What Future Do You Imagine?
Happy New Year from Focus Maui Nui, a community-driven vision of our islands, spearheaded by Maui Economic Development Board.
Pine Isle Market strives to satisfy Lanai community
In six decades of business, the Lanai family operating Pine Isle Market has learned it must constantly strive to meet and satisfy its customers. “We found it necessary to stock the basic needs of the town,” owner/operator Kerry Honda said. That has meant providing food, drink, dry goods and health and beauty aids. As years have passed, the grocery store has had to stock up on “a little bit of the ordinary” items such as weed whackers, fishing goods, electronics and appliances.
Pine Isle Market Ltd. formed in 1949 and began as a partnership with five original members and the late Isamu Honda taking the lead. Within the first couple of years of business, three partners dropped out and Honda, with his late wife, Marian, ran the business along with the store butcher. For the last 50 years or so, Pine Isle Market has set up shop in the Lanai City Town Square on Eighth Street. The staff maintains the “plantation days” tradition of closing for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Honda’s son, Kerry, heads up the business today and runs it with 21 employees. “The hard work of my parents, the total support of my wife Cindy and children, employee dedication and customer loyalty have been the factors in the success of Pine Isle Market,” Honda said. “In a small community such as ours, we cherish our family, employees and customers,” Honda said. “We strive to set good examples for our community, stress the importance of conservation and saving for the next generation.”
Pine Isle Market: “We Strive to Satisfy”
The most challenging part of the business has been competing with other businesses. “We strive to offer fair and competitive prices,” Honda said. “Our motto is ‘We Strive to Satisfy.’” Pine Isle Market was honored in 2010 as Hawaii’s Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. Honda said his 22-year-old daughter, Corie Honda, has expressed interest in running the business sometime in the future.
Donated gifts may be the only ones children receive
Every year beginning in October, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui opens a toy drive to benefit abused and neglected children in Maui County. “For a lot of them, it’s the only gift they’ll get for Christmas,” said Realtor Donna Hansen, a toy drive supporter who hosts an annual holiday party to collect gifts. Hansen, her husband, Bob, and their family-owned business, the Hansen Ohana, have collected and donated hundreds of presents for many years. “This is something we feel is extremely important … I think it would be horrible to be a child at Christmas, especially an abused child, and wonder ‘How come Santa Claus forgot me?’” The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui expects to distribute more than 1,600 presents to keiki identified by the state’s Child Welfare Services on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Gifts are collected by the nonprofit agency, and through mini-toy drives such as the one by the Hansen Ohana. “People do this because they want to help children. It really touches their heart,” Friends’ Executive Director Paul Tonnesson said. By Thanksgiving, the center collected about half of the gifts needed and will accept unwrapped presents for children as old as 18. The center recommends gifts at about $20 each. Gift cards are welcome. “We couldn’t do this without the community and people have always been great about helping,” Tonnesson said.
Unwrapped presents may be dropped at the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui office, 1773-A Wili Pa Loop in Wailuku, or call 986-8634. The Hansen Ohana is also collecting gifts at its offices at the Wailea Town Center, Suite D-103. In addition to the toy drive, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui helps to provide abused and neglected children support in a variety of ways from school-related expenses to basic medical, dental and therapy counseling or care not covered by insurance or government programs. The center also provides funds to build community awareness and train social workers and other professionals in the subject of child abuse and neglect.
Mauians reach out to help typhoon recovery
When Korlleen Puou learned of the havoc Typhoon Haiyan caused in the Philippines, she was compelled to help. “I just have a passion for people with any losses,” the West Maui resident said. “I have to help.” Management at Lahaina Ace Hardware where Puou works supported her and together initiated Blankets of Aloha, a campaign at HouseMart Ace Hardwares and Ben Franklin Crafts to get blankets and sleeping bags to people recovering from the typhoon devastation. The first shipment of donations was scheduled to ship out on November 30. Collections will continue through June 2014.
Meanwhile Panda Express on Maui and throughout the state is matching all monetary donations made at its restaurants for the typhoon recovery. Contributions will then be sent to the American Red Cross. Michele Liberty, the Maui County Director of Red Cross, said local chapters are accepting cash and credit card contributions to forward to the Philippines Red Cross. “Everybody wants to help,” she said. Red Cross prefers to help typhoon victims by “putting money in their hands so they can take charge of their own recovery.” Liberty said it’s often difficult to ship and ensure that Philippine residents are receiving donated shipments of goods. Groups and businesses that want to help can visit: https://www.redcross.org. Donations can be made online.
Puou said she’s touched by the outpouring of support for Blankets of Aloha. Many customers at Ace Hardware learn about it while shopping. “They’ll make a donation and then come up to me and thank me for doing this. It’s very humbling to hear from people I’ve never met,” Puou said. “Everybody’s struggling, yet people want to reach out and help.” Typhoon Haiyan devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, on November 2, 2013. The storm has been labeled the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record. At least 5,500 people have been killed from the devastation and thousands more have lost their homes.
Bead artist creates one-of-a-kind key rings
Bead artist Rona Smith thought she was going blind in her work with miniature beads when an opportunity to re-invent her business surfaced. She bought Zebewa (pronounced Zeebeewah), a jewelry design and manufacturing company, which allowed her to change her focus from making art pieces with miniature beads to creating key rings and jewelry with beads sized in one-inch diameter or larger. “I just love beads. There are thousands of potential matches of things I can create from the beads,” Smith said.
Smith ran a business creating framed art pieces with miniature beads from 1995 to until January of this year. Toward the end of 2012, Smith said she struggled with working “termite-sized” beads that required lots of hours of concentration. “I got to a point where I couldn’t focus my eyes. It was like I was going blind,” she said. When Smith took hold of Zebewa from its former owners Linda and Donna Grimes, the business allowed her to continue working with all sizes of beads plus other items that are collected from around the world. “It was kind of a re-inventing. I could still create beautiful things with beads,” she said.
Among Zebewa’s most popular items are one-of-a-kind key rings each priced in three separate ranges: $44, $55 and $66. “Each is a piece of art,” Smith said. The beads and art components that make up the key ring and jewelry pieces vary from carved stone to wood to coral and antique beads. Smith distributes her wares at art galleries, the Kula Marketplace and at the Hui No’eau. She said she’s been able to sustain the business in part because of the clientele she serves – visitors seeking unique items they can take back home to remember their experience in the islands.
Lanai Animal Rescue Center attracts attention, visitors
The Lanai Animal Rescue Center consistently ranks as No. 1 or No. 2 for Lanai City attractions on Trip Advisor. It’s not a reputation the cat sanctuary founders Kathy Carroll and Loretta Hellrung were seeking, but they do enjoy a consistent stream of visitors and constant attention to the nonprofit’s mission.
The reviews vary with writers to Trip Advisor calling the sanctuary a “must do” or “must visit” on Lanai. “Whether you love cats or not, you really need to check this out!” wrote a visitor from Colorado. “These folks are doing great things here, and doing it in an interesting and educational manner.”
“Cats are our focus,” said Carroll, who works as the shelter’s executive director. Carroll and Hellrung, who now resides on the Mainland, spent years volunteering to nurture and care for abandoned cats on Lanai. About four years ago, Carroll established the animal shelter and a cat park on 3.5 acres of leased property about a half-mile from the Lanai Airport. A staff of six part-time and full-time employees plus approximately 25 volunteers ensure that the cats are cared for in the sanctuary. “It’s really overwhelming in a good way,” Carroll said. “I never dreamed we could do this. The cat sanctuary seemed like such an outlandish idea at the time. Now it seems natural.”
At the Lanai Animal Rescue Center, cats are called the “Lanaian Lions.” About half of the estimated 375 at the shelter are adoptable and the other half (cats with special needs and medical problems) could benefit from foster care. Carroll said while the rescue center could use cash donations, “we don’t need millions of dollars” to support a comprehensive spay and neutering program for the animals. The Lanai Animal Rescue Center facilitates on-island, island-to-island and out-of-state adoptions. An “Adopt in Place” program allows a donor to contribute monthly to the care of a cat at the sanctuary. For more information, go to http://lanaianimalrescue.org, or call 808-215-9066.
Handicrafts designer turns to family, creativity to thrive
Kim Weaver says she maintains a thriving business by partnering with family and paying attention to the handcrafted soap and jewelry she designs and sells. “I make everything myself because I’m so particular about the quality and detail of each product. I don’t want to ever lose that,” said Weaver, the owner and operator of Hana Lima Designs.
She opened Hana Lima Soap Co. eight years ago after suffering a work-related injury at a private company. The business grew out of a hobby and love for handmade soaps. She supplemented the business soon after by establishing Hana Lima Designs, which features handcrafted jewelry and gifts. Weaver makes the soap and jewelry in separate home-based workshops and distributes them wholesale in small boutiques and galleries statewide, at craft fairs, the Made In Hawaii Festival, the Maui Fair, and the Maui Swap Meet. “When it comes to jewelry design, it is competitive. Each designer has her own style,” she said. Weaver said she tries to stand out “by giving a little something extra” or an unexpected surprise in the design. She’s most proud that her business has allowed her to raise two sons on her own. She’s succeeded in part because of support from her partner, Scott; her mom, Beverly, and relatives who assist at retail events. “I couldn’t do this without my family. We are all doing this together,” she said.
Operating Hana Lima Designs has had its challenges. “Shopping for supplies and shipping the products are big obstacles. The freight is high and very costly,” Weaver said. Her strategy in business has been to operate at a slow and steady pace. “Honestly, I think it’s because I didn’t try to grow quickly. The temptation to expand is there but I want to grow slow and steady,” she said. Hana Lima Designs has no regularly paid employees. “I’ve kept it to where I could do it all on my own if needed.”
County Fair gives community a creative venue
Unwilling to let a tradition die, former 4-H Club leaders Mae Omuro and Lydia Furomoto agreed to co-chair the Hobbies & Crafts Exhibit at this year’s Maui County Fair. “We always thought it was part of the fair. People have come to expect it,” Furomoto said. Once called the Homemaking Exhibit, Hobbies & Crafts provides residents in kindergarten through adulthood a chance to show off their creativity and share their craft making skills with fair goers. “We have talented people on Maui, all they need to do is find the time to show it,” Omuro said.
Omuro said she hopes to get at least 100 items entered into the Hobbies & Crafts Exhibit. The 2012 event drew 98 exhibitors with 331 items in categories such as handmade clothing, and fabric, holiday and novelty crafts. Ribbons for 1st through 3rd place and honorable mention will be given. In addition, one item for each category will be selected for Best of Section. “We’re really hoping more people will participate,” Furomoto said. Entries will be accepted beginning Oct. 2 between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Gym. Items must be picked up between 8:30 and 9 p.m. on Oct. 6. The Horticulture Exhibit is also seeking entries to display including fruits and vegetables. Fair goers will have a chance to guess the weight of the largest grown pumpkins brought to the exhibit. “A lot of people participate for the sheer enjoyment of watching things grow,” said Horticulture Co-Chair Mae Nakahata. “The key here is you experience what a farmer experiences,” she said. The exhibit will also include educational demonstrations on exotic and tropical fruits. Items may be dropped off at 4 p.m. Oct. 2 or between 7 and 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at the gym.
The 91st Maui County Fair takes place Oct. 3-6 at the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku. Details are available at mauifair.com, or by calling the County Fair office at 242-2721. University of Hawaii Maui College Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto was selected as the honorary fair director for his contributions to the community.
Obon season honors dead, unites community
The Obon season is under way on Maui where Buddhists and non-Buddhists are gathering for nights of dancing, eating and making friends. Rev. Sol Kalu at Makawao Hongwanji Mission calls it the “happiest” of all festivals celebrated by the Buddhists. “It is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Japanese-American community here in Hawaii and elsewhere in the U.S. mainland or wherever a large community of people of Japanese descent are living,” Kalu said. Obon, which kicked off June 1 and runs through August 31 on Maui, is a time to honor the dead. Loved ones clean graves and say prayers, but in a joyous way, Kalu said.
Obon or bon dances are often marked with multicolored kimonos, bright lanterns and booming taiko drums that are aimed at welcoming ancestors back to the world. Like many temples, Makawao Hongwanji starts the evening with a service featuring the calling out of names of individuals who died during the last year. The Rev. Ai Hiranaga, minister of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, will deliver a message that includes, according to Kalu, an encouragement to honor forefathers and be appreciative of the life today. “The bon is all about remembering the dead by honoring life,” Kalu said. Following the service, a core group of bon dancers from Buddhist temples around the island will lead dances that move in a circular motion. At Makawao Hongwanji, dancers make up multiple circles with the crowd numbering in excess of 300 people. Service starts at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 and July 27. Bon dance follows.
Rev. Sol Kalu
“You get to meet a lot of people and make new friends. It unites the community,” Kalu said. Groups including Boy Scouts, Junior Buddhists, the Buddhist Women’s Association, a Judo club, the Makawao Hongwanji Mission Dharma School and the temple itself will sponsor game and food booths. “Obon ceases to be a religious festival when it comes to dancing,” Kalu said. “Everyone can appreciate it and the action itself is a lot of fun.”
