7-7-7, 8-8-8, 2-14, we’re not talking code here. Rather, these are just some examples popular wedding dates across the country. Last year, many noted the craze over the July 7, 2007 (7-7-7) wedding date. The easy-to-remember date, coupled with the “lucky number seven” symbolism drove couples to extremes in order to have this as the date for their nuptials. What many of these couples did not realize was that choosing a popular date meant slim pickings for everything from venues to coordinators; and for those couples who did foresee such a challenge, it meant planning as much as a one-and-a-half to two years in advance, in order to get their top picks for their wedding. This year, 8-8-8, with its easy-to-remember date, 8 being a lucky number in Chinese belief and the sideward “8” being a symbol of infinity, has proven to be the same, with wedding-related locales and services in high demand and even in shortage. The downside to choosing a popular wedding date is that popularity drives demand for wedding services, and service providers must stretch themselves in order to accommodate this spike in business. Similar to the wedding event itself, there are many factors to be considered when selecting an appropriate wedding date. Not only should you consider both of your schedules, be it work or leisure, you may also want to consider whether the important people in your lives can also be present to share in your day. This may mean looking into your loved ones’ school and vacation schedules, and possibly even whether your date falls in a peak season for hotels and airlines, as peak season means pricier rates and fares for those who would be traveling to attend your wedding. Also bear in mind that your wedding date will be one that will be celebrated for the rest of your lives — so make sure it’s a date that both of you can observe with no challenges. One example of a challenge would be having multiple events surrounding that same period of time as your wedding (think holidays and birthdays). A not so romantic reality that occurs most often when considering a wedding date will be whether or not your choice of ceremony and or reception venue can accommodate your desired date and time. To avoid having to visit your second, third, or fourth choices of date and time with your venue, make sure to secure it as soon as possible and send in a deposit on time. Most venues will allow you to hold a date or even several dates for a short period of time. However, without a deposit, it is a possibility that the date may be given to another couple who is willing to put money down. Make sure to also check on what is happening around your venue on the same day as your wedding. You want to make sure you avoid any major traffic congestions or any “special” events such as the president visiting or a parade. A bad scenario could be that you show up late to your own wedding, or worse, not at all. Think about including the season that your wedding date falls within as part of your wedding theme. A spring wedding could translate to a lovely and whimsical English country-garden theme featuring watering pail centerpieces filled with daffodils and daisies and accented with crystal dragonflies. Summer and fall weddings can provide for a wonderful fiesta ambiance under a clear-top tent with hanging lanterns and food stations that your guests can visit while they mingle. A winter wedding could include a color theme of silver and light blue and an ice luge holding martinis, flavored vodka, or other libations for your guests. One last important point often overlooked when selecting a wedding date is whether or not the time period is “flower-friendly.” Take the month of May, for example. It has to be the best month to choose for the highly sought after, seasonal, peony flower, and the pleasant weather in May makes this month even more desirable. But May also means Mother’s Day, proms, and graduations, which drive up the cost of flowers and lei. Here in Hawai‘i, pikake is the quintessential wedding lei for brides and grooms, but fragrant jasmine blossoms, like pakalana, favor the summer months. Make sure that the flowers you want for your wedding are actually in season. And when in doubt, ask your wedding coordinator. Coordinators can help you get the information you need to make a decision, be it flower seasonality or venue challenges.

For those of us who do business with tourists, 2008 has already been one of the most challenging years on record. U.S. mainland arrivals have fallen, mainly because of the closing of Aloha and ATA Airlines, and Japanese arrivals are also down. So, who is coming to Hawai‘i? And how do you reach them with your marketing efforts?

CANADA

Tourism from Canada is Hawai‘i’s fastest growing visitor market. In 2007, 288,000 visitors traveled to Hawai‘i from Canada. Canadian travelers are older than the industry average, their wedding/honeymoon market is minimal, and they tend to be repeat visitors. Unfortunately, most people in the tourism retail industry (non-hotel) will tell you that Canadians spend significantly less than any other visitor (see table inset). When marketing to Canadians, no large adjustments are needed if you are marketing to U.S. mainland visitors. Canadians obtain their travel information the same way U.S. mainland visitors do (primarily through free magazines in Waikiki and in-hotel room television).

AUSTRALIA

This is a market that has been growing very quickly since the addition of Qantas’ Jetstar Airlines in 2006 and the increase in available flights from Hawaiian Airlines. Australian travelers tend to be younger than the industry average and book their vacations primarily through tour agents. More than 130,000 Australians visit Hawai‘i each year. Educating the travel trade industry in Australia about your business should be your focus.

SOUTH KOREA

Ready, set, go – this is the market that you should start looking into. On January 1, 2009, getting a visa to visit Hawai‘i from South Korea will be much easier. Right now, about 38,000 Koreans travel to Hawai‘i, but this number could double in one or two years. New Hawai‘i information Web sites and travel publications (the first free Korean-language magazine in Waikiki was launched earlier this year) are current options for marketing to these visitors. CHINA Time is on your side for this market. The Chinese travel market has the potential to be as big as the Japanese market for Hawai‘i, but the turn around is still years away. About 50,000 Chinese visit Hawai‘i each year, but a large majority of them are en route to the U.S. mainland and don’t stay here very long. Instead of focusing on marketing, I’d recommend learning Chinese customs and even the language (focus on Mandarin). This market will be huge for Hawai‘i, but you have a few years to get ready for it. EUROPE The bulk of the arrivals from Europe comes from primarily two countries, the United Kingdom (52,000 arrivals) and Germany (24,000 arrivals). Try contacting Hawai‘i Tourism Europe for marketing opportunities. What is exciting about these emerging tourism markets is that they will continue to grow in the number of arrivals per year. It’s a great time to be in Hawai‘i’s tourism industry as we expand beyond the U.S. mainland and Japan and greet our new international arrivals. But don’t give up on Hawai‘i’s two major markets yet; they still account for more than 85 percent of the arrivals to Hawai‘i. The Japanese and U.S. mainland visitors will always be your primary customers, but it’s great to see the new ones come in. Source: Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism – Research and Economic Analysis Division, 2007 End of Year Data

Hawaii business owners now have a variety of tools to make their businesses run smoother via an unusual medium — a locally-owned self-storage chain. Hawaii Self Storage works with many Hawaii businesses in storing a range of items from pharmaceuticals and museum artifacts to new hotel furniture awaiting installation. But what many may not know is that Hawaii Self Storage also:

• Collaborates with tenants who want to build out their space to create a working office,classroom, or studio.

• Provides the option of Flex Storage.

• Offers a business center complete with conference room, phone, fax, computer, Internet access, and copying capabilities to tenants — all at no extra cost.

Since they first opened in 2000, Hawaii Self Storage has made it a point to listen to customers. When approached to create an actual working office inside a locker, Hawaii Self Storage president Daniel Ho asked himself, “Why not?” “We have since worked with a variety of tenants to create a working space – whether it’s a place to paint, a full video production studio, or a classroom,” Ho said. “We’ve run power and additional lighting into the units. Our tenants have 24-hour access, as well as free use of our business center.” Another unusual perk offered by Hawaii Self Storage is its “Flex Storage,” which allows customers to pay only for the space they use, unlike a warehouse where clients are stuck with a monthly lease over the course of six months or a year. “When you rent self storage, you are specifically paying for only the storage space. And, unlike a warehouse situation, you don’t have to pay for any extras such as use of the loading docks, forklifts, A/C, utility expenses, security or parking.” The flexibility of downsizing storage at anytime is another perk. “Many tenants have a busy season, where they need a lot of space for their stock. When they hit their slow period, they can downsize to a smaller locker and enjoy a lower lease during this time,” Ho said. “You can’t say to a warehouse, ‘Oh, I’m only using 20 percent of the space now, can I get a discount?” Flex Storage, however, allows that option. Creating work spaces, providing free use of the business center, and offering Flex Storage all came about because of Hawaii Self Storage’s continued commitment to customers’ needs; the accomplishment for which the company is most proud. “We train our staff to think outside the box and come up with different solutions,” said Hawaii Self Storage marketing vice-president Shaun Salvador. “We want to find avenues to help business-owning customers succeed in what they are doing. And, if that means helping set up phone lines, 15 computers, and desk spaces in one storage locker, it can be done.”

Investing has never been so complicated. Strategies and tools have emerged to capture opportunities in markets such as foreign, currency, commodity and housing. The use of complicated investments such as derivatives, options, contracts, mortgage and collateral-backed securities is now widespread – and often unsuitable for the average investor.

Broker-Dealers:

A broker buys and sells securities and products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. There are basically two types: discount and full-service brokerages. The differences are levels of service (i.e. consulting/monitoring) and compensation. Brokerages are heavily regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making it relatively easy to conduct a background check. Check with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to see whether your broker is licensed and registered. To keep track of your account, review monthly or quarterly statements for fees, tax consequences, income, and performance; and schedule frequent meetings with your broker to review and make changes to your strategy.

Financial Planners:

Financial planners help investors develop a comprehensive plan for all aspects of finances. These include tax planning, estate planning, insurance, real estate, investments, and educational funding. While they offer an array of services, most planners specialize in one or a few aspects. Because regulation of financial planners is dependent on the services they sell, it takes a little more work to research them. Knowing their specialty helps to expedite background checks. For example, financial planners offering investment advice should be registered with the SEC; planners offering insurance advice should be registered with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Banks:

Banks are often viewed as ‘one-stop shops’ for financial services. Banks offer a wide range of services including trust (i.e., corporate trustees), investment and legal advice, and custody. Because fees are often charged for each service, ask for a consolidated statement of accounts (i.e., investment, trust, and checking) to monitor aggregated fees. Most banks outsource their investment management. Frequent meetings are a must to ensure that your needs are being met.

Investment Advisors:

Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are registered with the SEC or state regulatory agency to manage the investments of others. RIAs differ from other investment professionals as they are legally responsible for the advice they provide-fiduciary responsibility- and must provide thorough disclosure of fees and services. It is important to understand an RIA’s investment philosophy. Some RIAs may focus on tax sensitivity and a buy-hold strategy, while others may invest according to quantitative models and regression analysis. Bottom line: find the right fit between your needs and the RIA’s strategy.

As entrepreneurs and professional leaders, Pacific Edge readers are role models for adapting to change and using innovation to overcome obstacles and capitalize on opportunities. Just as the small business community has contributed to Hawai‘i’s economic growth in the past, our Administration believes they must play a significant role in our energy future. Today, 90 percent of our energy supply is derived from imported fossil fuels, making us the most oil dependent state in the U.S. This has resulted in Hawai‘i having the highest utility and transportation costs in the country. Businesses also bear these costs in the form of high shipping fees and other operating expenses, and the reduced ability of their customers to pay for their products and services. Together, we can change this paradigm, and transform our economy into one that takes advantage of our abundant renewable energy resources to power our daily lives. The state has taken important steps toward energy independence since 2004, when we implemented a requirement that gasoline sold in the Islands be mixed with 10 percent ethanol. In January, I announced the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that aims to have at least 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s power come from clean energy by 2030. In addition, the state Department of Transportation is moving forward on an historic plan to develop large solarpower arrays at 10 government sites across the state, including airports. Each day, headlines tell of more Hawai‘i businesses that are investing in energy-saving technologies to decrease their operational costs. Their efforts serve the community by improving available technologies and creating new businesses and careers in the Islands. Imagine the possibilities if the $5 billion currently spent on importing oil to Hawai‘i was invested in our local economy instead. It is part of the clean energy future that we all must pursue together. At the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island, solar panels are powering the entire hotel and 50 percent of its golf course operations. Photovoltaic panels at Windward Auto Spa on O‘ahu are providing 40 percent of the power needed to run the facility’s car wash. Costco Wholesale has installed solarelectric systems at its Kona and Lihu‘e stores. On the Valley Isle, systems harnessing the sun are helping to power Island Dodge in Kahului and Maui Linen Supply in Wailuku. The state provides several incentives to promote the use of renewable energy technologies. In 2006, I signed into law Act 240, which significantly increased the dollar cap for renewable energy systems installed by residential and commercial property owners. Ranging from 30 to 35 percent of the cost of installation – and up to $500,000 for the installation of commercial wind-powered and photovoltaic systems – Hawai‘i’s tax credits are among the most generous in the nation. Incentives also exist to encourage high-tech companies – like those specializing in renewable energy technologies – to relocate and invest in Hawai‘i. These include a 100-percent tax credit on investments of up to $2 million per company, which is more than double offered by any other state. There are other creative ways for businesses to support Hawai‘i’s energy transformation. A good example is Kona Brewing Company, which has reduced its garbage by 50 percent through recycling and uses grain leftover from its brewing operation to feed Big Island cows. The company has also hired a sustainability coordinator to expand on these efforts. Whether it’s changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs, changing the temperature on thermostats, or installing solar panels, entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i are demonstrating that good business and green business go hand in hand. I would like to thank both our up-and-coming and already established business professionals for all they do for our economy and the community. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions and look forward to working with you during the 2009 legislative session to strengthen our economy and improve our business environment. Please e-mail my office at governor. lingle@hawaii.gov and visit my Web site at hawaii.gov/gov to sign up for my weekly electronic newsletter. Mahalo! Governor Linda Lingle 808.586.0034 governor.lingle@hawaii.gov www.hawaii.gov/gov

Once engaged, many people rejoice that they have found their match and the searching is over. They kick up their feet and get ready for a new life with their one and only. But once they realize that there is still more matchmaking to do, Tanna and Bryson Dang will come to their rescue. As owners of two locations of The Wedding Café, this married couple helps future brides and grooms choose wedding professionals who match their tastes and visions for the big day. The Dangs purchased The Wedding Café at Manoa Marketplace in 2004 and the more recent Ward Warehouse location opened in 2007. Now both venues are havens for those committed to planning the perfect wedding. “We turned this business from a café with wedding things into a wedding resource center with a café,” says Bryson. Lining the walls of the larger, Manoa café are posters, brochures and business cards belonging to wedding coordinators, florists, photographers, cake makers, and other wedding professionals. Photo albums of makeup artists’ work and sample invitations are also there for browsing. All it takes is the arrival of a confused-looking brideto- be and the matchmaking service begins. With an encouraging “Have you been here before?” they begin a tour of the café and then let their guest browse to absorb information and generate questions. On the side, the café’s famous pumpkin crunch and soothing iced teas complement the search. Finding out exactly what the bride and groom are looking for — whether it’s the whole shebang or just a florist — is the first crucial step. “We harness their feedback and help make choices,” says Bryson. In addition, Wednesday night workshops at the café bring couples together with vendors who give tips and showcase their talents. From hair and makeup demonstrations to videographer presentations, brides, and even more grooms these days, are taking advantage of the free information to make their decisions. Tanna and Bryson also contribute by sharing their own stories, including Tanna’s “Bridezilla” moments. “It makes the brides feel at ease because they know we’re human,” Tanna explains. “We become that friend that every bride wants. When you’re getting married, it can be hard to have a conversation without ‘wedding’ in it. When you’re not getting married, sometimes you just don’t want to hear it. But we listen to all of it.” Partnering with Roy and Karen Kawaji, the Dangs are extending their personalized advice with a new wedding directory, White. White offers a more intimate survey of the styles and personalities of Hawaii wedding specialists. It provides pictures, testimonials, and the favorite movies, books, music, and more of each featured professional. When the wedding frenzy is over, Tanna and Bryson continue to welcome clients to shopping and charity events that they host at the café. And, to think that the Dangs’ strong partnership started with some harmless flirting at First Hawaiian Bank – Bryson was a teller there and Tanna often came in to deposit her checks. “He was the youngest guy who worked there, so I always tried to flirt with him,” Tanna laughs. Nothing materialized right away and it would take another random meeting at a networking function to ignite the sparks. The Dangs were married in 2004. As married business partners, it is important to “know your roles and play up to your strengths,” advises Bryson. Tanna agrees, adding, “You can never be a jack-of-all- trades!” But most important to the Dangs is remembering why they got here in the first place. After four years of hard work, days of chopping romaine lettuce hours on end, and learning how to efficiently operate as a team, they are happy with business but are most happy about being together. This is all icing on the cake,” Tanna smiles. “We found each other.” Tanna and Bryson Dang Owners The Wedding Café Manoa Marketplace & Ward Warehouse www.theweddingcafe.net love@theweddingcafe.net MM: 808.988.1005                                                                                                                                                                                WW: 808.591.1005

“I felt like I wanted more than numbers and sitting at a desk,” Andre Lopez recalls of his three years at Charles Schwab in San Francisco. “I enjoyed my time there, but it didn’t fulfill what I wanted to do  – my mind was elsewhere.” The owner of The People’s Wine Shop on King Street went through several years of switching jobs, searching for that one inspiration to shape his career. Today, he is connecting with a passion that finally makes him happy: the many varieties and personalities of wine. Lopez was born in Guam and moved to Hawaii at the age of three. He grew up in Pearl City and later acquired a degree from UH in Finance and Business. Venturing off to the “Wall Street of the West” in 1998, he began working for Charles Schwab. There he met his girlfriend, Susan Flynn, who now helps him run his shop. But, even after returning home to Hawaii in 2002, it would take several plunges into the local business of banks, restaurants, and sales before returning to the seed of an idea that was planted during his Bay area days. Given his convenient location while working at Charles Schwab, Lopez was bound to experience the best of California’s wine. “Wine was kind of a natural extension of the food scene there,” says Lopez. “We always made a point to drink wine with our meals and we would spontaneously drive to Napa and Sonoma, just because it was beautiful and if there were wine tastings, we’d just walk in.” It was one of those tasting trips that seemed to seal the deal for Lopez and girlfriend Flynn. When visiting a winery in Napa Valley, they came across a particular 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon and bought a bottle to take home with them. On a night when steak was on the menu, they opened the bottle and were starstruck by the bliss of a perfect blend, which Lopez describes as “the best thing ever.” At that moment, he was convinced that wine was worth some hardcore research. “I bought books, I talked to people. At that point I didn’t know what was wrong or right. I just started keeping track on a spreadsheet of the things I drank, and made notes. I was sort of on an impossible mission to drink everything!” While some might be intimidated by the multitude and assortment of wine, Lopez was not. “The more there is to not understand, the more exciting and fun it is to try and understand it,” he reasons. This mentality has made him a successful go-between of winemakers and consumers. “A lot of people put wine up as a beverage that only people with money, or a certain background have had. That’s kind of an old-school way of looking at things. But not everyone can be geeky like me,” he laughs, referring to the time he spent researching wine. On owning a business, Lopez remarks, “You’ve got to stay positive. You really have some bad days sometimes. It’s very scary having your own business. Before you get into it, you understand there are a lot of risks, but you never fully understand it until you’re in it. You have to look at those bad things, accept that they happened and move on. “Whether it’s locating a $5,000 bottle for someone’s collection or pointing a customer toward a nice $10 bottle for tonight’s dinner, Andre Lopez and The People’s Wine Shop are there to provide. Lopez is happy where he is right now, but wants to focus on making his Web site a better source on wine for people to refer to. “There are always new wineries, new vintages. It’s one of those things you can never conquer, and I like that because I’m always learning.” Andre Lopez Owner The People’s Wine Shop 1136 South King Street thepeopleswineshop.com peopleswineshop.honolulu@gmail.com 808.593.7887

It’s every bride’s dream come true, a trade show that is planned specifically to offer all the services needed for the big day. The Hawaii Bridal Expo is held twice a year at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. Vendors are brought in from all over the world, some well known and some just starting out. Their mission: to offer their products or services to the lucky brides-to-be. So whom can we thank for this very special event? Brad Buckles is the man who has been coordinating, planning, and producing the Hawaii Bridal Expo for 20 years, and this is his anniversary year. “People are often surprised at how hard I work all year round,” Brad admitted. Born and raised in Kahala, Brad and his family moved to the mainland before he could graduate from Mid- Pacific Institute. After graduating from high school on the mainland, Brad attended Kennesaw State University in Atlanta and received a degree in accounting. It was there that he met and started dating Heather, his future wife. The two moved from Atlanta to Seattle after graduation. Today Brad and Heather have four sons and spend about half of the year in Honolulu and half of the year in Seattle preparing for trade shows. “The fun part of what I do is working with small businesses and watching people attach themselves to that business or brand,” Brad said. The trade show industry has kept Brad on the four times a year, which he says isn’t fun in the wintertime and is very competitive. In addition to all the traveling, Brad has been on the board of Bridal Show Producers International (BSBI) for the past 13 years and is serving as president for the upcoming year. When Brad isn’t busy planning trade shows or traveling from coast to coast, you can find him training for the next triathlon, a hobby that he says reinforces his career. “It’s easy for me to train my mind for a triathlon because it’s similar to planning a bridal show,” Brad confessed. “It’s kind of my thing.” He completed the Lanikai Triathlon in April and continues to prepare for a triathlon event that will take place the last week in September. But, above and beyond any trade show or triathlon, he is a full-time dad to his four boys. No matter what role Brad is fulfilling, he does it the very best he can. As word of the bridal expo continues to spread, so does the number of visitors. Part of the job is to make sure that there is something for everyone, for every type of wedding imaginable Brad has presented enough expos to know that the wedding industry is very personal and is all about the bride. His experience running the bridal shows has helped him take on the role of wedding planner as well as trade show organizer. “If a bride comes to the trade show and can’t plan her wedding based on what is at the show, she should come and talk to me,” Brad declared. Admittedly, Brad says he spends a lot of time listening to what women want regarding their perfect wedding, and has developed a reputation for being able to give encouraging advice to any bride. Approximately 100,000 brides come to the trade shows in Honolulu and Seattle. Thanks to the rapid growth of Internet consumerism, brides can now be connected to vendors online. However, when it comes to detail, there is nothing that compares to seeing, touching, and holding wedding gowns, invitations, and other wedding essentials. That is why the bridal expos are so popular and why Brad Buckles continues to be the go-to man, in the business of brides. Brad Buckles Producer & President Hawaii Bridal Expo brad@bridesclub.com bridesclub.com 425.922.7924

Ron Bongiovanni believes that it was truly divine intervention that he became the owner of BonJon LLC, the parent company of Celebrity Tuxedos and BonJon’s Tuxedos wholesaler. The company he now owns was formerly called Gary’s Tux Shops and Bongiovanni had been working as an employee there. One day, while at work, he received a disheartening phone call. He was told that the company had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was pulling out of Hawai‘i; they were to begin a liquidation process. At the time, one of his bosses realized that the cost of shipping the tuxes to the mainland was more than what they were worth. That’s when Bongiovanni inquired, “What would they want for them?” The process continued as Bongiovanni prayed continually, “God if you want this, keep opening the doors.” The deal closed on April 15, 2004. When I arrived at the BonJon office in Kapolei, I was greeted by a friendly staff and Cesar, the supercute family dog. The space is beautifully decorated and homey, for which Bongiovanni credits his wife, Rowena Akana, an OHA trustee. One of the first things Bongiovanni did was take me on a tour of the facilities. As I walked through the back door into the plant of BonJon LLC and Celebrity Tuxedos, my eyes marveled at the brilliant assortment of tuxedos hung in a very organized manner. We made our way to the dry-cleaning and pressing area, passing a huge selection of bows and neckties. I asked Bongiovanni how many varieties there were to choose from. “Thousands,” he replied with a big smile and continued to lead me around, introducing me to many of his employees, including his daughter, Toni, who recently put together a new catalog for the business using local models and the beautiful Makaha Resort as a backdrop. Excellence is something Bongiovanni strives for in his business. That is why he chooses to house the dry-cleaning and pressing of the tuxedos, even though the cost is higher than outsourcing the process. When someone orders a tux, it gets freshly pressed right before it goes out, coming to the client at its best. “It’s a quality standard that’s unique to us on the Island. It costs more, but I’ll never give it up. It’s a heartfelt thing for me.” Bongiovanni incorporates his heart in many ways in business, especially in the program “Blessed to Bless.” As a devout Christian, Bongiovanni institutes the biblical principles of tithing with every sale that the company makes. “It is by far the most rewarding part for me,” he said. A bride and groom’s home church is given 10 percent of their total sale and if they don’t have a church to sponsor, the company picks one at random. Now in its fourth year, Celebrity Tuxedos, through its “Blessed to Bless” program, has donated over $150,000 to various island churches. This past October, Bongiovanni was presented with an opportunity to buy Selix Formalwear out of bankruptcy. Selix is based in Hayward, California and is one of America’s oldest and finest formalwear companies. Opened in 1906, the company maintains 10 locations and more than 200 wholesale accounts. Buying out the company was a big deal for Bongiovanni and there were moments when it didn’t seem possible at all. “At one point we thought we lost the deal completely. I even went in the back and announced to everyone we wouldn’t be acquiring the company. That’s when we saw God at work,” he said. A deal to acquire finalized in January, making BonJon LLC one of the largest privately-owned tuxedo wholesalers in the nation. His advice for other young professionals breaking into their own field: “Cold and hot both have a purpose but lukewarm doesn’t, so swing for the fences.”

Ron Bongiovanni Owner Celebrity Tuxedos & BonJon LLC 808.682.2421 celebritytuxedos.com

There is a big, bright psychedelic mural on the office wall of Crosstown Couriers LLC. It wraps around the room behind several different bicycles, all hanging in a row. In the corner is a sink and on the counter is a behemoth-size jar of protein powder. Three clocks labeled “Airport,” “Kahala,” and “Downtown” that are, oddly, all set to the same time décorate other wall space. On one side, a couch fits neatly beneath a ten-foot-tall storage loft. This is the “lobby” and across from it sits Kendall Sexton, owner and operator of Honolulu’s Crosstown Couriers. Sporting a foam trucker hat, shorts and a muscle shirt, he isn’t your typical boss. “This is the war room,” Kendall says, looking around the small office, pausing for a moment to take a client’s call. He closes the phone; “It’s us against the cars. If drivers used their blinkers as much as they used their cell phones, it would make things less confrontational. It’s like a constant battle,” the 25-year old Massachusetts native says. Kendall is at the helm of Honolulu’s only bicycle-messenger company that has grown with more clients and messengers since its inception in November 2007. “We have about 80-to-100 clients. Some use us five times a day and some use us once a month. It really depends,” he says. Monday through Friday, Kendall and other contract couriers can be seen zipping all over the city, delivering an assortment of different packages.”It’s a lot of graphic stuff, CDs, architecture plans, some court filings here and there. Sometimes we have Xerox boxes full of documents. I’ve even delivered a growler full of beer before, so pretty much anything,” Kendall says, laughing. Crosstown runs packages from the airport to Kahala, but many of their clients are located in the downtown area. “The way it’s set up is you try to get multiple things going at once so your rider’s not going out and coming back and going out and coming back. They’re going out with four or five things and doing it along the way,” Kendall explains. Known for timely deliveries and feasible rates, the company has built a catalog of regular clients, such as FCA, Joyce Timpson & Associates, and Hawaii Law Group. “Oh and don’t forget Tesoro,” Jason Lee interjects, suddenly entering the office, full of unusual energy for a Monday morning. Sporting a cleanshaven head and a similar muscle shirt, Jason pulls up a seat to chat about life as a professional bicycle messenger. “This is the best job I’ve ever had. I have never had a job that I just wanted to wake up and go to like this,” Jason says. Hailing from Orange County, California, he is one of Crosstown Couriers’ fulltime riders with a craving for speed. “I love to go fast and I like when there’s that time constraint,” Jason says. Speediness is no problem for these guys who can get from downtown to Kapiolani Park in 10 minutes or to Sand Island in 7 minutes. While most courier companies use vans or even walkers to deliver packages, Crosstown’s use of bicycles is both time-efficient and environmentally friendly. “Most of us are using green bags to express that we’re a clean company. There are not that many green bags around so they stand out,” Jason says, while on the way out for his first mission of the day. Crosstown Couriers continues to grow through word of mouth as more daring riders take to the streets. “This is a really fun job,” declares Kendall. “This isn’t a business that you’re gonna get filthy rich off of, but everybody has fun together and it’s cool to go out and ride your bike all day. So the more people that get involved, I’d say the better.” Kendall Sexton, Owner Crosstown Couriers crosstowncouriers@gmail.com crosstownhonolulu.com 808.853.0024