The Hawaii Employers Council's 80th Annual Meeting was held on November 17, 2023, at the Halekulani Hotel. The meeting was officially called to order at 6:05 PM by Peter Dooher, Chair of the Board of Governors, who welcomed attendees and thanked them for their support of the Council.
Board of Governors
Dooher announced the results of the Board of Governors election, which saw three re-elected and one new incoming member through 250 valid proxies. The newly elected and re-elected Board members are:
Oahu:
Terrence Aratani, Chief Executive Officer, Ko'olauloa Health Center
Ryan Sanada, Associate General Counsel, Outrigger Hospitality Group
Maui:
Harrilynn Kame’enui, Sr. Vice President of Administration & Legal, General Counsel, Pūlama Lānaʻi
Hawaii:
Jeremy Chong, Vice President of Information Technology, KTA Super Stores
All four board members will serve three-year terms beginning on January 1, 2024.
Milestone Members
The Council expressed appreciation for all members and recognized milestone members for their long-standing 80, 75, 50, and 25 years of membership.
80 Years of Membership:
Alexander & Baldwin
Bank of Hawaii
Castle & Cooke Hawaii
Dole Food Company
First Hawaiian Bank
Hawaii Agriculture Research Center
Hawaii Stevedores, Inc.
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Matson, Inc.
McCabe Hamilton & Renny Company, Limited
75 Years of Membership:
Grove Farm Co., Inc.
50 Years of Membership:
Pearl Hawaii Federal Credit Union
25 Years of Membership:
Business Insurance Services, Inc.
Catholic Charities Hawaii
Child & Family Service
Goodwill Hawaii
Matsukawa Insurance Agency, Inc.
Oahu Care Facility
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
PATCH – People Attentive to Children
Queen Emma Gardens AOAO
Tasty Crust Restaurant
Innovation in Human Resources Award
The meeting then focused on innovation in HR. The Council presented the inaugural "Innovation in HR" award to two deserving member companies recognized for their innovative HR practices that are fostering a people-first culture.
Accuity LLP
Accuity LLP, which has demonstrated remarkable commitment to talent development and retention. Accuity's philosophy of "building the next generation of business leaders" reflects its deep commitment to its people. The company's emphasis on growth and development extends to its policies and practices, as demonstrated by its innovative Responsible Time Off (RTO) program. RTO is founded on a balance of power, mutual respect, and trust, and empowers professionals to manage their lives while embracing accountability, communication, and collaboration.
The Hawaii Community Foundation
The Hawaii Community Foundation has shifted its HR practices from transactional to people centered. The company's People Operations Group (POG) program focuses on creating a workplace where employees not only survive but thrive. HCF’s "Thrive and Grow" strategy recognizes priorities and progress, shifting away from traditional performance management towards a system that connects staff and their work to the organization's big-picture goals. By connecting the staff's individual work to the organization's outcomes, employees are motivated to succeed at both individual and organizational levels.
President’s Report
Sarah Guay, President & CEO, reflected on the Council’s achievements in 2023 and outlined the future strategy direction. Key accomplishments included reconnecting with members, delivering over 100 workforce training courses, hosting 53 webinars and seminars on various topics, and revitalizing roundtable discussions. Despite challenges like labor shortages and significant NLRB decisions, the labor relations and human resources teams actively supported members. The Council also supported members through compensation resources to help them adapt to legislative changes like Hawaii's Pay Transparency Act and expanded its team in 2023 with key talents, including a new COO.
Looking ahead, the Council's strategy focuses on data and innovation, equipping employers with modern workplace solutions and evolving the membership model to meet diverse needs. This forward-looking approach aims to elevate decision-making and workplace innovation in Hawaii, driven by a commitment to building healthy, effective workplaces and a resilient workforce.
Keynote: Kristin Scroggin
Attendees enjoyed a lively and humorous keynote presentation by Kristin Scroggin, an expert on generational diversity. Scroggin's presentation focused on navigating the nuances of generational diversity, enhancing communication strategies, and fostering resilient workforces.
The Hawaii Employers Council's 80th Annual Meeting was a success, with attendees learning about a variety of important topics, including innovation in HR and generational diversity. The Council is grateful for the support of its members and looks forward to continuing to provide valuable resources and services to the Hawaii business community.