Pacific Edge Magazine Business Achievement Awards Gala

Exclusive Hotel Rate for Pacific Edge Magazine Gala Guests. Reserve Your Room Here.

Pacific Edge Magazine Business Achievement Awards Gala 2026

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa

Regency Ballroom

Pacific Edge Magazine proudly invites you to celebrate Hawai‘i’s outstanding business leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations, and professionals at our annual Business Achievement Awards Gala.

Winners will be announced live during the evening’s program!

Gala Schedule:

5:15 – 6:30 PM - New Networking Opportunity

5:30 – 6:20 PM - Check-In & Networking in the upstairs foyer area of the ballroom

6:20 PM - Guests Begin Finding Their Seats

6:45 PM - Three-Course Plated Dinner Served

7:00 PM - Awards Program Begins | Event Sponsor Recognition • Finalists & Winners • Best Dressed Contest • Dancing

Dress to Impress:

Come ready for the red carpet in your finest semi-formal aloha or business attire. Since it has been hot and humid, we recommend comfortable, lightweight semi-formal attire so you can look your best while staying cool throughout the evening. Red carpet formal is not required.

And have some fun with it; we’re hosting a Best Dressed Contest with two winners!

Individual Tickets: $285 per person

All guests will have assigned seating. Your table number will be printed on your name tag at check-in.

If you would like to sit with specific guests, please purchase your tickets together as a group or email [email protected] with your seating request.

No refunds. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Finalists:

Winners will be announced during the gala program.

All finalists are asked to attend the gala. If you are unable to attend, please arrange for a representative to attend in your place.

Parking & Transportation:

Self-Parking: $10 with event validation

Valet Parking: $15 with event validation

Valet: Located on Koa Avenue, on the back side of the hotel.

Self-Parking: Enter from Uluniu Street. Event parking is available on the 6th floor and above. ADA stalls are available on the 4th floor.

We highly recommend taking Uber or Lyft to the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī. Due to high hotel occupancy, valet may fill quickly, and the parking garage has tight spaces and can be difficult to navigate. If you drive, please allow extra time to find nearby street parking.

Guests are responsible for their own parking fees.

Bar Service:

Each guest will receive one complimentary beverage — choice of a glass of wine, beer, or soft drink.

Additional beverages will be available for purchase as a no-host bar.

Three-Course Dinner:

First Course - Waipoli Green Salad, Cucumber • Cherry Tomato • Papaya Seed Dressing

Second Course - Teri Sirloin Steak, Mashed Potatoes • Chef’s Choice of Seasonal Vegetables

Dessert - House-Made Mango Cheesecake

Vegetarian / Vegan / Gluten-Free Option

Mushroom & Kale Ravioli, Sundried Tomato Pesto • Edamame • Ali‘i Mushrooms • Roasted Garlic • Crushed Walnuts • Pea Shoots

Dessert - Molokai Sweet Potato Haupia • Fresh Berries • Toasted Shaved Coconut

Important: If you require the vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meal, please let us know in advance. Meal selections cannot be changed to the alternative entrée on the day of the gala.

Name Tags & Seating:

Name tags will be printed two days before the event and will include your assigned table number.

Last-minute guest name changes can still be accommodated; however, replacement name tags will be handwritten.

Join the Conversation:

Share your gala moments with us!

#PEMgala2026

#PEMgala

We look forward to celebrating an unforgettable evening of leadership, achievement, connection, and Hawai‘i’s business community!

2026 PACIFIC EDGE MAGAZINE BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS FINALISTS

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Beth Amaro — Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
• David Bissell — Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (not attending)
• Dr. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson — Lālākea Foundation
• Duane DeSoto — Na Kama Kai
• Jayson Kanekoa — Waikoloa Beach Marriott

Young Professional of the Year

• Alissa Bautista — Rosendin
• Coen Cadinha — Keiki Rise
• Davin Aoyagi — Turo
• Evan Naiʻaomana Castro — Resource Innovations
• Kyle Watase — Mark Development, Inc.
• Makanaohaililani Waikiki — For The Mo'o
• Nicole Gibson — The Pacific Club
• Stratton Wright — Paradise Inspections

Business Executive of the Year

• James “Jim” Polk — Bank of Hawaii
• Jamie Delgadillo — Northwestern Mutual Hawai‘i
• Jenna Villalobos — Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
• Jenna Long — Pacific Biodiesel (not attending)
• Ron Lloyd — Kokua Roofing
• Shauvon Young — Aloha Ladies Social Club

Sustainability and Conservation in Hawaii

• Beth Amaro — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative
• Bert Takita, Andrew Balmores & Dustin Deniz — Sun Source Power
• David Bissell — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (not attending)
• Fred Brooks — Pacific Panel Cleaners
• Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana — Hawaii Green Growth
• Todd Domeck — Maui Gold Pineapple, Hawaii Farm Project

Best New Business

• Aaron Yanagi and Micah Cabagbag — Shaka Mobile Bar
• Adam Bogucki — StretchLab
• Alexandra Conceicao — Paradise Maids Oahu
• Bert Takita, Andrew Balmores & Dustin Deniz — Sun Source Power
• Ky Vuong — Key Fitness Hawaii
• Peter Hessler & Michael Cabagbag— PEWA by Pono Potions

Best Family-Run Business

• Chris Kamaka — Kamaka Hawaii
• Haunani Miyasato — Kaulana Mahina
• Kuan Yuan, Trudy Yuan & Kasey Komeiji — Elite Mechanical Inc.
• Kyle Watase — Mark Development, Inc.
• Sarah Kawakami — ALIKALEO PARK (not attending)

Social Media Influencer of the Year

• Brad Mira — @unkoholicspupus
• Brian Madamba — @brevenchym
• Iniki Leialoha — @leialohasocials
• Kumu Kahanuola Solatorio — @ehoopilimai
• Nikki Savella — @cupcakesboom
• Pua Desoto — @actionsofaloha

Native Hawaiian-Owned Business

• Donavan Kealoha — Purple Mai'a
• Haunani Miyasato — Kaulana Mahina
• Kawaihili Uyeshiro — Ko Kawai Lei
• Makanaohaililani Waikiki — For The Mo'o
• Olin Lagon — Shifted Energy
• Zabrina Zablan-Duvauchelle — The Gay Agenda Collective, Haus of Puas

Hospitality Executive of the Year

• Aaron J. Salā, PhD — Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
• Jade Rojas-Letisi — County of Maui
• Jenna Villalobos — Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
• Naomi Cooper — Maui Hotel & Lodging Association
• Nicole Gibson — The Pacific Club
• Tom Houston — Fairmont Kea Lani Maui (Wailea)

Woman Leader of the Year

• Jen Walker — Central Pacific Bank
• Sara Tsukamoto Strona — Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher
• Shauvon Young — Aloha Ladies Social Club
• Terra Foti — RUSHwahine
• Toni Muranaka — Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii
• Valerie Joseph — Fashion Sense

Best Real Estate Company or Agent

• Adrienne Lally — Team Lally (not attending)
• Dee Dela Cruz — Golden Pineapple Group
• Erik Taniguchi — Taniguchi & Associates, Keller Williams Honolulu 
• Kina Knisley — Team K2 of EXP Realty
• Richard M. DeGutis — Golden Pineapple Group

Healthcare Leader of the Year

• Gabrielle Toloza — Mindful Connections
• Marc Malate — MARC J MALATE
• Melvin Dizon — Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
• Sondra Leiggi Brandon — Queens Medical Center, Kahi Mohala & Behavioral Health and Medicine, The Queen's Health Systems
• Vivien Tham — Pacific Vision Institute of Hawaii

NonProfit Impact of the Year

• Donavan Kealoha — Purple Mai'a
• Gerald “Chip” Bahouth — Kauai Police Activities League (KPAL)
• Island Pacific Academy (IPA)
• Jeff Nash — Habilitat, Inc.
• JoNelle Sood — Ho'omau Foundation (not attending)
• Melissa Miyashiro — Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations
• Toni Muranaka — Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii

Innovative Tech Company of the Year

• Bert Takita, Andrew Balmores & Dustin Deniz — Sun Source Power
• Brian Moon — Pacific Telecommunications Council 
• Evan Naiʻaomana Castro — Resource Innovations
• Ian Kitajima — PICTHR
• Pierce Young — Civic Nexus
• Stratton Wright — Paradise Inspections

Restaurant of the Year

• Jason and Harley Chow — The Local General Store (not attending)
• Jue (Tina) Wang — Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya
• Lane Muraoka — Big City Diner
• Peter Hessler & Michael Cabagbag — PEWA by Pono Potions
• The Dotted Line Restaurant
• The Pig & The Lady (not attending)

Pacific Edge Man of the Year

• Carlo Liquido — Piʻikū Co., Lady Bandit Studios
• Duane DeSoto — Na Kama Kai
• Jayson Kanekoa — Waikoloa Beach Marriott
• Jeff Nash — Habilitat, Inc.
• Max Mukai — Hawaiian Council
• Thomas Lee, Ph.D., MPH — Hawai’i Data Collaborative (not attending)