Hawaii entrepreneurs face challenges in starting businesses, but work to make it happen

  • Mary Tarrance stands in front of her new restaurant in the Alii Plaza.

  • Southern style catfish is served at Just the 2 of Us in Alii Plaza. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
  • Customers Lori Honl, right, and Armanda Figueroa place their order with Devonte Tarrance at Just the 2 of Us in Alii Plaza. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

  • Pork ribs are served at Just the 2 of Us in the Alii Plaza. (Photos by Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

  • Devonte Tarrance, son of the owners, plates red velvet waffles at Just the 2 of Us in Alii Plaza. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
  • Mary Tarrance whips up waffle batter at Just the 2 of Us in the Alii Plaza. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

KAILUA-KONA — Opening a business anywhere can be a struggle, but opening one in Hawaii — regularly ranked among the worst states in the U.S. in which to start a business — comes with its own set of challenges.