2013 Mayor’s Small Business Award Winners

Young Small Business Person of the Year:
David “Boze” Kapoi (Pride Ink Tattoo).

By Sonia Isotov

A tattoo artist, two restaurants, a zip lining activity, and a transportation company were among the top winners at the annual 2013 Mayor’s Small Business Awards celebration held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club last week.

Sponsored by Maui County Office of Economic Development and produced by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by members of the Maui County small business community, representatives of key business organizations,

Exceptional Small Business (10 or fewer employees):
Paris Nabayi (Cilantro Mexican Grill).

government and friends and family of award nominees and winners.

“Small business is Maui County’s most important economic engine, and we should never forget the sacrifices that business owners make every day to keep their businesses operating,” said Mayor Arakawa, in a public statement yesterday.

“They [small business owners] take on risk, work long hours, and put their personal assets on the line while providing jobs, services and goods to our community. We are fortunate to have such a strong small business community in Maui County and are privileged to honor them.”

Exceptional Small Business (11-25 employees):
David & Ululani Yamashiro (Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice LLC).

The winners in each category are as follows:

• Young Small Business Person of the Year
  David “Boze” Kapoi (Pride Ink Tattoo)
• 

  Exceptional Small Business (26-50 employees):
  Daniel Boren (Skyline Eco-Adventures, LLC).

  Exceptional Small Business (10 or fewer employees)
  Paris Nabayi (Cilantro Mexican Grill)

• Exceptional Small Business (11-25 employees)
  David & Ululani Yamashiro (Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice LLC)
• Exceptional Small Business (26-50 employees)
  Daniel Boren (Skyline Eco-Adventures, LLC)
• Outstanding Non-Profit Business
  Habitat for Humanity Maui
• Lifetime Achievement Award
  The Late Douglas Wayne “Butch” Akina & Sandra Akina (Akina Aloha Tours)

Outstanding Non-Profit Business:
Habitat for Humanity Maui.

Lifetime Achievement Award:
The Late Douglas Wayne “Butch” Akina & Sandra Akina (Akina Aloha Tours).