Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

I hope that everyone passed a festive and safe new year, either here or back in the islands. I was fortunate to be able to welcome the New Year back on the Big Island of Hawai’i, spending equal time home in Hilo and along the Westside. During this trip, I made some observations, primary among them are:1) there is a splendor and beauty of Hawai’i that has brought a lot of new money and Western sophistication to the islands with the large influx of tourists from the Bay Area and malihinis, this is most evident on the Westside, with all the new resorts, multi-million dollar homes, and restaurants; and 2) Hawai’i’s people, with their deep sense of community, care and spirit of Aloha is unique and continues to be strong in this age of rapid electronic information exchange and new wealth, this is most evident for me back in Hilo, where the neighborhood pot-lock and YMCA charity dinner far surpass any fancy restaurants or nightclubs in a rewarding and entertaining evening-out.

Why is this relevant to the HCCNC?

With regard to observation #1, I believe that Hawai’i as a place of beauty and equally important a place of things of beauty, still has tremendous untapped commerce potential in the Bay Area. I found that there are goods and services available in Hawai’i that are competitive with the best in the world, and should be marketed and sold more in the mainland. There has been such a tremendous focus recently on high-tech in Hawai’i, which by all accounts is a goal in which I fully believe. Nevertheless, from the current renewed interest in hand-carved ukuleles to luxurious spas, to time-shares and healing herbs, to hula halaus and Hawaiian music, Hawai’i offers much and has a great future in continuing its symbiotic economic relationship with the Bay Area. Firm in your convictions, I am sure, I wish to lend my support and encouragement to all small businesses that have and are starting to bring Hawaiian goods and services to the mainland, there are huge opportunities.

With regard to observation #2, I believe that the HCCNC’s slogan, Aloha Is Our Business, must not be forgotten. Several newsletters ago, I asked members to provide feedback on why Hawai’i is such a unique place, why we are proud to be from Hawai’i or have ties to Hawai’i. The answers were generally consistent, family values, strong community support, cultural diversity and the intense natural beauty of the islands. Where everyone is an uncle, an aunt, or a “cuz,” where stopping to “talk story” on the street is a reasonable excuse to be a little late. As the HCCNC continues to build its infrastructure to help members connect and meet one-another, I hope that this spirit will not be forgotten and that all of our members will work with one another and support each other.

This long-winded New Year's letter does have a purpose, it is a prelude to the HCCNC's vision for 2002. Our board will be developing a strategic plan to further strengthen the HCCNC as an organization that can help small businesses and organizations realize their potential and continue to network and discover ways of helping one-another. We need your help. Please send me an email at etao@hccnc.com with all of your ideas and suggestions on things and programs that you believe will benefit both businesses as well as organizations (cultural, educational, nonprofits, etc.) that have ties to both the Bay Area and Hawai’i.

Eric Tao
President
Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California

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