PBN's Fastest 50
Here are Hawaii's 50 fastest-growing small companies, based on percentage revenue growth between 2003 and 2005.
PBN asked the chief executive of each company to share a secret of that firm's success. Here are their answers.
Honolulu
Type of business: General contractor
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 726.84%
One secret to our success: "It's not really a secret; it's just trying to serve the customers, be proactive. If they need something, if we can deliver that day, just do it." - Willie Alicar, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Information technology security consulting
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 542.47%
One secret to our success: "Making sure all our employees have a personal stake in the company." - Anthony Karl Giandomenico, President and Chief Technology Officer
Honolulu
Type of business: Exporter of general goods
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 325.92%
One secret to our success: "Having Japanese business standards and fully understanding what the Japanese customers expect." - Jun Kuroda, President
Wailuku, Maui
Type of business: Residential and commercial mortgage broker
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 304.4%
One secret to our success: "Going with your gut feeling and not allowing negative thoughts or people to be an obstacle in your life." - Tera Paleka, Owner/Broker in Charge
Kailua
Type of business: Environmental consulting
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 260.25%
One secret to our success: "A good economy, excellent work quality, close relationships with clients, and offering expertise and great value are what sustain our revenues." - Ernest Shih, President
Kapolei
Type of business: Trucking and warehouse services
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 236.82%
One secret to our success: "Our business is so customer-related that we have to make sure our personnel are flexible and energetic enough to adapt to whatever the customer wants whenever they want it." - Ryan Z. Takaki, President
Kapolei
Type of business: Waste-management services
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 219.89%
One secret to our success: "Customer service fanaticism." - Garry Rush-Nelson, CFO/Controller
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Type of business: Real estate brokerage
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 203.41%
One secret to our success: "We have a truly 100 percent commission program, which helps to attract and retain the employees and make them more productive." - John S. Rabi, CEO
Honolulu
Type of business: Carpet cleaning and water-damage restoration
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 199.05%
One secret to our success: "We rely on word-of-mouth marketing. It takes longer but in the end it's the most effective method because then we don't have to focus on the price since we already have a personal relationship with the customer." - Daren Kaneshiro, Co-owner
Honolulu
Type of business: Event production/convention services/event marketing
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 197.63%
One secret to our success: "We have a solid philosophy of underpromising and overdelivering. Whatever we put in a contract we always consider it a baseline. What we try to do is consistently bring added value to the client by doing more than what we promised to do in the contract." - Rick Schneider, CEO
Honolulu
Type of business: Architectural and interior design services
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 187.91%
One secret to our success: "I would say creative, passionate, dedicated and tireless staff and contributors. We work a lot of long hours and late nights." - Robert K. Iopa, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Construction, landscaping, grounds maintenance
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 165.38%
One secret to our success: "Diversification. If you have all these options out there, you're able to go through the good times and the bad times." - Bruce Jacobsen, President/CEO
Kailua
Type of business: General construction
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 161.93%
One secret to our success: "I always focus on each individual client's needs and the result is that they champion my business, going out of their way to get other people to use our services." - Greg Thielen, President
Honolulu
Type of business: General contractor
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 150.25%
One secret to our success: "Distinguish yourself from everyone else, surround yourself with experienced individuals, work hard, work smart and develop an environment that provides a good quality of life for your employees." - Ted Taketa, President/CEO
Honolulu
Type of business: Architecture and interior design
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 142.45%
One secret to our success: "Having a highly involved and respectful relationship with our staff, which has led to very low staff turnover." - Matthew W. Gilbertson and David McVeigh, Principals
Aiea
Type of business: General contractor
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 137.39%
One secret to our success: "The entire construction process can be hectic and stressful to our clients ... we do our best to bring positive experiences to our clients throughout the entire project." - Bruce Park, President
Honolulu
Type of business: After-market automotive supplies
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 130.53%
One secret to our success: "I believe you can accomplish greater success by building a team and allowing the team to share in your success." - Alan Pflueger, President
Waikoloa, Big Island
Type of business: General construction
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 121.62%
One secret to our success: "Good employees, hard work and lots of luck." - David L. Mulligan, President
Kawaihae, Big Island
Type of business: Macadamia nut food and snack products
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 117.19%
One secret to our success: "Giving the customer what they expect and coming out with new and innovative products has helped us gain recognition for our product line." - Richard Schnitzler, President
Kahului, Maui
Type of business: General contracting, site work, structural concrete
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 114.12%
One secret to our success: "View every challenge as an opportunity." - Thomas M. Cook, President
20) Global Mortgage Group Ltd.
Kapaa, Kauai
Type of business: Mortgage brokerage
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 114.12 %
One secret to our success: "On Kauai, you will bump into everybody you do business with. I want to always be able to look a customer in the eye. So, we're careful about who works for us." - Diego Lopez, President
Pukalani, Maui
Type of business: Professional employer organization
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 113.03%
One secret to our success: "One of KilaKila's many secrets to our success is our staff and their dedication to our company and each other." - Robert Kooy, President
Type of business: Retail/ready-to-eat food products
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 103.24%
One secret to our success: "We've changed from a company servicing several markets including food service, wholesale produce and export business, to one that's focused on only one market, the local food retailer. We are a small company with limited resources and this has allowed us to use all of them to focus on making the best product." - Curtis Wheeler, Member Manager
Kihei, Maui
Type of business: Commercial and residential paint contractor
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 103.06%
One secret to our success: "From meeting their schedules to treating them with respect, we always do everything we can to accommodate our customers." - Michael J. Tabacchi III, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Public relations and marketing
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 100.82%
One secret to our success: "We're so curious and interested in our clients. So when we take on a client we learn about the client and are so interested in what makes them tick and then we can help them succeed." - Lynette Lo Tom, President
Princeville, Kauai
Type of business: Security services (locksmith, alarms, etc.)
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 98.5%
One secret to our success: "We're the only show in town ... and when I leave a job, the customer knows it'll be done and done right." - David Hamman, -- President
Kahului, Maui
Type of business: Biodiesel manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer on Oahu and Maui
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 96.06%
One secret to our success: "The partnership of my husband and me -- he's very business-minded and technical, whereas I'm more on the marketing and community side. It's helped us develop a pioneering business that relies on the community versus a centralized model." - Kelly King, Vice President/Co-owner
Honolulu
Type of business: Architecture and interior design
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 91.94%
One secret to our success: "It's the quality of work coupled with exceptional client service, which has caused us to be recognized through design awards and publications." - Peter Vincent, Principal
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Type of business: Insurance agency
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 87.67%
One secret to our success: "Return all phone calls and tell the truth -- even when it's not what they want to hear." - Peter B. (Tad) Nottage Jr., President
Honolulu
Type of business: Beach and pool activity company with retail, rental stands and a surf school
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 87.4 %
One secret to our success: "We're the sole pool and beach service provider at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and it's the biggest resort in the Pacific. We serve over 1,000 visitors a day from the hotel." - Bob Hampton, President
Kihei, Maui
Type of business: Design, install, sell and service security systems and fire alarms
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 86.62%
One secret to our success: "Most of our competitors offer customers an answering machine at 3 a.m., but if you're one of ours, you get a live operator that knows who you are and who will talk you through whatever problem you're having." - Jim Stewart, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Magazine and Web site publishing
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 80.86%
One secret to our success: "We are not afraid of taking risks to be innovative to optimize customer satisfaction." - Hajime "Jim" Ueno, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Distributor of water, sewer and drain products for the construction and building industries
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 77.75%
One secret to our success: "Stick to doing what you love doing." - Eric Allosada, Owner/Founder
Kailua
Type of business: Exterior lighting manufacturer and wholesaler
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 74.08%
One secret to our success: "Giving customers the peace of mind that their investment in quality lighting fixtures is well worth it." - Richard R. Benedict, President
Kahului, Maui
Type of business: Construction contractor
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 68.82%
One secret to our success: "Do what you say you'll do." - Mitch Kysar, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Custom window coverings sales and repair
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 65.71%
One secret to our success: "We care about our customers and their needs today, tomorrow and in the future." - Denis Miyashiro, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Marketing and advertising
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 62.06 %
One secret to our success: "In every scenario, good or bad, we are clear and fair and operate with integrity. When we tell our clients something we follow through. If there's ever a misunderstanding, we handle it fairly and honestly." - Matt Longfellow, Owner
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Type of business: Retail uniforms and custom embroidery
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 59.47%
One secret to our success: "Customer service -- listening to customers so you know what they really want, and caring enough about the work to do it well." - Mona Gurrobat, President
Hilo, Big Island
Type of business: Real estate sales and management
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 59.45 %
One secret to our success: "Making good choices and keeping good employees and being strong enough to let go of not-so-good employees at the right moment." - Nancy Cabral, President
Lahaina, Maui
Type of business: Tourist attraction and event
photography
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 59.05%
One secret to our success: "Maintaining a professional attitude from top to bottom to accommodate clients and making each one feel like an individual." - John Dudley, President
Wailuku, Maui
Type of business: Wedding coordination and event planning
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 57.43%
One secret to our success: "We like to provide personal assistance as our top priority. It is our policy to personally answer each and every call that comes into our office with a live voice." - Carolee Higashino, Owner and President
Lihue, Kauai
Type of business: Delicatessen, fast-food restaurant and catering
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 57.30%
One secret to our success: "Everything evolves around customers. So simply being nice ... the way we want to get treated when we go to restaurants, that's how we treat our customers." - Cynthia Sone, Co-owner and President
Honolulu
Type of business: Public relations and marketing.
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 56.24%
One secret to our success: "Every account in our company is managed personally by a senior-level professional. We do not delegate account work management to junior staff. This results in a much stronger client-agency relationship." - Ruth Limtiaco, CEO
Kahului, Maui
Type of business: Small-animal veterinary hospital
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 54.01%
One secret to our success: "Surrounding yourself with really talented, motivated and loyal employees." - Shae T. Martin, Owner and President
Lihue, Kauai
Type of business: Islandwide delivery service
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 53.05%
One secret to our success: "We never lose focus on what the customer needs. We are dedicated to reliability and the immediate communication of any problems to clients. We always say what we do and do what we say." - Nate Gaisoa, President
Lihue, Kauai
Type of business: Retail and wholesale of baked goods
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 52.13%
One secret to our success: "The hard work and dedication of the employees is what has taken us to the level of where we are today." - David Taboniar, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Civil engineering and environmental consulting firm
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 52.01%
One secret to our success: "Matching up the right employees with our clients. For instance, we wouldn't put an introverted member of our staff with an outgoing client and vice versa." - John H. Katahira, Principal
Lihue, Kauai
Type of business: Commercial printing
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 45.27%
One secret to our success: "The magic three are price, customer service and quality. If you have two down and are working on the third, you'll be successful." - Marynel P. Valenzuela, President
Kailua
Type of business: General contractor, commercial and residential
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 44.29%
One secret to our success: "The secret to my company's success so far is not really a secret, but just following good business practices such as finding good people to help manage and developing a reputation for quality work combined with business integrity." - Thomas M. Hawkins, President
Honolulu
Type of business: Publishes magazines, periodicals and collateral materials
Percentage revenue growth 2003-2005: 43.36%
One secret to our success: "Carving a niche for ourselves. Honolulu's teeming with publications so the trick was to find a need and fill it. By partnering with communities, our magazines fill a need that had never been addressed before. That, and learning how to work together as a team. Not an easy feat for a brother and sister." - Jeff Davis, President, Pam Davis, Publisher
