Nominations for Mayor’s Small Business Awards

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. Nomination forms are available at the Kuha`o Business Center on Molokai and online at mauicounty.gov/MCBRC, at mauichamber.com, as well as via Facebook on the OED and Maui Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages. The deadline for nominations is noon on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

This year, in honor of the late Annette Pau`ole-Ahakuelo of Molokai, there is also a special award being given in her name, open to Molokai businesses only.

To be eligible for the awards, businesses must have 100 or fewer employees and a Hawaii General Excise Tax license for no fewer than two years. Criteria include business leadership in a changing economic environment, a quality work environment for employees, the aloha spirit and exemplary customer service, partnerships with other sectors of the community, and other exceptional qualities or traits.

This year’s event includes six award categories and one honorary award:

•    Exceptional Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees)
•    Exceptional Small Business of the Year (11 to 35 employees)
•    Exceptional Small Business of the Year (36 to 100 employees)
•    Outstanding Non-Profit Business (100 or fewer employees)
•    Young Small Business Person of the Year (under age 40 as of Feb. 26, 2014)
•    Lifetime Achievement Award (for any individual doing business in Maui County for more than 20 years with the same for-profit company)
•    The Annette Pau`ole-Ahakuelo Honorary Award (for a Molokai Business).

All nominees and winners will be showcased in the media and honored at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Club.

“Maui’s small businesses are at the heart of our community,” said Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap. “We look forward to giving them well-deserved credit and honoring their tremendous accomplishments and investment in our community.”

For more information about nominations, please contact the Maui County Business Resource Center at 873-8247 or the Maui Chamber of Commerce at 244-0081.