Four Kauaians were selected by the Small Business Administration of Hawaii as “Business Persons of the Year.” This is an incredibly prestigous honor and the fact that Kauaians were so heavily respresented on a state-wide level is BIG TIME! The
Four Kauaians were selected by the Small Business Administration of Hawaii as “Business Persons of the Year.” This is an incredibly prestigous honor and the fact that Kauaians were so heavily respresented on a state-wide level is BIG TIME! The SBA and the Kauai Chamber of Commerce presented them awards April 20 during a fun, casual “heavy pupu” event at the Radisson. They got even more accolades April 28 at a luncheon in Honolulu where 600 business people from across the state high-fived and backslapped.
The winners were:
Peter Robson and Randy Finlay of Unlimited Construction Services, Inc. — “Small Business Persons of the Year” for Kauai and for the State of Hawaii. Established in 1991, the Kaua‘i-based firm specializes in resort, commercial, multi-residential and industrial projects. They’ve been in the construction business here for years, but joined forces in 2000 to make an incredibly potent team. Between 2000 and 2002, Unlimited’s revenue grew 131 percent. The firm is now the largest general contractor on Kaua‘i.
Geri Gallagher of Hale Kaua‘i Ltd. — “Women in Business Advocate of the Year” for the state. Geri has a lifelong conviction that women must work together to gain social, economic and legal equality. She counsels, mentors, advocates and role models with skill and professionalism. She’s gotten scholarships women, is active in various chambers and associations and is the founder of the new and growing Women in Business Roundtable. The Roundtable helps women network and share resources. Nearly 75 women come to the Roundtable’s monthly events.
Robin Danner of Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement — “Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year” for the state. Robin is known as an effective leader, committed to promoting economic opportunities for Hawaiians. She brokers communication between Hawaiian agencies and non-profits and has brought millions of dollars to her consituency. As president of the Council, Danner helped form Hawaiian Homestead Technology, Inc., a non-profit tech firm. She developed the first Native Hawaiian Business and Economic Development Summit in 2002.
BOH Appoints New Kauai District Sales Manager
Bank of Hawaii appointed Kirk Nakamoto vice president and Kaua‘i district sales manager, effective May 1, 2004. Nakamoto will oversee all six Bank of Hawaii branches here, replacing Vice President Curtis Tom who was appointed as Maui district sales manager earlier this year. Nakamoto joined the bank in 1995, serving in various managerial positions including branch sales manager of the Waikiki/Kaiulani Branch.
Described by superiors as a “seasoned, highly skilled manager,” Nakamoto will be actively involved in supporting the community through serving on the boards of non-profit and community organizations.
Nakamoto graduated from Iolani School on O‘ahu, received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii. He is also a graduate of the Bank of Hawaii Management Associate Program.
