2011 BBB TORCH AWARDS HONORS BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRUSTWORTHY PRACTICES
**KHON2 ActionLine Volunteers Recognized for 25 Years of Consumer Advocacy Efforts**
HONOLULU (April 28, 2011) – Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) today announced the recipients of the 2011 BBB Torch Awards before a capacity crowd of business, civic and nonprofit leaders. Aloha Air Cargo, The Audio Visual Company, Talk Story Bookstore, and the Kauai Independent Food Bank were named winners by this year’s judges. KHON2’s ActionLine volunteers were also honored for their 25 year commitment towards consumer advocacy.
“Companies and organizations who are doing right by their consumers, employees, vendors and, in the case of public charities, donors, need to be honored and celebrated; the BBB Torch Awards allows us to do just that,” said Dwight Kealoha, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “Trustworthy and ethical business practices are a win-win for everyone. This year’s BBB Torch Awards finalists and winners demonstrate that upholding the BBB’s ethical standards is a hallmark of successful companies and organizations.”
2011 BBB Torch Award recipients in each category are:
Public Charity – Kauai Independent Food Bank.
The organization was cited for its clear understanding of its mission and integration into the community, not a stand-alone agency. The judges were impressed with its resourcefulness as well as its ability to collaborate with other organizations on all levels. Above all, the Kauai Independent Food Bank not only meets the standards set by the BBB – it exceeds them.
Other finalists included MADD Hawaii and the United States Navy League.
Small Business – Talk Story Bookstore
This Kauai-based store was recognized for being a business that delivers true value to its customers and not just a product or service. The judges were impressed how it reached out to all generation, socio-economic groups and the community at large.
Other finalists in the Small Business category were event planning and production company Current Affairs and The Wedding Ring Shop.
Medium Business – The Audio Visual Company
The Audio Visual Company impressed the judged with its long term, sustained activities to improve customer service. The company’s multiple third party assessments of its ethical standards and performance speak volumes of its corporate culture and values.
Human resources outsourcing agency Hi HR and furniture maker and retailer Martin & MacCarthur were the other category finalists.
Large Business – Aloha Air Cargo
Aloha Air Cargo was honored for its ability to use adversity to motivate growth and improvement. The judges applauded the organization’s commitment to instilling values in employees at all levels, which helped foster trust building and integrity.
Other finalists in the Large Business category were Prudential Locations and the Sheraton Waikiki.
The KHON2 ActionLine volunteers received the BBB Ka Mea o Kako‘o award. The award honors individuals who have made significantly advanced marketplace trust by their demonstrated commitment to consumer advocacy, protection or education. The volunteers were recognized for their work over the last 25 years, helping consumers throughout the state in solving a wide variety of problems they’ve encountered with businesses, service providers and government agencies.
Established in 1945, the Better Business Bureau® of Hawaii (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest marketplace behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses
