The Hawai‘i State Senate honored the winners of the 2018 Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2018 recipients of the Small Business Awards in the Senate Chambers. These groups and individuals are recognized as making significant contributions to promote economic development in Hawai‘i.
Terri Funakoshi is the Director of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership and is honored as the SBA 2018 Small Business Advocate for Women in Business. Terri regularly trains and mentors business owners in marketing, finance, and management, and she leads by example with her innovative projects and programs as Director.
Linda Fernandez is the President and Chairman of Fernandez Entertainment. She is awarded the SBA Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. Established in 1903 by E.K. Fernandez, this family business has received international acclaim for their carnival, fair, and circus industries, while remaining true to their local, family oriented roots. Under Linda’s leadership, the business continues to grow and remains a strong promoter of local jobs and Hawai‘i state revenue.
Michelle Kauhane is the President and CEO of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and she was awarded the 2018 SBA Small Business Advocate for Minorities award. She is recognized for her contributions to growing, developing, and transforming Native Hawaiian Communities.
Teena M. Rasmussen is the Director of the Maui County Office of Economic Development. She is the recipient of the 2018 SBA Small Business Advocate for Business and Industry as is the owner of Paradise Flower Farms, which is the largest grower, wholesaler, and internet provider of Hawai‘i’s flowers. She has also founded several key small business events such as the Made in Maui Festival and the Shop Small Business Saturday.
Rounding out the list of honorees is Olivia “LIIV” Cargile, a 17-year-old singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Na Hoku Hanohano nominee from Kailua. LIIV’s hit song “Bring You Back” was featured on the Fox Television prime time medical-drama series “The Resident” in January of this year.