By Staff Reports
(Wailuku) – The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and The Maui Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the Annual 2014 Mayor’s Small Business Awards. Nomination forms are available at the Maui County Business Resource Center at Maui Mall; the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in Wailuku, and the Kuha`o Business Center in Moloka‘i. The form is also available online at www.mauicounty.gov/MCBRC and at www.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, 2014.
“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.”
The Mayor’s Small Business Awards honor outstanding small businesses in our community. To be eligible, businesses must have 100 or fewer employees and a Hawai`i 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 Moloka‘i Business).
All nominees and winners will be showcased in the media and honored at an awards dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, 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.”
Teena Rasmussen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, said, “We are asking for active participation by our community to nominate deserving small businesses for these awards.”
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.