Kamika Smith of Smith’s Motor Boat Service was installed as the board chair and small business chair at the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce annual general membership meeting, Thursday at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. “We have a strong
Kamika Smith of Smith’s Motor Boat Service was installed as the board chair and small business chair at the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce annual general membership meeting, Thursday at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
“We have a strong sense of community as exemplified by our outgoing Board of Directors in our community where we have all learned to be resilient and will come through and survive natural and economic storms in 2009, and again in 2010 with a renewed and shared sense of values based on our host Hawaiian culture of aloha,” said Randall Francisco, chamber president, in his report at the meeting.
Outgoing members serving two three-year terms included Sandi Kato-Klutke, Joy Miura Koerte and Tom Shigemoto.
“Their dedication not only to the chamber, but also our island’s business and communities has helped us move forward and positioning the chamber in dealing with this tough economy,” Francisco said.
Joining Smith as the new board chair, Kirk Nakamoto of the Bank of Hawai‘i, host for the meeting, was installed as the chair-elect; Sally Motta of Pacific International Mortgage is the treasurer; Kurt Akamine, the 2009 board chair, of Ohana Pacific Management, is chair of government affairs.
Board members for 2010 include Jonathan Chun of Belles, Graham, Proudfoot, Wilson and Chun; Kathy Clark of Wilcox Memorial Hospital; Frieda Freitas of The Project is You; Christopher Gampon of The Point at Po‘ipu; Jimmy Jasper of JJ’s Broiler; and Jeff Mira, one of the judges at the county’s Holly Jolly, of Pu‘iwai Design and Construction. Abby Santos of No Ka ‘Oi Landscape Service, Gail Shigematsu of Pacific Service and Development Corp., Shawn Smith of Falko Partners, Michael Tresler of Grove Farm, Lisa Wall of Certified Management, Sharron Weber of Tire Warehouse and Melanie Zaima-Higashi of Royal Hawaiian Movers round out the chamber board.
Bradley Maruyama of Allstate is chair of the Events and Activities Committee, J Robertson of Ho‘ike Community Television will chair the Public Relations and Promotions Committee.
Francisco noted that 350 guests attended the annual event which was coupled with the chamber’s 21st annual silent auction and featured picture-taking with Santa Claus and a keynote address by Allan Landon, chairman and CEO of Bank of Hawai‘i.
Francisco noted the addition of 18 new chamber members since the third quarter meeting in August.
Carol Texeira, the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce vice president, was the recipient of a special mayoral proclamation declaring Dec. 10 as Carol Texeira Day for her commitment and diligence on behalf of the business community.
Starting as the chamber’s director of operations 10 years ago, Texeira was promoted to vice president in 2007 where she took on the responsibilities of organizing chamber Business After Hours events, the annual chamber golf tournament scholarship fundraiser, the political forums, the chamber’s quarterly and annual general membership meetings and silent auction.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., in presenting the proclamation, said Texeira is always providing a steady presence and continuity for the chamber as a whole after working under several executive directors and presidents.
