Hawaiʻi’s Top Employers Profiles 2022

Employee’s views about their workplace have changed dramatically over the last two years – engagement, morale, life balance and community commitment now often play a bigger role in workplace satisfaction than compensation.

Platinum level winners have made the list 10+ years, Gold winners 5-9 years, Silver winners 2-4 years and Bronze winners one year.

Platinum Level Winners

American Savings Bank

Wondering what it’s like to work for a company that celebrates diversity, welcomes individuals from all walks of life and rewards team members for speaking up? Teammates at American Savings Bank (ASB) say they are “living the dream,” thanks to the organization’s unstuffy and collaborative culture, combined with its award-winning benefits and work perks.

“We are so proud that our ASB Dream Team has voted us a Best Place to Work for 13 straight years because it tells us that we’re doing something right,” said Beth Whitehead, executive vice president and chief administrative officer. “We work hard to ensure our culture is one that makes people want to show up and do their best work every day.”

Creating an excellent teammate experience begins with feedback, something that is core to ASB’s culture. In fact, some of ASB’s award-winning benefits, such as weekly paydays, casual dress code, and wellness and birthday holidays, were recommendations from teammates. Devoted to celebrating diverse groups and driving positive change, members of ASB’s IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Allyship, Safety) council recommended that Juneteenth be added to the company’s holiday schedule. The holiday is now observed annually at ASB.

ASB hosted a statewide Turkey Drive-Thru for its teammates in November, as part of its annual Teammate Appreciation Month festivities. Twenty lucky teammates scored “Golden Turkeys,” and won an additional $200 gift card to brighten their holidays.

Teammates also influenced the design and amenities of ASB’s Campus headquarters, from the free Starbucks machines and fitness center to the arcade and outdoor lanai games.

Making teammates feel valued for their many contributions is part of ASB’s DNA. Teammates get juiced up with fresh-pressed orange juice on Mondays and celebrate work anniversaries and birthdays with soft serve ice cream every other Friday.

As part of its annual Teammate Appreciation Month festivities, ASB gifted more than 900 turkeys to teammates across five islands. They also received a Hawai‘i Restaurant Card as an added bonus so they could treat their friends and family to a nice meal, while also bringing real impact to the community by supporting local food establishments.

Feeling supported by ASB, teammates were able to focus their efforts on taking care of customers and the community. Staying true to ASB’s vision, teammates contributed more than 13,000 volunteer hours and surpassed previous records by donating more than $210,000 to the community through its Kahiau Giving Program.

ASB’s commitment to provide an awesome experience for its teammates is the reason they’re voted a Best Place to Work in Hawai‘i year after year.

American Savings Bank
P.O. Box 2300
Honolulu, HI 96804
(808)-627-6900
www.asbhawaii.com 

First Hawaiian Bank

First Hawaiian Bank is more than just a bank. The organizations culture is shaped and nurtured by their people. FHB’s, employees are passionate individuals who expect more than a career. They thrive in an environment where they can make a difference – whether it is enhancing someone’s financial future, driving digital innovation for the organization, or working to strengthen Hawaii’s communities. At FHB, the employees embody the bank’s values of caring, character and collaboration.

The career paths offered by the company are as diverse as its people, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment in a progressive industry. The organization strikes a unique balance by enabling employees to be thought leaders while also challenging them with career growth opportunities. Having been recognized for the 12th time as one of Hawaii’s best places to work, it is evident that the company’s culture is second to none.

Ranked as Hawaii’s top bank by Forbes magazine, First Hawaiian also offers exceptional support for career growth. The company provides a generous benefits package, award-winning professional development programs and flexible work schedules, ensuring that employees are provided with the opportunities they need to have a rewarding experience.

Employees volunteer at FHB’s Community Care Slippah Drive to benefit Child & Family Service

At First Hawaiian, they recognize that everything is connected. By enabling their employees to reach their full potential and inspiring them to bring their best to each other, they truly deliver for their customers and community.

The Employee Benefits Offered at Hawaii’s #1 Bank: 

• Award-winning professional leadership and career development
• Flexible remote work schedules
• Low-cost medical, dental and vision coverage
• Generous company match of up to 7.5% to retirement plans
• 11 paid holidays plus three “float” days
• Company match to dependent care/elder care spending account
• Free on-site annual health screenings and flu shot
• Popular tuition reimbursement program for continuing education
• 50% bus pass subsidy
• Discounted banking services and identity protection
• Pet insurance
• Subsidized meals in employee lunchrooms
• Convenient on-site fitness centers
• Fun company sponsored community service and volunteer activities

First Hawaiian Bank
999 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
www.fhb.com/careers

Panda Express

As the largest asian dining concept in the US, Panda has over 44,000 associates across over 2,300 locations delivering original American Chinese cuisine to people around the world. Panda Express has been a family-owned business since its establishment in 1983 and operates like a family, putting people first.

Panda takes pride in their unique, purpose-driven culture. They remained committed to continuous learning throughout the pandemic. John Zhang, Regional Director of Operations, shared that the Hawai‘i team has a Panda Toastmasters Club to help associates improve communication and develop leadership. The Hawai‘i region also offers High Potential Training to help develop associates for management positions.

Panda Express celebrated a successful grand opening at Yokosuka, a US Naval Base in Japan.

In addition to developing their people, Panda takes a “whole person approach” to caring for their people by offering a comprehensive benefits package with health insurance, competitive pay, profit-sharing bonuses, 401(k) matching, scholarships, and more. As a result of COVID-19, Panda invested over $27 million in expanding benefits and pay policies to support frontline associates. “Our people development, benefits, and bonuses even during a pandemic is part of why we continue to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in Hawai‘i,” says Zhang. During the pandemic, Panda’s Hawaii stores remained open, associates were still being promoted, and managers made a new record for bonuses. These are some of the reasons why Panda Express is celebrating their 10th year as one of the “Best Places to Work”.

Panda commemorates the 35th anniversary since opening the first Panda Express in Ala Moana Center. Panda now has about 60 stores with nearly 2,000 associates supporting Panda Express and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers concepts. Zhang led the team that recently expanded internationally and manages nine Panda Express locations in Japan, including their first military base store in another country. They successfully opened a Panda Express in September 2021 at Yokosuka, a US Naval Base in Japan. Panda’s Hawai‘i region, which includes Hawai‘i, Alaska, Guam, and Japan, will continue to grow and expand in Asia by “building the same Panda culture and bringing the aloha spirit and best place to work wherever we go,” says Zhang.

Panda Express
150 S. King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 947-6891

Servco Pacific Inc.

From Australia to California, and of course, Hawaii, Servco’s team members (also known as Team Servco), are a collective of over 2,000 like-minded individuals. Guided by a value-driven business model, Servco is a diversified business with operations in automotive distribution and retail, car sharing, musical instruments, and venture capital. As the company’s journey of innovation continues, Servco is evolving to provide mobility solutions to serve the needs of its customers and communities in Hawaii and beyond.

“We could not be prouder of our team members who have and continue to show dedication, resilience, and flexibility,” said Mark Fukunaga, Chairman & CEO. “Team Servco truly embodies our Core Values of Respect, Service, Teamwork, and Innovation every day and they are what make our company a great place to work, through both the good and tough times.”

Servco’s Leadership Acceleration Program provides the opportunity to lead and accelerate change in the company’s global business and operations in a two-year rotational program that results in a leadership role. Spouses and children of team members are also eligible for scholarships to pursue a college degree from the Servco Foundation.

In addition to investing in professional growth, Team Servco members enjoy competitive compensation packages, generous subsidies on family medical and dental premiums, and discounts on Servco products and services. Servco was the first company to offer a profit-sharing program in Hawaii for its team members, and it’s a benefit that continues today.

Team members are encouraged to lend their time to building better communities, by volunteering with local nonprofits. This year, our team members are focusing their service efforts on four areas: Youth Services, Earth, Wellness, and Social Mobility.

Servco also recognizes the hard work of its team members through company events including an annual Team Servco Dinner and a bi-annual Family Fun Day. In 2021, the company hosted a socially distanced Summer Drive-In Movie event for team members and family.

For more information on joining one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for the past 18 years running, visit servco.com/careers.

Servco Pacific Inc.
2850 Pukoloa St., Ste. 300
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 564-1300
servco.com

Island Insurance

For more than 80 years, Island Insurance has been providing expert solutions and superior service to Hawaii’s families and businesses as the only locally-owned property and casualty (P&C) insurer in the state.

Island Insurance has been named as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for the 16th year in a row. Nationally recognized for financial stability among the Ward Group’s top 2% of P&C insurers in the U.S. for 14 consecutive years and counting, Island is committed to excellence and strong local values.

The accolades speak volumes of its team of skilled employees and its strong, collaborative company culture. “Our workforce is a cornerstone of our business and we consistently strive to cultivate a progressive and rewarding work environment,” says Island Insurance President Beverly Ament. “For Island to be nationally ranked for excellence in financial strength is a testament to the valuable contributions and dedication of our talented team of employees.”

Employees receive many benefits, recognition for service and merits of achievement, and leadership development opportunities at the company.

Left to right: Toby Tonaki, Zachary Muranaka, Ryan Kawamoto, Deborah Robinson, Beverly Ament, Jason Okamura, Leilani Oamil, Ramy Ng

Island’s wellness program encourages healthy lifestyles, including a four-month boot camp with activities and prizes like trips and gaming consoles, and a Fitness Jam Competition with team events like planking and hula hooping. College scholarships up to $2,500 are available to children and grandchildren of employees. The company’s P&C Internship Program is the first of its kind that encourages careers in insurance and develops future leaders.

Island also gives back to our communities with a corporate donation program that matches employee donations up to $500 per employee per year. The Island Insurance Foundation last year gave over $1 million to local charities.

A company that’s always enjoyed a long list of employee activities and events, Island has held exciting virtual events with games, such as Bingo, and prizes, during the pandemic. Surprise gift boxes and meals were also delivered to show appreciation to employees and to keep spirits up during this unprecedented time.

“Our ongoing investment in employees goes beyond formal training to creating a balanced and enriching workplace,” says Ament. “Showing our appreciation to employees and helping them grow professionally is integral in building an engaging corporate culture.”

Island Insurance Companies
1022 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 564-8200
www.islandinsurance.com 

Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

Founded and based in Honolulu, Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. is more than just one of the oldest kamaaina construction companies in Hawaii, it’s a team of more than 250 empowered and enthusiastic individuals who are committed to excellence. Providing construction solutions in a timely, client-focused manner for every project, Nordic PCL’s services include preconstruction, construction management and general building contracting. With projects spanning across all major islands, Nordic PCL’s diverse experience covers geographic location and logistics along with project type and delivery method. The company takes pride in promoting a collaborative workplace environment for employees that fosters growth, develops partnerships, builds on innovation, and raises awareness, understanding and education of DE&I.

As an employee-owned company, Nordic PCL provides educational and career growth opportunities for employees through company-sponsored training and seminars as well as recognizing employee accomplishments and services that are exemplary.

Whether on the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui County, Kauai or Oahu, Nordic PCL is grounded on being a part of each island’s community and sets aside time to support, promote and encourage charitable work through fund raising or direct involvement with local charities. While the pandemic stressed many charitable non-profit organizations, Nordic PCL continued to support many including the Aloha United Way, Hawaii Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics Hawaii, Child and Family Service, American Heart Association and Teach for America. As a long established kamaaina company, Nordic PCL knows that supporting employees and the local communities is enduring. To find out more on how you can be involved, visit www.nordicpcl.com.

1099 Alakea Street, Suite 1600
Honolulu, HI 
(808) 541-9101
www.nordicpcl.com

ProService Hawaii

For employees at ProService Hawaii work is more than a desk or a to-do list. Every day, their efforts have a meaningful impact on Hawaii’s business community. A sense of purpose is an important reason they show up to work every day and one of the biggest reasons why ProService Hawaii has been voted one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for an impressive 16 straight years.

What gets ProService employees excited to come to work everyday?

Here’s what they had to say: “Honestly, it’s my clients,” says Bonnie Hair, Strategic Account Manager at ProService Hawaii. “I’ve developed great working relationships with all of my clients and I’m always wondering what I can do for them,” she adds. For others like Tommy Sapp, a Senior Payroll Specialist, it’s 100% the people. “I have never worked somewhere with so many bright, talented, and capable people – it’s truly inspiring.” Kelly Moy, an HR consultant, adds that what seals the deal for her is the team camaraderie and the “together we can achieve anything” mentality. “The biggest difference I’ve felt coming to work at ProService is that people here do little things so frequently and consistently that it really makes you feel like your co-workers are not just colleagues, they’re family,” she adds.

In early 2020, ProService employees celebrate a day of learning and development offsite in what would be the last in-person company gathering before the pandemic hit.

Despite the pressures of a global pandemic and its impact on workplaces today, ProService has gone to great lengths to preserve the magic and the “secret sauce” that makes it such a special place to work. “In times of change and difficulty, it’s extremely important to be intentional about the company culture and employee experience you’re building,” says Ben Godsey, President and CEO of ProService Hawaii. “At ProService, we’re extremely proud of the high-performing, customer-obsessed culture we’ve nurtured and the creative ways we get to demonstrate our commitment and care for our hardworking team,” he adds.

Perks ProService employees enjoy: 

• Mission-driven workplace with strong core values
• Amazing co-workers and a high-performing work culture
• Everyday opportunities to help Hawaii businesses grow
• Weekly paydays
• Robust healthcare coverage (medical, drug, vision, dental)
• Generous paid-time-off
• Paid parental leave and paid volunteer time
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Pre-tax benefit accounts for health and dependent care expenses
• Career development opportunities

ProService Hawaii
6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Ste. 200
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 725-6877
proservice.com

Central Pacific Bank

In the early 1950s, a group of young Japanese American Nisei who fought in World War II came together to create a bank that would serve immigrant laborers struggling to give their families better lives. Today, Central Pacific Bank (CPB) continues its legacy of serving all of Hawai‘i’s people. This commitment to their local communities is reflected in how it supports its more than 800 employees.

CPB’s positive work environment starts with a culture of giving. In 2021, the CPB Foundation contributed more than $2.4 million to 114 local nonprofit organizations. CPB extends that philosophy to its workforce, providing employees with up to three days of paid community service leave each year. In 2021, employees tirelessly devoted over 5,400 hours of service to more than 100 nonprofit organizations, including raising more than $487,000 for the United Way.

The health of CPB’s employees during the COVID19 pandemic was also a top priority. In 2021, frequent updates on the bank’s pandemic response helped create transparency and stability. Web-based daily screenings tracked employees’ health and recent travel. And for seven consecutive years, employees enjoyed no increase in the cost of health benefits, giving employees peace of mind to take care of themselves and their families.

Training, development, and team-building helped create additional advancement opportunities for CPB employees. In 2021, CPB provided 284 in-person and 10,200 web-based training sessions. They also gave $3,000 in tuition reimbursements for employees. This support led to a 21% internal promotion rate in 2021. Quarterly team-building activities, companywide gatherings, and community service opportunities helped connect the CPB family and, most importantly, make work fun.

While CPB has an esteemed history, its vision for the future is getting many employees excited. The relaunch of the CPB brand and the grand opening of its flagship main downtown branch in early 2021 heralded its longterm vision to become a leader in digital banking. From launching Shaka, Hawai‘i’s first all-digital checking account, to supporting cutting-edge initiatives and accelerators, CPB is creating an exciting culture of out-of-the-box thinking and innovation, rooted in a culture of giving.

Central Pacific Bank
220 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0500
www.cpb.bank

Imua Family Services

Imua Family Services celebrates 75 years! Imua Family Services’ journey began in 1947 in response to the debilitating effects of polio in our island communities. Now, three quarters of a century later, the organization finds itself in a similar position of adapting to serve families in the midst of a pandemic.

When founded, Imua Family Services was known by a different name – the Maui Unit of the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults. The organization was created to provide critically needed physical therapy services across Maui, Molokai and Lanai to help those affected by polio. Much like today, the agency’s staff were driven by a sense of purpose to serve the community and to help children and families overcome hardship.

Today, Imua Family Services has grown to become the largest provider of Early Intervention services in the state. The mission of the agency – to help children reach their full potential – continues to drive its staff and programs. Those programs have grown dramatically over the past seven and a half decades and now include speech therapy, occupational therapy, special instruction, care coordination, autism services, preschool education, hearing screenings for newborns, recreational programs for school-age children living with special needs, and a dream-fulfillment program for children in the midst of crisis

As the organization looks ahead to the next 75 years, Imua Family Services will strive to maintain the workplace practices that have helped it achieve its 12th recognition among Hawaii’s Best Places to Work. Great things are planned just for this coming year, including the opening of a new Imua Inclusion Preschool campus in Lahaina, further development of Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku, and the return of the Color Festival Hawaii. And much more is planned beyond that! Learn more by visiting us at www.imuafamily.org, or find us on social media.

Early Childhood Development Center
161 South Wakea Ave, Kahului HI 96732
(808) 2447467
www.imuafamily.org

Molokai Community Health Center Kaunakakai, Molokai
Wailuku, Maui
www.imuagarden.org

EnviroServices & Training Center

EnviroServices & Training Center, LLC (ETC) has been providing high-quality environmental consulting and engineering services in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Rim for 28 years. We’re all about the environment. In fact, it’s part of our name and it starts with the work environment that we strive to create. Pre-pandemic, we held regular social gatherings, and you’d frequently find people in the “Think Tank” using the massage chair, ping pong table, dartboard, or video game console. Even though COVID-19 shuddered all that, our get-up-dust-yourself-off spirit and camaraderie remained as we found new ways to stay connected. ETC started an internal newsletter to feature employees and to replace casual conversations. We hosted socially distanced events like our private drive-in movie night and bring your pet to work week.

Drive-in Movie Night 2021

While we hope to soon reimplement in-person gatherings, for now we’ll continue to recognize that being named one of Hawai‘i’s “Best Places to Work” for 11 consecutive years is a credit to our 60 diverse, talented, and dedicated staff who we consider ‘ohana. Not only are our staff ‘ohana, but Hawai‘i is our home and that’s why our employees are keenly motivated to help the government, local businesses, and residents protect the environment in which we live, work, and play. Our stormwater management programs keep our waters clean to surf and fish. We investigate and remediate contaminated soils and groundwater so that the land is safe to use. Our hazardous waste drop-off program for residents and small businesses ensures our precious ‘aina remains pristine. We survey and design the removal of harmful agents like asbestos and lead from our schools.

Philanthropy is also a huge part of our culture and employees select volunteer opportunities and initiate charitable drives because our community is also an important part of our environment. Our recent drive for the Hawaiian Humane Society led to a truckload of supplies for our furry friends, and our donations for the Hawaii Foodbank consistently raise over 600 pounds of food every year. Environment is part of our name, and our philosophy remains that no matter the task, “We’ll Take Care of It.”

EnviroServices & Training Center, LLC
505 Ward Avenue, Suite 202
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 839-7222
www.gotoetc.com

Hawaii State FCU

Always Right By You isn’t just a tagline. For Hawaii State Federal Credit Union employees, it’s a way of life. It’s also a promise, to treat our members fairly and like family. And to always consider what’s best for them in all we do.

This promise is what helped guide our credit union through another tumultuous year, filled with surprises and challenges. Despite many months spent working apart, our employees found ways to rally together to support one other, contribute to our community assistance and giving efforts and provide a safe environment for our members to handle their financial needs.

Our employees are the cornerstone of our organization. They are the ones who provide our members with outstanding service experiences and accompany them along their financial journeys day in and day out. They are also the reason why we place so much importance on hiring and retaining hardworking, talented individuals – providing them with the tools and resources to ensure that they can perform their jobs successfully.

One way Hawaii State FCU does this this is through our commitment to providing employees with a competitive compensation and benefits package. We are also committed to taking care of our employees’ physical, mental and financial health and well-being by offering a number of wellness and engagement activities, vaccination clinics, financial literacy classes, and counseling in-person, over the phone and online. In addition, the credit union also encourages employees to contribute actively to the well-being of our community, donating time, resources and support to organizations such as Hawaii Foodbank, Maui Food Bank, The Salvation Army and Friends of the Library of Hawaii.

We also strive to provide a workplace that is fun, productive and offers opportunities for professional and life-long learning and growth. Our ongoing renovation of a building that will serve as the future headquarters of Hawaii State FCU underscores our long-term commitment to offering a safe, innovative and collaborative environment in which our employees can truly thrive.

As a company, Hawaii State FCU is committed emphasizing trust, respect and integrity in all we do, and fostering solid relationships that help strengthen our organization, our membership, and our community.

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
560 Halwkauwila Street, #5
Honolulu, HI 96813
www.HawaiiStateFCU.com

Swinerton

Culture reflects the collective values and beliefs that guide an organization’s attitudes and behaviors. For this reason, culture is anchored in mindset. Mindset is everything. It is the intangible competitive advantage that drives our success at Swinerton. When culture is effectively nurtured, it can unleash vast amounts of energy towards a shared mission. Therefore, cultural alignment with an organization’s mission is critical. At Swinerton, our mission is to be the preferred builder and trusted partner in every market we serve. Once the mission is clear, an organization must identify those core values and mindsets that will be essential to sustaining the mission. To be the preferred builder and trusted partner of our clients, Swinerton identified its core values to be:

Integrity: We say what we mean, and we do what we say. We fulfill our commitments, we are candid with our partners and teammates, and we hold ourselves accountable.

Leadership: We focus on solutions-driven teamwork. We listen, are forward-thinking, and share information openly.

Passion: As employee-owners, we are relentlessly driven and enthusiastic in our pursuit of perfection and knowledge. We take pride in the quality of our work and in contributing to the success of those around us.

Excellence: We strive for the highest level of execution in all aspects of our work. We seek to identify root causes, generate new ideas, and minimize complexity.

In addition to these core values, we developed our Career Blueprint to articulate the specific attributes and mindsets that define our culture at Swinerton. While many of these attributes and mindsets will be developed in our employees over the course of their careers, there are several that we look to be strongly demonstrated by all employees and new hires, regardless of experience or organizational level. These fundamental cultural attributes are a positive “can do” attitude, commitment to responsibilities and goals, strength of character, tenacity, respect, ownership, team player mentality, seeking others’ perspectives, curiosity, and a motivation to constantly expand skills through learning.

Swinerton
841 Bishop St., Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96813
808.521.8408
www.swinerton.com

Intech Hawaii

This year marks Intech’s 10th year in a row ROWas a Best Places to Work company. “We’d like to send our appreciation to our team members past and present who have helped to make Intech such an engaging place to work, learn and grow,” says Intech CEO, Sam Gridley, “we’re also extremely grateful to our customers who put their trust in us to provide IT support, manage their IT costs, and safeguard their network from cyber criminals, and help them meet compliance.

As a kama‘aina company, Intech believes in creating opportunities for the next generation of local techs so they can stay in Hawaii, support their families and have long, successful careers. “Our mission is to help people succeed,” says Mr. Gridley, “we encourage continuous training and certification and we back that up with generous benefits.”

Like everyone else, video and chat technology help us get through these times – usually with a smile.

Intech pays for training materials, tests and even study time, and when team members pass a course or achieve a new certification, bonuses and pay raises follow. “There’s a nationwide shortage of IT and cyber-security professionals,” says Intech President Branden Baker, “we look for employees who are humble, smart, want to learn and don’t have an ego.”

When recruiting, Intech focuses on finding the best talent and making sure that every candidate is a match for their unique tech friendly approach. With a 30+ year track record of service excellence, Intech offers new hires a comprehensive 6-month onboarding process that gets techs up to speed and ready to perform.

The Intech ecosystem is designed to cultivate talent, rapidly expand technical and professional skills, and fast-track careers. “Intech is where junior techs come to ‘up their game,’” says Mr. Baker, “after couple of years with us, our junior techs can become team leads, project leads, and cybersecurity engineers.

Tapa Financial Center
745 Fort Street, Suite 600
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-596-9500
www.intech-hawaii.com

Gold Winners

Parents And Children Together

For more than 50 years, Parents And Children Together (PACT) developed a strong culture of respect, collaboration, and community — internally with staff, and externally with clients and industry partners.

We believe people join PACT because of our mission — what we stand for and what we do — and for the work they’ll perform to further that mission.

Working together with Hawai‘i’s children, individuals, and families to create safe and promising futures is a mission we take to heart. We annually serve more than 17,000 clients statewide, and every PACT employee knows he or she will touch the lives of many of those we serve.

Our employees are our heroes — frontline workers who provide hope and assistance to those who need it most. Even as PACT continues to assist its clients during the pandemic, we also work to ensure our employees receive the support and care they deserve.

Photography by Harold Julian

It starts with comprehensive onboarding and training that equips employees with the right tools and resources to support their engagement, personal development, high-quality services, and resilience to face every challenge with compassion and empathy.

To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, groceries, masks, cleaning supplies and more are provided to employees who need them. A new workplace wellness program was launched with a special focus on COVID-19. A microloan program was also started that offers qualified employees a one-time low interest loan for a nonrecurring emergency, such as car repair or unexpected medical bills.

Monthly All-Staff Zoom calls help us maintain a sense of community and connection with one another while working remotely. Featured guest speakers have shared valuable insights on topics such as wellness, self-care, diversity and the effects of the pandemic. Other sessions included hula, cooking, zoga (Zoom and yoga), meditation classes, and virtual wellness fairs, which provided a modicum of relief during stressful times.

We are particularly gratified that PACT has retained all its team members during the pandemic. We believe this indicates a high level of commitment and job satisfaction as we continue to serve the hardest hit families and individuals among us with respect and compassion.

Parents And Children Together
1300 Halona Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 847-3285
ParentsAndChildrenTogether.org

Island Palm Communities LLC

Being valued, enjoying their job and the people they work with, and the opportunity for growth and development were among the many positive comments shared by Island Palm Communities (IPC) staff in a survey that resulted in the company being named by Hawaii Business Magazine as one of Hawai‘i’s “Best Places to Work” for the sixth consecutive year.

“It’s important to our organization that our staff know they’re valued, and their hard work is appreciated not just by our residents, but by our management team and their co-workers,” said Ka’eolani Winner, Director of Property Management, IPC. “We also realize the importance of our staff being happy as well as challenged in their jobs, so we offer several opportunities for both professional and personal development, including leadership and skills training, mentorship, and cross-training.

Lendlease owns and manages several military housing projects across the U.S. IPC is owned in partnership with the U.S. Army. This collaboration has been beneficial to numerous military spouses who have built their careers at a Lendlease community and are looking to continue their employment and advancement when moving to another Lendlease-owned military community at their spouse’s newly assigned geographic location.

“Spouses, as well as Veterans, have been a great asset to our business. Their willingness to share their own experiences and knowledge with co-workers has been beneficial and helpful when evaluating our community relations programs,” said Tom Adams, VP WINN Residential Property Service.

A focus on safety and well-being, together with flexibility and support, continues to be highly valued pillars in another extraordinary year. Teams were permitted to work remotely, take time for COVID testing and vaccinations, and participate in virtual and socially-distanced events. An emphasis on employee reward and recognition programs were other constants that contribute to high satisfaction levels.

“Supporting communities where we work and live is integral to our business,” said Jeff Williams, Project Director, Lendlease. “Our employees take great pride in what they do for our residents and each other—their commitment and resiliency during the most challenging times is a testament to a safe and happy workplace.”

With just under 400 employees, IPC offers a full range of benefits to its full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a matching 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and a wellness and incentive program that encourages team members to volunteer in the community.

Island Palm Communities
North Regional Office
215 Duck Road
Schofield Barracks, HI 96857
(877) 487-4323
www.islandpalmcommunities.com

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc.

Established in 1978, Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates, Inc. (RNSHA) is one of Hawai‘i’s largest electrical engineering consulting firms. For over the past four decades, this employee-owned company has invested in its employees as it does in its customers and clients. “The core values at RNSHA emphasize character, caring, courageous, and community. The basis of these values underlie our work ethics, client relations, and business strategies to support and contribute to a growing company,” said Sean Sugai, President.

“In our line of work, the foundation is only as strong as the people who built it.” RNSHA offers a rewarding, nurturing, and collaborative environment for all employees. Promotional programs for certification and leadership opportunities include involvement in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawai‘i’s Emerging Leaders Program (ACECH ELP), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) membership and more.

Employees have health and wellness benefits which include medical coverage and insurance, paid holidays, paid time off, and company sponsored retirement plans.

With the transition of a hybrid working office, the RNSHA team strives to create a fun, productive, and supportive workplace. “As this becomes the ‘new normal,’ we continue to focus on the balance of productivity and adaptability to promote a cohesive work environment,” said Sugai. RNSHA pivoted their practices to work remotely, create development opportunities, foster engagement and recognize team contributions, while prioritizing their health and well-being. Flexible work schedules are encouraged to minimize overtime and promote a work-life balance. Computer software and equipment are provided to the staff and updated regularly to ensure constant communication and an efficient work-from-home environment.

To maintain camaraderie and teamwork, the company also organized several employee events and activities to support local businesses. In lieu of holiday gifts to clients or hosting a holiday party, RNSHA donated monetary gifts to various community organizations.

For the 5th consecutive year, RNSHA has been recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work in Hawai‘i. “We pay tribute to its success in part due to a strong team built on the foundation of trust, collaboration and commitment,” said Sugai.

Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates Inc. 
2153 N. King Street, Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 941-0577
www.rnsha.com

Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals is is celebrating their 15th year of business in Hawai‘i and is excited to be named one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work. Lisa Daijo, Owner of Express, states, “We are thankful for the recognition and continue to focus on our mission to serve our community by helping local job seekers find great job opportunities and companies find good employees. This past year, Express has made an immense impact of putting over 2,500 people to work at local Hawai‘i companies.”

“We’re Hiring,” is a sign that has become more prevalent as businesses face hiring challenges in this current climate. Express has a team of 19 knowledgeable recruiters that specializes in Industrial, Skilled Trade, Office, Professional, and Accounting positions, as well as a Licensed Medical Division that is Joint Commission Certified. They are helping Hawai‘i companies fi ll their vacant positions, which has been a tremendous challenge, due to a smaller pool of available workers.

In the midst of the “Great Resignation,” Express is there to help candidates find their next job, based on their interests and experience. Their dynamic team helps them find their optimal match with local businesses that are hiring.

Their two local offices, Pearl City and Honolulu, are part of a larger network of more than 830 offices throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that have experienced remarkable growth in recent years, fueled by its longstanding success and reputation as the leading global staffing franchise.

In 2021, Express Employment Professionals earned numerous accolades, including:

• Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500List (No. 25), Best in Category, for the 10th consecutive year, Best of Business Services
• One of Forbes America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms and America’s Best Temp Staffing Firms
• Staffing Industry Analysts Fourth-Largest U.S. Staffing Firm, Second-Largest U.S. Industrial Staffing Firm, Fourth-Largest U.S. Office/Clerical Staffing Firm and 11th-Largest Global Staffing Firm
• Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® Client Award and Best of Staffing® Talent Diamond Award

“We are so humbled and honored to be recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work. We truly owe this to our employees because they are the #1 reason why Express is such a great place to work,” said Lisa Daijo.

Express Employment Professionals
Instagram: @ExpressProsHi
Facebook: /ExpressProsHi
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/express-employment-professionals-hawaii/
(808) 525-5225
ExpressPros.com 

Finance Factors

This year marks Finance Factor’s 70th anniversary. Since opening its doors in 1952, the company has helped generations of local families realize their financial goals and has become the state’s largest locally-owned depository financial services loan company. Today, Fi-nance Factors specializes in residential and commercial real estate lending and operates 13 branches across four islands and a mortgage center in Guam.

Rob Nelson, president of Finance Factors, attributes its continued growth over the decades to its employees. “Our employees are agile, hardworking, and compassionate. I witnessed their dedication to our customers and community throughout the pandemic, and I’m humbled to be part of an organization with so much aloha and purpose.”

Finance Factors has a wide range of programs to support the health and financial well-being of its 114 employees. To promote physical health, the company offers team members a subsidy to cover gym membership fees, free onsite immunizations, free exercise classes and stress management sessions, and hosts an annual health fair and health walk. The company also participates in Blue Zones programs. It offers one-on-one personalized retirement planning sessions, 401(k) matching, bonuses, and transportation and education subsidies. It also hosts several seminars throughout the year to strengthen its workforce’s financial wellness.

“What sets us apart is our workplace culture,” said Nelson. “From Halloween costume festivities to casual pau hana parties, we’re always trying to create a fun, connected workplace where our employees can thrive.”

The company also has a robust recognition program where employees recognize each other via a “Mahalogram.” Management also plans an annual staged costume-themed employee recognition party. Every Thanksgiving, Nelson personally delivers “mahalo monies” to each employee to thank them for their unique contribution to the organization.

Finance Factors has a long track record of going above and beyond to deliver the right solutions at the right time to our customers. “We like to say, ‘if no can, we can,’” said Nelson. “It’s our employees’ can-do attitudes that make all the difference. We are so grateful to everyone for creating this company and helping our friends and neighbors thrive.”

Finance Factors
1164 Bishop St., Suite 300
Honolulu, HI 96813
financefactors.com 

Child & Family Service

Child & Family Service is ALL ABOUT FAMILY!

Celebrating our 123rd year of strengthening families and and fostering the healthy development of children across Hawai`i. Child & Family Service (CFS) is one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofits providing a full range of family strengthening services from twinkle to wrinkle. Our statewide community programs include preschool education, prevention of child abuse and neglect, programs for at-risk youth, domestic violence emergency services, therapeutic counseling, employment assistance, and programs for elder care. We work with families to help them achieve their dreams, including financial independence, planning for a thriving future and caring for all generations of their ‘ohana.

At Child & Family Service, our mission is to strengthen families – families of all abilities, beliefs, compositions, ethnicities, and orientations. Using our values of Humility, Ownership, Perseverance, & Engagement (HOPE), our nearly 400 CFS employees are helping families flourish in Hawai`i. In the last fiscal year, we provided direct counseling, intervention and prevention services to more than 17,045 individuals statewide.

The collage represents artwork submitted by CFS employees demonstrating their interpretation of the organization’s HOPE values.

We have built and continue to nurture a culture of inclusivity, where everyone feels a deep sense of pride, empowerment, and belonging. It starts with our organization’s welcoming culture which promotes communication, information flow, and learning in a variety of ways. As an example, to keep staff connected to executive leadership, our CEO hosts a monthly webinar for the entire staff that features guest speakers, live polls, and an interactive chat feature.

Employee wellbeing is the focus of many benefits and programs CFS offers to its staff, including:

• Volunteer paid time off: Employees receive dedicated time off to provide volunteer service to support CFS programs, and/or other community-based organizations.
• Preventative health care paid time off: Employees receive dedicated time off for personal preventative health screenings.
• Wellness committee: The Wellness Committee is comprised of employees coming together to develop health and wellness activities to improve on the staff’s quality of life, both personally and professionally.
• Diversity and inclusion: We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce representative of the populations we serve.

Child & Family Service
91-1841 Fort Weaver Rd. 
Ewa Beach, HI 96706
(808) 681-3500
www.childandfamilyservice.org

Hawai‘i Energy (administered by Leidos)

As energy costs and our state’s transition to 100% clean energy by 2045 remain a watchable issue for many, the Hawai‘i Energy program’s mission to educate on and incentivize energy-saving choices has become more important than ever.

It’s a two-fold calling: With so much of us feeling the financial squeeze of electricity expenses both at home and at work (especially in cases where your home is a workplace), a big focus in the last two years for the program has been to rise to meet the changing energy needs of Hawai‘i’s residents and businesses. Couple that with a strong passion for addressing the climate crisis head-on and helping local residents understand the connections between the two, one might say this team has their work cut out for them for the foreseeable future.

With no shortage of change to make, building a team of collaborative, passionate individuals has always been at the center the organization, and the Hawai‘i Energy culture is designed to foster the teamwork, communication and leadership skills required to do this unique work. Employees have access to a variety of company-sponsored professional development opportunities including technical certifications; personal communication basics like DISC training; bi-annual education on diversity & inclusion; and even sessions with locally-renowned life coach Alice Inoue of Happiness U®.

In line with the company’s belief that supporting the whole person is critical to success, other benefits like flexible hours, gym membership & equipment reimbursements, and paid family leave for any parent of a newborn are woven into the mix. Employees are especially supported in their health journeys through benefits like counseling through the employee assistance program, free subscriptions to Headspace®, and the chance to earn health savings account contributions through tracking healthy activities online.

Though the pandemic drastically changed the way the Hawai‘i Energy team works, the most critical piece of success has been team members’ resilience and willingness to support their community through challenging times – a true testament to an organization that celebrates being named one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work for the fifth year!

Hawaiʻi Energy
45 N. King St. Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96817
www.Hawaiienergy.com 

G70

Established in 1971, G70 is a diverse family, of entrepreneurial and highly creative individuals who come to work each day aspiring to contribute to the betterment of lives and places.

G70 provides leading-edge creativity for projects in hospitality, commercial office and mixed use, multi-family housing, education, financial, healthcare, and planned communities sectors. The firm specializes in architecture, civil engineering, interior design, and planning and environment.

At G70, we are deeply invested in understanding and perpetuating the cultural and historical resonance of the places we are touching. We endeavor to create exceptional value for our clients and communities by aligning with our clients’ dreams and projecting them with farsighted vision.

Reflecting on the past year, through the darkest of days of the pandemic, we found rays of light. We are deeply invested in our people. We stayed connected, had some fun, and spread positivity to each other and our community.

Our fun committee helped to keep spirits up by planning enjoyable activities throughout the year:

• 50th Anniversary Employee Event• Easter Egg Challenge
• Wellness BINGO
• Lei Day Challenge
• Teamsaraokay (Virtual Karaoke)
• Pumpkin carving contest
• Virtual cooking class with Chef Mark Noguchi of the Pili Group

We found opportunities to be of service and/or spread some aloha to others:

• Special Olympics
• AIA Honolulu Canstruction®
• Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) virtual PetWalk
• The Salvation Army Thanksgiving meal distribution
• Adopt-a-Village: G70 adopted the Pu‘uhonua o Wai‘anae Village for the holidays.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR:

• Our staff for your dedication and commitment. Your work is truly commendable, and we appreciate your contribution to G70. It is because of all of you that we are one of the Best Places to Work.
• Our many loyal clients who have entrusted us to ideate, create and deliver projects across Hawai‘i and the Pacific Rim. Your trust and confidence have encouraged us to innovate with boldness and passion.
• Our communities we are touching. Your thoughts and insights have contributed immeasurably to our planning and design efforts.

We imagine futures.

Come join our team, visit www.g70.design

G70
111 S. King Street, Suite 170
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 523-5866
mail1@g70.design
www.g70.design

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual – Hawaiʻi continues to make an impact on its clients’ lives by developing trust-based relationships and providing a comprehensive approach to financial planning. The organization combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important.

The mission of the Hawai‘i office is to elevate the trajectory of people’s lives. The team at Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i strive to live by that mission and the fi rm’s values of courage, excellence, gratitude, inclusion, accountability, and personal responsibility. Leading through challenge, creating a positive impact in the community, and embracing the opportunity to serve, are what led to another record-breaking year in 2021. Despite the continued impact of COVID-19, Northwestern Mutual experienced record-breaking growth as a Fortune 100 company, growing new client acquisition by 196,000 households. Locally, Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i set market records resulting in year-over-year growth of insurance production of 21 percent, and growth of investment production of 32 percent.

“It’s an honor that we continue to see a record number of customers choosing Northwestern Mutual and our advisors for our holistic approach to financial security,” said John Schlifske, Chairman, President and CEO. “These business results prove that having a combination of world-class insurance products and investment offerings is resonating – and I’ve never had more confidence in the future of our company.”

Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i is committed to continuing to grow a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization to reflect the diverse Hawaiian community. The office supports the Multicultural, Wahine, Military and LGBTQ+ Affinity Groups which provide ongoing resources and training for employees so they can learn the specific needs of each community. In 2020 and 2021, Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i was awarded the #1 Company for LGBTQ+ Equality by Hawaii Business Magazine.

“I am grateful for the incredible team I have the privilege to lead and work with each day. I could not be more proud of our Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i ‘ohana,” said Jamie Delgadillo, Managing Director, Northwestern Mutual – Hawai‘i.

Northwestern Mutual 
737 Bishop Street, Suite 1700
Mauka Tower, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 521-2345
hawaii.nm.com

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours

A family-owned business, Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours has been supplying tile, stone and cabinetry to its customers for 45 years. This is the fifth year that it’s been recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work.

“We are so proud of this recognition,” says James R. Doran III, president of Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours. “It demonstrates to us that our employee team members do value their work experience and that they know we value them and their commitment and service to our clients, the business and each other.”

Many of its employees have been with the company for a decade or more. The company treats employees like ‘ohana, and they receive the same benefits as the company’s leadership.

Employees receive 100% paid medical and dental, chiropractic insurance, a gym membership package, and a $50,000 life insurance policy. Additionally, the company has an IncentFit Wellness Program that incentivizes healthy activities, with rewards for employees that include $1 for every day they walk 8,000 steps, $2.50 when they go to the gym, $25 when they get a Flu shot, and $50 when they get their annual physical. There’s also a cash incentive for employees who receive a full COVID-19 vaccination.

Photo: Matthew Thayer

For employees who happen to get sick due to COVID-19, Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours is paying employees in full for the days they are recovering.

“It is stressful enough being sick and potentially infecting others in their households. We did not want them to also worry about income coming in on top of that,” says Doran. “Everyone had a full paycheck.”

Protecting and taking care of the team is of upmost importance, so weekly social-distanced meetings are held every Friday to share up-dates and connect with employees to see how everyone is managing stress and health concerns. The company also provides masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and sprays, and COVID-19 take-home tests for employees and family members who need them.

“I am proud to lead our team – 80% of whom have been with us for 10 to 28 years,” says Doran. “We do our best to help and take care of each other.”

Ceramic Tile Plus and Exclusively Yours
25 South Kahalui Beach Road
RoadKahului, HI 96732
(808) 871-8674
www.CeramicTilePlus.com

Silver Winners

Aqua Engineers

Award winning Aqua Engineers, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned company which owns, operates and maintains water and wastewater facilities state-wide. From its humble beginnings on Kaua‘i 41 years ago to today’s largest and most experienced water and wastewater management company in Hawai‘i, Aqua operates 40 wastewater treatment facilities, 17 water systems and over 70 wastewater pump stations. Four of our wastewater treatment plants are R-1 facilities, producing the highest quality effluent and conserving millions of gallons of potable water every day. Aqua’s mission is to deliver excellence in the operations, maintenance, management and engineering of our clients’ water and wastewater systems, while supporting the health and safety of the community and protecting our environment through innovative, sustainable services and solutions.

In 2003 Aqua was awarded a 50-year contract to own and operate the Schofield Barracks Wastewater Facility on O‘ahu and in 2008 the company was awarded a 50-year contract to take over all the O‘ahu Army owned sewer-systems. In 2015 Aqua purchased its first public wastewater utility on Kaua‘i.

In 2006 the company was sold to the employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). David Paul, President/CEO, says, “Aqua continues our founders’ tradition of providing the best value in water and wastewater operation & maintenance services. We continue to train our employee-owners and recruit licensed operators who can make a difference in our employee-ownership culture.”

Aqua headquarters in Lawai, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i

As a service provider, Aqua con-siders its employee-owners as its most important asset. Our benefits include competitive compensation and a share of approximately 50% of operating income in distributions through annual cash bonuses & retirement profit sharing contributions. The other 50% goes to employee-owners as “shareholders” through stock price growth.

Employee-owner growth and development remains our number one priority. We believe that employee-ownership promotes greater commitment through a shared understanding of key business disciplines and a culture of greater unity.

Aqua was very fortunate to maintain its workforce, continue to hire and conduct essential business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without cutting pays, bonuses, benefits or company programs. We stay connected and network through virtual company meetings, trainings, celebrations and participate in community projects through videoconferencing and webcasts.

Aqua Engineers’ benefits include: 

• Annual License & Certification Bonus Program
• Annual Incentive Program
• Health/Dental/Vision – Aqua pays 75-90% of premium for employee-owners & their dependents
• Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan: 401k Plan with 2% match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 15 Days PTO/10 Paid Holidays Per Year
• Paid Training, Licensing and Certification
• Leadership Development Training Opportunities
• Wellness Program & Quarterly Activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company Uniform/Shoe Allowance

Aqua Engineers 
3560 Koloa Road, Kalaheo, HI 96741
(808) 332-7381
www.aquaengineers.com

HEMIC

This year, HEMIC celebrates a significant milestone: 25 years of proudly taking care of Hawai‘i’s businesses and workers. Founded as a mutual insurance company in response to the many challenges faced by Hawai‘i’s workers’ compensation system, HEMIC has evolved into a diversified local enterprise with products and services that address a wide range of insurance and risk management needs.

HEMIC is dedicated to providing innovative solutions and superior customer service, guided by our core values of excellence, integrity, connection, and belief – belief in the importance of what we do, the people we serve, and what we can achieve working together.

Says Sarah Guay, Vice President of Human Resources, “We work hard to create an environment where our employees are supported and inspired to do great things with a spirit of true partnership and connection.”

Each year, HEMIC makes a significant investment into creating a workplace that fosters employee well-being and excellence, providing staff with professional development, technical training, and growth opportunities. HEMIC also cultivates responsiveness, problem-solving, and innovation and believes that the positive energy of being a “best place to work” is invaluable.

With an eye to long-term stability and employee well-being at its core, HEMIC purchased a building in the heart of downtown Honolulu and in 2021 moved its business operations.

“The HEMIC Tower is a symbol of our collective strength and helps solidify our presence in Hawai‘i. It offers our family of companies an opportunity to come together, collaborate and connect as a single enterprise. It has been carefully designed with our people and our purpose in mind,” says CEO Marty Welch. “The new building has given us a fantastic opportunity to structure our workspaces to be more effective and engaging for our employees – so they can thrive and reach their full potential.”

HEMIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

• Leadership and career development opportunities
• Benefit allowance for medical, dental and other insurance
• Company-paid life & AD&D insurance, health reimbursement account, identity theft recovery benefit, long-term disability insurance
• Pre-tax 401K with 6% company matching
• Parking, bus-pass and transportation allowance
• Discounted fitness club memberships
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Generous PTO, 14 paid holidays – plus your birthday off!
• Flexible work arrangements

HEMIC
Business Address:
915 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3376, Honolulu, HI 96801
Main Number: (808) 524-3642
www.hemic.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty

Celebrating 18 years of dong business in Hawaii, locally owned Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty has 5 offices across Oahu and Maui in Kahala, Kailua, Haleiwa, Kapolei and Wailuku with over 200 employees and licensed agents.

“Creating a clear strong corporate culture has been a key to the growth and success of our company. Our agents and support staff are client centric and they put the clients’ needs ahead of their own. Our core values of honesty, transparency, collaboration, commitment, charity, innovation and strong work ethic are communicated to the agents and employees from the initial interview and throughout every company interaction,” stated CEO/Owner Myron Kiriu.

Voted Hawaii’s Best Real Estate Firm the past 12 years and a Best of Honolulu Company for 9 years, the fi rm has also been recognized nationally as the most Productive Brokerages in the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network 7 years in a row. This is the company’s fourth year as one of the Best Places to Work, and it is an honor to be recognized.

The company was recently awarded the 2021 Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Most Productive Brokerage Award in Volume on the main stage at their national convention in Las Vegas.

“Receiving this recognition is confirmation of the importance that we place on providing an environment for our employees and agents where collaboration, safety, respect, and opportunities for growth are emphasized,” added Kiriu. “My wife Ambur and I appreciate and cherish each and every person at our company.”

The company is a second family for many of their employees and agents where they celebrate personal milestones and company goals together both online and safely in-person. Extensive training, weekly company meetings, and community service activities ensure that the corporate culture is born and nurtured throughout the organization.

Giving back to the community is at the heart of the company. It is exemplified by providing their clients with excellent service and by direct contributions to the people of Hawaii such as the recent creation of the Advantage Kokua Scholarship. This Scholarship was started and is operated by employees and agents of the company to provide scholarships to students in need who are transitioning from local community colleges to UH Manoa or UH West Oahu.

“The heart of this company is our employees and agents,” added Kiriu. “Together, they have continued to go above and beyond to help our company, community and each other. We will never be able to thank them enough for the exemplary support and professionalism they share every day. We are truly, Better Together.”

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty
4211 Waialae Avenue, Box 9050
Honolulu, HI 96816
808-738-3600
BetterHawaii.com

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc.

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) is the largest locally owned medical testing laboratory in Hawaii. DLS employs more than 700 people and has over 50 sites throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.

DLS is more than a company; it is an ohana that weaves our employees, our patients and our communities together. Employees are at the core of our effort. We celebrate our wins together and lean on each other for support, especially during this pandemic. We understand that our communities rely on us and we recognize it is a privilege to provide their health care needs. We have been unwavering in our commitment to service and meeting the ever-changing laboratory needs of our patients. We have an equal commitment to promoting the well-being of our employees while creating a learning environment that promotes professional growth. Our transparent and inclusive culture emphasizes two-way communication and encourages employees to be their best selves at work.

We believe that service makes the difference, supported by our motto of “Great Science. Great People.” During this unprecedented time of the pandemic, our employees continuously meet the needs of our communities by putting our patients first with creative and innovative approaches. We established multiple measures to create a safe work environment, ranging from redesigning workspaces, remote work, staggering shifts, daily symptom checks and proper PPE. We actively communicated and created listening posts to hear from our employees. As we have throughout our history, we were agile and quick to adapt to the needs of our employees and our patients.

“I am so proud to be part of the DLS ohana. For more than 36 years, DLS has provided the highest-quality care for our customers and our employees. The DLS team is so passionate about doing their part to deliver great service to elevate the wellbeing of our communities.” – Mark Wasielewski, DLS President

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc.
99-859 Iwaiwa Street
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
808) 589-5100
DLSLAB.com

Diamond Head Dental Care

Diamond Head Dental Care is proud to be listed as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work for the past 3 years! This year marks the eighth year since Diamond Head Dental Care opened at the base of Diamond Head in Honolulu and the first year at its second location in Pearl City. Diamond Head Dental Care provides high quality dental care every day of the week, that is both comfortable and affordable.

“I think the recognition reflects the culture and work environment we’ve created,” says Dr. David Matto, Owner Dentist of Diamond Head Dental Care. “Taking care of the patient is a prerequisite with affordable, convenient and gentle care. However when you start taking care of the team, the business will take off.”

Above: Dr. Matto & our amazing hygienists!

Diamond Head Dental Care’s office culture is one of gratitude, teamwork and support. There’s a genuine understanding that you will make mistakes while developing your expertise. The day begins and ends with a team huddle. The unique environment of trust allows for a candid review of the day’s highlights and challenges. Open discussion of an individual’s mistake provides for proper analysis and reinforces that honest discussions of weaknesses lead to their development into strengths.

“We strive to create a teamwork mentality where everyone participates in ensuring smooth patient flow and excellent patient experience,” says Dr. Matto. “Any team is going to be more successful than an individual by themselves. If you learn together and build together, it’s much more effective in daily operations. It also creates buy-in when staff help develop the systems.”

“With our expansion at our Honolulu location and our new office in Pearl City, we have created significant career advancement opportunities for staff,” says Krista Matto, Business Manager of Diamond Head Dental Care. “It’s been incredibly rewarding as an employer to be able to offer growth opportunities for staff as they’re a vital part of our continuity and future growth. We want to be a good employer for the team because we value them, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Diamond Head Dental Care

Diamond Head Center:
3045 Monsarrat Avenue, Suite 7,
Honolulu, HI 96815

Pearl City Gateway:
1160 Kuala Street, Suite 200,
Pearl City, HI 96782

(808) 735-8883
DiamondHeadDentalCare@gmail.com
DiamondHeadDentalCare.com

Lawson & Associates, Inc.

Lawson & Associates is a certified woman-owned, veteran-owned business established in 2008. Our most valuable resource is our diverse group of people united by a shared vision: Improvement through effective Safety Management Systems. We are dedicated to our team and clients and work hard to instill our seven core values into the way we do our work and care for others. We are service-focused. Our company vision to improve the safety of Hawai‘i’s workers also leads us to strive for a balanced and prosperous life for our employees. Our staff and leaders have input on and directly influence the factors that impact employee satisfaction.

From left to right: The Lawson Tribe of Safe-ty and Health support services professionals at our annual New Years’ celebration.

This past year, we focused on innovating by growing our Safety Intelligence Institute (SII) to accommodate different modes and methods of training. We follow the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training processes. We provide high-quality, technical training to clients and people worldwide in-person, virtually, and on-demand through SII and following the Lawson blueprint. We improved our processes to make our team’s workplace more effective and efficient. Our various weekly team meetings allow all participants to openly identify, discuss, and solve (IDS) issues in the workplace together. When people participate and collaborate in making decisions that directly impact their work, their sense of ownership and engagement increases. People want to work, be heard, contribute, and make a difference. We understand that and facilitate it.

Although we’re a small business, we provide great benefits such as a 401k Safe harbor plan, full health coverage for employee + family, generous incentive bonus programs, 100% paid continuing education & certifications, 20 days PTO/paid holidays, a company vehicle with a gas card for business use, an annual uniform allowance, and flexible work schedules/work-from-home accommodations when possible.

We are a purposeful, performance-driven company that strives for excellence, welcomes improvement, and embraces changes and challenges. We are the Lawson Tribe.

Lawson & Associates, Inc.
Safety Intelligence Institute
1312 Kaumualii St. Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 441-5333
www.lawsonsafety.com

Bronze Winner

Prince Resorts Hawaii

As a leading luxury hospitality group whose core mission is to cultivate relationships, Prince Resorts Hawaii, Inc. (PRH) understood that maintaining a culture of excellence starts with values that reflect the dedication and passion of its employees. Its designation as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2022 Hawai‘i’s Best Workplaces is a testament to each PRH team member’s strength, resilience, and ability to overcome any challenge with compassion.

“We’re honored to be named one of the best workplaces in Hawai‘i,” said Shigeki Yamane, President of Prince Resorts Hawaii. “Understanding that each person brings some-thing unique to the mix, our ‘people first’ approach allows us to foster diversity, innovation, and service from the heart. It is through collaboration that our true strength shines. Like a complicated jigsaw, every piece is integral and every person plays an important role.”

This “people first” philosophy is further exemplified in PRH’s Lifetime Wellness program, focused on employee physical, personal, financial, and social wellbeing, to not only provide care while at work, but to offer access to a lifetime of wellness for team members and their families. The program includes increased 401K options, annual company-sponsored HRA distributions, access to telehealth services and industry experts along with paid community service days, and a lifetime complimentary hotel room program for retirees.

Severely tested during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company’s commitment to its 1,600 employees never wavered. The goal being to: “Ensure that each employee emerges from the pandemic whole” – safely, financially, and with positive mental health. Despite closures and a slow recovery, wage increases were implemented as planned and medical/dental benefits continue uninterrupted for employees/families regardless of qualifying requirements.

Recently, all three luxury properties, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel, and Prince Waikiki, were recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hotels and Resorts in Hawai‘i,” Travel + Leisure’s 2021 “World’s Best Awards,” and Conde Nast Traveler’s“Readers’ Choice Awards,” demonstrating proof of PRH’s winning formula – people first combined with a supportive, collaborative environment, and a healthy dose of mentoring and empowerment that encourages employees to go beyond the expected.

Prince Resorts Hawaii
100 Holomoana St.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 956-1111
PrinceResortsHawaii.com