Some 77 Kona professionals representing 50 different businesses attended the inaugural Kona Coast Leadership Summit presented here in June. In partnership with Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kailua-Kona resident Taylor Stutts, publisher and national speaker, brought together experts on Hawai’i Island’s business environment as well as a nationally respected motivational speaker to share insights on elevating small business and to provide tips on successful leadership techniques.
“Typically, conferences of this caliber are sponsored on the mainland or O’ahu. We created a program that provides a networking opportunity for business owners here in Kona, focusing on current issues and challenges unique to Hawai’i Island that impact those doing business here,” Taylor says.
The keynote speakers were Kolby Akamu Moser, a native Hawaiian filmmaker, “Hawai’i Uncut” podcast host and owner of the Waimea-based ARIA Studios founded in 2008; Kūha'o Zane, creative director of Sig Zane Designs and SZKaiao; and Steve Shenbaum, founder and president of Game On Nation, a nationally recognized communication firm focusing on teamwork, public speaking and presentation skills training.
Kolby recently produced two feature-length documentaries, “Hometown Legends” and “Eating Our Roots,” storytelling films creating a bridge between generations. She opened the morning session by emphasizing the key to operating a successful business here: telling your truth and sharing the values you operate by through open and honest communication. That way, she says, you build brand authenticity; with that, the right partners and clients will come to you.
Kūha'o has worked with his father, iconic Hawai’i Island fashion designer Sig Zane, for more than 20 years – from sweeping floors to opening two O’ahu retail locations, Sig On Smith and Kaiao Space, adding to the family’s museum-like original space in Hilo. Sig’s highly recognizable aloha shirts, with designs honoring the ‘aina with stylized Hawaiian botanical and tapa designs, turn 40 next year. The brand expanded its reach over the years with designs now seen on pareos, dresses, murals, logos, airplane fuselages and most recently, way-finding signs at the University of Hawai’i Manoa (52 directional signs using ancient voyaging canoe symbols).
“To tell our story to the world – our culture, history, traditions and our ‘aina – we looked beyond the aloha shirt to weave our narrative into everything possible, even things that fly,” Kūha'o says. “It’s important to constantly harvest new ideas, create curiosity about your products, build a sustainable, authentic brand and treat your employees as ‘ohana.”
Steve, a nationally respected motivational speaker, media trainer and former actor, stressed the importance of team building and constantly innovating while honoring the past.
“The game rules for incentivizing staff are showing appreciation, having each other’s backs, laughing with not at fellow employees, and celebrating small wins together. This fosters unification, not division within your team,” he says. “Remember, too, that comparison is the thief of joy. Not every employee is the same. Use motivational techniques to trigger each individual’s desire to work hard and succeed.”
Kolby hosted an afternoon panel with two local business leaders plus Kūha'o. Waimea Butcher Shop’s Mills Stovall stressed the importance of making short-term sacrifices for long-term gains, such as reducing profits initially to pay employees a living wage right from the start. “It pays off in creating employee loyalty and repeat customers – happy team members lead to happy customers who come in repeatedly,” Mills says.
Since opening in 2016 with a commitment to only using local products, Mills has worked with hundreds of ranchers, farmers, chefs and restaurateurs, keeping millions of dollars on the island. “It’s so important to support small businesses because they are part of Hawai’i’s charm and brand,” he says.
Matt Holmes is the marketing manager at Ahualoa Family Farms in Honaka’a, a 25-acre diversified farm producing macadamia nuts and Hamakua coffee. The company supports more than 50 local growers by purchasing nuts and coffee to supplement their crops. He says building strong relationships with these growers and our retail partners is essential.
“We need them, and they need us – we are committed to supporting local farmers and small businesses by offering only 100% locally grown products, and we’re dedicated to operating with aloha, respecting the ‘aina and our ‘ohana,” he says.
Taylor closed the day by saying, “Our next full-day Leadership Summit is set for June 2025. In the interim, we plan to host half-day programs and morning coffee get-togethers to keep the momentum going.”
CityLifestyle.com/KonaCoast.
“Our goal now is to build momentum for the June 2025 event.” – Taylor Stutts
“It pays off in creating employee loyalty and repeat customers – happy team members lead to happy customers who come in repeatedly.” – Mills Stovall.