JAHI

Aspiring Hawai‘i Island Entrepreneurs Recognized

Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i Island applauded more than 70 outstanding young entrepreneurs and awarded $4,500 in scholarships at its 40th Annual “Futures Unlimited” awards banquet on January 28, 2020 at Sangha Hall.

The Junior Achievement company program encourages high school students to develop leadership and entrepreneurship skills by guiding them in the creation of a small business. The awards recognize the hard work of the students and their advisors over the 15-week program.

The three student companies participating this season were Ohana Products sponsored and advised by Big Island Toyota and Central Pacific Bank, Eco-Aloha supported by HFS Federal Credit Union, and Aspire sponsored and advised by HPM Building Supply and Bank of Hawaii.

Over the course of the program, the three companies in total manufactured, marketed and sold over $40,000 in merchandise. The top-selling company this year was Ohana Products with nearly $19,000 in total receipts. Tristen Cullio was the top individual salesperson with $3,173 in sales, and Savannah Christensen won for Best Sales Presentation. Ohana Products also received the coveted Company of the Year recognition, posting an impressive return on their stock value of $119 per share.

Much of the sales happen during the JA Trade Fair each Black Friday weekend when the community comes out to support the JA companies and find unique holiday gifts. Mystery shoppers also drop by to score the students on their product displays and salesmanship. This year Aspire was recognized for having the most compelling Trade Fair presence.

In addition to learning about sales, manufacturing, finance and human resource management, the companies also are introduced to public relations and encouraged to perform community service projects. This year Eco-Aloha won the outstanding community service company award.

Funded from the “profits tax” charged to the JA high school companies, seven participating Seniors were awarded scholarships. This year’s scholarship recipients were: Mikaela Durch – $250, Iain Klegner – $250, Wilmer Agpaoa – $600, Savannah Christensen – $600, Dayci Oshiro – $600, Jaylen Mae Arzaga – $1,100 and Corbin Warmbier – $1,100.

During the event local entrepreneur Kris Speegle of Nakoa Kai Insurance Professionals and Aloha Pawz, shared advice on writing down dreams, putting in extra effort and the importance of giving back to the community. Through a song on the ukulele, Speegle also shared his experience of finding ways of remaining connected to Hawaii, such as when he was away from the islands during his military service.

Who’s Next in the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame?

Please join us for a reception honoring Sharon Scheele, our 2019 Big Island Inductee to the JA Hawai`i Business Hall of Fame, and Art Taniguchi, the inaugural recipient of JA of Hawai`i Island’s Distinguished Supporter Award.

Saturday, March 2, 2019
5:00 – 8:00pm
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Moku`ola Ballroom

Tickets are $100 individually or $800 for a Reserved Table of Eight. Please complete the RSVP form and return by February 19th.
For more information call 936-4798 or email rhayashi@ronnelle.com.

Continue reading “Who’s Next in the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame?” →

Exciting Gifts at JA Trade Fair 2019

It’s JA Trade Fair Time!
Fri. Nov. 23rd & Sat. Nov. 24th
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
at Prince Kuhilo Plaza – Old Navy Wing

You’ll find unique gifts, including…

  • Locally-sourced potted succulents and metal cuff bracelets
    from United Youth, sponsored by HFS FCU
  • Gold and pearl necklaces and bracelets
    from Hanauna Hou, sponsored by Na Leo TV
  • Silk screened kitchen towels and scrunchies
    from Chosen 2 Achieve, advised by HPM and Bank of Hawaii, and
  • Handmade cork coasters and trendy shoelace bracelets from Maika`i Productions, sponsored by Big Island Toyota

Please come by and show your support for these enterprising young companies comprised of high school students from across East Hawaii Island!

Young JA Entrepreneurs Build Business Skills This Weekend

Eighty-one students from three East Hawaii high schools are excited about more than turkey and family this Thanksgiving. For the last eight weeks they have designed, test-marketed and manufactured their companies’ products, and on Black Friday they’ll find out how well their wares sell during the Junior Achievement Trade Fair. The annual two-day event will be held at the Prince Kuhio Plaza on Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25, from 10:00am to 5:00pm each day.

Continue reading “Young JA Entrepreneurs Build Business Skills This Weekend” →

Looking for Students to Make Friends & Money

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 12 weeks these students will experience business hands-on by analyzing markets and product 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 5th starting at 6:30pm. To be invited to the Application Night students must complete the sign up forms available from their school.

If you’re not quite sure but would like to learn more, send us an email at jahilo@jahawaii.org. We are also looking for adults from the business community to serve as advisors to our student companies.

Get Powered Up for the JA Company Program

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 12 weeks these students will experience business hands-on by analyzing markets and product 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 1st 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

2015 Company Program Application Night Sign-up Form

If you’re not quite sure but would like to learn more, send us an email at jahawaii@gmail.com. We are also looking for adults from the business community to serve as advisors to our student companies.

Hilo Reception for Brian Kitagawa

Join us in honoring this year’s Big Island inductee to Junior Achievement of Hawaii’s Business Hall of Fame: Brian Kitagawa of I. Kitagawa & Company Ltd.

Saturday, March 28th, 5:00 pm
Nani Mau Gardens

Tickets are $75 individually or $600 for a Reserved Table of Eight.
Please complete the RSVP form and return it by March 18th.

We are also appreciative of donations to cover the cost of high school students to attend the event, and also items for our silent auction.

For more information please call 989-5788 or email scheele4ihrc(a)yahoo.com.

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!