If PBN’s print editions were real estate, Page 1 would be prime property.
It’s not open to everyone. Only a select group of people, companies and businesses make it. To be cover story material, they must be making news of interest and significance to our readers.
Here are some of the best from 2014, in order of their appearance:
Jan. 24: Drug Store Wars. PBN reporter Duane Shimogawa explored the turf war between Longs Drugs and Walgreens as they try to take market share from each other. The conclusion: They likely will battle to a draw, and consumers will benefit from the competition.
March 14: Sig Zane takes off. PBN offered a rare glimpse into the mind of the clothing designer and business owner from Hilo as he takes off in new directions, including aircraft designs for Hawaiian Airlines. It was actually a love story as well as a business story. Zig’s love of Hawaiian culture guides his work, and he began his career by designing a pareo, or sarong, for the woman who would become his wife.
April 18: Breaking the Barriers. PBN asked three women executives how they have managed to succeed in what traditionally have been male-dominated fields — architecture and construction. Their answers made compelling reading for both men and women.
May 2: The Wuh Factor. Physician-inventor-entrepreneur Hank Wuh, who was launching his eighth company, offered advice on how others can grow and prosper in the world of high technology.
May 9: The King of Queen’s. As president and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, Art Ushijima doesn’t see himself as a king. But he is the man behind the mission of this iconic health care provider that traces its roots back to 1854. The profile of him and the nonprofit that he leads provided a look into both the past and future.
May 30: Gray Gold. Managing Editor Janis L. Magin explored how savvy businesses can mine new opportunities as more Hawaii residents reach their golden years.
June 13: Richard Rosenblum Unplugged. The president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Co. managed to stay out of the media spotlight during his five years in the top job. But, as he prepared to retire, he opened up to PBN reporter Duane Shimogawa about himself (he’s building an airplane), his job, HECO and the future of energy in Hawaii. It was a refreshing look at a private man.
July 4: Opening Doors. The best centerpieces give readers something to take away, offering them new perspectives on work and running their businesses. In this Independence Day issue, PBN talked to four executives who walked away from working for someone else to start their own businesses.
July 25: Group 70 International’s $210 million deal! Editor-in-Chief A. Kam Napier put on his reporter’s hat when the Honolulu-based architectural firm announced that it had won the contract to build the $3 billion Tahiti Mahana Beach Resorts and Spa. He sat down with Chairman Francis Oda to learn how Group 70 beat out the competition, who else from Hawaii was involved, and what it means for the firm. The $210 million refers to what the firm expects to make from the deal.
Oct. 3: Alan Oshima Takes Charge at HECO. Reporter Duane Shimogawa gave readers an in-depth look at the new president and CEO of Hawaii’s largest utility, including comments from others in the energy field. We didn’t know it at the time, but Oshima was to play an important role in the eventual sale of HECO to Florida-based NextEra Energy.
Nov. 28: Who’s Howard Hughes? In addition to breaking news stories, Shimogawa takes readers behing the scenes to learn more about the newsmakers. In this issue, he profiled Texas-based Howard Hughes Corp., which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to redevelop Kakaako.
Dec. 12: Shimogawa was at it again, this time profiling NextEra Energy, the Florida-based energy giant that intends to buy Hawaiian Electric Co. for $4.3 billion. Readers learned who the major players are in this deal and got several hints about the company’s long-term plans for Hawaii.