Mayor’s Small Business Awards Finalists Announced

The list of Finalists for the Mayor’s Small Business Awards has been released. This year’s event, “1930s to 2009, Looking Back – Moving Forward,” celebrates the era that many of Maui’s time-honored mom-and-pop businesses got their start.

Nominees in the small business category with 11-50 employees include: The Dunes at Maui Lani, David Gleason; Island Honda, Anne Oishi; Maui Brewing Co., Garrett Marrero; Pacific Defense Solutions, LLC, Wes Freiwald; and The Maui Closet Company, Debbie Finkiewicz. Winners will be announced at a dinner on Friday October 23 at the Wailea Beach Marriott.

Former KGMB9 news anchor Jade Moon will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Mayor’s Small Business Awards dinner, which will be held Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. Photo Courtesy County of Maui.

Back by popular demand this year are emcees and TV personalities Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula; keynote speaker will be Jade Moon. 1930s-style entertainment will be provided by Kelly Covington.

Dinner cost is $50 per person; no-host bar. Dinner reservations and special room rates are available by contacting the Maui County Business Resource Center at 873-8247.

The winner in each of the six categories will receive a beautiful Haunani Mine koa-framed commemorative award, window decal and certificate of recognition.

The finalists for Young Business Person are: Andrew Crawford, Bevinco Maui, Danoucha Starkweather, Danoosha Designs, Frank “Palani” Alexander II, Alexanders Kitchens and Baths LLC Garrett Marrero, Maui Brewing Co.

Leo Kaniela Caires, Maui Energy Co.

There are also awards being issued for Life Time Achievement, Non-Profit Angel Award, and Small business with 10 or fewer employees.

(Posted by Wendy Osher)