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Although Mauka’s phase one is complete, organizers are still smoothing out kinks and finalizing terms of landlord/tenant leases for residents.

Pakele expects residents will start moving into permanent Mauka structures soon, with kūpuna and those with disabilities getting top priority in phase two, which can accommodate them.

Pakele says Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae was the pilot project for the kauhale concept of communal villages for houseless people in Hawai‘i. He says it inspired kauhale villages “that they’re building all over the place. Going to help people. Please, please, do that.”

Pakele says there are three options for construction: “fast, cheap and good. Pick two, because you cannot have three. Fast and cheap not gonna be good. And good and fast not gonna be cheap.”

Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae prioritizes cost-efficiency and quality over speed. However, Pakele acknowledges that the community can take more time with the project since it’s not subject to the same public scrutiny that pressures government officials to complete tasks quickly.

FOR MY OVERNIGHT STAY, I PITCHED MY YELLOW TENT IN THE HEART OF THE HARBORSIDE VILLAGE.

CAMPING AT THE VILLAGE Bear invited me to camp at the established village next to the small boat harbor so I could better understand what life is like there, and I jumped at the opportunity. It was culture shock. I had camped before, but just 24 hours living in a tent at the harbor made me better understand how hard it is to spend every day of your life without a cozy bed, hot showers, indoor plumbing, a stocked fridge and the security of a locked door.

That said, I rarely heard anyone complain about living there. Residents more often expressed how grateful they were to be a part of Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae’s community versus trying to make it on their own. I was also impressed by their resourcefulness in building makeshift shelters that they customize to feel like home.

During my stay, I shell hunted in the tidepools at the nearby beach with a few of the village’s keiki, played chess against (and lost) to longtime resident Shyann Rose, witnessed a glorious West Side sunset and spent hours talking story with villagers, including three siblings.

Twins Sandra and Kaulana are 11 and their sister, Haweo, is 9. They came to the village with their father in 2020. Kaulana said he likes living there, for the most part, because “it’s fun to meet new people.” But being houseless also makes them targets for bullies at school.

“A bunch of bullies tease me, saying that I’m homeless. … [But] my friends don’t treat me like that,” says Kaulana. Haweo adds that their teachers often remind them, “We don’t have a real wall and a roof, but this is still our home.”

I asked them about their aspirations. “When I grow up, I want to graduate college and be a photographer,” Haweo told me.

Kaulana added that he wants to have a successful life. “I want to graduate college and get a job so I can buy

a house for me, my dad, my sisters. ... One really big house for all of us to sleep in – with AC.” After five years of living in the village by the harbor, the siblings and their father will soon move into a tiny house together in Mauka – a milestone that honors Borge’s legacy and vision.

Borge loved her community’s keiki and sought to break the cycle of generational trauma and homelessness.

“It’s not their fault; it’s their heritage,” she told me in 2023. “I want to go above and beyond to show them they can do better, that you can do it, you can make it happen. But you have to want it.”

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 71

BY MA RIA TO RRE S-K I TAM U RA

IRENE MA TURNED DOWN A LUCRATIVE OFFER FROM AMAZON FOR AN ASSOCIATE SOFTWARE ENGINEER POSITION AT FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK. TWO YEARS LATER, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO BACK-END SOFTWARE ENGINEER. “I FEEL LIKE I’M DOING A LOT BETTER THAN MAINLAND BIG TECH, WHERE YOU’RE STUCK IN THAT ONE POSITION. YOU DON’T REALLY HAVE THAT CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITY,” SHE SAYS.

Public and Private Efforts Aim to Untangle Hawai‘i’s Workforce Crisis One key player says the catalyst for collective action is widespread recognition that the current system is not sustainable because it fails to develop and train enough local workers for needed jobs that pay living wages

HAWAI‘I HAS BEEN IN A DANGEROUS FEEDBACK LOOP FOR DECADES: Its high cost of living and

limited job opportunities drive tens of thousands of local residents to the continent every year, leaving a reduced workforce, which stresses support systems and overburdens the remaining workers – leading to more stress and more departures. The future is bleak without a comprehensive solution.

That’s the assessment of a report from the Hawai‘i Workforce Funders Collaborative, a partnership of nine 72 | A PR I L 2 0 2 5

nonprofits, including Kamehameha Schools, HMSA, the Castle and Weinberg foundations, and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

The collaborative’s report – called From Crisis to Opportunity: Building Hawai‘i’s Workforce Resilience – advocates a comprehensive approach to the layers of workforce challenges, using data and human stories to spur creative collaboration among the state’s many stakeholders. Its ambitious goal: ensuring that 100% of working age residents have access to

careers that can sustain families and thrive in a rapidly changing job market.

“This report is a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to collaborate in ensuring that every resident has access to education, training and meaningful work opportunities,” says HWFC Executive Director Matt Stevens. (Read the report at tinyurl. com/HWFCreport.)

Another framework for collective action is the state government’s Workforce Development Unified Plan 2024-27 (tinyurl.com/HIWork-

PHOTO COURTESY: FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK

plan). States create unified plans as the means to access funds within a body of laws known collectively as Investing in America that provide a total of $1 trillion in funding. DOGE, the department led by Elon Musk that is cutting federal programs and firing government employees, had not cut any of the workforce development funds from these laws as of the end of February, Stevens says.

Aligning state goals with federal priorities, fostering collaboration and focusing on specific population needs can enhance the state’s chances of securing the resources necessary for such large-scale changes, according to the state plan.

The contents of the plan guide the conditions for new partnerships to form among educators, employers, employees and key stakeholders to drive workforce development for high-demand jobs, create paths to living wage occupations and enhance skill building for highgrowth industries.

Stevens notes that, while the availability of federal funds has helped bring more stakeholders to the table to support and implement Hawai‘i’s State Unified Plan, the catalyst for collective action is the recognition that the current workforce system is not sustainable. “If federal funding is cut, the need for this work will only grow,” he says.

BUILDING CAREERS IN HAWAI‘I

While these efforts are in their early years, the state is starting to see some wins, particularly in technology jobs. In the financial sector, Ben Schuster, First Hawaiian Bank’s senior VP of engineering technologies, was tasked in 2020 with creating an internal team to support the bank’s digital transformation.

He found many of his core team members from UH’s Information and Computer Sciences Department, some of whom were hired while they were students.

Schuster says the team “led some important strategic initia-

tives that year” tied to the bank’s Paycheck Protection Program’s Small Business Administration loans. “That was when we started to get organizational buy-in to grow the team.”

Professors began referring their top students, and people continue to be hired at the bank through that initial pipeline.

One of them, Irene Ma, had completed a three-month internship at Amazon and turned down an annual salary of almost six figures to join FHB, even though the bank couldn’t match that salary.

“When I got that Amazon job offer, I was pleased, but part of me really didn’t want to leave Hawai‘i,” Ma says. Starting as an associate software engineer, she was promoted to back-end software engineer two years later.

“I feel like I’m doing a lot better than mainland big tech, where you’re stuck in that one position. You don’t really have that career growth opportunity,” says Ma. Cybersecurity consultant and UH West O‘ahu associate professor Michael Miranda says the job market has gradually gotten better for Hawai‘i’s young professionals: “It started years ago, but literally two days ago, I was at a tabletop exercise with critical infrastructure security personnel. I looked around and I see four or five of my former students,” Miranda says.

“That’s a testament to our ability to produce students that employers can hire now, and they are only getting more experienced.”

Similarly, Jennifer Sabas, military affairs senior consultant at Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, has seen a steady rise in personnel with Hawai‘i ties at local offices of the National Security Agency.

“They have several thousand employees,” she says. “Years ago, you could probably count on two hands how many of them had Hawai‘i ties. Now when they do an all-hands call, you can see the great increase of locals working there.”

“

AT A TABLETOP EXERCISE WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY PERSONNEL, I LOOKED AROUND AND I SEE FOUR OR FIVE OF MY FORMER STUDENTS.” – MICHAEL MIRANDA CYBERSECURITY CONSULTANT AND UH WEST O‘AHU ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

DEFENSE WORKFORCE DIVERSITY

Within Hawai‘i’s defense economy, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Military Affairs Council is partnering with stakeholders to rebuild the general public’s image of what jobs in that sector are like.

“The military in Hawai‘i is not just about national defense, but it also represents opportunities in terms of jobs and careers,” says chamber VP Jason Chung.

Sabas says the chamber is reaching out to students, parents and educators to expand their understanding about the opportunities available: “It’s about opening the aperture for the local community that these are really good jobs.”

Until 2018, most Department of Defense contracts dealt with construction and engineering. That’s been eclipsed by professional services in emerging industries: information and operational technology, cybersecurity, data science, electronic warfare and intelligence.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 73

“That was the justification for us to approach Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation and talk about having a separate effort for talent,” Chung says. The Pacific Intelligence Innovation Initiative – a public-private partnership known as P3I – creates and supports multiple paths for local talent.

In a follow-up joint email statement following news of DOGE-mandated layoffs at the Pentagon, Chung and Sabas agreed that DOGE’s federal government job reductions will undoubtedly have economic implications for Hawai‘i, and the long-term effects remain uncertain. However, their response mirrored Stevens’ response, writing that this news amplifies the message behind the mission: “This underscores the need to remain proactive in strengthening our defense workforce pipeline. Programs like P3I play a crucial role in this effort, equipping local talent with advanced technical skills to meet the evolving demands of defense and intelligence sectors in Hawai‘i and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Investing in workforce development is key to ensuring resilience and adaptability within Hawai‘i’s defense job market,” they wrote in the email.

A model for building the workforce in emerging industries is the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Apprenticeship Program, established in 1920 to train local employees in skilled trades when mainland recruits were difficult to find. The program continues to be “the gold standard on how you earn while you learn, then go into a good career working for the federal government,” Chung says.

Some paths to good jobs require college degrees. But for entry-level jobs in areas like data science, students can be hired after earning certificates or microcredentials that take less study time. These shortterm options address concerns that these students cannot afford

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to spend a lot of time learning new skills without a paycheck coming in. “It all goes back to the cost of living,” Sabas says.

In its first year, P3I sponsored more than 100 internships. One of the most competitive is Viceroy Maven, an immersive experiential program in which interns are embedded with operational organizations, working with senior leaders on real world problems.

“They have dedicated mentors, and we’re ensuring that the actual senior leadership of that organization is directly involved,” says Chung. For this year’s team, for example, “We’re very likely going to embed a team to specifically work directly for the Hawai‘i National Guard Commander Major General Steve Logan and his staff in terms of shaping data and figuring out all the different collaboration that has to occur with the state and federal agencies, and the military to put a very holistic and comprehensive plan together.”

“Our vision is to be that critical enabler, just like the apprenticeship program for Pearl Harbor in those areas,” says Chung, “keeping our talent here so they can live, work and stay in Hawai‘i.”

ONE PROBLEM UNDERLYING ALL

Reversing out-migration through multiple job pathways not only strengthens the local economy, it also grows a population that has the deep knowledge, intelligence and commitment to help tackle Hawai‘i’s biggest challenges, says Stevens.

“Headlines focus on challenges like affordable housing, quality health care and sustainable agriculture. But what often gets overlooked is the common denominator: a strong workforce is essential to solving all of these issues,” he says. “We don’t have 10 separate problems – we have one underlying challenge: ensuring that people are present,

trained and equipped to do the work that helps Hawai‘i thrive.”

In Hawai‘i, the HWFC and the Islander Institute found that a “good job” is one that supports holistic well-being, is aligned with cultural values and contributes to the broader social fabric of the state.

Echoing that sentiment, FHB’s Ma says big tech didn’t offer her the sense of purpose she was looking for. She wanted to contribute to her home state: “In big tech, there’s a lot of focus on job hopping for the next big job opportunity. I don’t like that mindset. I really like staying in one company, having that career growth and developing that personal connection,” she says.

“I was grateful enough to have an opportunity in the mainland to intern and kind of gain the skills there, but then I really wanted to bring back those skills and that knowledge that I gained, to bring it back to Hawai‘i, and showcase that in local businesses.”

HWFC’s Stevens says that developing Hawai‘i’s workforce means connecting with those deeper values.

“Nobody thinks of themselves as ‘the workforce.’ We identify with the things that are important to us: our passions, our communities. We collectively make up the workforce, and there is a role for everyone to play in ensuring workforce resilience,” says Stevens.

“To truly support the workforce, we need to go beyond just job creation. That means addressing systemic challenges and providing the wraparound services – like transportation, child care and mental health support – that traditional workforce funding often doesn’t cover.”

HAWAIIBUSINESS.COM/NEWSLETTER-SIGNUP

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 75

BY SHELBY MATTO S

New to the Office?

So Was I. Here’s What I Learned.

A few thoughts on how to cope, network, manage your side gig and prioritize mental health Of course, a lot of young office workers grapple with the same things. They’re uncertain about how to navigate office life, they’re full of awkward questions, and they’re eager to make meaningful connections. On top of all that, they want to make good impressions on their colleagues and supervisors.

Here are some answers to questions from young people about career etiquette and strategies: Q: I TOOK A LEAP AND ATTENDED A PAU HANA. I GOT SOME BUSINESS CARDS AND NOW WANT TO CONNECT FURTHER WITH SOME OF THESE PEOPLE. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO REACH OUT TO THEM?

I GRADUATED FROM UH MĀNOA IN MAY 2024 and started my job as

a staff writer at Hawaii Business Magazine the same month. I had worked before, including an internship and part-time jobs at KITV4, but this was my first full-time, permanent gig. Naturally, I was stressed and had all kinds of questions.

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Networking events can be difficult to navigate – you might be shy and have trouble approaching strangers, the music might be loud and it is hard to hear what people are saying or you don’t want to appear pushy – but once you take the plunge, LinkedIn or email makes it easier to follow up.

I spoke with a series of Hawai‘i HR professionals: Marie Kumabe, owner of Kumabe HR; Kim Miyashiro, director of human resources consulting services at Kumabe HR; and Jennifer Ellis, director of HR and operations at Talent HR Solutions. Here are tips they shared about building those connections.

1. DON’T GET TOO LOOSE: Emails

and LinkedIn are not Instagram or TikTok. They are media for professionals, so avoid sounding too casual in your messages.

2. SET YOUR PRIORITIES IN ADVANCE:

When you send your first message to a new contact, consider beforehand why you want to connect. If you want to learn from them, don’t jump in with a big ask like, “Will you be my mentor?”

Start with something small like: “Thank you for connecting with me. I’m so impressed with your success in xxx (fill in the industry: banking, journalism, sales, etc.). I would love to meet for coffee or chat on the phone to learn some tips for getting ahead.”

If you make a strong connection in the chat over coffee, you may have met a mentor. But avoid ambiguity in your online outreach – the more vague your message, the likelier you will get no reply.

While not everyone will say yes, many people in Hawai‘i are willing to help the next generation and share their knowledge – if you make it easy for them and you express gratitude.

3. SEND THAT EMAIL OR OUTREACH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: Within two

days of meeting someone in person, follow up before that person forgets you and the conversation you had. In your initial outreach, you should mention something you discussed or something memorable that can help the other person identify you.

Q: AFTER HUNTING FOR FIVE MONTHS, I LANDED MY FIRST OFFICE GIG. HOWEVER, I’VE HAD A SIDELINE DOING PHOTOGRAPHY SINCE COLLEGE AND

ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES

I DON’T WANT TO GIVE IT UP. SHOULD I TALK ABOUT MY SIDE GIG AT WORK?

Hawai‘i has the highest cost of living in the nation, so side hustles are common and can help you avoid more debt. But many people avoid discussing their part-time jobs at their full-time workplaces because they fear their colleagues and managers might ask questions like: Are you more loyal to your side gig than you are to your main job? Do you put a higher priority on the side gig than your main job? Will your side gig get in the way of your main job?

But Jennifer Nahrgang, chair of the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, says on average, side hustles help people to be better at their full-time jobs. Her research on their effects on performance, published in 2021, found that side hustles can expand time management and sales skills and provide some relief to otherwise monotonous schedules.

Being open about a side gig shows transparency with your employer, can build trust and may even showcase valuable skills you’ve developed outside of your main job. However, it’s important to consider your company’s policies and the nature of your side gig before disclosing it. You may be governed by noncompete clauses or exclusivity rules that forbid the kind of outside work that you do.

Don’t break those policies, but otherwise, it’s up to you if you want to mention your side gig before deciding whether or not to keep it.

The workplace issue of side jobs is likely to become a bigger deal in the future. In a 2024 survey by Bankrate, a personal finance company, 36% of Americans said they had a side hustle, but that proportion grew to 48% among Generation Z, those aged 18 to 27.

Q: I’VE BEEN OVERWORKING AND NEED TIME TO CENTER MYSELF. HOW DO I TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY WITHOUT BEING SEEN AS LAZY? AND DO MENTAL HEALTH DAYS ACTUALLY ENHANCE YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING?

You shouldn’t be labeled as lazy for keeping yourself healthy,

because if you burn out or become physically sick, you won’t be able to do your job, period. A mental health day can prevent illness and burnout.

If you suffer from constant stress, anxiety, physical headaches, lack of energy and inability to sleep, a mental health day could be the best thing for you. Some companies explicitly allow mental health days in their sick leave policies, and other companies allow employees to use sick leave for mental health reasons.

But there is no specific Hawai‘i law that requires companies to provide that benefit.

Your primary care physician or therapist might provide a note that supports taking a mental health day if they believe you need time off because of a diagnosed mental health condition.

Move past the negative stigma and take mental health days when needed to maintain your health.

Taking care of your mental state can help mitigate future illnesses and can increase your overall mood at the office. But if you do take time off for your mental health, don’t violate your boss’s trust by overdoing it.

Kathleen Rhoads Merriam, mental health advocate and co-chair of the Hawai‘i chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, says to set some goals and standards to effectively reset, like getting yourself to the gym, exploring nature, sleeping the proper amount, taking a walk or seeking professional help.

Want to make the case that your mental health days actually help the company? Mental Health America, a national nonprofit advocating mental health and well-being, found that mental health breaks can increase workplace productivity, creativity and morale when coming back to the office.

But also be honest with yourself – and be fair to your employer: Do not take days off from work because you need to recover from a weekend or other time off when you burned yourself out partying. Time off is meant for recuperation, so you are ready for work on Monday.

H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 77

BY STEV E PETRANI K

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE HELPS BUSINESS OWNERS OVERCOME THEIR CHALLENGES The event May 2 at the Prince Waikiki will feature three dozen speakers and experts on financing, training, successful exits, opportunities, networking and much more. Participants will be informed, inspired and connected.

F

OR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE HAS BEEN A HIGH-ENERGY HALF DAY OF LEARNING, INSPIRATION AND NETWORKING FOR HUNDREDS OF LOCAL FEMALE BUSINESS OWNERS. This year’s event

on Friday, May 2, promises to be the best one yet.

The opening keynote speaker is Rose Wang, chief operating officer of the fast-growing social media platform Bluesky, who came to fame nationally in 2017 by successfully negotiating with Mark Cuban on TV’s “Shark Tank.” Wang and co-founder Laura D’Asaro impressed the billionaire investor with their Chirps snacks made from crickets. Cuban wanted a 20% stake for $100,000, but Wang was gutsy in bargaining him down to 15% for the same money.

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The closing speaker is Hawai‘i-born and raised Lori Teranishi, founder and CEO of iQ360, a strategic business consultancy headquartered in Honolulu with offices in San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C. Hawaii Business Magazine is hosting WECon with the support of presenting sponsor Central Pacific Bank. Catherine Ngo, CPB’s former CEO and chair and now president of its foundation, says she is especially excited to hear from both keynote speakers.

“What’s special about our keynoters, this year and in previous years, is their willingness to share their personal and professional journeys, their challenges and failures.”

In between those two keynote speakers will be eight sessions focused on providing solutions, ideas, opportunities, examples and inspiration to female entre-

preneurs. Speakers include Isabella Hughes, who launched Better Sour after selling Shaka Tea; Elisia Flores of L&L Hawaiian BBQ; Chenoa Farnsworth of Blue Startups; and Ku‘ulani Keohokalole of People Strategies Hawai‘i.

Session topics include how to successfully exit your business, how accelerator programs can fast-track your company, how to expand into markets beyond Hawai‘i and how to pivot from your current corporate job to fulltime entrepreneurship.

Small group discussions on specific topics will be enhanced this year. Each discussion will be led by a local expert and will include about 10 people or fewer per table. That format allows more questions and answers and a deeper dive into key subjects, says Susan Utsugi, group senior VP and division manager at CPB.

ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES

EXTRA CHALLENGES Ngo says every business owner faces huge challenges, but women often face extra obstacles. The Women Entrepreneurs Conference helps them overcome those obstacles.

“One challenge is access to resources – things women need to start and grow their businesses.

That might include resources and advice on strategic planning, financial management, marketing, sales and HR, and women often lack easy access to these resources,” Ngo says.

WECon has sessions and speakers targeting each of those areas.

“A special challenge for women is raising capital, both on the debt side and equity side. Part of it is just being unaware of the many options out there for capital. But it’s also about how to make the ask and

follow through by actually bringing the money in,” she says.

Utsugi calls financing – and addressing the challenges that women face in raising capital – the “foundation of the conference.”

“Our research shows that women tend to hold off on applying for a business loan or getting additional capital to grow their business. And some women feel they need the perfect business plan before seeking capital or too often feel the timing is not right,” Utsugi says.

“And often, when they do get financing, they do not ask for as much as they really need.”

WECon covers the many options to acquire capital, and helps female entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and confidence to take smart steps forward.

The speakers have dealt with some of the same challenges facing the entrepreneurs in the audience, Utsugi says, and their advice and personal experiences provide a road map for others.

A further challenge many women face is not having access to networks of other entrepreneurs, and that’s a big reason for the conference, she says.

WECon connects female entrepreneurs with each other and with the resources and people who can help them succeed.

When you bring a couple of hundred entrepreneurs and business professionals into one location, many connections are made.

“It happens in all kinds of ways,” Ngo says, then starts listing examples: “Following a session, two women start talking about their businesses and discover how they can help each other. Then there are women sharing leads: One got her goods on the shelves of a particular retailer and told the other woman how to do the same. Two women in the food industry discover they can share space and keep their costs down.

“As women, we naturally gravitate to helping each other as we become more successful. We want to lift other women up – a sincere desire to help each other.”

Says Utsugi: “I think you’re going to be inspired. When you enter the venue, you can feel the dynamic energy in the room and how women are there to support each other while learning and growing.”

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The Health and Wellness 2025 conference, hosted by Hawaii Business Magazine, was an essential event designed to provide employers, HR managers, and educators with practical strategies to improve employee wellness, retention, and productivity. Through expert insights, actionable solutions, and engaging discussions, the conference focused on fostering a resilient and thriving workplace. Attendees explored a range of topics, including mental health, workplace culture, and the importance of holistic well-being, all aimed at helping organizations prioritize health for long-term success. Additionally, the event offered 5 HR credit hours for professional development.

MAHALO TO OUR SPONSORS P R E S E N T E D A N D FOUN D E D BY

UHA Health Insurance is honored to have been the founding and presenting sponsor of the Hawaii Business Magazine Health + Wellness Conference for two consecutive years. As Hawaii’s only homegrown and physician-founded health insurer, we are deeply committed to wellness and prevention as pathways to better health.

This annual conference offers a unique platform for us to support Hawaii’s businesses in their efforts to foster the well-being of their employees.

Whether through comprehensive wellness programs, cultivating a healthy workplace culture, or providing education on healthcare and our physician-driven plans, we are proud to be part of this shared mission.

We trust that all attendees gained valuable knowledge and inspiration to further elevate their wellness strategies. Mahalo to everyone who participated in making this event a success.

— UHA HEALTH INSUR ANCE

“Creating a culture of well-being isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for building thriving, resilient workplaces. Hawaii Business’ Health and Wellness Conference brought together leaders from across our community who are committed to making a lasting impact on employee health, engagement, and success. We were honored to sponsor this important event and support the movement toward healthier, happier workplaces.”

— MICHELE K AUINUI , DIRECTOR OF HR SERVICES , ALTRES

S I LV E R S P ON S OR S

S P E C I A L S P O N S OR

H OT E L S P ON S OR

“The Health and Wellness Conference offered insightful discussions and illuminated the vital role that leadership plays in fostering employee health. Our hope is that we can continue to create supportive environments that empower teams across Hawaii’s industries.

At AlohaCare, our commitment to health reflects a culture of care, empowering managers to lead with empathy and purpose in creating a thriving work environment.”

— BR ANDIE OTA , DIRECTOR HUMAN RESOURCES , ALOHACARE

“At Pickles at Forté, we believe wellness goes beyond exercise—it’s about fostering connection, resilience, and a vibrant community. As Hawai‘i’s premier indoor pickleball and social club, we’re proud to sponsor the Hawaii Business Health and Wellness Conference.

Investing in employee well-being isn’t just the right thing to do—it drives productivity, retention, and workplace culture. A strong, engaged team starts with prioritizing wellness, both on and off the court.”

—ANDREW YANI , CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER , AVALON GROUP AND PICKLES AT FORTÉ

“The Workplace Wellness Conference helps equip leaders with the skills to champion initiatives that foster healthy, engaged, and high-performing workplaces across Hawai‘i. Investing in employee well-being isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage that drives retention, attracts top talent, and builds a culture where people and businesses thrive. When organizations prioritize wellness, they create environments where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best. Mahalo to Hawaii Business for recognizing the value of workplace wellness and creating a venue for these important discussions!”

— HAWAII EMPLOYERS COUNCIL

PA R T I N G

S H O T

BY RYAN N N OEL AN I C OUL E S

LOCATION: TIP TOP MOTEL, CAFE & BAKERY ON KAUA‘I | PHOTOGRAPHER: AARON YOSHINO

Old Family Recipe Remains a Classic KAUA‘I’S TIP TOP MOTEL, CAFE & BAKERY FIRST OPENED AS JUST A CAFE IN 1916, and over a century

later, it remains a local favorite in the heart of Līhu‘e.

“There’s no doubt that the success of our business is because of our employees. We have very loyal and hardworking employees,” says Jonathon Ota, the family business’s fourth-generation owner. That includes chef Kathrina Ganotisi, pictured here.

Tip Top has lots of appetizing breakfast and lunch options, but “our bestseller is oxtail soup,” says Ota. “It’s a recipe that was given to my grandfather many years ago.”

He says that while most places have just one vegetable and oxtail in their soups, Tip Top’s version contains Chinese and mustard cabbage, long rice, bamboo shoots, green onion and, of course, plenty of oxtail. tiptop-motel.com

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Big Love for Lahaina A N E W M AU I N O N P R O F I T, K A I B I GA N N G L A H A I N A , I S I N C R E A S I N G AC C E S S T O R E C OV E RY S E RV I C E S F O R L A H A I N A’S F I L I P I N O C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S .

A

cultural norms relating to things such as Westernized mental healthcare services.

WE WERE GOING TO START A NON With the financial support of a $1.6 PROFIT,” says Eric Arquero, the executive million grant, distributed over two director of Kaibigan ng years, from the Maui “We want Lahaina (KnL). But what Filipinos to feel Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i started out as a concerned Community Foundation like Lahaina is group of community mem(HCF) in late 2024, KnL home, that they is providing culturally bers—meeting to coalesce can share what connected services in four their individual efforts to help their neighbors, friends, they have to offer, main areas: community and families impacted by the whether that is case management, mental fires—has today grown into health support, workforce educational or a robust 501(c)(3) serving education and training, economic the needs of the Filipino and cultural educational or cultural.” community in West Maui programs.

-ERIC ARQUERO and beyond.

“KnL is filling a gap in The group takes its name services for the Filipino from a Tagalog word, kaibigan, which can community—a community that data mean “friend,” and has a root word, ibig, shows is not engaging in most resources which translates to “love.” The nonprofavailable to those impacted by the it’s primary goal is to serve the significant fires,” says Kehau Meyer, HCF’s senior portion of fire-affected Lahaina Filipino program officer for the Maui Recovery residents who have not been accessing Effort. “We’ve learned that the recovery recovery resources due to unique chalof Lahaina is both an individual and lenges, including language barriers and a communal experience, and KnL is FTER THE MAUI WILDFIRES IN

AUGUST 2023, “WE DIDN’T KNOW

one of a few organizations uniquely positioned to help navigate the obstacles facing the Filipino community.”

Arquero points out that the Filipino community in West Maui is not a monolith: “There are people who have been here for generations and then people who have immigrated within the past 10 years. Everyone has different needs, and our challenge is to meet all those needs.”

The group also seeks increased visibility and a better, more nuanced understanding among the general public of what it means to be Filipino in Hawai‘i. “We represent a variety of professions,” notes Arquero. “We’re not just working in the service industry. We have someone with a PhD on our board; a lot of us on the board have master’s degrees. We want to do work that speaks to our Filipino community and to our cultural values but also rewrites the narrative of what people expect about our socioeconomic status.”

While KnL is very much boots on the ground at this point, Arquero says the group is working to evolve, moving from recovery efforts into building resiliency and revitalization.

“We have no intention of closing shop,” he says. “We consider what lies ahead, three years, five years, 10 years, and plan to evolve our programming accordingly. We want Filipinos to feel like Lahaina is home, that they can share what they have to offer, whether that is educational or economic or cultural. As long as there are Filipinos in West Maui, and Hawai‘i as a whole, we want them to succeed.”

For Arquero, and for much of his team, these efforts are deeply personal.

“To be able to do this work in a way that is addressing macro issues but also the micro necessities of individual families, it’s given us the opportunity to find healing for ourselves,” he says. “To restore and recover as a community.”

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N A B O U T K N L , V I S I T K A I B I G A N N G L A H A I N A . O R G. A N D T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T T H E M AU I S T R O N G F U N D, V I S I T H AWA I I C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D AT I O N . O R G. H AWA I I B U S I N ES S | 83

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