We’d like to say thank you to Gov. David Ige for his visit to the Big Island to talk story with his constituents, address concerns and keep everyone updated on what’s happening around the Capitol.
And there was a lot to hit on.
During Friday’s Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce installation luncheon at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, and later at a town hall in the new Hawaii Community College — Palamanui campus, the governor was thrilled about Kona becoming an international airport. He all but wanted to announce that more airlines were planning Kona as a daily destination once customs are brought up to international standards and Japan flights starting landing here in a few months.
“There will be many, many other airlines,” an almost antsy Ige said during the luncheon, adding that a daily international flight brings in $140 million to the economy. “I can’t make a public announcement, but I assure you, others will follow.”
That’s good news, and something we’ll be keeping an eye on.
But we’d also like to send our thanks out here locally, to all the businesses that work so hard to ensure that Hawaii is a top notch destination — for international travelers, sure — but for everyone who lives and works here. There are a lot to name and plenty of highlights to point out, but we’ll leave you with some delightful insight from Small Business Person of the Year winner, Hawaii Forest &Trail, Ltd. &Kohala Zipline Owner Rob Pacheco, who was humble and humorous in acceptance. He said he just wanted to start a business where people wanted to follow him wandering out in the woods.
How can we not tip our hat to that?
Thank you chamber, businesses and here’s to looking at a successful 2016-2017.
Hawaii Island Small Business Administration Award Winners
State of Hawaii – Small Business Exporter of the Year: Hawaiian Fresh Products, Inc.
State of Hawaii – SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year: Kealakekua Ranch, Ltd. &ChoiceMART
State of Hawaii – Small Business Advocate for Financial Services: Arthur K. Taniguchi, Bank of Hawaii
County of Hawaii – Small Business Person of the Year: Hawaii Forest &Trail, Ltd. &Kohala Zipline
County of Hawaii – Small Business Exporter of the Year Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company
County of Hawaii – SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year The Locavore Store
County of Hawaii – Small Business Advocate for Minorities Nancy Ginter-Miller, Hawaii SBDC
New Board of Directors, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Dale Suezaki, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management – Chair
Matthew Grauso, Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay – Chair-Elect
Debbie Baker, Current Events – Past-Chair
Steven Budar, Budar Insurance Agency
Patrick Batchelder, HPM Building Supply
Penny Pagliaro, Panale’a Corporation
Teri Leicher, Jack’s Diving Locker
Steven Kaneko, Bank of Hawaii
Lauren Avery, West Hawaii Community Health Center
Stephanie Donoho, Kohala Coast Resort Association
Jonathan Mitchell, Parker Ranch
J. Porter DeVries, DeVries &Associates
Lydia Clements, Hawaii Community Foundation
Sandra Dawson, TMT Observatory Corporation
Kenneth Graham, North Hawaii Community Hospital
Randy Kurohara, County of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor
Pam Latinis, MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty
Sharon Sakai, Kohanaiki Service Company LLC
Chamber’s Pualu Award Winners
Business Innovation – Hawaii Island Humane Society
Community Education – TMT Observatory Corporation
Environmental Awareness – Office of Maunakea Management
Visitor Industry Marketing – VASH Hawaii Island
Culture &Heritage – Kai Opua Canoe Club’s Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race
Chamber Member of the Year – Debbie Baker, Current Events