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Business

Ventures in Vanilla

Friday, January 31st, 2014

Ventures in Vanilla

Deep in one of Molokai’s lush east valleys, a translucent, arched roof frames green peaks and greener foliage as far as the eye can see.

“These are the girls!” says Patty McCartney with motherly pride, stepping through the door and glancing around fondly. She tilts her head to get a closer look at each, brushing them gently with her hand and telling them they’re beautiful and growing well.

The girls are vanilla plants, a type of orchid vine producing beans that hold one of the world’s most popular flavors and fragrances.

“I come up here and talk to them, sing to them, fertilize and pollinate them,” she says.…

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Entrepreneurs Receive 3 Years of Resources

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Entrepreneurs Receive 3 Years of Resources

Molokai’s creative thinkers have a tough job when turning their hobbies into businesses. Learning the ins and outs of permitting processes, bookkeeping, and developing a customer following can be a daunting learning curve. But over the next three years, a series of small business workshops, webinars and other resources are set up to make it a little easier.

“You need to have a tough skin and it’s not always easy,” Veronica Hix, executive director of the Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network Inc. (ONABEN), told Molokai entrepreneurs last Friday. More than a dozen seasoned and immerging business owners attended event, which marked the kick-off a series of Native Hawaiian entrepreneurial workshops and training.…

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Holomua Junction Open for Business

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Holomua Junction Open for Business

“Holomua” means progress or successful advancement, and that’s just what owners and tenants of the Holomua Junction business and office complex hope for the newly-renovated space. Located at the corner of Maunaloa and Kalae Highways, Holomua now holds two retail businesses — the Tobacco Shack and Beach Break — with more than half a dozen more spaces available to rent, according to land owners Diane and Larry Swenson.

Almost 30 years ago, the Swensons purchased 11 acres of property from Patterson Construction. The land has been previously home to the Holomua School in the mid-1900s. When the Swensons acquired the acreage, the building that now serves as the office for Swenson Real Estate occupied the property, and they built a warehouse for Larry’s Swenson Construction.…

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Nominations for Mayor’s Small Business Awards

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Maui County News Release

The Mayor’s Small Business Awards honor outstanding small businesses in our community, and nomination forms are now available for the upcoming awards.

“Small businesses are the true job generators, and owners risk a great deal to open their doors, create jobs, grow and stimulate our economy,” Mayor Alan Arakawa said. “Maui County is fortunate to have many successful small businesses that are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and ingenuity. I look forward to honoring them through this awards program.”

Annual 2014 Mayor’s Small Business Awards are announced jointly by the mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Maui Chamber of Commerce.…

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County Talks Economic Opportunities on Molokai

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Molokai’s entrepreneurs, inventors and creative thinkers sat down with Maui County officials last Thursday to brainstorm new ways the county can improve economic development on the island. Ten representatives from the Maui County Office of Economic Development (OED) flew to Molokai for an all-day session to talk story about diverse resources available to local businesses and how staff can better serve the community.

“There are resources we have available through the county that you may not be aware of,” Jennifer Hawkins, event organizer and small business specialist at the OED’s Kuha`o Business Center, told Molokai participants. “So I just want to connect you and let you become familiar with some of our specialists…and to make sure that when you connect with them you don’t lose that connection.”…

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County Seeks Input for Home Biz Bill

Monday, December 16th, 2013

The Maui County Council visited Molokai last month asking for community input for a home-based business bill currently under revision. More than 30 home business owners attended, expressing frustration that they were unaware of the bill’s existence. Council members made special arrangements to come back and talk story with the community about what the bill is about and ask what should be changed for Molokai. Yet, when Council members Don Couch and Stacey Crivello arrived for the scheduled meeting last Tuesday, only one home-based business owner attended.

“I want to hear what [laws] fit for Molokai,” said Crivello. “If one size fits all then so be it, but if it doesn’t, now is the time to tell us.”…

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Molokai in Business: Barking Deer Farms

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Jennifer Hawkins

The Molokai in Business series focuses on local businesses, both old and new.  It is our way of helping you get to know your local businesses.  Our intent is to support our local businesses, help people who want to start a business, and tell a good story.
What:  Barking Deer Farm, a local grown organic produce farm
Who:  Jamie Ronzello
When:  By appointment
Where:  Located inside the Mahana Garden properties on the Mahana Stretch
How:  658-9935 or barkingdeerfarm@gmail.com

Question:  What do you do and how long have you been doing it?  
Answer:  I own and operate Barking Deer Farm where I grow a fairly diverse selection of fruits and vegetables. …

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Egg Essentials for Backyard Farmers

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Egg Essentials for Backyard Farmers

As more Hawaii residents flock towards raising chickens in their backyards, some may not be aware of the state and federal health regulations for selling their eggs to the public. As part of a statewide tour by the Hawaii Departments of Health and Agriculture and the University of Hawaii, a dozen of Molokai’s backyard egg farmers familiarized themselves with these guidelines during an egg workshop last Tuesday.

“We knew of people [on Maui] who were doing backyard egg producing and were trying to sell…to high-end hotels,” said Lynn Nakamura-Tengan, a food safety educator at the University of Hawaii Manoa, during the workshop.…

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Business Careers: Career and Tech Education

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

UHMC News Release

The Business Careers program at University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai offers various levels of opportunity.  Certificates of Competence are designed for students and community members who wish to quickly acquire or upgrade their skills and knowledge.  Earn a certificate in as little as one semester!

A one-year Certificate of Achievement in Business Careers provides essential skills and knowledge in business, communications, writing, and mathematics.  A two-year Associate in Applied Science in Business Careers prepares students for the four-year business programs at UH West Oahu, UH Manoa, UH Hilo, and other institutions in conjunction with the Associate in Arts degree program.…

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Talking Business

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Kuha`o Business Center News Release

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) is coming to Molokai on Thursday, Dec. 12 to talk story about the programs they offer, but more importantly to talk story with Molokai to see how we can better serve the island.

Each session will be approximately an hour and will be held in the QLCC Family Room at Kulana Oiwi.  We will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.  Topics include what is OED, how to be successful with county grants, county product enrichment program, workforce development, agriculture, business development/made in Maui County opportunity, opportunities through the Maui Film Office, and Ikehu Molokai Renewable Energy Project.…

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