HONOLULU (July 19, 2018) — Pacific Edge magazine announced the finalists of its eighth annual Business Achievement Awards. Winners for each of the 11 categories will be announced during an exclusive red-carpet awards gala on August 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Kahala Hotel & Resort.
“We are excited to add two new award categories to the lineup this year,” said Naomi Hazelton, founder of Element Media and publisher of Pacific Edge magazine. “Every year, we devote an issue to recognizing women innovators and inspiring leadership in the hospitality sector. Our Businesswoman of the Year and Hospitality Executive of the Year awards are an extension of that initiative to celebrate these dedicated local professionals.”
Due to the overwhelming interest, number of nominations, and close scores for Businesswoman of the Year, judges have selected six finalists in that category.
Also new this year, Pacific Edge is announcing a winner in the category of Best Social Media Campaign ahead of the awards ceremony on August 9. In recognition of the powerful impact of social media and digital storytelling in the world of media and beyond, Pacific Edge will honor Kamehameha Schools with the award for Best Social Media Campaign to shine the spotlight on the marked success of the Kamehameha Schools #kanakaleader campaign.
Nominations were judged by an independent panel comprised of six esteemed members of the business community. The judges included David Chang, Chairman & CEO of Chang Holding Company and Pacific Edge’s 2011 Young Professional of the Year; Jared Grugett, President & COO of Hawaii Dialogix Telecom and Pacific Edge’s 2017 Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year; along with Taylor Kellerman, Director of Diversified Agriculture and Land Stewardship at Kualoa Ranch; Doug Shimokawa, Senior Vice President of PACXA; John Strandberg, General Manager of Hawaii Tech Support; and Gwen Yamamoto-Lau, Executive Director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. The finalists are as follows:
● Lifetime Achievement:
Reg Baker, Owner – Reg Baker CPA LLC
Paul Brown, Owner – Paul Brown Salons
John Corboy, Founder & President – Hawaiian Eye Foundation
Matt Gilbertson, President & Director of Design – MGA Architecture, LLC
Hidehito Uki, CEO – Sun Noodle
● Young Professional of the Year:
Anna Covert, Principal – Covert Communication
Glenn Dela Cruz, Marketing Manager, Hawaiian & Pacific Islands – Jack in the Box & Jamba Juice Hawaii
Kisan Jo, President – Prince Resorts Hawaii
Mele Kalama-Kingma, Owner – Mamalani
Aki Marceau, Director of Policy & Community – Elemental Excelerator
● Hospitality Executive of the Year:
Patrick Ahler, Partner & Vice President of Marketing – Lights On Digital
Kisan Jo, President – Prince Resorts Hawaii
Duane Komine, General Manager – Hokua @ 1288 Ala Moana
Teri Orton, General Manager – Hawai‘i Convention Center
Laura Richards, General Manager – Hanalei Colony Resort
● Business Executive of the Year:
Patrick Ahler, Partner & Vice President of Marketing – Lights On Digital
Ben Eger, General Manager – Coleman Worldwide Moving
Paul Mayer, Founder & Managing Partner – Elite Pacific Properties
Todd Nacapuy, State Chief Information Officer – Office of Enterprise Technology Services
John Strandberg, General Manager – Hawaii Tech Support
● Businesswoman of the Year:
Donna Blanchard, Managing Director – Kumu Kahua Theatre
Valerie Joseph, Owner – Valerie Joseph Boutique LLC
Lori McCarney, CEO – Bikeshare Hawaii
Teri Orton, General Manager – Hawai‘i Convention Center
Helene “Sam” Shenkus, Vice President & Director of Marketing – Royal Hawaiian Center
Shelley Wilson, President & CEO – Wilson Care Group
● Commitment to Green:
Bikeshare Hawaii
Hawai‘i Convention Center
Kunoa Cattle Company
Pacific Biodiesel
Pulama Lanai
● Corporate Social Responsibility:
‘Iolani School
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Legacy Carbon
Na Ali‘i Consulting & Sales, LLC
The Cliffs at Princeville
● Best Family-Run Business:
Hawaii Forest & Trail
Hawaiian Building Maintenance
Hawaiian Pie Company
JPG Hawaii
Sun Noodle
● Best New Business:
Coral Crater Adventure Park
Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina
Kōkua Sun Care
Kuleana® by Maiden Hawaii Naturals
Mana Up Hawaii
● Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year:
David Gorman, President & General Manager – RevoluSun Smart Home
Christina Laney Mitre, Realtor Associate – Elite Pacific Properties
Jasmin Rodriguez, Director of Marketing & Communications – Adventist Health Castle
Peter Scheider, National Sales Manager – Maui Brewing Company
Cathy Walker, President & Chief Financial Officer – Pop-A-Lock of O‘ahu
For ticket purchases and more event information, visit pacificedgeawards.com. Inquiries about corporate sponsorship can be directed to Naomi Hazelton at (808) 721-1300 ornaomi@elementmediahi.com.
About Element Media:
Element Media, Inc. is a locally owned custom publishing firm that specializes in magazines, integrated marketing, and events. Element Media manages all aspects of publication production, from media sales and event management to writing, editing, photography, and graphic design. Element Media currently publishes Pacific Edge, Las Vegas Bound, and Green Magazine Hawai‘i. It also hosts exclusive events on behalf of Green Drinks Honolulu.
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