Island Honors

Molokai resident recipient of state business award

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai has many things to brag about, and one Molokai resident in particular has been added to the list. Last week, Barbara Haliniak was recipient of the United States Small Business Administration’s State of Hawaii 2009 “Minority Small Business Champion” award.

Haliniak traveled to Honolulu to receive the award from the entire Senate and House. Each legislative body honored her with a plaque outlining her accomplishments, complete with official signatures.

“Barbara Haliniak has been a true advocate of the citizens of Molokai,” the Senate plaque reads.

Haliniak was honored for her service to the Molokai community through the Molokai Chamber of Commerce and her own business that she founded, The Business Depot Inc., which provides services including bookkeeping, payroll, income tax preparation, and assists entrepreneurs in setting up their own businesses.

According to the Senate plaque, Haliniak started the Molokai Chamber of Commerce in 2001, an organization that consisted of about 25 members. Today, the Chamber is comprised of 101 members, and has become a respected and vital organization in the Molokai community.

In addition, Haliniak has volunteered her time to promote economic growth on Molokai by participating on several boards and committees within the community.

Haliniak said in order to receive the award, she was nominated then had to fill out a Small Business Association application form. She said there are nine award categories at the state level. She was the only Molokai recipient.

Haliniak also received the Community Leader and Business Advocate Award in 2007 from the United Filipino Council of Hawaii.