MNHCC founding member and OHA Maui trustee Boyd Mossman, left, chaired a panel titled, "Don't Get Your Feet Stuck In The Lo'i." Panelists included, seated, from left, Broken Trust co-author Beadie Dawson, Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer; and Broken Trust co-author and OHA trustee Walter Heen. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

Maui biz conferees gather at Wailea

By Blaine Fergerstrom / Ka Wai Ola

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce opened its second annual Business Fest on Nov. 19 at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui's southeastern coast. The business consortium gathered its members to discuss the state of business in Maui County and among its members, largely composed of Native Hawaiian business operators.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs partnered with the MNHCC to present the conference, which attracted over 500 attendees for the two days. Maui OHA Trustee Boyd Mossman, one of the founders and a past-president of the MNHCC, played an active role in the conference.

The OHA Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino radio show took to the road to broadcast live from the Business Fest. Regular hosts (newly-elected state Sen.) Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kaho'āno welcomed guest host Alaka'i Paleka, who added her unique Maui perspective to the show. The show broadcasts live, Monday through Friday on AM 940 in Honolulu and on radio stations on Maui and Hawai'i Island. On Maui the show is simulcast on KNUI AM 900. The show is also webcast worldwide, live, at am940hawaii.com.

Mossman made an appearance on the radio with MNHCC Conference Chair Mercer “Chubby” Vicens, as did OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. Other show guests over two days included Sandy Baz, CEO of Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.; OHA Economic Development Hale Director Mark Glick; Andy Poepoe of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Maka'ala Yates, D.C. and Kumu Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell talking about Native Hawaiian health and healing; Keli'i Taua and David Kauahikaua talking about their recent music and DVD collaboration; Sam Ka'ai and Shane Tegarden discussed their collaboration on a video collage featuring images of Hawai'i as it might have looked when all endemic flora and fauna was undisturbed by introduced species; Bill Frampton of Olowalu Town Ahupua'a; and Garret Marrero of the Maui Brewing Company.

Apoliona also joined Vicens in delivering welcoming remarks. OHA Trustee and Broken Trust essay co-author Walter Heen sat on a panel, along with fellow Broken Trust co-author Beadie Dawson, and Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer, in a session moderated by Mossman titled, “Don't Get Your Feet Stuck In The Lo'i.” The four discussed ways Hawaiians can move forward in the modern business world without losing their traditional culture and values.

OHA Economic Development Hale Director Mark Glick sat on a panel with Andy Poepoe and state Rep. Mele Carrol (D-E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i) in a post-election discussion titled “What Now for Native Hawaiians In Business?”

OHA Economic Development staff was on hand to talk about their new Hawai'i Procurement Training and Assistance Center, or HI-PTAC. In October, OHA received a grant from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to establish the center. The assistance center aims to prepare Hawai'i businesses to bid on and win government contract work. Clarita Barretto Hironaka of OHA's ECO Hale sat on a panel discussion entitled, “Government Contracting + HI-PTAC.” OHA is actively seeking additional supporters for the HI-PTAC.

Maui native and Native Hawaiian Shane Victorino, outfielder for the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and 2008 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner made a special appearance during lunch.