Categories include: Retailer of the Year, Retail Employee of the Year, Resort Retail Business of the Year, Neighborhood Retail Business of the Year and Retail Business of the Year for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Oahu.

In addition to the Ho'okela awards, this year's conference will also incorporate the 19th Annual Governor's Fashion Awards as well as the Shopping Center of the Year Achievement Award, once separate events.

To register and for more information about the conference, contact Sheryl Yee at 808. 592-4200, or email: info@RMHawaii.org.

Wienert to speak at NHCC luncheon

Marsha Wienert, the state's tourism liaison, will be the featured speaker October 21, at the membership luncheon of The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce at the Pacific Club.

Weinert's talk will cover "Native Hawaiians and Their Role in Tourism." "Hawaii's visitor industry is based on our host culture, its traditions, pageantry and heritage," said NHCC President Warren Asing. "With tourism counts steadily increasing, impacting our visitor product and host culture, it is timely to hear how the State will incorporate input from Native Hawaiians into its plans," Asing said.

NHCC members are encouraged to bring a guest and non-members are invited to attend. For more information about the event, call Kimo Guequierre, NHCC program committee chair, at 540-4637 or email: jguequierre@watg.com.