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CONTENTS VOLUME 10 / ISSUE 2 / SUMMER 2018
LAS VEGAS
LIVING ALOHA
6
20 STAND FREE
SHOWCASE
Can’t-miss Las Vegas attractions
10 CALENDAR
A three-month guide to events in Sin City
14 BOYD CASINO WINNERS Lucky you!
16 SUMO IN SIN CITY
Ultimate Sumo League debuts in Las Vegas
The 411 on Kunoa Cattle Company and its mission to keep Hawai‘i cattle in Hawai‘i
25 SHOP FOR GOOD
Goodwill Goes GLAM! is a bargain hunter’s paradise this July
26 PERSONALITY
Meet family man Guy Akasaki, CEO of local commercial roofing empire
29 UH SPORTS
SandBows gear up for women’s beach volleyball season
32
Hawai‘i-made products to watch for in 2018
2 LAS VEGAS BOUND
32 MANA UP
These up-and-coming Hawai‘i companies are poised to take the global market by storm
36 REAL ESTATE
Get to know Randy Hatada, broker/owner of Xpand Realty
38 COOL STUFF
Gear and goods made from earth-friendly industrial hemp
40 RETIRE IN STYLE
Senior living at resort-like community Good Samaritan Society Pohai Nani
B DELIGHTED
SM
GREAT DINING OPTIONS
OPEN
TheCal.com
OrleansCasino.com
GoldCoastCasino.com
SuncoastCasino.com
SamsTownLV.com
FremontCasino.com
MainStreetCasino.com
THE ORLEANS I GOLD COAST I SUNCOAST | SAM’S TOWN CALIFORNIA I FREMONT I MAIN STREET STATION IT’S GOOD TO B CONNECTED
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BoydGaming.com
Aloha We recently opened up sales for our charter flights departing between September 1 and December 31, and the response from our customers has been overwhelming. Customers are aware that for travel during our busiest period of the year, booking early provides them with the best opportunity to reserve the seats they desire in the aircraft cabin of their choice. First-class seats always sell briskly, and it’s not surprising to see first class sold out months in advance, particularly on our popular Wednesdayto-Monday charter patterns. In the fourth quarter, the departure dates that generate the most early bookings are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the entire month of October, the first two weeks in November, the Christmas vacation period and our New Year’s Eve patterns. If this is when you’re planning to travel, you might want to think about securing reservations far in advance. During the earlier months of the year, popular travel dates revolve around casino promotions. Of course, the Golden Arm Reunion and Hi-Cal golf tournament in April and the Senior Hi-Cal in September always attract early bookings. Same for slot and video poker tournaments. To learn the dates of our upcoming promotions, check with your casino hosts or hostesses. Better yet, be sure to insert your B Connected card whenever you’re playing on the gaming machines or display your card when you’re playing table games. Not only will you rack up points, but you’ll be more likely to receive casino offers and promotions for upcoming events.
Volume 10 | Issue 2 | SUMMER 2018
PRESIDENT
Jamie Giambrone
PUBLISHER
Naomi Hazelton
MANAGING EDITOR Lauren McNally
ART DIRECTOR Keith Usher
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kim Baxter Lindsey Kesel Avry Neal Jennifer Sudick Kevin Whitton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Aaron Bernard Dave Miyamoto Darryl Watanabe
SALES
Jennifer Dorman
ADMINISTRATION Crystal Rogers Sally Shaner
PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT Maria Sumulong
Bill Smith Vice President / General Manager Vacations Hawaii
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©2018 by Element Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in Las Vegas Bound do not reflect the opinions of Element Media or Vacations Hawaii.
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Photos: Las Vegas News Bureau
LAS VEGAS
BRILLIANT! AT THE NEON MUSEUM 360-degree audiovisual immersion experience brings Vegas history to life A newly debuted 360-degree audiovisual immersion experience is employing state-of-the-art technology to reanimate 40 of The Neon Museum’s iconic vintage signs. The largest augmented reality experience of its kind, Brilliant! at The Neon Museum illuminates and re-electrifies unrestored, non-working and, in some cases, broken neon signs, incorporating archival footage from the Las Vegas News Bureau to transport guests into moments from Las Vegas’ colorful past. 6 LAS VEGAS BOUND
IN A NUTSHELL: • 24 3D-sound speakers • Eight projectors emitting a total of 80,000 lumens of light • Two 20-foot climatecontrolled towers designed to resemble the iconic champagnebubble cylinder from the old Flamingo Las Vegas hotel and casino
Experiential Designer Craig Winslow previously created a smaller-scale, onenight-only projection for The Neon Museum’s north gallery in February 2017. The work was part of a larger, site-specific series entitled “Light Capsules,” in which Winslow revives “ghost signs,” or unrestored, faded, no-longer-legible building signs. After seeing his eye-catching artistry applied to its neon signs, The Neon Museum began discussions to create a similar experience for visitors of the museum. Structured light scanning obtains a precise view of the projectors’ output before fine-tune warping the content to perfectly align to a sign’s bulbs, bent metal and broken neon tubes. This process is known as projection mapping and aligns digital animations to the physical world, allowing signs that have not been illuminated for decades to shine once again. The projections are accompanied by a Vegas-centric soundtrack made up of hits from famed Las Vegas performers, past and present. Featured songs include Frank Sinatra’s “Luck be a Lady” and “This Town,” Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Night Life” and “Viva Las Vegas,” and Dean Martin’s “Ain’t that a Kick in the Head” and “I Love Vegas.”
WHERE: The Neon Museum WHEN: Ongoing Free admission neonmuseum.org
LAS VEGAS BOUND 7
LAS VEGAS
WHERE: The Mob Museum WHEN: Ongoing $26.95 for general admission themobmuseum.org
8 LAS VEGAS BOUND
Photos: Las Vegas News Bureau
CRIME TODAY The Mob Museum debuts all-new hands-on experiences Thanks to countless pop-culture references and notorious 20th-century mobsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel and John Gotti, organized crime calls to mind images of bygone eras when speakeasies, mob-run casinos and infamous mafia families thrived. But in all reality, organized crime still proliferates around the globe today. No longer centered in neighborhoods, cities or regions, contemporary crime networks extend across national borders and their illegal activities make the news daily, spanning everything from drug, firearm and human trafficking to the opioid crisis, money laundering, counterfeit goods and cybercrime. Featuring artifacts, graphics and a large, interactive, 17-footwide touchscreen wall, The Mob Museum’s newest exhibition space brings the story of organized crime into the present day and modernizes the way the museum tells that story. In addition to covering present-day rackets, Organized Crime Today explores active crime groups— such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, yakuza, Mexican cartels, Eastern European mafias and MS-13—and the international array of law-enforcement agencies seeking to eradicate them. Exhibits and corresponding digital content on the museum’s website will be regularly updated to reflect the latest global organized crime developments. Launched this past February, visitors can interact like never before with the Organized Crime Today exhibit in two new experiential spaces: the Use of Force Training Experience
and the Crime Lab. These join the museum’s experiential platform, which feature methods employed by law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute criminals and their organizations.
Use of Force Training Experience: One of two new experiential spaces that explore methods of identifying, apprehending and prosecuting criminals, the Use of Force Training Experience places guests in the shoes of lawenforcement officers. Guests will engage in an intensive training session using both digital and live role-playing scenarios that demonstrate the speed and complexity of use-of-force decisions. Related exhibits examine an array of factors that influence law-enforcement responses to real or perceived threats, with a particular focus on the use of deadly force.
The Crime Lab Experience: The Crime Lab offers guests a hands-on, interactive simulation of five different forensic science topics. Guests explore the Crime Lab during a 25-minute facilitated experience guided by a museum educator and featuring original multimedia, with insights from forensic science experts. While spending time at each station, guests will acquire a foundational understanding of the scientific techniques used to conduct death investigations, DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, crimescene investigation and firearms examination. LAS VEGAS BOUND 9
SPRING 2018
May Las Vegas Helldorado Days A Las Vegas tradition since 1934, Helldorado Days arrives at the Las Vegas Village across from the Luxor Hotel & Casino to honor Las Vegas history and recapture the spirit of the Old West. The festival includes a parade, carnival, rodeo, contests and other activities, including an art show, auction and live entertainment all weekend long. Visit the website for exact dates and event updates. Las Vegas Village $10–$250 elkshelldorado.com 702.870.1221
MAY 19
Brews & Blues Festival Red-hot blues and ice-cold brews are on tap once again for the ninth annual Brews & Blues Festival, offering up beers from regional, national and international brewers at the Springs Preserve located three miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Each ticket includes unlimited beer samples, along with commemorative mugs for the first 1,900 guests. Springs Preserve $15–$75 springspreserve.org 702.822.7700
MAY 24
MAY 27
Paul Simon Legendary songwriter, recording artist and performer Paul Simon brings his farewell concert tour to Las Vegas in May. Homeward Bound—The Farewell Tour will bring to the stage a stunning, career-spanning repertoire of timeless hits and classic songs which have permeated and influenced popular culture for generations. MGM Grand Garden Arena From $59.50 mgmgrand.com 866.740.7711
June
Las Vegas Epicurean Affair
JUNE 9
Nearly 80 of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants, nightclubs and beverage purveyors will convene on The Palazzo pool deck to host a night of gourmet cuisine and cocktails. Event proceeds support the Nevada Restaurant Association’s educational and scholarship programs, including ProStart, a national high school culinary skill and restaurant management program.
Renowned for his work on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, producer, songwriter, performer and 11-time Grammy Award nominee Alan Parsons brings the Alan Parsons Live Project to the Westgate International Theater as part of the Eye in the Sky 35th Anniversary Tour.
The Palazzo From $120 nvrestaurants.com 702.414.9000 10 LAS VEGAS BOUND
Alan Parsons Live Project
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino $40–$95 westgateresorts.com 800.222.5361
JUNE 9
Reggae in the Desert Featuring musical performances from some of Jamaica’s biggest performers, Las Vegas’ largest reggae festival returns to Clark County Amphitheater with live entertainment, Caribbean-style arts and crafts vendors, beer gardens and an onsite food court serving up vibrant flavors of the Caribbean Islands. Clark County Amphitheater $20–$35 reggaeinthedesert.com 702.455.8200
JUNE 22
Alanis Morissette Canadian-American alternative rock singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette hits the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in June. Dubbed “the queen of altrock angst” by Rolling Stone magazine, Morissette is due to release her ninth studio album sometime in 2018 following a six-year hiatus from producing new work. Palms Casino Resort From $151 palms.com 702.944.3200
JUNE 28 JUNE 14–16
Las Vegas Car Stars Join thousands of fans as they gather for car shows and other events in celebration of the iconic cars featured in television shows and movies such as Knight Rider, The Dukes of Hazzard, Starsky & Hutch and Smokey and the Bandit. Proceeds from the event benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit organization that raises funds children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Fremont Street Experience Free admission lasvegascarstars.com paulcaseyproductions@gmail.com
Dita Von Teese & the Copper Coupe Burlesque Burlesque performer Dita Von Teese will recreate her signature cocktail-glass act for a Las Vegas audience this June, incorporating copper imagery inspired by luxury vodka maker Absolut Elyx. Von Teese will be joined by an ensemble cast and larger-than-life theatrical elements, including a giant seashell and 1,200 “pearl” balloons in tribute to Sally Rand’s iconic 1930s-era erotic bubble dance. House of Blues Las Vegas $50–$100 houseofblues.com/lasvegas 702.632.7600
LAS VEGAS BOUND 11
LAS VEGAS
July JUNE 29–JULY 1
JULY 6–17
The Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center with the best and brightest in comic book and pop entertainment. Meet your favorite creators and celebrities at this three-day event, when hundreds of people in costume fill the giant exhibitors hall, a video game arena and international artist alley.
The 14th annual NBA Summer League kicks off July 6 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This year marks the first time the entire league will be represented at the annual showcase for upand-coming talent in Las Vegas, with all 30 of the league’s teams in competition.
Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con
NBA Summer League
Las Vegas Convention Center From $25 amazingcomiccon.com/amazing-las-vegas amazingcomicconben@gmail.com
Thomas & Mack Center $TBA nba.com/summerleague 702.739.3267
JULY 3
Night of Fire Easily the most popular race night of the year at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the short track’s annual Night of Fire is set to kick off the Fourth of July weekend in style. In addition to a full lineup of races, the event will include waterless boat races, skid plate racing, Vegas Drift drifting exhibitions and post-race fireworks. Las Vegas Motor Speedway $15 lvms.com 702.644.4444
JULY 7
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier Following a stint coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter, world champions Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will meet in the Octagon in the main event of UFC 226 during the biggest fight of 2018. T-Mobile Arena $TBA t-mobilearena.com 888.929.7849 12 LAS VEGAS BOUND
JULY 12–15
Las Vegas Elvis Festival Held in cities across the country to honor the life, legacy and music of the King of Rock and Roll, the Elvis Festival kicks off in Las Vegas with a welcome reception in Roxy’s Lounge located on the casino level of Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, where afterhours parties will be held each night during the festival. Shows will be held in Sam’s Town Live!, the hotel’s state-of-the-art 1,100-seat entertainment venue. Sam’s Town $179 for ticket bundle; prices for individual shows vary lasvegaselvisfestival.com 888.406.5885
JULY 13–15
USA BMX Las Vegas Nationals The world’s largest BMX racing organization returns to Las Vegas for the USA BMX Las Vegas Nationals after kicking off the 2018 season earlier this year. Up to eight riders speed down the starting hill, maneuvering over dirt obstacles and around banked turns in hopes of gaining a spot on the podium. South Point Hotel & Casino Free to the public usabmx.com 866.796.7111
JULY 28 Tim Allen
Tim Allen honed his talents as a stand-up comic throughout the ’80s and became a household name by way of the hit ABC television series Home Improvement. See him at Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage as part of the venue’s Aces of Comedy series, one of the most comprehensive and diverse comedic lineups nationwide. The Mirage Hotel & Casino From $59.99 mirage.com 702.792.7777
JULY 25–29 RollerCon
RollerCon is back to put roller derby fans in a spin this summer. Founded in 2005 as the world’s original roller derby convention, RollerCon brings together skaters of every skill level to compete on custom tracks at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino each year. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino $49 rollercon.com info@rollercon.com LAS VEGAS BOUND 13
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14 LAS VEGAS BOUND
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LAS VEGAS BOUND 15
Photo: Al Powers for Park Theater
LAS VEGAS
Ultimate Sumo League debuts in Las Vegas BY LINDSEY KESEL 16 LAS VEGAS BOUND
Tensions mount throughout the arena as two colossal wrestlers with steely eyes and furrowed brows face each other inside the 15foot ring. Spectators hush themselves as the mighty competitors break from their death stares to toss handfuls of rock salt around their workspace, a purifying ritual from centuries past. In unison, they turn their palms skyward to show the only weapons in their possession are their bare hands. Finally, the titans crouch low and pump both fists to the mat to signify “game on.” As the newest professional sports association, Las Vegas’ newly launched Ultimate Sumo League has a fan base to recruit—and
destination cities like Paris, London and NYC to groom for its arrival—but that shouldn’t be too hard, considering the sport’s uncommon appeal. It’s moments like the Shinto Buddhist rituals in the opening ceremony that make sumo so captivating. While raw physical power is definitely an asset, the game is just as much mental as it is physical—maybe even more so, what with the intensely conditioned wrestlers well versed in the art of intimidation. For these elite athletes known as rikishi, sumo is life: career, identity, status and honor, all rolled into one.
LAS VEGAS BOUND 17
LAS VEGAS
The Japanese pastime of sumo is a lot more complicated than two big men in loincloths slapping their thighs and muscling each other. Wrestlers need to know how to leverage strategies of balance, force and momentum to best their opponents while meticulously adhering to strict etiquette, where even the slightest deviation can throw the match. Most of sumo’s rules and rituals have remained intact since the sport’s rise some 1,500 years ago, though several of the more extreme ones—like the referee disemboweling himself as punishment for a bad call—have been abandoned over time. Sumo began as a display to both entertain emperors and appease deities in order to ensure a healthy rice crop at the start of the planting season. Today, epic tales of larger-than-life sumo legends still abound. Traveling samurai mercenaries known as ronin, who doubled as sumo athletes performing for Japan’s elite, are said to be the founders of most of the sport’s enduring practices. In the early days, only Japanese athletes were allowed to compete on a professional level, but the 20th century has seen several foreign-born warriors—including a number of fanfavorite Hawaiians and Mongolians— dominate the sport and achieve such top-division titles as yokozuna, or “grand champion.”
THE SUMO LIFESTYLE Pro sumo wrestlers are typically recruited from boyhood and required to live in a training stable called a heya, where hierarchy, respect and discipline are tantamount to success. Gloating after a win is forbidden, as is any degree of audacious or self-serving behavior in public. Young warriors are usually up before the sun, performing grueling physical workouts, eating impressive amounts of chako-nabe (stew), drinking beer and sleeping as much as they train. Though new recruits don’t have to be big 18 LAS VEGAS BOUND
Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau
STILL YOUR FOREFATHERS’ GAME
when they begin, the goal is to pack on muscle by consuming 10,000 to 20,000 calories a day. Thanks in part to the shiko stomping exercises they execute hundreds of times a day to improve strength and balance, the athletes actually tend to carry a lower body fat percentage than the average male. It can take decades to move up the ranks, and the majority of newbies drop out within a year.
NO EASY FEAT The dohyo is the ring where the sumo bout commences, constructed of a clay base, topped with rice-straw bales and covered with sand. Shoving, slapping and head-butting are among the 70 or so legal moves, but hair-pulling, punching, eye-gouging and crotch-grabbing are grounds for disqualification. The gyoji, or referee—dressed in a traditional uniform and brandishing a sword—polices the elaborate pre-match decorum and watches for rule breaches, then declares a winner. A bout may take seconds or minutes, depending on when a player forces their opponent to either step out of the ring or touch the ground with anything other than the soles of his feet.
Since there are no weight divisions or weight limits, it’s anybody’s game.
THE JOY OF SPECTATING The first-ever Ultimate Sumo League event in Las Vegas delivered a full evening of entertainment at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino’s Park Theater on April 28, with 40 individual matches in a double-elimination format—complete with music, lights and nail-biting drama—and culminated in the crowning of a champion. It’s a highly interactive affair, where spectators can look forward to learning all about the art and skill of sumo as the different competitors exhibit their unique fighting styles. As you head into the league’s inaugural season, learn the symbolic sumo names of each player, compare the virtues that make them exceptional and cheer for your favorites. At the end of the night, watch your chosen wrestler gracefully play with a long, delicate Japanese bow during the closing ceremony’s yumitori-shiki (bowtwirling dance)—and don’t forget to yell “Yossha!” when the hearty dancer stamps his feet.
LAS VEGAS BOUND MAGAZINE
The food, fun and lifestyle of our Aloha State
GUY AKASAKI THE FAMILY MAN BEHIND LOCAL ROOFING EMPIRE COMMERCIAL ROOFING & WATERPROOFING
ALL THE WAYS KUNOA CATTLE COMPANY IS TURNING THE BEEF INDUSTRY ON ITS HEAD
Photo: Dave Miyamoto
HEALTHY ANIMALS = HEALTHY LAND
All the ways Kunoa Cattle Company is turning the beef industry on its head BY JENNIFER SUDICK
Photos: Kunoa Cattle Co
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Nearly 225 years ago, the first small herd of cattle arrived in Hawai‘i. A gift to King Kamehameha from Captain George Vancouver, the protected cattle flourished. By the mid-1800s, nearly 25,000 cows and bulls roamed free. Hawai‘i paniolo (cowboys) were trained by Mexican-Spanish vaqueros to raise the cattle, and today nearly 1 million acres of land are devoted to ranching in the state, preserving vast tracts of open space. Prior to the early 1990s, 90 percent of the beef raised in Hawai‘i was finished, processed and consumed locally. Due to economic pressures that forced the closure of local feedlots, nearly three quarters of Hawai‘i’s cattle are now exported to the U.S. mainland for finishing and processing. According to figures from the Hawaii Beef Industry Council, state beef production is down to 5.5 million pounds, or just over 6 percent of the total beef consumed each year in Hawai‘i. This system has had a wide-ranging impact on Hawai‘i’s environment, economy, food quality and animal welfare, and ranchers are working together on sustainable solutions to keep more cattle in Hawai‘i. Kunoa (meaning “stand free”) is one of 10 businesses accepted into the first-ever cohort program at Mana Up, a newly launched product accelerator that helps scale Hawai‘i retail and value-added food products for the global market. “We are working to improve not only our supply of local beef and capacity to process it but also the way those cattle are raised,” says Robert Farias, a thirdgeneration Hawai‘i rancher who founded Kunoa in 2014 with Jack Beuttell. Farias oversees nearly 2,000 head of cattle across 4,000 acres of ranchland on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. 22 LAS VEGAS BOUND
"Our goal is to help consumers understand their options and that livestock, if managed properly, can be a healthful component of our diet and a regenerative force for the land.” —Jack Beuttell, co-founder of Kunoa Cattle Company
Following World War II, an overabundance of inexpensive fertilizers and grains made a feedlot finishing model attractive to ranchers throughout the U.S., including those in Hawai‘i, resulting in a shift away from grassland grazing. After many decades, the rising cost of importing grains led to the collapse of Hawai‘i’s dairy and pork industries. Cattle ranchers turned to their most economically viable alternative—selling calves to the mainland for finishing and processing—to survive. “The markets are now reverting to the pre-industrialized model of both raising and finishing cattle on vegetative forages rather than grains,” Beuttell says. “This practice is much less resource intensive than feedlot beef, whose prices are artificially low due to federal subsidies of the cash crop and petroleum industries. Our goal is to help consumers understand their options and that livestock, if managed properly, can be a healthful component of our diet and a regenerative force for the land.” The challenge is integrating agricultural production practices in ways that are ecologically virtuous and soil building, Beuttell says. This includes cover cropping, intercropping, no-till drilling, integrated pest management and crop buffering. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydropower and waste-heat capture, as well as improved logistical systems for distributing product, are also being integrated by ranchers. On the consumer side, increased awareness around food waste— estimated to be between 30 percent and 40 percent of the U.S. food supply—can mitigate increasing pressure on agricultural resources.
top: Kunoa Cattle Company currently ranches nearly 2,000 head of cattle on several thousand acres of former sugarcane land on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. bottom: Third-generation rancher Bobby Farias teamed up with entrepreneur Jack Beuttell to launch Kunoa Cattle Company in 2014 and keep Hawai‘i cattle in Hawai‘i.
LAS VEGAS BOUND 23
S TA N D
FREE
In addition to offering its pasture-raised beef at more than a dozen Times Supermarkets locations throughout O‘ahu and Maui, Kunoa has inked deals with Times, Safeway, 7-Eleven and other retailers to stock its Hawai‘i-grown beef bars at locations across Hawai‘i.
24 LAS VEGAS BOUND
“We hold a systems view of the challenges in Hawai‘i’s meat supply chain,” Beuttell says. “To increase self-sufficiency and ultimately regenerate landscapes, we need to look at everything from genetics, feedstocks, grazing management, transportation and manufacturing, to consumer education and engagement. We can’t expect that surgically addressing one aspect of the food system will solve the whole set of challenges.” Kunoa inherited a solar array on its USDA-inspected O‘ahu harvest and processing facility, which it purchased in 2016. The company also completed extensive upgrades to promote energy efficiency, worker safety and animal welfare and is in the accreditation period with the Savory Institute, a nonprofit organization that promotes the restoration of the world’s grasslands through holistic management. But mainland competition is fierce. Four companies control approximately 80 percent of the U.S. beef market, and standards vary around the use of language such as “grass-fed,” which is used to describe cattle that have been fed grass pellets in conventional feedlots. Plus, one mainland packing house can produce as much meat in a day as Kunoa does in a year. Those economies of scale are a massive advantage for the largest companies. The difference for many Hawai‘i consumers and abroad boils down to what they know about their food. “There is an emerging sensitivity to terroir in beef—the way soils, forages, climate and other factors shape the flavor of your meal,” Beuttell says. “When you develop an appreciation for that nuance in your food, and you combine it with a more intimate understanding of who raised it and how it was handled on its way to your table, food takes on a more meaningful role in our lives.”
LIVING ALOHA
SHOP FOR GOOD Goodwill Goes GLAM! is a bargain hunter’s paradise BY KELLEY CHO
Goodwill Goes GLAM! is a once-a-year shopping event stocked with the best-of-the-best items that Goodwill Hawaii has to offer. Now in its seventh year, the annual fundraiser supports Goodwill Hawaii’s nonprofit mission to help local people with employment barriers find jobs and become self-sufficient. Proceeds from the event go toward the local nonprofit’s employment and education programs, which serve more than 12,000 people in the Hawaiian Islands each year. Whether you’re new to thrifting or a seasoned expert, here are five tips to get the most out of your GLAM! shopping experience. 1. Shop on multiple days, or at least stick around for a few hours. The sales floor is replenished every hour with new items, so you can bet you’ll find something different walking down the same aisle two, three, four times or more. 2. If you see something you really like, buy it! Snatch it up while you can because chances are it’s one of a kind. 3. Consider checking off your Christmas list early. Goodwill Goes GLAM! is known to stock lots of new-with-tags merchandise—toys included—at heavily marked-down prices. 4. BYOB. In accordance with O‘ahu’s plastic bag ban, Goodwill Hawaii only offers eco-friendly totes for purchase to carry out your goods. Bring your own bag, cart or wagon to haul home your treasures.
Goodwill Goes GLAM! is free and open to the public from July 20 to July 23 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Doors are open Friday and Saturday
Photos: Goodwill Hawaii
5. Save a few bucks by parking for free at McKinley High School. Instead, put that money to a good cause and spring for the item you might otherwise convince yourself out of in the checkout line.
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LIVING ALOHA
Failed Architect, Successful Entrepreneur Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii President and CEO Guy Akasaki on risk, reward and planning for the future AS TOLD TO KEVIN WHITTON PHOTOS DAVE MIYAMOTO
Guy Akasaki is a communicator. With a joke or two, a contagious laugh and a warm smile, he serves as the CEO and president of Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii and several other businesses in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific Rim. Through humility, integrity and perseverance, Akasaki has been able to navigate the push and pull of economic cycles across nations to drive success in his endeavors and for his employees. By analyzing past trends to stay ahead of the curve, he has expanded his businesses into multiple markets to solve problems for businesses, government entities and local homeowners. Tell us about your career path. To start, I’m a failed architect. From junior high school all the way into college, Frank Lloyd Wright was my inspiration. But as soon as I got into college, I saw how my friends who had graduated years before me were [doing 26 LAS VEGAS BOUND
time as architecture] interns, and I thought that was junk. So I went into tourism industry management and became a night auditor for the Outrigger. I loved it because I worked the graveyard shift, so I could grab my surfboard and go surf in the morning. We became one of the most efficient night auditors in town. We finished our work in half the time when it came time to balancing revenues. Later I worked for a roofing contractor. I began to find that it used a lot of my skillsets because it was construction, programs, topography, engineering. I did that for about 14 years. There came a point when the economy was turning down that the owner wanted to get out. I talked to other key people about buying out the company as part of an employee stock ownership plan, where the employees can buy out the employer. The owner got excited and said, “Let’s proceed.” But when it came time for the transition, the
owner said he wasn’t leaving. I tendered my resignation with no intention of resigning at a time when the economy was really bad. If you’re going to do something like that, you’re going to have things set up, a job set up, things planned out. But I thought it was really important that when the resignation period occurred, it was done with the right motive. I think commitment, honesty and integrity are key to being successful in business, so I told him that I wouldn’t compete with him for one year if I ever got back into the roofing industry, even though I didn’t have a non-compete. I started to look into different small businesses and migrated back to commercial roofing, but just repairs. Enough with working with hundreds of guys in the field. So I started to do that and it was really tough. I couldn’t go to any of the clients we had before. It was brand-new people. Hawaiian Dredging called me up and
told me they had been trying to find me. They had heard all the comments and criticism about the way I had left but didn’t believe it. I told them I couldn’t do the job they were offering because I didn’t have the funding or the equipment. They said they would take care of all the equipment, provide the funding and we would split the profits. I couldn’t believe it. But then I remembered what I said about not competing with the other roofing contractor. When I told him I had to step away, he said, “What, you been drinking?” But I made a commitment. Three weeks later I had another contractor that I knew from years ago contact me. He had a lot of money and was wondering what kind of company he could start. We talked and he said, “Great, here’s the check, you go ahead and start it. You can set it up however you want.” But this guy was all about the money, and I know how that dictates the direction. Until that money is paid back, it’s going to be all about him and money. The small voice in me wondered how I could fulfill my purpose and destiny if I’m obligated to take care of the debtor. It was really tough, but I told him I had to step away. So then I started a small little repair crew. Our warehouse was an eight-byeight-by-seven storage unit and our fleet of vehicles was an old 1986 Toyota pickup and a Nissan that was about ready to fall apart. Whenever we did advertising, we’d superimpose the photo in front of a few big trucks behind us. That was our humble beginnings as Commercial Roofing. As we moved into the last quarter of the year, I thought we were down, like, $600,000. We would have lost our house, the kids would have had to pull out of school. It was pretty traumatic at that period of time. It turns out we actually made it—made a little money—but there was some real soul searching that occurred. The second year, we opened up a company in the Philippines, where we did engineering and consulting work for the military in Subic Bay. Then, when Honolulu Roofing went under, I picked up the name and held onto it until all the rubbish settled. I resurrected it because it had a lot of good work attached to the name. Shortly after that, we started Allied Pacific Builders. We did a lot of building renovations with the military and the Navy. After that, things started to happen in Guam. We bought out the assets of another company and started up Allied Pacific Builders Guam to be able to tack on all the work with the movement of the Marines from Okinawa to Guam. One of the reasons I wanted to make sure we had a presence in Guam is because Guam is a hub zone. In Hawai‘i, hub zone designation means you’re in a disadvantaged area with a certain number of disadvantaged employees. It’s a moving target here, but if you’re in a hub zone, you get to bid on a lot of set-aside work. By headquartering this company in Guam, everything we do in Hawai‘i is considered hub zone, so we don’t have to move around like a rabbit. Shortly after that, we started Green Path Technologies because we were working with the office of labor research and the Marine Corps Experimentation Center. We did research and development in renewable energy. We did non-glass photovoltaic modules for military operations in conflict and High Availability Disaster Recovery, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief so you can charge phones and have energy and lighting in adverse conditions. Then we got into developing building-integrated photovoltaics, where the PV is a part of the roofing or building envelope. When it comes to commercial properties, everything is based on valuation of the asset. That valuation is determined by income stream. What is the one floor that generates absolutely no income for your commercial building? The roof. And
on a commercial building, what is the one losing opportunity? Your building envelope has a depreciation period of 37 and a half years, but your roof won’t last longer than 20 to 25 years. When you put PV on the roof, you can write that off in five years. Tax credits and subsidies allow the owner to take pre-tax dollar use of this benefit. Now the roof is generating income and adds to the valuation of that asset. The tax credit and subsidies made a good marriage between roofing and PV. We were already doing non-glass laminates when the PV revolution came into play. We thought, “Wow, this is perfect, we’re already doing roofing.” That’s where the commercial brokerage company came in—we started Pacific Properties Group to do commercial brokerage, property management, real estate and leasing. We also buy kilowatt-hours and actually do the engineering, procurement and contracting of PV systems. We’re also investors. We’ll put PV on nonprofits—they pay no money, but we generate income from them. It’s a win-win-win. They get a discounted energy rate that’s far cheaper than what they have to pay currently, and we have an income stream for a set period. It’s almost like a mortgage. That’s another form of business that we do through Green Path Technologies.
It’s been a journey of 23 years. I would never have imagined we would get to where we are today.
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Within some of the companies, we are moving into areas of specificity. At Green Path, we’re moving into thermodynamics and air conditioning. We introduced technology where you harvest the power of the sun directly in the air conditioner. That way, you don’t need utility approval and you still get tax credits. By putting a solar-powered air conditioner in place of the one you’re using, you’re giving yourself additional capacity on your original net energy metering contract for all your energy consumption. If you want to add an electric car, you can run this system outside of that. And the utility endorses it. We also introduced solar PV as part of the heatabatement effort at local schools. During the day when school is going on, power is sent to the air conditioners directly, without going back to the grid. It’s been a journey of 23 years. I would never have imagined we would get to where we are today. We’re in China, where some of these technologies are patented. We just came back from Vietnam, and we have different technologies in the Philippines— composite building systems in some of the high rises. And on the roofing side, we’re moving into a lot of different technologies as well. We actually introduced a product from Israel, a water-based urethane. It’s non-toxic, and you don’t need protective equipment to apply it. It’s simple to apply, with a high resilience and high solar reflectance. There are technologies even in the old technologies of roofing, it’s just being aware of all the data points on the horizon. You can do the things you do normally, or you can try to improve it. It’s thinking outside the box and getting your people to step into that type of thinking. So all the companies we set up, I frame it so they’re aligned with the core values of what we believe. A lot of what I have today is because of honesty, integrity and commitment from the old days.
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G R E E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA I I . C O M
What advice do you have for young professionals? When you’re young and you start a business, if you’re not really clear on where you want to be and who you are, life has so many distractions that can take you off course. Know who you are. Know your purpose. Know your destiny. Know when you succeed and know absolutely when you fail. Then you’re not a failure. It’s just a step in the process to fulfill that purpose and destiny in your life. Unfortunately, time passes quickly. What is the motivation to find business opportunities overseas? A lot of times, when you start a business or capitalize on an opportunity, you look at the things right in front of your face. But you really have to look at history and trends. You have to pull from your experiences and yield to your integrity, honesty, commitment and determination. You have to have the foresight not just to stick it out, but to understand what is happening and why. One thing that always works is in times of feast, plan for times of famine. And in times of famine, plan for times of feast. A lot of times in that famine period, people just hunker down. But if you’re smart, that famine period is the time when you start spending money to build. When things are
going good, start putting resources on the side. When the famine comes, you’re able to maintain your current infrastructure and talent to weather the tough times. When the cycle picks up again, you’re ready to rock and roll. You don’t want cut people, you want to retain them so that they feel safe. From a company standpoint, you’re already positioning yourself for the next road. That same thing happens globally. What is your role on the Hawai‘i State Contractors License Board and what other types of community service do you participate in? For eight years I served on the Hawai‘i State Contractor’s License Board, and I was the chairman for the last four. It’s a lot of commitment, but it was very exciting because it gave me an eye into my industry. It gave me very good perspective, looking at it from the standpoint of the public at large. I’m also on the advisory board for the Salvation Army, the Friends of Hawaii Charities for the Sony Open and the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center board. I’m currently working with the Salvation Army to do a school supply drive. We’re going to get a lot of our company, affiliate companies and vendors to pick up school supplies for kids at disadvantaged schools.
UH SPORTS
SandBows gear up for upcoming season BY KIM BAXTER
“S
unday,” “get to Sunday” and “championship Sunday” have been rallying cries for the University of Hawai‘i women’s beach volleyball team since last May, when the SandBows fell one win shy of reaching the final matchup in the NCAA Championships. So they have become the team’s mantra during grueling offseason weightlifting sessions, and they were the last shout from the team huddles throughout the preseason. “Championship Sunday” would be one step closer to the title than UH has ever been, but this year’s team—with its talent, depth and veteran experience—has head coach Jeff Hall salivating at the possibilities like never before. “I like our chances if we get to Sunday,” he said just before the start of the season in February. “I like how things are shaping up. I love our team.” The NCAA Championships will be played the first weekend of May in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and will be aired on ESPN for the first time.
The SandBows finished fourth and third in the NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Previously, while in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) beach volleyball championships, they lost to Florida State in the semifinals in 2014 and to Pepperdine in 2015. “This program has grown tremendously,” says 5-foot-9 senior Ka’iwi Schucht, a California native. “I put my trust in these girls a lot, and I think this is the year that we actually could win it. I haven’t felt that until this year.” The first two seasons of UH beach volleyball started unimpressively. As a newborn program in 2012—along with the rest of the country—the team went just 4-6 overall with blowout losses to Florida State, USC, Pepperdine and Long Beach. Volunteer assistant coach Danny Alvarez remembers times that first year when he barely had enough players to practice, with most of the team being made up of indoor players who transitioned to the sand for extra practice. The team turned a corner in 2014, luring more talent to Manoa—Brittany Tiegs, Katie Spieler and Karissa Cook LAS VEGAS BOUND 29
Photos: Hawai‘i Athletics
UH SPORTS
LIVING ALOHA from that team are now playing on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour—and besting Long Beach and USC for the first time. From 2014 to 2017, Hawai‘i has notched a whopping 85-24 record and been one of the best in the country. But one giant mark has eluded the SandBows. They have come tantalizingly close to a title but watched the California schools exert their dominance over the sport on the biggest stage. USC is the three-time defending champion; Pepperdine has two titles and Long Beach won in 2013. In 2017, after Pepperdine unceremoniously booted UH from the NCAAs, the team had to swallow the bitter pill of coming just one duel victory short of championship Sunday. Even worse, the SandBows had to return to Hawai‘i, via Los
MORE ON BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Angeles, on the same plane as USC and Pepperdine, with both teams carrying hardware UH so desperately wants. It was a painful flight that has festered in the minds of the UH players since. “That was not a fun feeling,” says 5-8 junior Ari Homayun. “But being there and being so close, it does give us the confidence that next time around. We’ll be even more prepared.” This spring, UH boasts 21 beach-only players, the program’s largest beach-only roster. In the top five duel teams, six upperclassmen carry a wealth of big-time experience to anchor the SandBows. The two freshmen in the rotation, however, are far from inexperienced. Paige Dreeuws was named an AVCA Beach All-American last year, and six-foot Lea Monkhouse won the Under-18
Hawai‘i’s ties to beach volleyball, to which it has been inexorably connected since it was first played in Waikiki in 1915, go beyond the NCAA Championships and college game. Hawai‘i is the first state to hold a prep championship in beach volleyball. Since 2012, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association boys and girls tournaments have been held at Queens Beach in Waikiki in October. And Hawaii High School Athletic Association is now populating beach tournaments on a national and international scale. UH alums Brittany Tiegs, Katie Spieler and Karissa Cook are all competing in the AVP and its eight summer tournaments. Cook and Spieler teamed up for three ninthplace finishes, and Tiegs came in seventh four times in 2017. On the men’s side, familiar names to Hawai‘i prep fans are all over the top of the AVP. Punahou’s Taylor Crabb has been the most successful of late, earning Newcomer of the Year in 2015 and back-to-back Best Defensive Player honors the last two summers. He won twice with partner Jake Gibb in 2017. Crabb’s brother and former partner Trevor Crabb of Punahou put together a consistent season in 2017, finishing in the top five in all seven of his AVP appearances. The 2014 Newcomer of the Year finished second four times, losing the Hermosa Beach title to his brother in July. Punahou’s Maddison and Riley McKibbin typically play together, but when Riley was hurt last summer, Maddison picked up Ty Loomis and won his first crown in San Francisco. Maryknoll’s Tri Bourne was sidelined all of last year with an autoimmune issue but was quite successful the previous four years, earning Newcomer of the Year in 2013, Best Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and Team of the Year (with John Hyden) in 2015. He missed out on the 2016 Olympics due to a technicality—the U.S. is only allowed two teams, and though Bourne/Hyden were ranked in the top 10 in the world, his was the third American team and thus left out of the Rio Games. Former UH men’s indoor players Hendrik Mol of Norway and Nejc Zemljak of Slovakia have been competing on the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball World Tour, with both reaching the main draw of the threestar tournament in Kish, Iran, in February.
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Canadian national championship. The standout play of the youngest players has been a direct result of the NCAA adding beach volleyball in 2016. This year, 82 colleges across all divisions (62 in Division I) will field more than 925 student athletes on the sand. These increased opportunities for young women have catapulted beach volleyball into the fastest emerging sport in NCAA history. “I think it’s surpassed anybody’s expectations, and everyone’s really happy about it,” says Hall, whose SandBows have won the first two Big West Conference titles. “The growth is unbelievable. The amount of teams that have joined and the amount of teams that are separating and becoming beach only is impressive. And I think the biggest surprise is the growth at the junior level. It’s an awesome thing that the NCAA has done this.”
2018
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LIVING ALOHA
These Hawai‘i-made products are poised to take the global market by storm BY AVRY NEAL It’s time to welcome a new initiative to grow the bustling landscape of business and innovation in the state of Hawai‘i. Headquartered in the historic Dole Cannery, product accelerator Mana Up aims to help local companies scale for global expansion and compete in the world marketplace by leveraging Hawai‘i’s unique assets and powerful brand. Mana Up’s biannual 12-week curriculum includes sales, marketing and scalability consulting, curated mentorship from industry leaders and workshops on branding, product development and more. In addition to creating a space for innovation and collaboration, the program provides distribution opportunities through partnerships with Hawaiian Airlines and others, plus an e-commerce platform designed to get each cohort’s Hawai‘i-made products into the hands of those around the world. “The companies we selected for our first cohort represent the future of our economy by showing how a product from Hawai‘i can be a competitive advantage rather than a prohibitive cost,” says Mana Up co-founder Meli James, already a familiar name in Honolulu’s business community as president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. “This cohort has already achieved remarkable success by authentically integrating Hawai‘i’s
brand into their own. Yet the deciding factor was that we see tremendous potential for each company to grow internationally because of the caliber of the product and entrepreneurs.” James and her co-founders Brittany Heyd and Michael Cheski are poised to develop Hawai‘i’s next 100 product companies into powerhouses earning $1 million or more in annual revenue. Heyd’s background in the business world includes serving as managing director of Washington, D.C.-based incubator 1776 and working on economic policy at the Obama White House. Mana Up is Cheski’s third local initiative following work on the relief efforts Aloha for Japan and Aloha for Philippines. He brings e-commerce expertise having launched sales for more than 100 products on Amazon, QVC, TLC and Food Network, among others. Mana Up’s first cohort of 10 local companies were selected from 85 applicants whose traction in the market already earns them annual revenue beyond Mana Up’s baseline requirement of $100,000. All are entwined in Hawai‘i’s agricultural sector by either growing their own products or sourcing raw ingredients from local farms. “Hawai‘i’s agriculture is at a turning point,” says Dana Sato, director of asset management at Kamehameha Schools. “Over the past 30 years or so, big monocrop producers have been shutting down operations. When this trend started, it was tough to find farmers to farm these large acreages of fields. Today we have a mix of farmers, but we’ve seen small to mid-size farmers struggle to create economically profitable businesses. We’re thrilled to see innovative companies finding a product mix that can keep food production local, maximize use of the land and allow farmers stable and profitable sources of income.”
Hawaiian Pie Company
FOUNDER: JAN AND JOEL HORI A multigenerational familyrun bakery that specializes in buttery, melt-in-your-mouth fruit pies and baked goods.
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LIVING ALOHA
Hawaiian Rainbow Bees
FOUNDER: MALCOLM AND MITSUKO YORKSTON A husband-and-wife team producing local, unprocessed Hawaiian honey.
Hawaiian Vanilla Company
FOUNDER: JIM AND TRACY REDDEKOPP A boutique vanilla farm that creates over 60 different vanilla-infused products as the country’s first and only commercial vanilla growers.
Kunoa Cattle Company
FOUNDER: JACK BEUTTELL AND BOBBY FARIAS A vertically integrated meat company producing sustainable beef products from pasture-raised local cattle.
Mamalani
FOUNDER: MELE KALAMA-KINGMA A Native Hawaiian-made natural body product company using local, organic ingredients in ‘aina-friendly packaging. Mamalani’s subscription box, Go Native, features items from Hawai‘i farmers, crafters and artisans.
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The Tea Chest
FOUNDER: BYRON GOO
Manoa Chocolate
A tea company using natural, organic and sustainable ingredients to craft products with a distinct sense of place.
FOUNDER: DYLAN BUTTERBAUGH A bean-to-bar chocolate factory offering singleorigin cacao that showcases the unique qualities of its source regions around the world and across the Hawaiian Islands.
Ko Hana Rum
FOUNDER: JASON BRAND AND ROBERT DAWSON Small-batch Hawaiian agricole rum made from single-varietal heirloom sugar cane.
Monkeypod Jam
FOUNDER: ALETHA THOMAS A farmers market vendor now selling commercial pectin-free fruit preserves out of a storefront on Kaua‘i’s south shore.
Voyaging Foods
FOUNDER: BRYNN FOSTER Gluten- and grain-free flours, dry mixes and baked goods made from native Hawaiian canoe plants such as kalo (taro), ‘uala (sweet potato) and ‘ulu (breadfruit).
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Cool Stuff
REAL ESTATE
A FRIENDLY FACE Get to know Randy Hatada, Las Vegas Bound columnist and our REALTOR of choice for kama‘aina on the ninth island With more than 14,000 REALTORS in the Las Vegas Valley, it can be tough knowing where to turn for your unique housing needs. But for Hawai‘i people buying or selling property on the ninth island, why not take it from someone who has made a career of helping kama‘aina navigate the Las Vegas market? Randy Hatada made the move to Las Vegas nearly 20 years ago, but his connection to Hawai‘i is as strong as ever. Save for his wife of 10 years, his two-yearold son and his mother- and sister-in-law, all of Hatada’s family still reside in the islands, and he is committed to building his business on core values instilled in him by his Hawai‘i upbringing. “I believe in quality over quantity,” Hatada says. “I’m very passionate about real estate, but what I’m even more passionate about is helping people.” Xpand Realty’s calling card is treating clients and employees like family and its distinct sense of Hawai‘i values and culture. The mission at Xpand is simple: quality, professionalism and integrity. Despite the company’s continuous growth and impressive business volume, Xpand still operates with a hands-on, relationship-based approach to creating and sustaining long-term relationships with its clients. “Hawai‘i is a tight-knit community,” Hatada says. “In the islands, reputation and word-of-mouth referrals can mean everything to a business. Even though we are in Las Vegas, we try to take a humble, island-style attitude when interacting with our clients.” So far, that approach is working. Through the support of Vegas’ ninth island community, Hatada currently resides in the top one percent of Las Vegas REALTORS in sales volume. He has been named one of the Top 25 Asian Practitioners (2012) and Top 100 Most Influential Agents (2016) and earned 40 Under 40 Awards from the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS in 2015, 2016 and 2017, landing him in the organization’s 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame. “I’ve come to learn that building relationships and taking care of people eventually leads to people wanting to do the same for you,” Hatada says. “It turns into a big cycle, and I attribute a lot of our success to these relationships.” In addition to serving as broker/owner of Xpand Realty & Property Management, Hatada is also part-owner of a Las Vegas restaurant group with strong ties to the Hawai‘i community. Through his numerous business endeavors and drawing upon his extensive personal and professional experience, Hatada strives to connect and support the local community, especially those who have invested or made the transition to living in Las Vegas. Xpand Realty mainly caters to Hawai‘i investors and kama‘aina looking to relocate to the ninth island. A large percentage of the company’s clientele either reside in Hawai‘i or are former Hawai‘i residents, and more than half of Xpand Realty’s agents and employees are Hawai‘i transplants. So how did Hatada end up in Las Vegas in the first place? After graduating from Waiakea High School on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Hatada headed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in business with an emphasis in marketing. He started a real estate investment company in 2002, flipping houses and 36 LAS VEGAS BOUND
managing long-term rentals and got licensed shortly thereafter. Hatada founded his full-service real estate agency Xpand Realty & Property Management in 2009 with the goal of meeting clients’ real estate needs with the best customer service and professionalism possible. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and servicing the entire Las Vegas Valley, Xpand Realty empowers clients with information in order to help them make educated decisions about their real estate needs. In addition to buyer and seller assistance, property management, investment programs and consulting, there are many other bonuses to choosing Xpand. Clients of Xpand Realty have access to a private inventory of properties fed by the company’s extensive investor pool, and buyers can make an offer on these properties and other pre-listings before they hit the public market. Clients also benefit from the company’s ability to merge old-school values with modern-day technology, and to specifically train its agents so that each one has a different niche. It’s this expertise, agility and integrity that allow Xpand Realty to navigate fluctuations in the market and deliver on its promise of personalized service that values the client above the transaction. That, and a generous helping of aloha spirit. “I tell my people all the time, we aren’t just in the real estate business,” Hatada says. “First and foremost, we are in the customer service business, and it’s our job to treat everyone like kama‘aina. I’m proud to still call Hawai‘i home, even though I live in Las Vegas.”
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IN HEMP WE TRUST
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Stronger than steel, more flexible than nylon and more durable than concrete, hemp sure gets a lot of shade for such a versatile, eco-friendly textile. See what those in the know have been doing with this sustainable wondercrop. 1. ROLKAZ Rolkaz skateboards are made from entirely renewable resources, including 100 percent natural hemp and flax fibers and highperformance plant-based resin. Looks and feels like a regular skateboard, way better for the planet. [$74–$197] rolkaz.co
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Photos: Pohai Nani
LIVING ALOHA
A Day in the Life AT GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY POHAI NANI
Located on a resortlike 16-acre property in a tranquil residential area in Windward O‘ahu, Pohai Nani is the difference between somewhere you stay and somewhere you never want to leave. BY LAUREN MCNALLY
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O
ther than a cruise ship, where can you get daily meals, weekly housekeeping, linen service, housing maintenance, scheduled outings and activities, transportation and paid utilities, all in one place? At Good Samaritan Society Pohai Nai, you can expect all of this and more. It’s all a typical part of life at Pohai Nani, Hawaiian for “beauty surrounded.” A vibrant senior living community overlooking the majestic Ko‘olau Mountains and serene Kane‘ohe Bay, Pohai Nani offers a continuum of care to grant you freedom and flexibility in retirement, along with the assurance that you are in good hands. As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of senior care and services, Pohai Nani
draws upon 90 years of experience providing care for seniors. Pohai Nani offers independent senior living and a range of care options, from assisted-living services to around-the-clock skilled nursing and rehabilitation. That means you define the lifestyle of your choice for now— and for tomorrow. Better still, Pohai Nani is home to a packed lineup of events, activities and entertainment options, along with a wealth of onsite amenities so you can maintain a thriving social network and active day life, all within the safe, comfortable grounds of Pohai Nani. Change is hard and moving is harder, but the perfect balance of care and independence awaits. Here’s some of what you can expect if you choose to call Pohai Nani home.
COTTAGE LIVING Get the best of both worlds by indulging in everything you love about living in your own home and none of the burdens of home maintenance. Got a green thumb? Create your own exotic garden. Not-so-green thumb? Leave it to Pohai Nani’s landscapers to keep the plant life around your home in tiptop shape. Choose from one- and two-bedroom cottages each equipped with attached carports and a full kitchen so you can continue to cook all the things you love.
HIGH-RISE APARTMENT LIVING With both independent and assisted-living options, you define your lifestyle in retirement. Pohai Nani’s studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes offer some of the most beautiful views in all of O‘ahu. Amenities include weekly housekeeping and a communal dining room serving three delicious and nutritious meals per day. Talk story with your fellow residents inside the dining room or take your meals al fresco out on the lanai, where views of Pohai Nani’s lush, tropical grounds await.
ARTS & CULTURE There’s no shortage of ways to get your fix of culture or the arts at Pohai Nani. Take part in choir or ukulele jam sessions, get your creative juices flowing in the art studio or craft room, try a hulacise class, join a knitting, crochet or writing group or socialize with your friends and fellow residents over a game of mah jong or hanafuda. LAS VEGAS BOUND 41
LIVING ALOHA
LIFELONG LEARNING Being in retirement doesn’t mean you should stop learning new things. In fact, there’s no better time to keep your mind active than in your golden years. Between film screenings, guest speakers and community meetings in Pohai Nani’s newly renovated Ruth Orcutt Bacon Auditorium and the more than 10,000 books in the Akaka Library, Pohai Nani makes it easy to challenge yourself, including becoming internet savvy in the computer room.
HANDLE WITH CARE Despite our best efforts to stay active and healthy, sometimes challenges arise that make daily living a little more difficult than it used to be. Pohai Nani offers a range of assisted-living services to suit your unique needs, preferences and living arrangements. The health center is conveniently located on the fourth flour of Pohai Nani’s high-rise apartment complex, so you can seek and receive care without ever leaving the building. The care cottages in the lower campus offer residents a home-like environment with the added benefit of 24-hour supervision and assistance. If you’re recuperating from a recent hospitalization or your health situation requires rehabilitation or skilled 24hour care, there’s the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Care Center, a 44-bed licensed long-term care facility certified by both Medicare and Medicaid. 42 LAS VEGAS BOUND
TRAVEL & LEISURE Whether you’re in the mood to get up and move or kick back with visitors or your fellow residents, Pohai Nani is all about options. Need fresh air? Stroll the walking paths or spend time in the picturesque gazebo on site. Craving some company? Socialize with your fellow residents during coffee and tea hour or drop in on a communal game in the club room.
SPECIAL EVENTS Food is a unifying force at Pohai Nani, and even more so during holidays and other special events throughout the year. Who doesn’t like corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, barbecue ribs and corn on the cob on Fourth of July, and holiday dishes like Cornish game hen with wild rice stuffing on Thanksgiving and Christmas? The dining area is transformed for residents and their visitors during Pohai Nani’s annual Hawaiian luau and events like Easter and Chinese New Year.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Pohai Nani’s comprehensive wellness program includes a host of recreational activities designed to increase strength, flexibility, endurance and balance to help you maintain your independence for as long as possible. Best of all, they’re a great way to build community among your fellow residents. You can also drop in on a chapel service or interfaith meditation to nurture mind, body and spirit.
TEST THE WATER Get your heart pumping at a water fitness class in Pohai Nani’s heated swimming pool or wind down at the end of a full day in the jetted hot tub. Prefer dry land? Visit Pohai Nani’s fitness center or try your hand at yoga or tai chi.
GETTING AROUND Pohai Nani’s fleet of shuttle buses depart multiple times a day to transport you to and from places like the grocery store, shopping center, drugstore, barbershop, bank and doctor’s office.
JULY 20-22
DAY 2-4 PUBLIC SALE
GOODWILL GOES GLAM! SALE BLAISDELL EXHIBITION HALL • FRI & SAT: 10AM 8PM • SUN: 10AM 5PM
DESIGNER Brands • BARGAIN Prices FREE Admission* FREE Parking @ McKinley High School* *July 20-22 only
JULY 19
DAY 1 FASHION SHOW & VIP PRE-SALE
All proceeds to benefit Goodwill Hawaiiʼs education and job programs.
Visit HiGoodwill.org/GLAM for more info
Senior Living Redefined Bold. Innovative. Visionary. St. Francis Healthcare System is elevating senior living to an exciting new level. Hawaii’s seniors want to remain active, vibrant, and full of energy. They’re ready to pursue the dreams they may have put on hold. They’re redefining the “golden years” in new ways.
Fusion.
St. Francis Healthcare System is reinventing wellness to keep pace with the aspirations of seniors. We are building around their needs. Our decisions on construction, contemporary designs, and program choices are all made to honor kūpuna.
We are erasing any boundaries. Our Liliha campus is now being completely transformed into the St. Francis Kūpuna Village, Hawaii’s first one-stop health and wellness center dedicated to bringing the best quality of life for seniors, caregivers and other family members.
It will be a convergence of medical care and social, recreational and educational activities, all on our eight-acre campus in Liliha. A game of mahjong, a tai chi session or healthy cooking class at our Quality of Life Center will blend seamlessly into doctor appointments.
Our St. Francis Quality of Life Center will also offer companionship with other seniors, and meaningful, enriching volunteer opportunities. Seniors can also participate in enhanced health and wellness programs to stay healthy and active.
Growing. Building. Stretching. The St. Francis Kūpuna Village campus already features a skilled nursing facility, and we are now embarking on the next phase of construction to add more programs and services. St. Francis Healthcare System remains true to the Franciscan values on which it was founded. We believe in keeping things simple and easily accessible, extending our services to all those who seek our assistance.
Honolulu skyline and ocean views from our new courtyard, which will serve as the hub of exciting activities for the whole family.
You can help us shape the future for Hawaii’s growing number of seniors and caregivers. Receive updates on our progress by emailing us today at info@stfrancishawaii.org.
In addition, a bistro-style café will complement the setting with healthier meals for the entire family.
Serenity. Comfort. Amenities. Creative. The campus will be a gathering place for families. Busy families will relax and unwind in a casual, comfortable, healing environment. They will enjoy breathtaking sunsets and spectacular
Creativity knows no boundaries. Coming soon, adult day care, an assisted living facility and independent living units. If you would like to be a part of our vision, please contact us.
Live Every Moment St. Francis Healthcare System
2230 Liliha Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 (808) 547-6500 | stfrancishawaii.org info@stfrancishawaii.org
KNOW BEFORE YOU
GO
What to expect on a Vacations Hawaii experience to Las Vegas ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
You are required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide an acceptable form of identification at check-in and at the security checkpoints in Honolulu and Las Vegas. Acceptable forms of identification include photo identification issued by the US Federal or State Government or US and foreign government-issued passports. Additionally, the identification must contain a name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and some tamper-resistant feature. Bus passes, library cards and fishing licenses are among the forms of identification that are NOT acceptable.
In addition to one personal item (briefcase, purse, laptop computer, backpack) each person is allowed one piece of carry-on luggage. The maximum dimensions for each piece of carry-on luggage is approximately 9 x 14 x 22 inches and the weight restriction is 25 pounds. No more than three ounces of liquids, aerosols or gels may be included in carry-on luggage. Additionally, all of the above items must be consolidated in a single quartsized zip lock bag, which must be placed separately in the security bin during the security screening process.
CHECKED LUGGAGE
(Wheelchairs, Oxygen, Oxygen Concentrators) Customers with special needs should make their reservations with Vacations Hawaii as far in advance as possible and should request the special services available to them. Arrangements can be made for special seating and handling at the same time that your charter reservations are made. Wheelchairs are available through the porter service at both Honolulu International Airport and McCarran International Airport for the convenience of passengers. Arrangements can be made in advance to rent wheelchairs for use in Las Vegas. Customers also have the option of taking their own personal wheelchairs with them as checked luggage on the chartered flights. Oxygen can be provided at a cost for any customer who provides Vacations Hawaii with a prescription that has an acceptable flow rate and meets the government’s criteria when the request for oxygen is made. Oxygen concentrators are allowed on the airplane but are subject to restrictions concerning the make and model of the concentrator and the amount of battery-charge available. Consult with a Vacations Hawaii representative for a full description of terms and restrictions.
l In Honolulu, check in two hours prior to departure at Omni Air International’s ticket counter located in Lobby 6 of the Honolulu International Airport.
l PLEASE BE AWARE THAT : • Baggage that needs to be checked needs to pass through the agriculture checkpoint before heading to the ticket counter. • In addition to affixing the hotel tags provided by Vacations Hawaii, all checked luggage must be tagged with your own personal identification tag. • You are allowed two pieces of checked luggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and maximum dimensions of 62 linear inches (length+width+height). • A fee of $25 will be assessed for each of the first two pieces of checked luggage on each flight segment. Passengers who check in more than two pieces of luggage will be charged $100 per piece for each additional item of checked luggage per each flight segment. • In addition to the checked baggage fees set forth above, Vacations Hawaii may, in its sole discretion, accept oversized or overweight luggage when space is available, subject to the payment of a fee of $100 per piece on each flight segment. Checked baggage that exceeds a maximum outside linear dimension of 62 inches and/or exceeds a maximum weight of 50 pounds constitutes overweight luggage. Items heavier than 70 pounds will not be accepted for transportation. • First Class passengers and Emerald cardholders in Boyd’s B Connected program will be allowed two pieces of checked luggage at no charge, except for oversized and overweight pieces described above, which will be subject to fees. • Styrofoam coolers will not be accepted unless packed within an outside box or container. Special rules and restrictions govern the transport of dry ice.
46 LAS VEGAS BOUND
SPECIAL NEEDS
DEPARTING HONOLULU
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Again, once at Honolulu International Airport, please check in two hours before departure at Lobby 6. A 5 1/2-hour flight will take you from Honolulu to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The charter approaches Las Vegas from the south, giving passengers a clear view of the Strip and Downtown as the plane descends for its landing.
ARRIVING IN LAS VEGAS
<
The flight arrives at Terminal 3, where a Vacations Hawaii ground agent will greet you, answer any questions
NEED ASSISTANCE? l If you need any help while you are in Las Vegas, please contact the Duty Escorts at the Vacations Hawaii office in the Main Street Hotel and Casino. Escorts are at the office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also call 702.249.8404 for assistance.
Kikaha
and direct you to the buses that will take you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted by another agent and proceed to the front desk to retrieve your meal-ticket book and room keys. Your luggage will be brought to your room shortly. During your stay, there are countless ways to stay busy with gaming, shopping, day trips, sightseeing, free shows and more. For a list of some possibilities, contact your hotel’s bell desk representatives.
On the day of your departure, your luggage will be retrieved from your room by the bell desk. You will meet in a designated room and await the buses to take you back to McCarran Airport, Terminal 3. At the terminal, you will need to retrieve your luggage (or use a SkyCap) and take it to the check-in counter. Check in with the Swissport counter agents. There, you will be issued your boarding pass and luggage claim tags and directed to the proper departing gate. Once you arrive at the Honolulu airport, your luggage is typically sent to Baggage Claim E. An announcement will be made in-flight to let you know where to pick up your baggage. <
Passenger Entrance >>>
EXIT
<
LAVATORY
2D 3D 4D
2F 3F 4F
7D 7E 7F 8D 8E 8F 9D 9E 9F 10D 10E 10F 11D 11E 11F 12D 12E 12F 14D 15D 16D
EXIT
LEAVING LAS VEGAS
LAVATORY
14E 15E 16E
14F 15F 16F
2H 3H 4H
2K 3K 4K
7H 8H 9H 10H 11H 12H 14H 15H 16H
7K 8K
First Class Rows 1 – 4
9K 10K 11K 12K 14K 15K 16K
Premium Class Rows 7 – 16
LAVATORY
LAVATORY
17H* 17K* 18D 19D 20D 21D 22D 23D 24D 25D 26D 27D 28D 29D 30D 31D 32D 33D 34D 35D 36D
| 1-877-718-8901
Omni Flight Departure & Arrival Information
18E 19E 20E 21E 22E 23E 24E 25E 26E 27E 28E 29E 30E 31E 32E 33E 34E 35E 36E
18F 19F 20F 21F 22F 23F 24F 25F 26F 27F 28F 29F 30F 31F 32F 33F 34F 35F 36F
18H 19H 20H 21H 22H 23H 24H 25H 26H 27H 28H 29H 30H 31H 32H 33H 34H 35H 36H
18K 19K 20K 21K 22K 23K 24K 25K 26K 27K 28K 29K 30K 31K 32K 33K 34K 35K 36K
Coach Class Rows 17 – 36
LAVATORY
Thank You For Choosing Vacations Hawaii! LAS VEGAS BOUND 47
PRO ADVICE
GET THE 411 FROM THE EXPERTS
RETIREMENT PLANNING Did you know the rules have changed? BY EDWARD Y. MOTOSUE More than 50 percent of seniors retire without any planning. Many retire without knowing how much money they need to retire or how long their retirement money will last. More than 85 percent of Americans aged 60 and over do not have long-term care coverage, and 73 percent of Hawai‘i’s seniors need some level of long-term care. The traditional model of retirement relies on the following three resources: Social Security, regular investments (stocks, mutual funds) and retirement plans (401(k), IRA). Everything is taxable, and most people believe that when they retire they will be in a lower tax bracket, but is this true?
48 LAS VEGAS BOUND
Retirement isn’t cheap. Costs are rising and planning for it is a process. Here are some things to consider before you make the jump. Do you have long-term care insurance? What are living benefits? Do you have a Social Security strategy? What exactly is a living trust? Do you have guaranteed income for life? No one can predict how long they’ll live, so one of the biggest financial risks that seniors face is the possibility they’ll outlive their savings. Nearly 70 percent of retirees underestimate their life expectancy. Take charge of your own money. At Financial Benefits Insurance, we can introduce you to an insurance expert, longterm care consultant, financial advisor, elder law attorney or healthcare advisor to go over your needs. For more information, please call (808) 792-5194 or visit our website at fbihi.com.
Edward Motosue is the Vice President of Financial Benefits Insurance and has over 10 years experience in the Life and Health Insurance industry. 808-792-5194 www.fbihi.com
o how do you choose the S right senior living community? Fun is important. So is comfort. But what about those deeper questions? Questions like whether our lives will have as much meaning and purpose? We’re the Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani, part of the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services. And we’d like to help you answer those deeper questions that belong at the very center of your search.
To learn more about our community in Kane’ohe, call (808) 247-3448.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Copyright © 2014 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
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*Personal term loan offer valid as of 2/15/18 and may be modified or canceled at any time. Valid for loan amounts from $1,500 to $30,000. Loan terms up to 72 months. Membership ($5 in Regular Savings) required. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Your loan approval and APR are based on credit-worthiness. Example: monthly payments on a $2,500 loan could be as low as $210.76 for 12 months. Offer includes a 0.24% discount for automatic payment from an APFCU or HNGCU account. New loans only. No refinancing of existing APFCU or HNGCU loans. Other restrictions may apply. See branch for details on applicable fees, and for other available rates and terms.