Kona Commons Wins Pualu Award for Business Innovation

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KONA-KOHALA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Pualu Awards recognize businesses, organizations and individuals that work together for West Hawaiʻi in providing business leadership and community service. 


According to the Hawaiian Dictionary, the meaning of pualu means “all together, in unison, and cooperative.” 

As we look back on this past year - a time of uncertainty and struggle - we know that many businesses, organizations and individuals demonstrated leadership and innovation in the face of this crisis. 

Not surprising - but important to identify – crucial connections were established that may not have happened otherwise. And, by working together we strengthened our position in responding to the pandemic and provided positive impacts for our community. 

The last 18 months have been challenging for businesses around the globe and here, in West Hawaiʻi. The pandemic caused an economic shutdown, leading some businesses to permanently close. Others were forced to layoff or furlough many of their employees in their struggle to survive. 

However, this Chamber member’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and aloha. West Hawaiʻi’s premiere shopping center, Kona Commons, was no exception to the struggle. This locally owned and managed shopping center offered every support possible to its merchants including: 

  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

  • Signage for storefronts and throughout the center 

  • Delineators on floors 

  • Clearly marked seating areas to help customers maintain social distancing 

  • Increased janitorial, cleaning and sanitation for storefront doors, customer areas and throughout the entire center. 

In addition, Kona Commons went the extra mile in setting up a tenant portal to push out information regarding pandemic protocols and assistance offered to businesses such as PPP loans and other programs. 

Throughout the pandemic, Kona Commons led its 20 businesses through the intricacies of the COVID-19 protocols, kept a major renovation project moving forward and signed on three sought-after merchants for the center. 

As the pandemic exacted its toll on small businesses around Hawaiʻi, it is a testament to Kona Commons that all its merchants survived and, surprisingly, many of them thrived, showing a larger net return in 2020 than they did in 2019. 

Their success meant the continued employment of more than 250 workers in the retail, food and beverage, services and construction industries as well as providing needed services for our community. 

Tenant Hawaiian Island Creations stated, “Throughout the pandemic, Kona Commons has gone above and beyond to support the merchants and employees. General Manager Nancy Sakamoto has been on top of getting timely information out; her actions kept everyone informed and safe. The support we received from Kona Commons far exceeds what I have experienced at other shopping complexes where we have stores.” 

Verizon commented, “The communication and commitment by Kona Commons to provide the environment we needed allowed us to be successful and finish the job on time.” 

Old Navy adds, “I wish all of my landlords were like Kona Commons. It is rare to find such nice, professional people, who go above and beyond and want to make their tenants welcome and successful.” 

Congratulations to Kona Commons, recipient of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce 2021 Pualu Award in recognition of business innovation. 

Mahalo for working together for West Hawaiʻi! 

Katie Kaanapu