LIHU‘E — A night with economic promise and acknowledgment of service highlighted the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Third Quarter Membership Meeting Thursday. Chamber President and CEO Randy Francisco said that a record 18 table purchases helped draw approximately 500 members
LIHU‘E — A night with economic promise and acknowledgment of service highlighted the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Third Quarter Membership Meeting Thursday.
Chamber President and CEO Randy Francisco said that a record 18 table purchases helped draw approximately 500 members and guests in attendance.
Mea Hoomana’o Awards
There were three Mea Hoomana’o Award recipients. They were recognized in part for respect, civility and aloha in their interactions, which was the banquet theme of “Aloha begins with me.”
Known as the omnipresent journalist and photographer for The Garden Island and as “The Happy Camper,” Dennis Fujimoto was presented the award in part for his coverage of island news and sports with deep knowledge and appreciation for local culture.
Fujimoto’s efforts have brought forward a positive campaign of public awareness, inspiration and optimism, according to the award information. His news coverage is respected and his stunning photos are award winning for capturing everyday island life.
People note in fun that Fujimoto will be at a dozen events from Princeville to Kekaha in the same day and will have all the articles and photos in the next morning’s edition. Yet, he never appears to be too rushed or in a hurry to pull over and capture another on-the-spot news piece.
Fujimoto was nominated by Kaua‘i’s elected officials, including Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, Rep. James Tokioka, D-15th District, and Derek Kawakami, D-14th District.
Kouchi said he signed off on the paperwork to nominate Fujimoto for the award, but noted it was Tokioka’s office that completed the nomination materials.
Tokioka said that everyone knows how hard Fujimoto works. He is present at all the events and everyone knows and appreciates what he does for the island, he added.
“Thank you so much for how much for all you do for Kaua‘i,” Tokioka said. “You are a gem, you are the star of this island and we love you and we thank you.”
Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club Executive Chef Guy Higa was presented the award in part for a generation of gourmet cooking and for teaching student culinarians his experience and aloha.
Starting out as a dishwasher, Higa worked his way up to fry cook, banquet chef, sous chef and eventually an executive chef. He came to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu to open the former Westin Kaua‘i with chef Tylun Pang.
Higa has traveled to further his view and vision of food as both an experience and a means of cross-cultural understanding. He is a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement and the Hawaiian Regional and Fusion Cuisine concept.
Higa is also supports many community fundraising events. He contributes not only the food but brings a vision, panache and style to make any event special.
Diane Zachary was recognized for her positive leadership as president and CEO of the nonprofit Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance. Zachary’s personal and professional ethics and leadership role as facilitator and convener are also recognized, according to the award notes.
The KPAA mission is to bring together diverse organizations for collaborative planning and action and achieve targeted community goals. Its research, planning and activities include energy, natural environment and restoration, education from Keiki to Career, a community drug response plan, and the annual KPAA Community Indicators Project.
During a time of socio-economic and sustainable challenges, Zachary is credited with building partnerships and community dialogue. The data and recommendations from KPAA studies have resulted in policy recommendations for growth and community planning.
Kaua‘i Chamber distinctions
The Chamber named Jonathan Chun as Board Chairman-elect for 2013. He replaces outgoing chair Kathy Clark, who is one of three renewing board members with Bradley Maruyama and Frieda Gayle.
New board members include Chris Gampon, general manager of Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, who will serve on the Government Affairs Committee; Lisa Murphy-Allison, marketing manager for Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union, who will serve on the Small Business Committee and new member orientation; and Mark Phillipson, general manager of Syngenta Hawai‘i.
Francisco introduced Patricia Ewing of Kong Lung Market Center in Kilauea, who was recently elected vice chair of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
“We do have a voice, and I want you to know that it’s really important,” Francisco said. “She is a small businessperson who commits her time, and over the next few months the Kaua‘i Business Council will be meeting to have a discussion on what are the issues important to Kaua‘i businesses.”
Francisco noted that two elected officials present also play a significant role with tourism at the state legislature.
Kouchi, who serves on the Senate Tourism Committee, and Tokioka is the vice chair of the House Tourism Committee.
“Tourism is an economic engine,” Francisco said.
The keynote speakers included two University of Hawai‘i economists. A more complete overview of their presentations will be printed in the Business Monday edition of The Garden Island.
Jack Suyderhoud, professor of business economics, Schidler College of Business – University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, spoke on national trends.
Leroy O. Laney, professor of economics and finance, Hawai‘i Pacific University, spoke on the results of his annual community survey.
The bright spots are an increase in visitor arrivals, spending and direct flights to Kaua‘i, said Laney. Hotel occupancies, real estate sales and the seed corn industry continues to grow, he added.
“If all parts of the Kaua‘i economy were doing as well as tourism, the entire island would be booming,” Laney said.
The downside continues to be with construction, residential real estate prices are dropping and unemployment has a long way to reach pre-recession levels.
Laney said the Kaua‘i does a better job than the other islands with drawing people to the island to visit the motion picture location sites they enjoy from Hollywood films.
He said the Pacific Missile Range Facility is moving away from ship-based Aegis missiles and the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) missile system to a land-based Aegis Ashore that will be tested. It would require extensive construction for new launch sites and will be a boost for construction, he said.
New Kaua‘i Chamber members for 2013 include Charlene Chai and aFeinberg Gallery; Ivory McClintock and Blue Planet Foundation; Central Pacific Rebuilders; Glenn Kato and G & K Kalaheo Shell Repair Shop; Matthew Beall and Hawai‘i Life Real Estate Brokers; John Jack Leavitt; James Guerber of Kaua‘i Brewers; Bret Larson of Kaua‘i Island Brewery and Grill; David Greenberg of Kaua‘i Music and Sound; Michael Lyons of Kaua‘i Style Concierge; Dirk Soma of Naupaka Consulting; Janice Smolenski of North Shore Cab Company; Kenny Ishii of Ono Family Restaurant and Ono Shaved Ice; Dan Metsch of Princeville Center; and Wendee VanGieson of Specialty Balloons Hawai‘i. The event was sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank and held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club.
