By COLIN M. STEWART By COLIN M. STEWART ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald Staff Writer Hilo’s Michael Tokunaga is taking care of business, and he’s showing the rest of Hawaii how it’s done. The third-generation owner and operator of the S. Tokunaga Store,
By COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
Hilo’s Michael Tokunaga is taking care of business, and he’s showing the rest of Hawaii how it’s done.
The third-generation owner and operator of the S. Tokunaga Store, which caters to fishing, diving and hunting enthusiasts, was recognized Friday as the Small Business Administration’s State of Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year by The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. The event, which was held at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, also served as the Chamber’s general membership meeting and luncheon.
Four other Big Island businessmen and women were also recognized, including Constance Cate, director for the East Hawaii office of the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, who was named the State of Hawaii’s Home-Based Business Champion of the Year.
Tokunaga’s selection as the top small businessman in Hawaii was based on the strong leadership he has shown since taking over the family business from his mother, Ethel, in 1991, said Jane Sawyer, district director of the SBA. During its more than 90 years in operation, the sole location on Hoku Street in Hilo has continued to thrive through good economic times and bad, and Tokunaga was responsible for shepherding it into the new age of online retail, while continuing to cater to his loyal and local customer base.
All the while, Sawyer said, “Michael has continued to sponsor various events, and support education programs about outdoor activities and more.”
In accepting the award, Tokunaga started his speech off with a little levity on the current state of the economy: When Bank of Hawaii’s Cheryl Octavio, who had nominated him for the award, called to tell him he had won, “she first said ‘Sit down.’ The award had slipped my mind … so for a second I wondered if Bank of Hawaii was going to give me a business loan at 1.5 percent. But alas, it was just wishful thinking,” Tokunaga said to laughter from the audience.
As for the secrets of his success, Tokunaga was humble, saying that all the credit should go to his wife, his daughter “who may one day run the company,” and his staff of 10 employees who “treat the business as if it were their own.”
Sumie Tokunaga founded the store in 1920 and passed it on to his daughter-in-law in 1960, who then passed it on to Michael Tokunaga. That family history has made the store more than just a business, he said.
“I really wish my grandfather … and Mom was around to watch this,” he added, holding the award out in front of him.
Tokunaga will go on to Washington, D.C., in May to represent Hawaii during the SBA’s National Small Business Week. The SBA will name a national Small Business Person of the Year from among the winners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Also representing East Hawaii business owners among Friday’s Big Isle honorees was Cate, who event organizers called “a powerful advocate and leader for the burgeoning home-based business sector.”
“With experience as a home-based business owner (as a certified public accountant in Hilo), Cate uses her insights and knowledge to assist clients in evaluating their options, opportunities and goals, as well as limitations that may arise from operating in their residential setting,” Sawyer said.
Cate has also been instrumental in reviewing legislation and regulations impacting home-based operators and providing information and education for constituents and lawmakers on important issues.
Other Big Island honorees included:
l County of Hawaii Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Vivian Landrum, president and CEO of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce;
l County of Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year William Dwyer, president of Kona Mountain Coffee LLC;
l State of Hawaii SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year Oshima Bros. Inc., doing business as Oshima Store and Oshima Surf, under the direction of Susumu Oshima.
A total of 26 small businessmen and women from across the state were named Hawaii’s 2012 Small Business Award winners.
Also speaking at Friday’s Chamber luncheon was keynote speaker Duane Kurisu, a Hilo-born real estate investor and owner of aio, a holding company for brands focused on Hawaii and the Pacific in the areas of media, sports and food.
For more information on the Small Business Administration, visit sba.gov.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
