Voice of Business Podcast by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Join the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii for weekly conversations with Hawaii's business community. Sponsored by ALTRES and hosted by Jo McGarry, this podcast will tell the story of business in Hawaii, and will address the challenges of adapting to an ever changing economy. The podcast will also serve as a valuable resource to anyone looking to grow their business, or hear the inside story of some of Hawaii’s most influential employers.
Episodes
97 episodes
Episode #96: Beyond Profit; Supporting Hawaii’s Workers
Did you know that the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii founded Aloha United Way back in 1919? To celebrate that enduring partnership and the incredible work AUW continues to ...
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25:40
Episode #95: Making Brands Go Viral
In this episode, guest host Kara Doles Hughes of Leihoohie sits down with Ed Schultz of Hawaiian Host Group to explore how his company transformed its mar...
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27:58
Episode #94: Inclusive Employment for a Stronger Hawaii
As Hawaii’s economy continues to diversify, inclusive workforce development is playing a vital role. In this episode, guest host Unyong Nakata of Nakata Advisory sits down with Rona Yagi Fukumoto of...
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20:25
Episode #93: Leadership That Builds Resilience and Results
As Hawaii’s business landscape evolves, strong leadership is becoming more critical than ever. In this episode, host Kara Doles Hughes of Leihoohie sits down with Claudia Crist, President of
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27:56
Episode #92: Closing The Skills Gap Through Online Learning
As Hawaii faces ongoing workforce shortages across critical industries, this episode explores how online education and flexible degree programs are helping to close the gap. Host Kara Doles Hughes of Leihooh...
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22:17
Episode #91: From Kauai to Capitol Hill
In this episode, we dive into how attending Hawaii on the Hill has empowered local businesses to engage in meaningful advocacy and build strong relationships with policymakers. Bob Gunter, President and CEO of Kō...
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24:40
Episode #90: What Moms Teach Us About Work
In celebration of Mother’s Day and the powerful strength parents bring to the workplace, this episode dives into how motherhood fosters leadership, problem-solving, and resilience in business. Host Kara Doles Hughes of
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24:53
Episode #89: The Power of Play at Work with Steve Rix, hosted by Kara Doles Hughes
In recognition of Stress Awareness Month, this episode delves into how workplace stress impacts business performance and employee well-being, and why incorporating "play" is essential for creating a healthier work environment. Host Kara Doles H...
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22:29
Episode #88: (Rerun) The Power of Work-Based Learning Through Mentoring with Kyle Madriaga and Lord Ryan Lizardo
On this special rerun episode, Kyle Madriaga and Lord Ryan Lizardo discuss how providing real world work-based learning experiences for students is an investment in Hawaii’s workforce. In this episode, we highlight one valuable form of WBL: men...
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21:17
Episode #87: Trends and Tips for Staying Cyber Safe with Carl Mazzanti
In this episode, recorded last summer, Carl Mazzanti, President and Co-founder of eMazzanti Technologies, explores the evolving cybersecurity landscape and what it means for Hawaii’s businesses. He share...
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23:23
Episode #86: Be Part of Shaping Hawaii's Economic Future with Sherry Menor-McNamara
In this episode, Sherry Menor-McNamara discusses the Chamber’s exciting 2025 Membership Madness campaign, its 175-year legacy, and the bold vision of the
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25:19
Episode #85: Turning Disputes into Trust with Dale Dixon
In this episode, host Jo McGarry sits down with Dale Dixon, Chief Innovation Officer at Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific, to discuss how businesses can turn disputes into opportunities for growth. From ethical business practices to e...
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24:07
Episode #84: Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today with Blake Parsons
In this episode, Jo sits down with Blake Parsons, CEO and Scouting Executive of Scouting America, Aloha Council, to explore how Scouting is shaping Hawaii's future workforce. From leadership trainin...
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19:29
Episode #83: Scaling Success: Technology and Workforce Growth in Hawaii with Deena Tearney
In this episode of The Voice of Business, Jo sits down with Deena Tearney, founder and CEO of Pacific Point, a leading Salesforce consulting firm headquartered in Honolulu. Deena shares her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of wo...
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22:14
Episode #82: Workforce Development & the Future of Work with Bennette Misalucha
Bennette Misalucha, Executive Director of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council, joins Jo to discuss the work of the Workforce Development Council and the Future of Work 2025 Conference. Bennette & Jo dive into some factors of how Bennet...
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23:05
Episode #81: Elevating Care & Careers - SMSgt Erin Esquer on the Air Force Reserve
In this episode, Jo chatted with SMSgt Erin Esquer, Senior Enlisted Leader for the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. They delved into the crucial work of the squadron in managing medical evacuations and the l...
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21:24
Episode #80: Stadium Development and Celebrating the Shaka with Sen. Glenn Wakai
In this episode, Jo sat down with Senator Glenn Wakai to talk about the role of public-private partnerships in the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project and the digitization and incentivization of the state's agricultural declaration...
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28:06
Episode #79: Pulama Lanai Builds Local Workforce with Kurt Matsumoto
In this episode, Jo spoke to Kurt Matsumoto, President of Pulama Lanai, about attracting and retaining local-grown talent, the available economic opportunities and more. Kurt is the third generation of his family born and raised on Lanai which ...
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25:56
Episode #78: Southwest Airlines Celebrates 5 Years in Hawaii with Jennifer Bridie
In this episode, Jo sat down with the VP of Marketing Communications & Strategy for Southwest Airlines, Jennifer Bridie. In celebration of Southwests' 5th anniversary in Hawaii, Jennifer explains the process of entering a new market a...
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19:14
Episode #77: Spotlighting Tech Days of Spring with John Agustin and Alan Ito
In this episode, Jo sat down with John Agustin, Director of Enterprise Architecture for HMSA, and Alan Ito, IT Workforce Development & Regulated Policy Lead for the University of Hawaii, to spotlight Tech Days of Spring 2024. In this episod...
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24:52
Episode #76: How Local Employers Secure Fully-Funded Interns with David Takeyama and Mark Menard
In this episode, Jo sat down with Mark Menard, Business Services Coordinator for the American Job Center|City and County of Honolulu, and David Takeyama, CIO of Oceanit, to talk about the QUEST grant which gives local employers the opportunity ...
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27:11
Episode #75: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day with Leslie Wilkins
The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Engineering Sector Partnership is celebrating Engineers Week! In this episode, Jo McGarry sat down with Leslie Wilkins, Founder, STEMworks. Leslie talks about women in engineering and the importance of diversify...
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16:45
Episode #74: Engineers Week Grows Local Workforce with Brandon Lester
The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Engineering Sector Partnership is celebrating Engineers Week! In this episode, Jo McGarry sat down with Brandon Lester, Indo-Pacific Director of AI, Booz Allen Hamilton. Brandon talks about the importance of Eng...
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20:52
Episode #73: Elevate Your Professional Skills with Good Jobs Hawaii with Marshall Norman
In this episode, Jo McGarry sat down with Marshall Norman, Program Manager, Good Jobs Hawaii, to discuss the free skills training offered at University of Hawaii Community Colleges through the Good Jobs Hawaii federal grant funding. Marshall al...
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21:44
Episode #72: 2024 Legislative Session & Chamber Week Preview with Eliza Talbot
In our first episode of 2024 we are previewing Chamber Week 2024, presented by Alaska Airlines, and the upcoming legislative session. In this episode, we talked to Eliza Talbot, VP of Business Advocacy & Community Relations for the Chamber ...
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15:50