Business Hall of Fame will welcome Jimmy Chan as its newest Honoree

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island will honor its 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy Chan, owner of the Hawaiian Chip Company. Lee Wilson will also be presented with the organization’s Distinguished Supporter Award.

Jimmy Chan started the Hawaiian Chip Company in the year 2000 by making sweet potato chips on a little table fryer to sell at the open markets. Eventually, stores took notice and KTA on the Big Island was the first supermarket to pick up the chips. However, by the second year Hawaiian Chip Co. was stuggling and on the bring of bankruptcy due to inexperience.

To keep the chip company afloat, Chan got a full time job at Waldenbooks that paid monthly bills and provided medical insurance. He also got to keep, as many as he could carry at the end of each shift, the empty shipping boxes for books. For the next five years, those boxes were what the chips were sold in. With guidance from other leaders in Hawaii’s business community, the company survived.

The company is now profitable, with the chips sold statewide including Costco. It also has a factory retail store in Kalihi featuring taro and sweet potato chips that are made to order. Chan has also served as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, the Hawaii Export Council, and the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association.

Lee Wilson was born in upstate New York but grew up on Maui, where he developed an appreciation for community, creativity, and connection. After earning a degree in Business Administration from Boston University, he jumped into the world of marketing, advertising, and business development.

For the last 20 years, Lee was a key part of HPM Building Supply, first leading its marketing efforts and later taking on broader company initiatives to support growth and innovation. His work played a role in strengthening HPM’s brand and expanding its retail presence across the state. Before that, he held marketing leadership roles at Sprint, Verizon, and various Hawaii advertising agencies.

Beyond his career, Lee has spent more than 30 years giving back to his community. He’s been an active volunteer with Junior Achievement, helping young people develop business and financial skills. Lee also has served on both the state and local Big Island boards for Easter Seals Hawaii, supporting programs for individuals with disabilities.

But above all, family is at the heart of everything he does. Lee and his wife, Adri, take pride in the lives and accomplishments of their two adult sons, Reyn and Rhys. Now retired, Lee is embracing this next chapter—spending more time with loved ones, exploring new interests, and continuing to find ways to contribute to his community.

This year’s Business Hall of Fame dinner and reception to honor Chan and Wilson is slated for 5:30 pm on Wednesday, July 30 at the Event Center at the Arc of Hilo. If you would like to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact Ronnelle Hayashi at jahihof@jahawaii.org.

Proceeds from the reception will support Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i Island’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in the global economy through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness, while also helping to expand opportunities for youth in our local community.

2025 Business Hall of Fame Reception

We’re excited to announce our upcoming 2025 Business Hall of Fame Reception! Join us as we celebrate and support Jimmy Chan of Hawaiian Chip Company, and Lee Wilson, JA of Hawai’i Island’s Distinguished Supporter Recipient. More details and RSVP information to come soon – mark your calendar today!

2025 Scholarship Application Deadline Extended

The deadline for the 2025 Junior Achievement Scholarship application has been extended to 4/25/2025! If you haven’t applied yet, or if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time to take this opportunity to prepare for what’s ahead and shape your future. Apply today!

Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island Scholarship

Qualifications and Requirements

Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island’s (JAHI) General Scholarship Program recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of graduating high school seniors. The scholarship fund is derived primarily from donations from local business organizations, and individuals.

JAHI is pleased to offer 3 scholarships to qualified applicants as follows:

  • 1st Place: $2,000.00
  • 2nd Place: $1,200.00
  • 3rd Place: $800.00

Scholarship eligibility:

  • Must be a Big Island high school senior who will graduate in the current school year.
  • Must have participated in Junior Achievement in elementary, middle, high school and/or company program.
  • Must be enrolled at an accredited college, or university. Proof of enrollment/class registration will be required prior to the disbursement of the scholarship.
  • Must exemplify academic achievement, excellent extracurricular, and community activities, leadership skills, and college and career potential.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 academic year and must be submitted with a parent/legal guardian’s signature, along with the following supporting documents:

  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Current transcript – unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation – one (1) from a school official–principal, teacher, counselor, advisor–and one (1) from a coach, community leader or employer.
  • JA Photo Release

Completed packet including the application, and all supporting documents listed above must be received via mail no later than Monday, March 31, 2025 by Laura Robinson, District Manager:

                                    Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island

                                    PO Box 5205

                                    Hilo, HI 96720

Scholarship recipients will be notified by the Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island District Manager or Board President.

Questions regarding the General Scholarship Program may be directed to Junior Achievement of Hawai’i Island at jahilo@jahawaii.org, or by calling (808) 292-0570.

Visit us online at https://jahi.org/ or “like” us at https://facebook.com/ja.hawaii.island and https://instagram.com/jahisland

Click links below to download both scholarship application and photo release form.