Two Maui Businesses Among 2011 Better Business Bureau Award Finalists

By Sonia Isotov

Aloha Air Cargo and Prudential Locations are among finalists for Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau’s Annual Torch Awards, which honors trustworthiness in business.

“In a time when consumer trust is fragile, the Torch Awards serves as a reminder that there are businesses and organizations that are honest, dependable, reliable and trustworthy,” said Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB, in a statement. “This year’s finalists embody the BBB’s mission to advance marketplace trust with consumers and businesses, as well as charities and donors.”

Three finalists are selected in each of the following categories: Small Business, Medium-size Business, Large Business and Public Charity. Winners will announced at the 2011 BBB Torch Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 28 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa.

It is tradition for past BBB Torch Awards recipients to judge the entries and selected the finalists. Finalists selected for 2011, by category, include:

• Small Business Category (0 – 49 employees): Current Affairs, Talk Story Bookstore, and Wedding Ring Shop
• Medium-Sized Business Category (50 – 99 employees): HiHR, Martin & MacCarthur, and The Audio Visual Company
• Large Business Category (100+ employees): Aloha Air Cargo, Inc., Prudential Locations, LLC, and Sheraton Waikiki
• Public Charity Category: Kauai Independent Food Bank, MADD Hawaii and United States Navy League.

Past Torch Award winners located on Maui have included Maui Divers and Atlas Insurance Company.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the BBB Torch Awards, call Hawaii’s BBB at 628-3901, from the Neighbor Islands call toll free at 1-877-222-6551, or visit www.hawaii.bbb.org.