Dennis Brown – Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai`i

Dennis Brown holds a remarkable role as President/CEO at BBBSH since 1998, marking him as both the organization’s inaugural child served and the longest-serving Chief Executive in their rich 60-year history. Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i provides vital support to children aged 6-16 who have encountered adversity and loss. At the tender age of four, Dennis embarked on a journey shaped by his parents’ divorce, leading them from Missouri to Hawaii in search of a nurturing cultural environment for their half-Asian children. In 1963, Dennis became the first Little Brother in Hawaii. Despite his youthful rebelliousness, destiny paired him with an extraordinary Big Brother. With extensive experience overseeing nonprofit programs and human services agencies, including roles as Project Director of Areawide Horizons for Senior Citizens and Director of Lanakila Meals on Wheels, Dennis’s journey is a testament to his lifelong commitment to serving others.

April Cheng – TravelChic World

April Cheng, a former Chamber of Commerce Hawaii member, founded TravelChic World. She curates personalized trips, immersing clients in unforgettable journeys that highlight diverse cultures, culinary delights, and history. Her unwavering dedication places clients and community at the forefront of every adventure.

Garret Sugai – HMSA

Garret Sugai plays a pivotal role at HMSA, Hawaii’s leading health plan, which covers over half of the state’s population. As the VP of Strategic Execution and President of Integrated Services, he leads the charge in driving innovation and strategic initiatives. With over 25 years of diverse healthcare expertise, spanning integrated healthcare systems, service administration, technology, and contracting, Garret boasts a unique and in-demand executive profile. He’s deeply rooted in his community, actively serving on boards like the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and Hawaii Association of Health Plans.

Tanya Lee-Greig – ʻĀina Archaeology, LLC
A Hawaiian proverb reminds us that “through the past, is the present and future.”

Led by Tanya Lee Greig, ‘Āina Archaeology is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and perpetuation of Hawai‘i’s ancestral lands. By blending traditional Hawaiian land management practices with contemporary methods, ‘Āina Archaeology specializes in overseeing a broad scope of cultural resource management projects, including archaeological monitoring programs, archaeological data recovery, and development of treatment and preservation plans for both burial and non-burial sites.

Meleana Estes & Noël Pietsch Shaw – HIE Heirlooms of Hawai‘i

Established in 2023 by lifelong friends and Hawai‘i natives, Meleana Estes and Noël Shaw, HIE Heirlooms of Hawai‘i is a contemporary fine jewelry collection inspired by the cherished tradition of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry. The brand’s journey was ignited by their deep-seated connection to heirloom bangle bracelets dating back to the late 1800s. In their quest for meaningful pieces for their children, Meleana and Noël embarked on a decade-long exploration, ultimately choosing to craft their own customized designs inspired by the timeless bracelets passed down through generations of remarkable women who influenced and paved the way for them.

Mitchell Noguchi – Noguchi & Associates, Inc.

Carrying on his father Hideo’s legacy, who established the company in 1982, Mitchell “Mitch” Noguchi, president of Noguchi & Associates, continues to provide vital services for businesses while fostering a sense of family and community. When he accepted his role as President, Mitch made it a personal mission to support small businesses and help them thrive – going above and beyond to keep businesses insured when larger agencies turned them away.

Alexis Akiona – Lexbreezy Hawai‘i

Alexis Akiona is a local fashion entrepreneur who launched her business, Lexbreezy Hawai‘i, during the Merrie Monarch in 2016. Since then, she has climbed her way to the top with her creative designs that blend classic island style with a modern, sophisticated aesthetic. This second-generation Alohawear designer is also a wife and mother of two. Most recently, she gifted the Honolulu Community College $50,000, which will be provided over the course of five years to create 20 scholarships each year for fashion and cosmetology students, with preference given to Native Hawaiian students.

Chelsea Evans Enos – Hawaiian Community Assets

Hawaiian Community Assets was born after two Native Hawaiian women, Blossom Feiteira and Kehau-lani Fili-moe‘atu, were turned away in the parking lot outside of DHHL. From that day forward, their unwavering determination sparked a mission to develop a place-based homebuyer education curriculum and program to assist Native Hawaiians in purchasing homes.

Today, under the skilled leadership of Chelsea Evans Enos, HCA stands as Hawai‘i’s most extensive Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counseling agency. It touches the lives of over 1,500 local residents each year, offering invaluable assistance in financial counseling, income support, and career coaching.

Jim Braman – The Cliffs at Princeville

Jim Braman is highly involved in the Hospitality Industry, working towards improving its image and sustainability. He is active in various organizations such as the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Charity Walk, Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, and Kaua‘i Tourism Strategic Plan Committee. Additionally, he serves as Board President for multiple organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Kaua‘i and Anaina Hou Community Park. He also mentors students at the Kaua‘i Community College Hospitality School.

Lisa Paulson – Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

Lisa Paulson is the Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA). She has been an effective liaison between the government, visitor industry, and Maui’s communities for many years. As a registered lobbyist, she advocates for hotel properties, tourism, and foodservice-related entities, nonprofits, and their employees, navigating economic and cultural impacts on Maui’s society as a whole.

Trini Kaopuiki Clark – Make-A-Wish Hawaii

Trini Kaopuiki Clark is the dedicated leader and heart of Make-A-Wish Hawaii. As president and CEO, she not only leads the organization, its staff, and volunteers, but also the strategic direction of the organization and its vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. She is a woman leader who rolls up her sleeves and digs in to do much of the heavy lifting alongside staff, seamlessly transitioning from strategy and leadership to hands-on tasks at events and even the organization’s recent move to a new headquarters. She leads with kindness, compassion, and understanding, ensuring wish kids and their families are at the center of the mission and the work her team does.

Commercial Asset Advisors

Commercial Asset Advisors (CAA) is a highly successful and acclaimed commercial real estate firm. They have received prestigious awards, including Commercial Real Estate Sale of the Year and NAIOP Brokerage of the Year. CAA is also involved in philanthropic endeavors and is Hawaii’s only certified minority-owned real estate firm. With a dedicated team of brokers, they prioritize client satisfaction and stand out from their competitors through personal relationships and community involvement.

Dr. Nancy Atmospera-Walch – Advantage Health Care Provider, Inc.

Nancy Atmospera-Walch is a UH Manoa Nursing alumna who has made a transformative gift to the school that will have an enduring impact on the quality of nursing education, student success, community service, and the nursing profession. Her lasting impact led to the Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing at the University of Hawaii Manoa. She states, “Everything I am, everything I have been blessed to achieve in my career, I owe it to being a nurse. And being a nurse––I owe that to the University of Hawaii.”

After 29 years of service at The Queen’s Medical Center, she founded ADVANTAGE Health Care Provider, Inc. in 2009, a local company that provides health care services and support to intellectually and developmentally disabled clients. She is also the founder and CEO of AIM Healthcare Institute, a healthcare education and consulting company. ADVANTAGE opened with 2 part-time RN staff on Oahu. Today, they employ over 100 caregivers (RN, CNA) serving over 200 clients on the islands of Oahu and Maui.

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Established in 2001 and headquartered in Kapolei, CNHA is a member-based non-profit organization whose mission is “to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians” and its kuleana to perpetuate practices embodied through a lens of Hawaiian values and culture. At least 25% of CNHA’s employees are Native Hawaiian. CNHA facilitates a $9 million loan fund providing access to capital, financial education, and individualized financial counseling services for Hawai‘i-based small businesses, non-profit organizations, and low and moderate-income families.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and to this day, CNHA has offered over $100 million of rent, mortgage, and utility relief to residents of the City and County of Honolulu. CNHA started the Kāko‘o Maui Fund, a donation campaign to aid communities impacted by the Maui wildfires. Donations received will go to Maui-based relief efforts for Native Hawaiian organizations, small businesses, ‘ohana, and cultural groups. They’ve raised over $7 million as of October 6, 2023.

Seascape

Seascape Restaurant, located at the Maui Ocean Center, is the first platinum-certified venue on Maui, changing the dining experience with sustainable sourcing. Executive Chef Henry serves mouthwatering dishes using fresh, local ingredients. This award-winning restaurant offers a relaxing open-air atmosphere with a stunning view of Mā‘alaea Harbor. Many dishes feature “canoe crops” brought by Polynesian voyagers. For example, ‘ulu (breadfruit) is featured in everything from appetizers (Upcountry ‘Ulu Hummus) to dessert (Mocha ‘Ulu Pie). A recent addition to the menu is the Moloka‘i Venison Burger served with kalo (taro) fries.

Pōmaika‘i Bartolome – Dream Hawaii Studio

Pōmaika‘i Bartolome is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Winner, former Jr. Miss Sampaguita, Miss Hawaii Island, Miss Lehua Hawaii, and 1st runner-up Miss Hawaii Island Filipina, representing the Big Island in the Miss Hawaii Scholarship Pageant in 1998. Pomai is a recording artist, singer, and songwriter. She is the former host of KWXX Breakfast Lu‘au and KHON2’s Hawai‘i Island reports. She is also the owner and operator of Dream Hawai‘i Studio, which is a talent enhancement program for youth.

Lord Ryan Lizardo – Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

His passion as an educator and his drive to help pave high school students’ futures is unparalleled. He also projects a warm, cheerful attitude to clients. Lord Ryan can resolve conflicts and handle other difficult situations with remarkable patience and admirable tact. He goes out of his way to help people in need by organizing events such as the YP HI School Mentor Connect sponsored by The Queen’s Health Systems, and the inaugural YP Pride Networking event in June 2023.

Laura Cristobal Andersland – Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts

Salty Wahine’s business revolves around its mission statement of “Making Eating Healthy and Fun!” Laura learned the value of Hawaiian sea salts at a young age from her paternal Hawaiian grandmother and has passed this knowledge on to her children. Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts is a family-owned business rooted on the island of Kaua‘i. Salty Wahine specializes in tropically infused seasonings and Hawaii-grown cane sugar. Founder Laura Cristobal Andersland created her first rub at age eleven. Salty Wahine became a reality in June 2008 when Laura retired from Kaua‘i’s Budget Rent a Car after 29 years as the lead customer service agent.

Shifted Energy

Shifted Energy solves problems resulting from increased renewable integration through a distributed energy aggregation software platform and smart controls. They help electric utilities build customer trust and engagement with multi-family building managers and owners in demand-side management programs through turnkey solutions that sit at the intersection of cost reduction, revenue generation, comfort, and convenience.