Nominations Being Accepted for Mayor’s Small Business Awards

2013 Exceptional Small Business (10 or fewer employees)
Paris Nabayi (Cilantro Mexican Grill)

By Maui Now Staff

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Mayor’s Small Business Awards.

To be eligible, businesses must have 100 or fewer employees, and hold a Hawaiʻi General Excise Tax license for at least two years.

Criteria for selection includes leadership, a quality work environment, exemplary customer service, and partnerships with other sectors of the community.

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

“Maui County is fortunate to have many successful small businesses that are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and ingenuity. I look forward to honoring them through this awards program,” he said.

Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap also commented, saying, “Maui’s small businesses are at the heart of our community.  We look forward to giving them well-deserved credit and honoring their tremendous accomplishments and investment in our community.”

There are a total of six award categories and an honorary award including: Exceptional Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees); Exceptional Small Business of the Year (11 to 35 employees); Exceptional Small Business of the Year (36 to 100 employees); Outstanding Non-Profit Business (100 or fewer employees); Young Small Business Person of the Year (under age 40 as of Feb.26, 2014); Lifetime Achievement Award (for any individual doing business in Maui County for more than 20 years with the same for-profit company); and The Annette Pauʻole-Ahakuelo Honorary Award (for a Molokaʻi Business).

The deadline to submit a nomination is at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Nomination forms are available at: the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall; the Maui Chamber of Commerce; the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in Wailuku; and the Kūhaʻo Business Center in Molokaʻi.

Nominees and winners will be recognized at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Club.