Company Program Annual Report 2015

 

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On January 13, 2015, our three high school Company Program teams presented their earnings and learnings to a panel of five judges. Company Presidents and Vice Presidents of Production, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance and Public Relations wowed the audience with smiles and PowerPoint presentations. [See more pictures from the event]

Overall the three teams’ total sales were down significantly from prior years; however, their net profit was equal or better than prior years.

“You’ve learned to work smarter,” complimented Susan Labrenz, JAHI’s District Manager.

All achievements will be celebrated during the Futures Unlimited Banquet at Sangha Hall on January 27th where the JAHI Company of the Year and senior scholarships will be announced. To attend the banquet or more more information about the JAHI Company Program, please contact Susan at JA-Susan@hawaii.rr.com.

Support Our Young Entrepreneurs – and get great gifts!

 

JA_Aloha_Flare

JA_ALOHA

Sixty-four students from five East Hawaii high schools are anxious to test their sales skills and show off the products they designed and manufactured, during the JA Trade Fair. This year the annual two-day event will be held at the Price Kuhio Plaza on “Black Friday” and Saturday, November 28-29, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.

The students are organized in to three companies, each sponsored by a local business and advised by members of Hilo’s business community.

A.L.O.H.A. (Amazing Leaders of Hardworking Achievers) is sponsored by Big Island Toyota. Its President, Michael Mori, a senior from Waiakea High School says, “our company is working hard at producing handmade gift tags and decorative notebooks and journals, made from 70% recycled materials, to feature at this year’s trade fair.” A.L.O.H.A.’s Vice President of Production, Cici Luna, explains “our notebooks are colorful and have different themes.  They can be used for school, as gifts, and as recipe books or journals.  Our gift tag is a set of twelve that includes six Christmas-themed tags and six all-occasion tags.”

“Aloha Flare is a company with unique ideas and flare,” said company president Dayton Towata whose company is sponsored by Bank of Hawaii. The products that Aloha Flare will be selling are a cookbook, a clothes pin note holder, and a “Bravery Braid.” The company made the braided shoelace bracelet in different colors to recognize the different types of cancer and is donating five-percent of the net profit to the American Cancer Society.

The HPM Building Supply sponsored team, called Aloha Supplied, created limited-edition photography greeting cards, coasters, and a “PopATop” bottle openers complete with a mason jar to catch the bottle caps. The greeting cards and coasters both feature local scenery photographed and donated by Tom Kualii of Extreme Exposure Hawaii.

“Our photo greeting cards stick with our theme of spreading Aloha,” said Vice President Kenneth Kitahata. “As the holiday season approaches these greeting cards are a great way to stay in touch with family or friends who are off island.”

After an initial job interview the students started in September by purchasing a share of stock in their company for two-dollars. The companies then selected leaders, decided on what products to market, and manufactured their products, all the while accounting for all expenses and revenues. After they close their books at the end of the year, based on the success of their company, most students will earn a return on their initial stock investment. All profits are returned to students in the form of dividends and awards, plus scholarships for graduating seniors in the program.

Let us know if you Give Aloha, so we can say Mahalo

Our organization is participating in Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts Program.  

JA of Hawaii Island’s Code is 78722.

This program honors Foodland’s founder, Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan, and continues his legacy of giving back to the community.

How It Works – From September 1-30, 2014 customers are invited to make donations up to $249 (per organization, per person) to participating Hawaii non-profit organizations at checkout.  Individuals must use their own Maika’i card to make a donation.  Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match a portion of each donation made with a Maika’i card.  Donations made without a Maika’i card will not be matched.

Matching Gift – The Western Union Foundation has generously donated $50,000 to add to Foodland’s gift of $250,000 to Hawaii non-profit organizations participating in Give Aloha this year.  Therefore, the total gift that will be given to all participating organizations combined is $300,000!

 

How to Donate

  • At checkout, present your Maika’i card (or give your 10-digit number) and inform the cashier that you would like to make a donation to JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII (HAWAII ISLAND).  If you do not have a Maika’i account, you may establish one by telling the cashier you would like to do so; you will need to give a unique 10-digit number (such as your phone number).

  • Tell the cashier our organization’s 5-digit code:  78722

  • Tell the cashier how much you would like to donate.  Your donation will be added to your grocery purchase total.  You may donate up to $249 per organization (any amount in excess of $249 per organization will not be matched).

  • Be sure the cashier reaffirms our organization’s name and amount that you are donating.

  • Any donation must be made payable to Foodland, Sack N Save or Foodland Farms.

  • The name of our organization and the amount you donate will appear on your receipt.

  • Donor names will not be released to our organization.  If you would like us to know of your gift, please contact us directly so that we may properly say Mahalo!

  • You may donate up to $249 per organization over the course of several store visits, and you may make donations to more than one organization.

 

Are These Donations Tax Deductible? Give Aloha donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Please save your store receipt for tax purposes since it will be the only record you will have of your donation.  You may ask the cashier for a duplicate receipt.

 

How Will My Donation be Matched?  Every year, the matching gift percentage varies and cannot be pre-determined. For the past 5 years, the matching percentage has been between 22%-26%.  Thus, if a customer donated $100 to an organization, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s matching gift was $22-$26.   The actual matching gifts will be calculated at the end of the program. Organizations will receive 100% of all customer donations given to their organization, plus their % of Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s $300,000 matching gift.  The portion of the matching gift that each organization will receive will be based on the total dollar amount of customer donations designated to that organization as a % of all customer donations received for all organizations. For example, if total combined customer donations for all participating organizations equal $1,000,000, and $10,000 (1% of total) in donations are designated for organization XYZ, then organization XYZ will receive 1% of $300,000, or $3,000 from Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s matching gift in addition to the $10,000 from customer donations. Total gift to organization XYZ = $13,000.

 

Thank you for your donation to JA of Hawaii Island and/or to the numerous other organizations who provide valued services in our state. And a special mahalo to Foodland!

Get Powered-up for the Company Program

9/2/14 UPDATE: Tonight is Application Night, 6:30-9:00pm at Waiakea HS Cafeteria. 

Please share this great opportunity with all East Hawaii high school students:

From September through December over 100 budding entrepreneurs from East Hawaii high schools will form and operate mini-companies. With guidance from local business people, for over 13 weeks the students will experience business hands-on by analyzing markets and product/service opportunities, manufacturing and marketing their products, accounting for all revenues and expenses, and managing their company resources.

Companies meet every Tuesday night from 6:30 to 9:00pm at Waiakea High School. The Application Night is Tuesday, September 2nd starting at 6:30pm. To be invited to the Application Night students must complete the sign up forms available from their school or available online at

2014 Company Program Application Night Sign-up Form

To be invited to the Application Night you must complete this form and turn in to your school or email to JAhawaii@gmail.com.

Don’t miss out on this great, life-changing experience.

Congratulations to Jennifer Taniguchi!

Jennifer Taniguchi, a recent graduate and valedictorian of Waiakea High School on the Big Island, is the recipient of the Hawaii Junior Achievement Rising Star Award.

The award was presented to her by Kimberly Canepa, executive director of Junior Achievement of Hawaii (the JA Hawaii state organization), during PBN’s Forty under 40 event at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Jennifer benefited from JA programs in her classrooms (lead by her dad, Art Taniguchi of Bank of Hawaii), from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Jennifer also participated in JAHI’s High School Company Program where she most recently served as president of her JA company, took the top salesperson award and received a JAHI scholarship.

Read Jennifer’s comments in the PBN article  http://m.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/2014/06/jennifer-taniguchi-named-hawaii-junior.html?r=full

Jennifer Taniguchi and Kim Canepa at PBN's 40 Under 40 event
Jennifer Taniguchi and Kim Canepa at PBN’s 40 Under 40 event

 

 

 

Recognizing Student Business Success

In January we held the 34th Annual Futures Unlimited Awards Banquet and congratulated seventy-seven local high school students.

These students took a three-month-plus journey to image, create, and run their own small businesses. The three mini-companies formed this year included T.H.R.I.V.E. sponsored by Bank of Hawaii, GX3 sponsored by Big Island Toyota, and Aloha Supplied sponsored by HELCO.

Brianna Kaalakea from Kamehameha High School, Laurel Fongblatt from Hilo High School, Volandou Gronowski from Pahoa High School, Yan Ying Huang and Jennifer Taniguchi from Waiakea High School received scholarships
Brianna Kaalakea from Kamehameha High School, Laurel Fongblatt from Hilo High School, Volandou Gronowski from Pahoa High School, Yan Ying Huang and Jennifer Taniguchi from Waiakea High School received scholarships

During the banquet $3,500 in scholarships were awarded to five deserving students. The winners included, Brianna Kaalakea from Kamehameha High School, Laurel Fongblatt from Hilo High School, Volandou Gronowski from Pahoa High School, Yan Ying Huang and Jennifer Taniguchi from Waiakea High School. These scholarship monies and the other awards presented were paid for from the proceeds generated by “taxing” the earnings of the JA companies.

All of our sponsoring firms instill the value of community service in their employees and set excellent examples for our achievers. Students visited the elderly and veterans, made cards for the troops, packed operation Christmas child boxes, staffed various community events, sold wristbands to raise funds for charity and donated products to worthy causes. This year’s winner for Community Service was GX3 sponsored by Big Island Toyota.

The evening culminated in the prestigious, Company of the Year Award. It was an extremely close competition this year and all of the companies did a terrific job. Aloha Supplied sponsored by Hawaii Electric Light Company took top honors and President, Brianna Kaalakea and all vice presidents were welcomed to the stage with a roaring applause.

The excitement of the evening was shared by all parents, volunteers, board members and sponsors who helped make this program a huge success. Junior Achievement thanks Big Island Toyota, Hawaii Electric Light Company and Bank of Hawaii for their incredible support.

To get Junior Achievement in your K-12 classroom or to get involved yourself as a volunteer or a sponsor contact District Manager Susan Labrenz by phone at 966-8450 or by email: jahawaii@gmail.com.

Scholarship Applications Now Available

Hawaii Island high school seniors who have participated in Junior Achievement programs can apply for 2013-’14 JA of Hawaii Island Scholarships.

Download the JAHI Scholarship Application (To edit a soft copy of the application please download the file and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island General Scholarship recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of graduating seniors. This year again, we would like to encourage students to apply for our scholarship. The number of available scholarships and the amount of each scholarship is subject to change from year to year. Typically, there are two to five scholarships awarded each year, ranging in amount from $300.00 to $1,500.00.

To be considered, all applicants must:

  • be a high school senior who will graduate in the current school year;

  • be qualified, upon graduation, to enroll at an accredited college or university (Proof of enrollment/ class registration will be required prior to disbursement of the scholarship);

  • have completed a Junior Achievement High School Program, or taught a Junior Achievement program as a classroom consultant;

  • exemplify academic achievement, excellent extracurricular and community activities,leadership skills, and college and career potential;

  • complete and sign the application including co-signature of a parent or legal guardian;

  • attach a current transcript;

  • submit letters of recommendation or JA rating sheets from a JA advisor and school official;

  • write a one-page personal statement;

The application along with the required supporting documents must be postmarked by December 2, 2013 or hand delivered to the District Manager, Susan Labrenz by 9 PM December 3, 2013.

Good luck, seniors.

Give Aloha, Foodland’s Matching Gifts Program

Update 10/28/2013: Thanks to all who participated, we raised nearly $1,000 plus the contribution from Foodland. Mahalo!

Our organization is participating in Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts Program. This program honors Foodland’s founder, Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan, and continues his legacy of giving back to the community.

Click here to download the Give Aloha flyer to make giving even easier.

Learn how you can help support Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island through this program.

How It Works

From September 1-30, customers are invited to make donations up to $249 (per organization, per person) to participating Hawaii non-profit organizations at checkout. Individuals must use their own Maika’i card to make a donation. Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match a portion of each donation made with a Maika’i card. Donations made without a Maika’i card will not be matched.

Matching Gift

The Western Union Foundation has generously donated $100,000 to add to Foodland’s gift of $250,000 to Hawaii non-profit organizations participating in Give Aloha this year. Therefore, the total gift that will be given to all participating organizations combined is $350,000!

How to Donate

  • At checkout, present your Maika’i card (or give your 10-digit number) and inform the cashier that you would like to make a donation to JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF HAWAII ISLAND. If you do not have a Maika’i account, you may establish one by telling the cashier you would like to do so; you will need to give a unique 10-digit number (such as your phone number).

  • Tell the cashier our organization’s 5-digit code: 78722

  • Tell the cashier how much you would like to donate. Your donation will be added to your grocery purchase total. You may donate up to $249 per organization (any amount in excess of $249 per organization will not be matched).

  • Be sure the cashier reaffirms our organization’s name and amount that you are donating.

  • Any donation must be made payable to Foodland, Sack N Save or Foodland Farms.

  • The name of our organization and the amount you donate will appear on your receipt. Donor names will not be released to our organization. If you would like us to know of your gift, please contact us directly so that we may properly acknowledge your gift.

  • You may donate up to $249 per organization over the course of several store visits. You may make donations to more than one organization.

Are These Donations Tax Deductible?

Give Aloha donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please save your store receipt for tax purposes since it will be the only record you will have of your donation. You may ask the cashier for a duplicate receipt.

How Will My Donation be Matched?

Every year, the matching gift percentage varies and cannot be pre-determined. For the past 5 years, the matching percentage has been between 22%-26%. Thus, if a customer donated $100 to an organization, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s matching gift was $22-$26. The actual matching gifts will be calculated at the end of the program. Organizations will receive 100% of all customer donations given to their organization, plus their % of Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s $350,000 matching gift. The portion of the matching gift that each organization will receive will be based on the total dollar amount of customer donations designated to that organization as a % of all customer donations received for all organizations. For example, if total combined customer donations for all participating organizations equal $1,000,000, and $10,000 (1% of total) in donations are designated for JA Hawaii Island, then JA Hawaii Island will receive 1% of $350,000, or $3,500 from Foodland and the Western Union Foundation’s matching gift in addition to the $10,000 from customer donations. Total gift to JA Hawaii Island = $13,500.