County to Take Over Maui Small Business Week

Mayor Alan Arakawa signed a proclamation for Small Business Week 2016. Photo credit: Lois Whitney

With the successful completion of the May 2016 Maui Small Business Week‬ event, plans are now in the works for the county to take the reigns of future events.

The County of Maui has committed to plan, schedule, manage and organize the entire program for the 2017 Maui Small Business Week.

“We are glad that the County of Maui recognizes the benefits and opportunities that MauiSBW offers to Maui and to its local business community,” said MauiSBW voluntary organizers, who were at the helm of the event each year since 2014.

In 2014, under the leadership of volunteers from the Maui Business Brainstormers organization, MauiSBW offered nine free educational workshops and seminars presented by nine top-notch guest presenters and business subject-matter experts from the states of Hawai’I and California.

“A huge mahalo goes out to all of the 23 guest speakers who joined in to make the 2016 MauiSBW happen,” organizers said. “Based on the attendees’ feedback, the speakers delivered valuable information and education.”

The third annual Maui Small Business Week opened on Monday, May 9: (left to right, standing) Teena Rasmussen, David Kapaku, Karen Arakawa, Nicole Fisher (seated) Kainoa Horcajo, John Hau‘oli Tomoso and Lori Fisher. Maui SBW photo.

“And a huge mahalo to all of our sponsors and supporters for joining in the efforts to make the 2016 MauiSBW possible,” said the organizers.

Maui SBW organizers express their thanks to County of Maui, Hawai’i Pacific Export Council (HPEC), High Technology Development Corporation (HDTC), Innovate Hawai’i, Hawai’i USA Federal Credit Union, Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Da-Lite, Maui Native Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce (MNHCoC), and Maui Center of Small Business Development Center Network.”

“Although the 2016 MauiSBW is over, we can continue celebrating small business and educating and supporting one another as our local communities keep evolving,” said the organizers.