SBA Awards and Economic Update Luncheon, April 29

Carl Bonhan, UHERO executive director and associate professor of economics. Courtesy photo.

The Maui SBA Awards and Economic Update Luncheon will be held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club on Friday, April, 29, sponsored by American Savings Bank, the Maui Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday, April 21.

In addition to the SBA awards ceremony, the luncheon will feature an informative economic update by Dr. Carl Bonham, a founding member of UHERO, the economic research organization at the University of Hawai‘i.

Dr. Bonham currently serves as UHERO’s executive director and professor of economics. His research develops dynamic models data on Hawai‘i’s visitor industry to produce high-frequency forecasts of visitor arrivals and spending. He is also studying the effects of airfare on visitor travel decisions, and analyzing the state’s solar photovoltaic tax credits.

Registration starts at 11a.m.; the luncheon program will be held from noon to 2 p.m.

Tickets are $47 per person for members, winners and sponsors, and $57 for non-members.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with American Savings Bank and the Hawaii District office of the SBA, will host event for Maui’s 2016 SBA Award winners.

STATE WINNERS

Small Business Advocate for Industry

Pamela Tumpap, president of Maui Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Lester Nakamoto, VP and banking center manager of Bank of Hawaii.

Entrepreneurial Success Award

Wayne Kamitaki, president; Paul Mizoguchi, VP and secretary; Guy Kamitaki, treasurer; and Lynn Ushijima, assistant secretary, of Maui Varieties Ltd. Sponsored by Roberta Chu, senior VP, and Amy Honda, vice president of Bank of Hawaii

HAWAI‘I DISTRICT WINNERS

Small Business Person of the Year (co-winners)

President Steven Sturdevant and Debra Sturdevant of Sturdevant Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Inc, sponsored by Bill Russell, first vice president of American Savings Bank.

VP/Treasurer Moonstar Greene and President/SecretaryYuri Soledade of Paia Fish Market & Restaurant Inc., sponsored by Karen Frampton, VP & CBO of Bank of Hawaii.

SBA Family-Owned Small Business of the Year

President Lynn Solu of Kihei Rent a Car Inc., sponsored by Kelli Myers, senior business banking officer of Central Pacific Bank, Kahului.

SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Kehau Kamoku, member/contractor of Kamoku Contracting LLC., aponsored by Bard E. Peterson, VP and business banking team leader of First Hawaiian Bank.

Small Business Exporter of the Year

Kelly Davidson, owner of Mr. Pineapple, sponsored by Aaron Acpal, AVP/branch manager of American Savings Bank, Pukalani.

This awards event kicks off Small Business Week, which begins Monday, May 2.

Beginning in 1963 and each year since then, the US president has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners in their local communities and to the nation’s economy.

Since its founding in 1953, the US Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.