• Businesses honored at awards luncheon Businesses honored at awards luncheon At an awards luncheon hosted by the Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i Oct. 15 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa was attended by nearly 500 retail, business, government and
• Businesses honored at awards luncheon
Businesses honored at awards luncheon
At an awards luncheon hosted by the Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i Oct. 15 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa was attended by nearly 500 retail, business, government and community organization representatives and supporters, according to a press release from the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
Three Kaua‘i regional nominees were recognized among the 29 finalists who attended the annual gala luncheon as part of the annual RMH conference. The 2009 Ho‘okela Awards and Conference theme, “Striving For Excellence,” recognized the important contributions of the retail industry in Hawai‘i’s economy and, especially, Hawai‘i’s outstanding retailers and retail employees.
Prior to the awards luncheon, an annual trade show, networking and seminars were held for attendees. This year’s two seminar topics were “Marketing Trends: Using Social Media for Bottom Line Result” and “First Survive, Then Thrive … It’s a New Economy.”
Three retail businesses on Kaua‘i were nominated for this year’s Ho‘okela Awards. On Sept. 4, 1974, Sharron Weber of Tire Warehouse Kaua‘i obtained a $5,000 loan from First Hawaiian Bank and during the next 35 years, Weber has been taking care of Kaua‘i’s tire needs. The company is managed and owned by Weber, brother George and cousin Laurie Weber. Weber was nominated by Kukui Grove Center’s First Hawaiian Bank Branch Manager, Joyce Vidinha.
Since moving to Hanapepe town and after five years in business, Talk Story Bookstore owners Ed and Cynthia Justus have seen their business grow and thrive into a selection of more than 20,000 titles with a goal of being as diverse as possible. Joining the town’s famous Friday Art Night, they also have become a hub for local authors, artists and musicians, playing host to public events throughout the year in addition to hosting live Country/Western music as part of the weekly Friday Art Night. The bookstore was nominated by Connie Clausen of American Savings Bank.
As the third 2009 Ho‘okela Finalist – Kaua‘i nominee, the M. Miura Store, Inc. dba Déjà Vu Surf Hawai‘i was also selected as the 2009 Retail Business of the Year – Kaua‘i. The business which was founded in 1909 as a small bakery and candy shop selling senbei, mochi and manju has since evolved by founder Mankichi Miura to become a surf shop that provides clothing, accessories and other surf and beach needs, including clothing for everyday and special occasions. Celebrating its centennial year, company President Tad T. Miura Jr. and family members Eric Miura and Ann Yamamoto and the Déjà vu ohana, operate 3 stores including a store in downtown Kapa‘a and two in Lihu‘e at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center. The business was nominated by Joseph Cassler of Central Pacific Bank.
