LIHUE, HAWAII—Today, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) and business leaders on Kauai introduced a project designed to provide local networking opportunities and support for good business practices on the Garden Isle.
In Hawaii, BBB offers free programs, services and resources for consumers and businesses, including related dispute resolution, marketplace education, and alerts about local scams. While acknowledging that it can be a challenge for a small nonprofit with a tight budget to support an island state, Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawaii’s BBB, said that finding better ways to do so is a priority for his organization. “We’ve taken advantage of technology to connect with Hawaii consumers and businesses,” he added, “and have increased Neighbor Island representation on our board of directors.”
Hawaii’s BBB is also looking at establishing local advisory councils to represent the organization on the Neighbor Islands. Based on its size and use of BBB services, Kauai is a good place to test this kind of program. “Since 2000, the number of BBB Accredited Businesses on Kauai has increased from nine to 151,” Kealoha said, “and Island residents are usually in the weekly top 10 visitors to
our Web site.”
Representatives of local BBB Accredited Businesses will serve on the Kauai BBB Advisory Council to promote BBB programs and services, address local marketplace issues, and give local businesses a voice within Hawaii’s BBB. “The business representatives on the Kauai BBB Advisory Council are knowledgeable about business, consumer and marketplace needs in their respective industries and communities,” Kealoha said.
Along with supporting BBB, the Kauai BBB Advisory Council will provide opportunities for Island businesses to network and collaborate with each other. Mel Rapozo chairs the Council and looks forward to the group’s activities. “We all share the desire to help businesses on Kauai,” he said, “as well as giving consumers a great resource.”
The
Kauai BBB Advisory Council members are:
Chairman, Mel Rapozo - M & P Legal Support Services, Lihue
John Belliveau – A/V Kauai, Kapaa
Lesther Calipjo – Kauai Foreign Cars, Lihue
Lori Cardenas - Aunty Lilikoi Products, Waimea
Candace Mack - Kauai Calls! Set Your Heart Free, Kapaa
Lani Phillips - Lani’s and Boyd Upholstery, Lihue
Ryan Thompson - Cypress Electric Communications, Kapaa
Related:
Established in 1945, Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau® (BBB) is the local authority on trust in the marketplace. BBB is an unbiased, nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Only businesses and charities that meet and adhere to BBB standards can receive BBB accreditation. Hawaii’s BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational resources on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers fair and timely dispute resolution programs for consumers and businesses. BBB resources are available online at www.bbb.org.