Business briefs

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Kaua'i business owner honored

Jeannette Otsuka Chang, the owner of Otsuka's Furniture and Appliances in Kapa'a on Kaua'i, has been named Hawai'i's small-business person of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and leads a list of 31 small-business owners and advocates who will receive SBA awards on April 30.

Chang transformed what the SBA called "an older, outdated business" into an "exciting, multi-million dollar enterprise in just three years."

Colleen Mandala of Pahoa Natural Groceries has been named small business person of the year for the Big Island.

Dennis M. Esaki, president of Esaki Survey & Mapping, won for Kaua'i.

Becky Erickson and Jill Mackie, owners and operators of Blue Ginger, won for Maui.

Melanie Wong, CEO of Premium, Inc., a paper and plastic products distributor, won for Honolulu.

Visitors bureau gives awards

The Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau gave 15 Kahili awards to businesses and people who help perpetuate Hawai'i's culture and heritage.

Out of 120 entries, the winners announced yesterday were: Waimea Plantation Cottages, Group 70 International, Bishop Museum, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Ka Moloka'i Makahiki, Mauna Lani Resort, Hawaii.com, Jane Hopkins & Betty Santos, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Hana Hou! Magazine, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, TS Restaurants, Parker Ranch and Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.