Posted on: Monday, August 30, 2004
LEADERSHIP CORNER
Chamber president pushes Native Hawaiian programs
Interviewed by Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Name: Kaulana H.R. Park Age: 42 Title: President/Executive assistant Organization: Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce/State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands High school: Kamehameha Schools College: Bachelor of science in petroleum engineering, Stanford University Breakthrough job: Working three jobs at once earlier in his career prepared him to handle several projects simultaneously, he said. Little-known fact: Completed reading the Bible twice and working on finishing it a third time by the end of this year.
Major challenge: Getting the word out about what the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce is all about and promoting programs that would benefit the local business community.
• • • Q. According to 2000 U.S. Census figures, less than 8 percent of small businesses in Hawai'i are Native Hawaiian-owned. Why is that number so low?
A. It's probably half of that. Personally, my take on this is if you look at small business and Native Hawaiians, they don't really mix. It's like oil and water. Hawaiians are very good with their hands, they're crafters. But ask them how to manage a business (and) they don't have the resources and tools. They don't have that motivation. It's just not part of the culture.
Q. Is that where the chamber comes in?
A. That's the beautiful thing (about the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce). We focus on Native Hawaiians, what kind of resources are there for them, how to network, find opportunities. We're a liaison for them. We can put them on a path and identify partners and resources for them.
Q. Do you feel that's one of the biggest challenges for the Native Hawaiian community, that the resources aren't there for them?
A. There are many challenges facing Native Hawaiians today, such as education, health and housing. Relating to business, there is still a shortage of quality technical assistance providers available. Also, there is a relatively high dropout rate of Native Hawaiians wishing to start a business, primarily due to the commitment involved and the rigorous process required. In terms of funding, there is an abundance of loan funds available at below-market rates through the Native Hawaiian Revolving Fund, the best business loan program in the nation for Native Hawaiians.
Q. The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce has been around for 30 years, yet not many people know about it. Is raising awareness about this organization a high priority for you?
A. One goal is to improve our visibility in both the business sector and the Hawaiian community by building upon our array of programs, such as our business mentoring and business internship projects. We need to do a better job of reaching out to a wider range of Native Hawaiian clientele.
Q. Do you have to be Native Hawaiian to join?
A. No, anybody can join. You don't have to be Hawaiian. In fact, it's great if you're not. When you're involved with businesses, you're not only involved with Native Hawaiian businesses.
Q. Your membership fee has always been pretty low — $75 a year. Is that going to change?
A. We're going to keep it at $75. That's not how we want to make money.
Q. How does the chamber get most of its funding?
A. Our biggest fund-raiser is the annual 'O'o Awards (which honor Hawaiian business professionals for exemplary achievement in business or community service). That makes up 80 percent (of our operating money). And what's great about (the awards fund-raiser) is it's not about how many people come or how much money we raised. It's how we honor (recipients) and how they felt. At the end of the last one, everybody was just hanging around, talking to each other. It was beautiful. That's how networking should be.
Q. The chamber recently started a mentoring program. How has that fit into the chamber's philosophy and vision?
A. Kupuna don't really need to network, they want to help people, share what they learn, pass it on. That's so Hawaiian. Our mentoring program matches members with new Native Hawaiian business owners. We had three (matches) last year, and we're working on the fourth. It's been going well, so far. The members feel they're actually working with people and (the new businesses) are so appreciative of the mentoring.
Q. In addition to scholarships, how else is the chamber trying to get students and young people more involved in the business community?
A. Our internship program is for (students) aspiring to get into business, either working at a company in business management or becoming entrepreneurs. Our members not only take them on tours (of their businesses) but also allow them to work hands-on. Last year we had seven Native Hawaiian student interns and three Hawaiian new business owners partner with five of our NHCC member businesses. ... It's our way of giving back, both of these programs.
Q. What is your goal this year for the chamber?
A. Our first goal is to increase our membership by 300 percent. Although this goal could be perceived as ambitious, we feel confident we can attain this with an overhaul to our Web site, enhancement to our membership programs and increase value to our member benefits that will include more networking opportunities and a Native Hawaiian small-business directory.
Q. Do you have a lot of inactive members?
A. We have about 140 active members, but our listing shows between 400 and 500 people who are just not active. ... We feel if people know about us, what we do, that will increase our chance to get more members and actually get our inactive members to become active. One of our biggest goals is raising awareness of who we are. If we do that, then members will come.
