In the latest Hawaii Business Podcast episode, Ken Sakurai, CEO of Coastal Construction, discuses his experiences in the construction industry, the impact his family had on the success of the 50-year-old company, and how its collaboration with Castle & Cooke on a Mililani housing project paved the way for light-gauge steel framing in Hawaiʻi.

Sakurai also talks about his company’s dedication to its workforce, with employees boasting nearly half a century of service, and how Coastal Construction’s involvement in a $54.4 million affordable housing project in Kona reflects its commitment to community impact.

On Dec. 6, 2023, Hawaii Business Magazine recognized Sakurai as its 2023 CEO of the Year, an annual award that honors and celebrates outstanding CEOs for their exceptional leadership, strategic vision and overall contributions to their respective company, industry and the Hawaiʻi community.

For Rick Ching, the senior advisor and global mobility board director of Servco Pacific, fostering servant leadership and advocating for inclusivity was all part of the journey.

He shares how Servco Pacific drew from Google’s principles of respect, service, team work and innovation to create and adopt a servant leadership framework. That work, plus Disney Institute training, has resulted in a workplace culture that goes beyond the traditional corporate paradigm. For example, Servco created allyship groups so that diverse teams can voice opinions on policy decisions. Ching says this demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and helps spearhead changes meant to foster a more diverse workplace.

Ching’s personal journey, from starting in 1985 to assuming the roles of CEO and President, reveals the challenges of leadership in a corporate setting. The discussion on decision-making made evident the delicate balance between information gathering and timely execution, with both experience and humility playing pivotal roles.

Beyond the corporate realm, the podcast provides a glimpse into Ching’s family history, education and career path. And, as he transitions into a senior advisory role, the podcast explores his reflections on retirement, future plans and the importance of family.

Peter Ho, the Chairman, President and CEO of Bank of Hawaiʻi, provides valuable insights into his family legacy, career path, and the bank's commitment to its employees and the community.

Ho grew up in a family of successful business leaders – his grandfather and father were self-made multi-millionaires – and he credits them for instilling in him a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Ho values surrounding himself with smart people, especially women, and highlights the importance of teamwork, perseverance and leadership skills, which he believes can be developed through sports. He shares his experience working in the banking industry in New York City during the late 1980s and early 1990s and reflects on the impact of major events like the savings and loan crisis and the Gulf War.

Ho discusses the value proposition of a regional bank in Hawaiʻi, where a combination of local talent, deep understanding of the communities being served and technical expertise from the mainland are all needed. BOH is helping to build a more resilient and diverse economy through partnerships, such as its "all-in" involvement with Hawai‘i based accelerator Mana Up. Ho also talks about the bank's philanthropic efforts, including its dedicated trust division that administers foundations and charitable trusts. He shares the bank's commitment to helping legacy families and new businesses give back to the community.

Servco Pacific newly appointed CEO Peter Dames' consistent, ego-free approach has been crucial to his success. In this episode, we explore his journey, the influence of music teachers, and the importance of empathy and compassion in business.

Originally hailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, Dames shared how economic changes led his family to move to Los Angeles when he was just ten months old. He fondly reminisced about embarking on cross-country adventures in a Volkswagen minivan with his family as a child. He credited his music teachers, particularly Gordon Henderson, with shaping his personality and being instrumental in his growth.

"Fail quick and make changes. Don’t worry about planning for years. Let’s put some plans together, execute, make some mistakes … let’s make some change."

The interview delved into his career choices, which included a noteworthy internship with Ronald Reagan's office and experiences working with Mark Fukunaga's family at Toyota in Japan. He also discussed Servco Pacific's succession planning efforts, which resulted in him becoming president and CEO on Oct. 1, 2023, and the importance of company culture, empathy and adaptability in the ever-evolving automotive industry.

Chad Buck, founder and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance shares insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, highlighting his unique approach to business and leadership that has made a lasting impact on the Hawaiian islands.

In this episode of The Hawaii Business Podcast, we delve into the journey of Chad Buck, owner and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance. Buck’s journey, from childhood struggles to building a successful business, is a tale of determination. HFA, founded in 2002, has become the largest distributor of perishable foods statewide, serving retailers such as Costco and Safeway.

The company plays an essential role during disasters. And its leadership was put to the test when Gov. Josh Green reached out to Buck for assistance during the devastating fires on Maui. The conversation explores post-disaster relief efforts, personal growth, and the importance of holding leaders accountable for addressing social issues in Hawaiʻi.

Kevin Chang, the Executive Director of Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, discusses the organization's mission to empower rural Hawaiian communities and promote community-based natural resource management.

With origins dating back to 2003 and Chang joining in 2011, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo has established itself as a driving force for positive environmental change across the Islands.

Chang emphasized the cultural significance of fishponds and their role as key components of traditional land stewardship. He also introduced the Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa network, a statewide initiative that fosters dialogue among fishpond practitioners for cultural and community revitalization, while simultaneously promoting environmental conservation.

Kaimana Brummel has long been a bridge builder, but in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, that role took on a new life as she helped connect organizations and displaced residents with life-sustaining resources.

Brummel has also been working with the People’s Fund of Maui, a fund started by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson that provides direct support to impacted Lahaina and Kula residents. Winfrey and Johnson together contributed $10 million. Brummel is part of a group of community members helping to convey what residents need.

Brummel is the director of advancement at Seabury Hall, her alma mater where she helps students, alumni, parents and staff connect with the greater community and vice versa. Her community focus stems from being part of the first ‘Aha Pūnana Leo cohort on Maui.

“So then we had friends who were from Ke‘anae, so we could go to Ke‘anae and be immersed in ‘āina there. We had friends who were hula practitioners, so then we could join hālau. We had friends who were experts in botany, and, you know, it became our community, they became our neighbors.”

Mary Fastenau, senior partner at Anthology Marketing Group, fondly recalls the Internet’s early digital marketing potential and the growth of what is now the state’s largest integrated marketing and communications agency.

“It’s the beauty of what’s going on in digital, even today, is that … you can test, you can look and you can make sure that your hypothesis, even if they’re very well researched, that they are actually relating to real people,” she says.

Starr Siegle became Anthology Marketing Group in 2007. Today, the agency is part of Finn Partners, a global marketing and communications firm, and represents clients like Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawaiian Telcom and ‘Iolani School.

The Shaka Tea co-founder Bella Hughes shares her career journey and how the lessons she’s learned have helped shaped her into the leader she is today.

Bella Hughes is an angel investor who invests in female entrepreneurs to help address the sexism that women commonly face when looking for financial backers.

Women, she says, only receive about 1.9% of all invested capital. “I think when you empower women and minorities, they tend to give back tenfold and we can then create that abundance, we can create that change,” she says.

One of Hughes’ goals is to help support more female entrepreneurs, such as through Hawai‘i FoundHer, the company she co-founded with leadership consultant Gloria Lau. The company provides a six-month accelerator program for Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian wāhine business owners.

Jack Wong, CEO of Kamehameha Schools, shares his background, how he manages such a big responsibility and the trust’s priorities.

Wong served as a senior counsel for Kamehameha Schools in 1997. He became CEO in 2014 when former CEO Dee Jay Mailer stepped down.

The charitable trust serves over 7,000 students at its K-12 campuses and preschools, manages 363,000 acres of land, and employs about 3,000 people. As a leader, he says most of his job is getting staff members excited about their work and helping them do their best.

One of Kamehameha Schools’ priorities is to shift to a mindset rooted in the importance of culture. Its E Ola! values of ‘ike kūpuna, aloha ‘āina, and mālama and kuleana are used as a framework to integrate a Native Hawaiian identity into its work. The aim is for students to learn and live those values.

“You have to be able to see that through your culture, you will be academically successful – understanding who you are as a Native Hawaiian, understanding your ‘āina, understanding your ancestors, your culture, and being proud of who you are, your identity,” he says.