NAWILIWILI — The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce closed its 2011 calendar with the installation of the 2012 Board of Directors Thursday during the annual General Membership Meeting and 23rd Silent Auction at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. With
NAWILIWILI — The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce closed its 2011 calendar with the installation of the 2012 Board of Directors Thursday during the annual General Membership Meeting and 23rd Silent Auction at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
With Judge Trudy Senda officiating the Oath of Office, the 2012 Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce board looks ahead to the economic recovery process.
Kathy Clark of Wilcox Memorial Hospital takes over as the Board and Government Affairs chair with Jonathan Chun of Belles, Graham, Proudfoot, Wilson and Chun in the chair-elect position.
Loren Kayfetz of Personal Financial Consultants, sponsors of the Thursday finale, fills in as treasurer and Frieda Gayle of Project Launch is the Small Business chair.
Bradley Maruyama of Allstate Insurance dba Maruyama & Association is the Events and Activities chair with J. Robertson of Ho‘ike Community Television heading the Public Relations and Promotions Committee. Cheryl Stiglmeier of Nursefinders is the Membership chair.
Directors include Jaye Gayagas-Youn of the Courtyard by Marriott Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach who announced the next Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be in January at the Courtyard.
Brent Harrington of the Kukui‘ula Development, Jimmy Jasper of JJ’s Broiler, Rory Enright of Princeville at Hanalei Community Association, Stephanie Iona of the Waimea Plantation Cottages, Randy Kozerski of The Garden Island newspaper, Kirk Nakamoto of the Bank of Hawai‘i, Gail Shigematsu of Pacific Service and Development, Abby Santos of No Ka ‘Oi Landscape Service, Michael Tresler of Grove Farm Co., Vianne Tabata of American Savings Bank Home Loans and Melanie Zaima-Higash of Royal Hawaiian Movers round out the 2012 board.
Stephanie and Chris Davis of Cariloha, the newest member of the 450-member Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the blessing and dedication of its shop at Po‘ipu Shopping Village Tuesday and were on hand at one of the New Member Spotlight tables.
Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce president Randy Francisco said this newest member highlighted some of the changes (and adjustments) businesses did to cope with the slowly recovering economy.
“Throughout this fourth and final quarter of 2011, I was reminded about why Kaua‘i’s busineses continue to remain resilient and inspire many of us to continue to do what we do — to provide for the much-needed products and services for our island home of Kaua‘i,” Francisco said in his report.
He pointed out the closing of Two Frogs Hugging, which had sponsored the chamber’s February mixer, but added that Rudy Bosma, the store’s founder and owner, will continue its outlet location, with an updated business model opening during the first quarter of 2012.
“Directly across from Two Frogs Hugging, another chamber member, Marie Cassel, relocated her business from Kapa‘a town into a more convenient and accessible location,” Francisco said.
“The newest member of the chamber, Cariloha Bamboo, just celebrated its grand opening and blessing Tuesday at the Po‘ipu Shopping Village and rounds out the list of new members for 2011 at 54.”
Francisco said these businesses demonstrate what business entrepreneurs know they must do to survive — adjust to current market demand, continue to carefully watch cashflow, provide customer service beyond the basics, and treat everyone how they want to be treated.
Visit www.kauaichamber.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
