Nominations Sought for 2013 Mayor’s Small Business Awards

Last year, Joe Rossi (Maui Babe, Inc.) won in the category of Exceptional Small Business (10 or fewer employees). Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, the county Office of Economic Development announced yesterday.

The business recognition program is being held in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce and seeks to honor outstanding small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and that have had a Hawai`i General Excise Tax (GET) license for no fewer than two years.

The program is designed to recognize businesses that demonstrate leadership in a changing economic environment, create a quality work environment for their employees, exhibit the “aloha spirit” and exemplary customer service, develop partnerships with other sectors of the community, and demonstrate other exceptional qualities or traits.

This year’s event includes six award categories:

• Exceptional Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees)
• Exceptional Small Business of the Year (11 to 25 employees)
• Exceptional Small Business of the Year (26 to 50 employees)
• Outstanding Non-Profit Business (50 or fewer employees)
• Young Small Business Person of the Year (under age 40 as of February 21, 2013)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (for any individual doing business in Maui County for more than 20 years)

All finalists and winners will be honored at an awards dinner on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Club where photographs with Mayor Arakawa will be taken and presented to all finalists.

Winners will receive a Mayor’s Small Business Award Winner decal, a certificate from Mayor Alan Arakawa and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, a commemorative plaque, and the company or businessperson’s name listed in press releases sent to the media.

“Small businesses are the true job generators and they risk a great deal to open their doors, create jobs, grow and stimulate our economy,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa, in a written statement.

“Maui County is fortunate to have many successful small businesses whose owners are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and ingenuity. I look forward to honoring them for their resilience and resourcefulness, and as leaders in our community.”

Maui’s small businesses are “at the heart of our community. Their continued investment and steadfast commitment to their business and their employees create a catalyst that stimulates economic growth, ensures that needed products and services are locally available, enhances our community and improves life for us all,” said Pamela Tumpap, the president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

The awards program originated with the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which first partnered with the Mayor Arakawa in 2004 to recognize outstanding small businesses in Maui County.

Nominations should include the nomination form, nomination criteria form, two typed letters of recommendation, and a 5”x7” photograph of the nominee. All items must be received at the Maui County Business Resource Center in the Maui Mall on or before noon on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013.  Photos may be in hard copy or digital format and will become the property of the County of Maui.  Only those entries received on or before the deadline will be considered.

Nominations cannot be accepted from individuals nominating themselves, County of Maui employees or Maui Chamber of Commerce employees or employee family business nominations.

Nomination forms are available at the Maui County Business Resource Center at Maui Mall; the Maui Chamber of Commerce; and American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, and First Hawaiian Bank branches. The form is also available online at www.mauicounty.gov/oed.

For more information about nominations, contact the Maui County Business Resource Center at (808) 873-8247. For details on available sponsorships or to purchase tickets for the awards banquet, call the Maui Chamber of Commerce at (808) 244-0081.