10 People to Know: Native Hawaiian Business Leaders Oct 20, 2017, 11:00am EDT
One of Pacific Business News’ key role is to serve as a connector for the business community. To that end, we publish a regular feature called 10 People to Know. The objective is to introduce our readers to people who are achievers within their organizations. The point is to learn about people you need to know in the business community. Consider People to Know a form of virtual networking. This week we feature Native Hawaiian Business Leaders. In the coming months we will introduce you to people in other industries. If you know someone who would be a good fit, email Marie Tutko. 1. Manaola Yap Title: Owner/Designer Company: MANAOLA No. of employees: 20 Years in industry: 2.5 Twitter: @ManaolaHawaii What was your inspiration for your current business or product? I was inspired by my indigenous culture as a Native Hawaiian. I wanted to create a business that helps to cultivate, protect and sustain indigenous Hawaiian culture and our traditions through the lens of fashion. I was taught native dyeing and textile techniques through my hula and associated art traditions, so I always return to hula as my source of knowledge and inspiration. What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? Right now we are focused on sharing Manaola with a global audience, which includes pop-up shops on the Mainland and the expansion of our online store. We are also developing a community-based native arts and business program to connect with other local creatives to support them in their journey.
How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? Everything we do stems from our culture — every print, story and design concept comes from my desire to educate and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and art with the world. Our runways shows are especially important as an opportunity to showcase artistic protocols as we open with oli, hula and a traditional dressing ceremony that is not often seen. Our music is created with chant and hula implements, and each look tells a story that is very personal to me. In the workplace, we remain grounded because of our shared values of culture and community. Our staff shares pule before we gather to reflect and focus our intentions as a brand, and most of our staff have backgrounds in Hawaiian studies, language or hula, which is often shared within our store and office spaces. Mele and hula are especially important for us as a Hawaiian fashion label, so we do our best to bring those practices into the workplace as they truly are our foundation and what drives us as a business. 2. Kyle N. Chang Title: Co-founder & CEO Company: HealthTechApps Inc. No. of Employees: 7 Years in the industry: 5 Twitter: @healthtechapps What was your inspiration for your current business or product? My inspiration came from my personal experience with a sports concussion while playing football, then later while snowboarding. Initially, we worked with veterans who had a combat traumatic brain injury and now we’re focused on sports concussions. Our technology platform helps individuals and their doctors monitor a concussion using video paired with machine learning and artificial intelligence features to provide doctors with 20 times more data to prevent re-injuries. What is the best thing — and the hardest thing — about being an entrepreneur? The best thing is waking up every day to work on something new and exciting. It’s intoxicating. The hardest part is raising an equity investment round. Fundraising zaps time. In a tech startup, time is more important than money. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? Our co-founders are Native Hawaiian. I’m a canoe paddler. I first competed in the Moloka‘i Hoe when I was in high school. It was a grueling 42 miles across an open ocean. With outrigger canoe paddling, you move together as a team, stroke by stroke. Likewise, with HealthTechApps Inc., we’ve learned to read the currents, sprint to the buoys, and paddle hard to catch waves that propel us forward. 3. Cariann Ah Loo Title: Co-founder & CEO
Company: Na Ali‘i LLC No. of Employees: 123 Years in the industry: 14 What was your inspiration for your current business or product? This business was originally started by my dad with a simple vision: to treat our clients like royalty while delivering remarkable solutions to their hardest problems. As Na Ali‘i has grown from a one-man startup to a rapidly expanding small- to mid-sized business, we continue to keep that simple goal in mind. What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? We will open an office in a fourth geographic area, grow to 200 employees, deploy some of our best and most technically exquisite work to new clients, and reach new levels of supporting the Native Hawaiian community through our philanthropic activities. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? We are a company with a dual purpose — delivering cutting edge solutions to our clients and supporting the economic advancement of our Native Hawaiian community. When my dad started Na Ali‘i, he believed it was his kuleana, or responsibility, to help other Native Hawaiians. With his passing, it is now our kuleana to see this mission fulfilled. Everyone who works for Na Ali‘i understands this why we do what we do. We have partnered with several outstanding community organizations: The Pauahi Foundation to establish college scholarships; Purple Mai‘a, which fosters access to technology education for underserved youth, and Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond, which teaches youth about land stewardship and nohona Hawai‘i [living and practicing Hawaiian culture as a way of life] based around the restoration of a traditional fishpond.
4. Raymond Jardine Jr. Title: Chairman & CEO Company: Native Hawaiian Veterans No. of Employees: 198 Years in the industry: 12 What was your inspiration for your current business, and how did you get started? I got the inspiration of starting a business from a good friend from high school, Mike Irish, a well-known entrepreneur. We had lunch one day after I had just retired from the military with more than 33 years of service. He basically told me I had the smarts and leadership to run my own company, and to stop working for someone else and create my own destiny. One of the keys to being successful is listening to people who not only have experience, but wisdom.
What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? To grow three to five more companies under the federal procurement program for Native Hawaiians. This program allows Native Americans (Indian tribes, Native Alaskan corporations and Native Hawaiian organizations) to get direct awards from the federal government. Under this program, some of the profits go back into community programs to principally help Native Hawaiians. I see myself going from being an entrepreneur into a social business enterprise that creates jobs, opportunities and programs for the betterment of the community of Hawai‘i. How do you incorporate Hawaiian culture in your business? What makes a great place to work is the leadership and environment of the workplace. The leadership empowers its employees though the core values of the organization. These core values are reflected in Hawaiian values as follows:
Alaka‘i, leading with initiative and by setting a good example; Lōkahi, collaboration and cooperation, working together to achieve more; ‘Ohana, the circle of those who are family and those chosen as family; Ho‘okipa, generosity, sharing with our ohana and our community; Kina‘ole, doing the right thing, the right way, the first time.
NHV creates an environment in which our employees are energized, motivated, recognized, and rewarded for superior results. We want our ohana to demonstrate courage in speaking their mind, while displaying respect and teamwork. 5. Micah Kane Title: CEO Organization: Hawai‘i Community Foundation No. of employees: 65 Years in the industry: 10 Twitter: @HCFHawaii What was your inspiration for your current business or product? We are the leading philanthropic organization in the state. Last year, we distributed more than $47 million in grants and contracts. This move as the new CEO was about making Hawai‘i a better place, and helping those greatest in need. For me, taking on the role as CEO of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation was about making a Hawai‘i a better place and helping those greatest in need and those without a voice. HCF was founded more than 100 years ago, with roots tied to the Ali‘i trusts — whose legacies continue today. Last year, HCF distributed more than $47 million and we hope to continue our legacy of giving and helping our community well in to the future. What is the best thing — and the hardest thing — about your current role? The best thing about leading HCF is that we play an important role in helping people help others through their
funds, grants and scholarships. We manage more than 800 funds created by donors who want to improve the community they live in. In addition, we are starting to take on issues that are important to Hawai‘i’s future. The hardest part is knowing that despite the generosity of all of our donors, that there are never enough resources to help everyone that needs it. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? First and foremost, to do my best to live the example we want people to emulate and embrace of our culture. Secondly, we work hard to be inclusive of our culture regardless of whether you were born and raised here or recently made Hawai‘i your home. We welcome you to share in the kuleana to help perpetuate Hawai‘i’s host culture. Lastly, we encourage the use of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and other cultural practices in our work place. 6. Ramsey Brown Title: Resource Acquisition Manager Company: Hawai‘i Energy No. of Employees: 27 Years in the industry: 5 Twitter: @myhawaiienergy What was your inspiration for your current career? I remember sitting in dynamics class during my junior year of engineering school and calculating the energy transfer in a car’s brake system. I was troubled by the inefficiency of taking energy stored in gasoline, combusting it to accelerate a car, then squeezing friction pads together to stop the car and disperse all that energy as heat. I was also aware of hybrid braking technology that re-used energy making it much more efficient. This made me realize I wanted to play a role in influencing market adoption of energy improving technologies. After graduating, I worked on hybrid diesel-electric boats and found myself wanting to be back home with my other inspiration, my family. I am inspired by my family and friends to serve as stewards in our communities by using our energy resources wisely. What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? First, we are working hard to see that all four counties in the state adopt the latest energy code, 2015 IECC, as soon as possible. The governor signed the new code into law in March 2017, and now it’s the county’s turns. Second, we need to continue to hit our annual energy-saving goals. The Hawai‘i Energy program has been successful in meeting our lofty targets each year in reducing Hawai‘i’s energy needs. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? I’m reminded often of these words Kamehameha Schools students pledge in appreciation of their founder, Bernice Pauahi Bishop: “To strive to meet our responsibilities, To progress to the best of our ability…” One of the core values of our One Hawai‘i Energy team is “commitment to excellence,” or Kūlia i ka nu‘u, which I look to implement every day at work both in our office and with customers. We are responsible for the stewardship of Hawai‘i’s energy efficiency program. Stewardship is a
long-term, vigilant commitment to excellence that I take seriously and work to firmly establish in our workplace culture. 7. Mālia Ka‘aihue Title: Partner and president Company: DTL No. of employees: 12 Years in the industry: 3 What was your inspiration for your current business, and how did you get started? DTL was designed to bring ‘ike Hawai‘i (Hawaiian knowledge) into mainstream spaces through planning, design and communications. Everyone agrees that Hawai‘i is unique and special, yet few are able to tap into the core essence of this foundation in meaningful ways. We provide solutions based in our island genealogy for our clients that are culturally rooted and community minded. What is the best thing — and the hardest thing — about being a business owner? The most rewarding thing about being at DTL is working with brilliant colleagues. Every business partner, employee, consultant and collaborator are part of our ‘ohana. We are a multi-disciplinary firm so our employees come from diverse backgrounds and provide unique perspectives. Our projects are equally diverse and make every day different, challenging and exciting. The most challenging thing about being a business owner is designing balance. As a Hawaiian firm, we are always eager to share our resources with community organizations. It’s a part of who we are. Each member of the DTL ‘ohana is involved in the community. How do you incorporate Hawaiian culture in your business? Hawaiian culture is not something we incorporate, it is the way we operate. We do not subscribe to all of the traditional business norms. We think about every decision through mo‘okū‘auhau (genealogy), mo‘olelo (stories), mo‘okai (journeys) and mo‘owaiwai (values). Everyone in the DTL ohana engages in culture, and not just Hawaiian culture. We also have mandatory Hawaiian language classes weekly for all of our staff. 8. David Millwood Title: President Company: Hawai‘i State Tours No. of employees: 7 Years in industry: 28
Twitter: @Histatetours What was your inspiration for your current business or product? I have been involved in the tourism and hospitality industry for most of my life and have always taken pride in showing visitors the culture and traditions of our islands. In the late 1980s, I was working with the Kodak Hula Bowl, handling the travel packages for the players, coaches and commentators. There were also a group of students, cheerleaders and band members that were performing in the halftime show, and I saw that they needed assistance and asked the committee if I could work with the visiting student groups. This was the start of Hawai‘i State Tours, which specializes in helping student groups, such as bands choirs and orchestras, tour the Islands. One of the highlights of the students’ tour is performing in a “Remember the Heroes” concert at Pearl Harbor. What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? We continue to expand in our business offerings. We are focused on the expansion of our corporate and incentive markets. We also now have a full-service production company creating events such as the Waikīkī block party series, weddings and other private events. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? We are very fortunate that our office is located on the grounds of the beautiful and historic Nutridge Estate in the Pu‘u ‘Ualaka‘a State Park — land that was commissioned back in the day to grow Hawaiian sweet potato, and the first macadamia nut plantation in the Hawaiian Islands. We have the opportunity to share history and culture with visitors and locals alike on a daily basis. 9. Elliot Mills Title: Vice President, Hotel Operations Company: Disneyland Resort Hotels and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa No. of employees: 5,000 Years in the industry: 25 What is the best thing — and the hardest thing — about being a business leader? From my perspective, the best thing is developing others and creating a culture where people can thrive and improve their lives every day. The hardest part is managing the ever-diminishing gift of time. With my family being at the center of my life, it is often difficult to make sacrifices such as frequent travel or the extended business hours that come with the hospitality industry. As hard as it is to be away, it’s also a great feeling to be able to come home and say that daddy works at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? We recently introduced Ka Wa‘a Lū‘au at Aulani, which celebrates the stories of Hawaiian navigation. It’s been a great success for our resort, the community and most importantly, the families who visit us. I also look forward to the next year as I am honored to be joining my fellow trustees and the Kamehameha Schools ohana in contributing to the organization.
How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in your business? As we prepared to open Aulani, we established five core Hawaiian values as the foundation for all cast members: Kaulike (fairness, balance), kuleana (responsibility, accountability), laulima (working together, teamwork), mālama (to care for) and ‘olu‘olu (gracious, kind). The entire Aulani ‘ohana is aligned around the same core values, and they are prevalent in everything we do and every decision we make. 10. Kawika Burgess Title: CEO Organization: Hawaiian Islands Land Trust Number of employees: 6 Years in the industry: 10 Twitter: @HILandTrust What was your inspiration for your current business or product? What makes Hawai‘i so beautiful and special is our land, and the natural and cultural heritage. Yet these lands and resources are under constant threat of loss due to invasive species and urbanization. Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) works to conserve the most special places in Hawai‘i. HILT works in collaboration with private landowners to incorporate land conservation into their land-use plans. HILT owns and manages five public preserves on Maui, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i. What do you hope to accomplish over the next 12 months? We have a popular program called “Talk Story on the Land,” where we connect more than 1,000 visitors and residents with the land each year through guided hikes. We recently started a Strategic Conservation Plan using GIS to map out the lands and properties in Hawai‘i with the highest concentration of conservation values. We anticipate completing this plan in the next few months, and using the information to conduct outreach to the communities and landowners where the highest concentration of natural and cultural resources are located. How do you incorporate Native Hawaiian culture in the workplace? We are fortunate to be stewards of some of the most significant natural and cultural resources in Hawai‘i. Our stewardship includes researching, learning, caring for, and perpetuating the stories, traditions, and cultural practices of these places. Our preserves provide spaces and resources for our communities to learn, practice, and carry on the culture and traditions of these islands.