 April 2007 | Small Business News
Koga and Nohara Named SBA Small Business Persons of the Year
April is celebrated as National Small business month. The 20th Annual Statewide U.S. SBA Awards Luncheon will be sponsored by the Hawaii Womens Business Center. The event is set for April 27, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.
Five Local Firms Honored during That the construction industry has been a force in Hawaii's strong economy is reinforced with the awards to be presented to small contracting firms by the U.S. Small Business Administration at the 20th Annual SBA Awards Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Friday April 27, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. The prestigious SBA Awards are presented during National Small Business Week, a 40 year tradition honoring the accomplishments and contributions of small business to the economy and enterprise. Five local contractors will be honored. Two local construction companies claimed the highly competitive title of ³Small Business of the Year² in 2007. SBA's District Advisory Board made the selections earlier this year, recognizing five small businesses for their growth in revenues and number of jobs, their innovativeness, response to adversity and staying power. Founder Malcolm Koga and COO Glenn Nohara of Koga Engineering and Construction were selected as the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Hawaii, edging out other nominees across the state. Koga and Nohara are currently in Washington, D.C. representing the State of Hawaii at the ceremonies launching Small Business Week on April 23 and 24. Stephanie Biven, president of Biven's Electric, Inc., dba West Coast Construction, was named Small Business Person of the Year for the City and County of Honolulu. A woman owned, 8(a) certified firm, West Coast Construction has excelled in government contracting work and subsequent business growth. Zendo Kern, managing partner of Hilo based Superior Development Group, LLC, was selected as one of SBA's Young Entreprenuers of the Year to recognize his accomplishments as a newer small business owner. To qualify for this award, the nominee must have been in business for a minimum of three years, experiencing business growth and increasing revenue while still under the age of 30 years. Kern has built over ten affordable single family units and has started development of an 11 acre commercial complex in East Hawaii. Two other Honolulu firms will also be honored with the SBA Administrator's Award of Excellence for performance on government contracts. The criterion for these awards includes completing work on time, on budget and delivering quality in the work completed. Ernest Shih of Environmental Science International, Inc., a Kailua based firm, was nominated for the ³Contractor of the Year² award for work with the Navy Engineering Command at Pear Harbor. Richard Furuta of RMF, Inc. will be recognized for outstanding performance as a sub contractor and was nominated by Healy Tibbits for work on recent construction. Seating is limited. The deadline to make reservations for the inspiring 20th Annual Awards Luncheon is Wednesday, April 25, 2007. Tickets are available at The Hawaii Women's Business Center for $40 each and can be purchased on line at www.hawaiiwbc.org or by calling 808-526-1001.
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