Business Development and Support Division

Reginald “Regi” Perry, managing member of Barbers Point Aviation Services, LLC, was named the 2018 Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Hawaii by the U.S. Small Business Administration Hawaii District Office. Perry will represent the State of Hawaii at the celebration of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. from April 29 to 30 before returning to the islands to attend the local honors.

The 31st Annual Statewide SBA Awards will be presented to an impressive roster of top performing, entrepreneurial, savvy small business owners, exporters, contractors and small business advocates at a ceremony and luncheon May 4, 2018, at the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki. 

Small Business Person of the Year

The Small Business Person of the Year Award recognizes staying power, increases in revenues and sales, job creation, response to adversity and innovation in small business operations, products or services as well as commitment to their community. In addition to Barbers Point Aviation Services, 2018 Small Business Persons of the Year representing the counties are:

• County of Maui: Luciano and Chantal Zanon, of Bella Venezia Catering LLC, dba Kula Bistro
• County of Hawaii: Paul Streiter and Angela Rey of Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill
• County of Kauai: Maris Isabel Manzano, owner of the Verde Restaurant LLC
• City and County of Honolulu: Chad Kobashigawa, Applied Computer Training & Technology

Outstanding Exporters

The Small Business Exporter honors individuals who own and operate a small business that is engaged selling products or services outside the United States, uses creative marketing strategies and advocates and supports increasing export opportunities for other small businesses. The outstanding exporters selected for the 2018 awards include:

• Malcom Yorkston, owner/manager of Hawaiian Rainbow Bees, Exporter of the Year for the State of Hawaii. Yorkston also won the title for SBA’s Region IX, a territory that includes the states of California, Arizona and Nevada.
• Brian Michael Wyland, owner of HaWyland Styles Galleries International dba Wy’s Galleries, for the City and County of Honolulu.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

The SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award goes to individuals who have shown the likelihood of success during a minimum of three years of operation and ownership of a small business before reaching the age of 35 and demonstrates increasing sales and job opportunities.

• State of Hawaii: Dylan Butterbaugh, Owner, Manoa Chocolate in Kailua
• County of Maui: Kathryn Dahm and Emily Kunz of Choice Maui, LLC, dba Choice Health Bar, Lahaina
• City and County of Honolulu: Charlie Li Jen Chang, CEO/President of Tea Boss, Inc.

Family Owned Small Business of the Year

The Family Owned Small Business of the Year Award goes to small business owners who have continued to operate a going concern that is at least 15 years old and has transferred a portion of ownership from one family member to another and integrates family members in a variety of employment roles and opportunities.

• State of Hawaii: Linda Fernandez, President of Fernandez Entertainment, Inc.
• County of Hawaii: Dawn K.K. Kanealii-Kleinfelder, owner of Liko Lehua, LLC in Hilo
• County of Maui: Brian Bowers, President, Artistic Builders Corporation
• City & County of Honolulu: Judith Sakamoto and Mike Sakamoto, Jr., owners of Eight Point Distributors, Inc.

Small Business Advocacy

Small Business Advocacy Awards are presented to those individuals in our communities who assist small businesses through demonstrated efforts to increase the awareness of the contributions of small businesses to the economy and the availability and effectiveness of resources, tools and support of small firms, key industry segments and underserved communities. While this work may be related to the candidates career, winners have far exceeded the parameters of their job duties, often through groundbreaking work.

Small Business Advocate for Business and Industry

• State of Hawaii: Teena Rasmussen, County of Maui Office of Economic Development
• City and County: Dr. Scott Morita, Morita Orthodontics

Small Business Advocate for Minorities

• State of Hawaii: Michelle Kauhane, Council for Native Hawaiian Advacement
• County of Maui: Maria Katrina “Kit” Zulueta, Kit Zulueta Productions LLC

Small Business Advocate for Women in Business

• State of Hawaii: Terri Funakoshi, Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership

Small Business Advocate for Financial Services

• State of Hawaii : James Mayfield, President, Island Business and Commercial Brokerage

Small Business Advocate for Media & Journalism

• City & County of Honolulu: Howard Dicus, Hawaii News Now, KGMB-KHNL-KFVE
• County of Hawaii: Denise Laitinen, Owner/Principal, DLC Hawaii Media, LLC

Excellence in Government Contracting

The SBA also honors excellence in Government Contracting with the annual SBA Procurement Awards that are coordinated by the SBA offices for Government Contracting and Business Development. In 2018, two Hawaii businesses are being honored for their excellent performance on government contracts focusing on delivering on time and on budget.

The Procurement Awards will be presented to:

8(a) Graduate of the Year 

• State of Hawaii: Raymond Jardine, Jr., Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC

SBA Prime Contractor of the Year;

• State of Hawaii & Region 9: Thomas Aimoku McClellan, CEO, Pelatron.

Small Business Awards Celebration

Make your reservations to celebrate with the small business community as we honor the best of Hawaii’s small business with the annual SBA Small Business Awards! For more information on Small Business Week and SBA Awards presentations, please contact the Hawaii District Office at hawaiigeneral@sba.gov or (808) 541 2990.

 

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.