A major component of the APEC Summit were several symposia, meetings and summits for business which brought together Hawai‘i business, government and community leaders to meet with their counterparts — from throughout the APEC economies. From bilateral and multilateral discussions
A major component of the APEC Summit were several symposia, meetings and summits for business which brought together Hawai‘i business, government and community leaders to meet with their counterparts — from throughout the APEC economies.
From bilateral and multilateral discussions about trade and numerous networking opportunities that were built upon newly-established relationships, and, perhaps potential business opportunities for Kaua‘i, this ‘plethora’ of opportunities sometimes was a bit overwhelming.
However, for Mayor Carvalho, Directors Costa, Mattie Yoshioka (KEDB), Sue Kanoho (KVB) and I, this goldmine of opportunities simply began with ‘Aloha!’, a handshake and or (bear!) hug, exchange of business cards, and, invitation to Kaua‘i. At the star-studded Opening Reception Gala co-hosted by Hawai‘i Host Committee 2011 and National Committee for APEC at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 3000 attendees were feted to an evening of “Aloha: A Hawaiian Sense of Place.”
Hawai‘i hosts met international guests from People’s Republic of China, to Malaysia, Philippines and, of course, United States to name a few of some of the new friends made during the 3 hour event.
With the event theme focused about Hawai‘i and on the beautiful and historic grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel aka ‘Pink Palace’, from mauka to makai, the coconut trees that date back to the era when there were only coconut trees and fronting the former entrance to the hotel to the backdrop oceanside and sunset views of the hotel, guests enjoyed local food favorites with additional panache that introduced guests to local style cuisine including ‘upscale’ loco moco (wow!), traditional Peking Duck, a buffet of desserts, poke-style chasers, and, freshly pounded poi.
As part of the Hawai‘i experience and honoring Hawai‘i as the host culture, on both ‘islands’ of the hotels’ grounds Royal Hawaiian Hotel General Manager Kelly Hoen (formerly Princeville Resort GM) and Senior Director of Sales Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Angela Vento (formerly Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort GM), were stations of lei making, poi pounding, kapa making, and, displays of Maoli fine arts.
From the 2 enormous stages was a constant flow of performing arts presentations of hula auwana and kahiko complemented with musicians providing music to serenade the audience, many of whom heard of Hawaiian music, and saw indigenous arts and crafts for the very first time. What a marketing experience!
During the event, we were also introduced to the President/CEO as well as Regional Manager, Sales & Community Marketing Hawai’i for Alaska Airlines who recently announced of their continued expansion efforts to the Hawaiian islands from the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose and Oakland. From Hilo, Hawai‘i, Darren Kimura, President/CEO, SOPOGY also shared with us the company’s technological innovations related to solar/alternative energy while at the same time about Kaua‘i as SOPOGY’s third major project in Hawai‘i.
Meetings, sidebar conversations, etc.
The 2-day Asia-Pacific Business Symposium provided attendees several panel sessions about topics which presented Kaua‘i business, government and non-government (NGO) leaders the question — is Kaua‘i in alignment with policies, strategies and, technologies (PSTs) that will help the island insure a more sustainable/green future? Insights & Trends was a presentation by Mark Spiegel, VP at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco who provided much-needed insight of where APEC Economies are today and will be in the future. Are there lessons and other sustainable Best Practices we can learn from these PSTs? What were the financial mechanisms and socio-economic policies developed that helped steer these economies from Third World to Second and, eventually, First World nations? Buildings of the Future: New Systems & Tools to Build Sustainable Communities was a presentation on our built environment. The paradigm shift to green building design principles and concepts (Congratulations National Tropical Botanical Garden, Westin Ocean Princeville Resort, and, Unlimited Construction Services, Inc. — LEED Certified, as some of Kaua‘i businesses!), was a panel session that included presenters from the United Nations, China and U.S. Of even greater importance to Kaua‘i’s food and agriculture community was the session: Food Security and Food Safety which discussed about the implications for political, public health, and military security. The production and delivery of safe food to growing populations is a challenge to each of these nation-states as well as the global village where only two weeks ago, the world population reached 7 billion. How can we build on already established networks and processes to improve international food safety and security? Due to our geographic isolation, 365 days of sun and potential sun power, and Kaua‘i’s strategic priority and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, Integrating New Technologies to Power Homes & Businesses of the Future, various innovative technologies were discussed to power these rapidly expanding countries as people move towards more efficient energy systems. Hawai‘i’s dollar outflow as a result of fossil fuel annually has cost us about $7B.
The Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) Symposium was of particular interest to the many small business entrepreneurs. Session 1: New Roles for SMEs in Global Markets was a panel presentation on ‘cloud-based’ technologies which are redefining the role of small businesses and how they can participate and gain access to global markets. Services and software delivered online create new market opportunities as another business vehicle — 24/7. Lance Trebesch, CEO TicketRiver.com (a repeat visitor to Kaua‘i!), illustrated examples of how his company strategically grew using technology platforms which eventually contributed to a growing international workforce. Recently appointed US Commerce Secretary, John Bryson and who attended Kaimuki Middle School spoke about 4 of President Obama’s goals including: strengthening regional economic integration, expanding trade which translates to jobs, continuing efforts in the ‘Green Economy’, and, encouraging regulatory efforts in support of business. Recognizing the importance of multilateral trade and job creation, a goal is to double the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) export by 2014. Mayor Carvalho met with each of these leaders and invited them to Kaua‘i. The Chamber will have a business event by 2013, the Chamber’s centennial year. The lure of Kaua‘i’s rural landscape and outdoor activities ranging from hiking and ocean recreation activities were easy selling points for them to ‘…come to Kaua‘i!’ as Mayor Carvalho stated.
The APEC 2011 CEO Summit attended by 1000 invited participants was the final business event and one of the many highlights that Mayor Carvalho attended to meet and ‘hobnob’ with some of the world’s top CEO’s representing Fortune 500 companies. Mayor Carvalho renewed his ties with President Obama and, was introduced to Chinese President Hu Jintao, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, MP and President Benigno S. Aquino III, Republic of the Philippines and other heads of state during this two day event. 2013 will also mark the 100th anniversary of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce. One of the activities planned in commemoration of this centennial year will be a Goodwill and Trade Mission to PRC.
Throughout the week, Mayor Carvalho, Kaua‘i leaders and representatives attended receptions and other APEC-related events including: APEC Business Advisory Council Meetings Reception (Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel); Luncheon/Keynote Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank; APEC International Trade Reception (Bishop Museum), University of Hawai‘i Luncheon/Signing Ceremony with President Truong Tan Sang, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (Kahala Hotel); APEC International Cultural Reception (Honolulu Academy of Arts) and Signing Ceremony, Governor Abercrombie (Hawai‘i State Capitol).
Mayor Carvalho will culminate APEC week with a delegation of 40 members of Kaua‘i’s Filipino and business community on Sunday night with “Alay Sa Pangulo,”; Communitywide Dinner in Honor of Philippine President, Benigno S. Aquino III, Republic of the Philippines hosted by Philippine Celebration Coordinating Committee of Hawai‘i and the Philippine Consulate General – Honolulu that will be attended by 1000 (Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa). As a very special gesture, President Aquino III will also host a private reception for nearly 600 housekeepers of the HHV.
• Randy Francisco is president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
