Oct 16, 2013 | Community
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.”
Sep 25, 2013 | Community, Events
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.
Jul 10, 2013 | 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.”
Jun 26, 2013 | Community
JUMPSmartMaui took off this month as residents joined the Project’s partners in launching a collaborative demonstration project between Japan and Hawaii. The program incorporates Smart Grid, renewable energy and all-electric vehicle solutions to achieve a cleaner, more sustainable future free of fossil fuels. “We look forward to working hand-in-hand with our partners on JUMPSmartMaui to create a project that will benefit the people of Maui island,” said Hideo Hato, president of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO. “Furthermore, we believe we can make this a leading model not only in the Asia-Pacific region but around the world,” Hato said in announcing the project’s launch along with Mayor Alan Arakawa and Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui.
NEDO, Japan’s largest public research and development management organization, is investing $30 million in the project. JUMPSmartMaui aims to gain insight into how to build a more efficient electric system that uses more renewable energy and supports electric vehicles. “We need to get away from petroleum-based energy,” Arakawa said as he signed a memorandum of understanding agreement with the Japanese project representatives. “The JUMPSmartMaui will help us better understand how these innovative technologies may help solve Maui’s energy challenges.”
Residents can participate by taking part in the Electric Vehicle Program, in which 200 LEAF owners or people who lease the vehicles, would agree to certain requirements. Or, they can volunteer for the Home Energy Program in which 40 Kihei homeowners will use Smart Grid technology to monitor their electricity usage. Hitachi Ltd., Mizuho Corporate Bank and Cyber Defense Institute were awarded the contract by NEDO to develop the JUMPSmartMaui program. For more information, visit: JUMPSmartMaui.com, e-mail: info@JUMPSmartMaui.com, or call Maui Economic Development Board at 875-2300.
May 29, 2013 | Community
Young artists are being asked to add some pizazz to the front and back panels of new electric vehicle quick-charging stations being installed at Queen Kaahumanu Center. Sponsored by Hitachi and with assistance from Maui Economic Development Board, the art contest is open to Maui County students in the 6th to 12th grades. Deadline for submissions is June 1.
Artists can choose to create either one design that will go with both front and back panels or do two complimentary designs — one for the front and one for back. The front panel is 13.5 inches wide and 24 inches high. The back panel is 13.5 inches wide and 65 inches high. Artwork will be featured on the charger panels as a waterproof applique. The artwork medium needs to be graphic design — Illustrator or Photoshop. The submission format must be Adobe Illustrator EPS or Photoshop PDF, high resolution, 300 dpi.
Artwork should be original and positively represent Maui’s community, environment and clean energy. Examples of the charging stations can be seen near the main entrance parking lot at Queen Kaahumanu Center. Submissions should be emailed to Lesley Bristol at Bristol@medb.org.
Digital submissions are preferred, but mail or delivered submissions can be sent to Maui Economic Development Board, attention Lesley Bristol, 1305 N. Holopono St., Suite 1, Kihei 96753. The submission should include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information. Winning images will be announced June 15 at the Queen Kaahumanu Center. Winners will earn cash prizes worth $1,000 for first; $500 for second; and $250 for third. For more information, call Lesley Bristol at 875-2332.
Apr 24, 2013 | Community
Mandy Woulfe
When news broke that Hawaii ranked as best for work environments in the country, Human Resources Manager Mandy Woulfe expressed excitement. “It all goes back to doing the work you enjoy doing,” Woulfe said about why our state may have scored an overall 71.1 in a recent Gallup Poll. “People here look for the positive side. … They’re happy to have a job. They feel blessed and they want to do the best they can at their job,” said Woulfe, a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and president of the Society for Human Resource Management Maui Chapter.
Gallup Poll announced this spring that Hawaii had earned No. 1 for highest overall well-being in the nation. The state also scored the highest for emotional health with a positive score of 83.6, life evaluation with a score of 57.2 and work environment with a score of 54.1. Woulfe, who works at Honua Kai Resort & Spa and has 15 years in the field of human resources, said she believes Hawaiian values and overall positive attitudes by Maui employees contribute significantly to positive work environment ratings. Managers, in return, share and value their employees’ attitudes and efforts, and together the two take pride in their work. She said employee turnover, which is low in many Hawaii companies, affects job stability and security and results in an overall pleasant atmosphere at the workplace. “When you’re in an organization that doesn’t have a lot of turnover, you tend to really like where you work and it shows in what you do.”
The Society for Human Resource Management is the world’s largest association devoted to human resources. SHRM Maui represents more than 100 HR professionals on island. The group’s next program, which is open to the public, is set for 9-11:30 a.m. April 30 at the Kahili Golf Course Nahele Ballroom. For more information, go to www.shrmhawaii.org or contact Woulfe at mwoulfe@honuakai.com
Mar 27, 2013 | Community, Small Business
Chad Goodfellow
Whether it’s building communities or battling fires, Goodfellow Bros has maintained an ongoing commitment to social responsibility, according to President Chad Goodfellow. “Our mission is to be the contractor of choice by our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work,” he said. You’ve likely seen Goodfellow Bros trucks and equipment working on any given day throughout the Hawaiian islands. The 90-year-old company takes charge of projects valued in hundreds of thousands of dollars, most recently constructing a portion of the Lahaina bypass and erecting buildings in the Kahului business park.
Employees work hard to help improve their community, volunteering in a variety of projects. Amongst the most memorable for Maui Regional Manager Ray Skelton, a 24-year company veteran, is his crews’ willingness to support local firefighters battling nearly inaccessible brush fires in South Maui. Goodfellow Bros has on many occasions provided bulldozers and trucks and the manpower to operate them. “If we are really to be corporate citizens who want to help out, we need to respond and work for our community,” Skelton said. At the fires, Goodfellow Bros follows the lead of the Maui Fire Department as they battle blazes. “We work with them at their direction. This is our opportunity to give back,” he said.
Aside from responding to fires, Goodfellow Bros employees have actively participated in local fundraising campaigns, volunteered at schools, served in nonprofit causes and coached in youth sports. Skelton remembers providing labor to build a playground at Kalama Park in Kihei and picking up trash and abandoned vehicles in a Community Work Day project. Goodfellow adds: “By partnering with vital nonprofit organizations, we actively enhance the communities for which we live and work. Inherent to our culture is a sense of pride in making a difference, and we encourage employees to get involved in the causes that touch their own lives.”
Mar 19, 2013 | Community
“Keep it hot and fresh” could be the motto for Waikapu on 30 owner Barbara Kikuchi, who runs the popular plate lunch stop on Honoapiilani Highway in Waikapu. “We’re kind of like a truck stop,” said the former hotel sales and marketing executive. Kikuchi also worked for six years in media and employee relations for Maui Electric Co. “I’m not a trained chef,” she said. But she knows her customers aren’t exactly looking for haute cuisine. “It comes out like you were cooking at home,” Kikuchi said. And her simple, home-cooking approach works well. “People are coming back,” she said, “plenty of repeat customers.” The business sells an average of 200 to 250 plate lunches daily, and “we do lots of saimin and burgers and deli sandwiches are flying out the door.”
While Kikuchi is enjoying success in her seven-year-old business, she contemplated shutting down two years ago when her targeted clientele of construction workers and local families scaled back on eating out. Kikuchi’s family urged her to carry on and pledged to help out. “If I didn’t have them, I don’t know if I would be here today … You need a strong family backing when times are hard,” she said. Kikuchi adjusted in the down times by accepting catering jobs, some of which have turned into regular clients.
“You always have to re-evaluate and see what you need to do to stay in business,” she said. After one such business evaluation, Kikuchi decided to start an outdoors Friday night dinner featuring Hawaiian food at her store beginning this summer. Kikuchi also remains loyal to her commitment to use local products, from growing her own luau leaves to purchasing locally-grown taro for her popular Hawaiian plates. She has no plans to expand the store. “We don’t want to lose the mom and pop, the local feel. That’s what I love about my store, I know my customers. If I were any bigger, I wouldn’t be able to talk to people and get to know them.”
Mar 6, 2013 | Community
Dorothy Hew
Volunteers with the American Association of Retired Persons Tax Aide Foundation are once again providing free tax preparation assistance. The group on Maui has been providing help for more than 30 years now. “In the early days, we did it by hand. Now we’ve got computers,” said Barbara Workman, a 19-year volunteer and AARP’s district coordinator for the Tax Aide project. The program is open to the public, and all volunteers are certified through the AARP Tax-Aide Program. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use the service or to volunteer. AARP targets low- to moderate-income people.
It’s the gratitude shown for the tax return help that has motivated 88-year-old Dorothy Hew, one of the original volunteers who now focuses her time on welcoming walk-in clients at the Kahului Union Church site. “I just feel like we’re helping people who know absolutely nothing about taxes,” Hew said. “These people need help and they appreciate the help.” According to Workman, even the simplest tax return could cost upwards of $100 each if prepared by a tax professional. “We know a lot of people come to us year after year because they simply can’t afford to pay to have their taxes done,” Workman said.
The service is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis Saturdays (except March 30) at Kahului Union Church; and on the second and fourth Mondays at the Kihei Community Center. Tax aide volunteers will also help appointment-only clients at the Kaunoa Senior Center, 270-7308; and the West Maui Senior Center, first and third Tuesdays, 661-9432. Taxpayers need to bring a photo ID and Social Security cards for all family members. If filing married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Participants also need to bring 2011 federal and state tax returns and current tax documents. Free e-filing of returns can also be done. The AARP Tax Aide Foundation has 24 certified counselors and five client facilitators volunteering this year on Maui. They completed 1,200 tax returns last year and expect to do at least that many again in 2013.
