MNHCoC Opens Waitlist for 9th Annual Business Fest

MNHCoC members celebrate a sold-out Business Fest. MNHCoC photo.

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce has announced that its 9th Annual Business Fest on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at the Grand Wailea has sold out.

Those who would like to add their name to a waitlist should email [email protected]. In case of cancellations, those on the waitlist will be admitted on a first-come, first served basis. The $55 luncheon fee will be collected at the event.

MNHCoC member Kealiʻi Reichel. MNHCoC photo.

MNHCoC member Kealiʻi Reichel will be a guest on Hawaiʻi News Now’s Sunrise show at 7:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to discuss the 9th Annual Hui Holomua Business Fest and the skills needed to be a successful Native Hawaiian entrepreneur. Members of his Hālau Ke’alaokamaile will also perform as part of the opening protocol.

This year’s theme, “Pono: Environmental and Social Values in Business,” will explore the links between a healthy environment and business plus the opportunities associated with the IUCN World Conservation Congress coming to Hawaiʻi in September 2016.

Opening protocol begins at dawn on Wailea Beach followed by a continental breakfast and entertainment by beloved Kumu Hula Alexa Vaught. Chipper Wichman, president and CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is the Opening Keynote Speaker. He will be followed by the panel discussion, “Why Conservation is Good for Business.” Lunch Keynote Speaker ‘Aulani Wilhelm will cover balance between commerce, culture, conservation and community. Closing speaker Ramsay Taum, will summarize the day’s learning with a talk on Hawaiian Values in the Workplace.

2015 BizFest planning committee: (left to right) Ron Vaught, Teri Freitas Gorman, Kai Pelayo, Doreen Pua Canto, Shirley Blackburn, Johanna Amorin and Paul Laub. MNHCoC photo.

The Business Fest will end at approximately 3:30 p.m. with a Pau Hana reception featuring the music of Na Hoku Hanohano-Award winning Ikaika Blackburn & Friends.

The 9th Annual Business Fest is hosted by Grand Wailea and funded by an Ahahui Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and presented by NextEra Energy Hawai‘i LLC and the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation. Supporting sponsors are the Maui County Office of Economic Development, Dowling Company Inc., Goodfellow/Pacific Rim Land Inc., Auwahi Wind Energy LLC, DeCoite Trucking, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson Foundation, Maui Electric Company, Munekiyo & Hiraga and Dorvin D. Leis Inc. In-kind supporters include Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., Maui Tropical Plantation, E Ola Pono LLC, A Big Wow and Honu Publications.

Image provided by MNHCoC.

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce created the Annual Business Fest in 2006 as a forum for combining Hawaiian culture, values, and business education to make Maui a better place for all. MNHCoC’s mission is “to promote and sustain Hawaiian values and culture, and enhance the socio-economic status of Native Hawaiians in business and as individuals.”

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in perpetuating the spirit of Aloha through commerce, culture and community.

To learn more, go online.