Greater Good Radio - Connect, Learn, Heal, and Grow

Maui Land and Pineapple Company was on a big turnaround after David Cole took over the helm almost two years ago. Incurring successive losses and over $50 million in debt, Maui Land and Pineapple was on the verge of collapse—only to be rescued by David, who stated that the company would be profitable across all of its divisions by 2007. David, who has a diverse background in business as an executive/investor, uses his broad experience to bring Maui Land back to life through a healthy balance sheet. His contributions also go well beyond the company to encompass the larger community, and more significantly, the environment. For over 20 years, David has been an active conservationist, playing important roles for such organizations as the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the American Farmland Trust. Find out more about David’s transition from the high-tech and publishing industries to real estate and agriculture and how his experience from working with companies such as Ashton-Tate, NaviSoft, Ziff Communications and AOL has molded him to become an indispensable figure in one of Hawaii’s oldest and largest companies. David Cole shares with Greater Good Radio his thoughts on community involvement and environment stewardship, and why these serve as the core values of Maui Land and Pineapple. David also talks about team building and why it is important for a group to share not only the same vision, but also the same values. A very holistic interview, this is a good-listen for business leaders and corporate employees alike. Click on the link and hear more from David Cole; executive, investor and philanthropist. BIO: David Cole has an eclectic background as an executive, investor and philanthropist. As an executive he has led software, publishing and consumer products companies, including Ashton-Tate, NaviSoft, Ziff Communications, and Sunnyside Farms. In addition, he served as a group executive at AOL where he directed the company’s corporate strategy, local online services, acquisitions, and international operations. As an investor, David organized the Cole Gilburne Fund in 1986 and pioneered investments in multimedia authoring software with Macromedia, local area networks with TOPS, and remote access software with Shiva Corporation. He also led an investment group that acquired Twin Farms in 2002, a five star resort in Barnard, Vermont. As a philanthropist, he has been active for over 20 years in conservation, including playing leadership roles as a director of The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and the American Farmland Trust. Under his leadership, Maui Land & Pineapple is in the midst of a turnaround – going from continuing losses and over $50 million in debt when he was tapped to lead the company in 2003, to a healthy balance sheet and improving prospects in every business segment. He has stated that the company will be profitable across all three divisions – agriculture, development and resort operations in 2007. An organic farmer himself, David has revitalized Maui Land & Pineapple’s agriculture division with an emphasis on its fresh fruit business under the newly launched Maui Gold brand. In fact, the company’s recent investment of $20 million in a state-of-the-art fresh fruit packing system represents the largest investment in Hawaiian agriculture in many years. David’s innovative approach to development includes a visionary project called Pulelehua – a new community that includes affordable, market and “gap income” housing on West Maui, and the state’s first truly sustainable community in Hali`imaile – a town that will generate energy, cleanse water, support diversified agriculture and serve as a living classroom for teaching sustainable methods to interested students worldwide. In resort operations, David has moved to expand and reposition the Kapalua resort by adding an additio...

Joan Bennet - President and CEO, the Bennet Group Strategic Communications

Joan’s self-competitiveness has brought her on top of some of the world’s most magnificent mountains—and her love for the outdoors and the challenge it offers translates into an effective business strategy. Joan, president and CEO of Hawaii’s foremost ‘virtual’ PR firm, applies what she learns from her mountaineering experience to the competitive world of public relations. 80 per cent of all mountain climbing accidents happen downhill, according to Joan, and like in business one must be on guard 24 hours, ready to take on anything that comes along the way. This frame of mind has brought her firm to become Hawaii’s seventh largest PR company with over $1.4 million in revenue, notwithstanding a fairly minimal number of six employees. Evan and Kari chats with Joan Bennet in this seemingly candid yet insightful interaction which brings to the limelight the latter’s experiences as an employee, businesswoman, and a outdoor adventurer. In this interview, Joan talks about why she started her own PR firm and how she thought about the concept of a ‘virtual’ office. She also shares with us her thoughts about community giving and how the Bennet Group contributes in uplifting the lives of those in need. Joan imparts the lessons she learned as a member of the Peace Corps in Ghana and how this experience, along with her travel adventures, has opened her eyes and see the world from a different perspective. More of Joan Bennet, president and CEO of Bennet Group Strategic Communications, only here on Greater Good Radio. Listen now. BIO: Business Success  Started Hawaii’s first “virtual” public relations firm in 1997.  Has grown the firm to become a $1.4 million company, the 7th largest PR firm in the state (by revenue) with a team of six public relations professionals.  Provides public relations counsel to Hawaii’s top businesses, including: Bank of Hawaii, Maui Land & Pineapple, Hawaii Community Foundation, General Growth, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Verizon Wireless, among others.  Specializes in public affairs, advocacy, and public policy communications. For example, the firm’s “Clear the Smoke” campaign has helped reach thousands of residents statewide on the dangers of tobacco use, hopefully saving lives and making Hawaii a healthier place to live.  Has provided executive communications counsel to some of Hawaii’s top business and government leaders. (e.g – David Carey, David Cole, Kelvin Taketa, former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano, etc.)  The firm provides communications counsel on some of the top issues shaping Hawaii’s future: public education, affordable housing, public health, land use and economic development, among others. Community Involvement  The Bennet Group selects one deserving non-profit group and provides free public relations for one year. The 2005 recipient was the Domestic Violence Clearing House to Protect Battered and Abused Women.  The firm also provides pro bono public relations to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, the Chinatown Revitalization Project, among others.  Joan personally serves on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, and on the board of Hawaii’s 3 R’s – Repair, Restore and Rebuild Hawaii’s Schools. Personal Background  Joan has more than 20 years of experience in providing strategic public relations counsel to a wide range of clients in the U.S. and Asia Pacific region. She specializes in strategic planning, corporate and executive positioning, crisis communications and grass-roots advocacy campaigns.  Joan was recruited to Hawaii by Hill and Knowlton in 1991 where she served as Public Relations Director and later Executive Vice President.

Ritchie Mudd - President and CEO of RSI - Roofing and Building Supply

It can only go down to perseverance and determination to proudly own and successfully run a company in a fiercely competitive industry without having any background in business. These characteristics pose as Ritchie Mudd’s ticket to forming the largest and only locally owned and operated roofing supply business in Hawaii. Ritchie started his working career in Hawaii as a waiter for Victoria Station Restaurant. In 1983, he bought an abandoned 20” container, which served as his office and the start of a venture that would eventually make Ritchie a powerhouse in the building industry. Since then he has grown his 8000 sq. ft. property to a 120,000 sq. ft. facility and established offices in neighboring islands. “If anything I liked what I was doing. I enjoy what I’m doing and I probably have an attitude where I really want more than making money and I want customers to be happy,” Ritchie says, putting logic to his unprecedented entry in the business world. “And I think that if you make your customers happy, the financial part will come after that and that sort of thing.” This interview is a must-listen for those who are planning to take on the business world. Let Ritchie Mudd and his experience serve as your mentor and guide as you venture into entrepreneurship. Here, Ritchie shares his humble beginnings as an employee-turned-businessperson and why he considers customer service and satisfaction as important factors in his day-to-day transactions. All these only here on Greater Good Radio. BIO: Ritchie Mudd was born in 1951 in Bardstown, Kentucky. He holds a BA in Psychology from the Ohio State University. Ritchie began his tertiary education at Ohio State in 1969, and started as an engineering student but had to shift courses because of difficulty in Math. Came to Hawaii in 1974 with $900 in his pocket. He worked as a waiter for 10 years. Ritchie started RSI in 1983 on an 8000 sq. ft lot with an abandoned 20’ container converted as his office. He is a member of Young President’s Organization, Building Industry Association; Hawaii Roofing Contractors Association and Board member of The State of Hawaii Tax Foundation, The Sand Island Business Association, and Hawaii Children Museum. RSI was started with $30,000 from personal savings and $20,000 loan from family in Kentucky. RSI has had a steady growth and profitability for 23 years and expanded to all 4 islands with ~ 80 employees. RSI has acquired half a dozen companies in its lifetime, Rosa Supply in Kauai being the latest in 2004. Ritchie considers his work as a hobby along with watching the sunset from his Wilhemina Rise home. He is an avid fan of college basketball. Links: RSI Roofing and Building Supply Listen on Youtube:

Gary Slovin has accomplished a lot in his four decades as a lawyer, starting his career with a small firm in Philadelphia. Subsequently, Gary joined the largest and oldest law firm in the state of Hawaii in 1970. Early this year, he became a managing partner of Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifel, LLP. Gary specializes in government relations, including representation of clients before government agencies, negotiating agreements with regard to contested matters, and representing clients before the Hawaii State Legislature and the Honolulu City Council. Besides all the achievements in his professional career, it is still Gary’s involvement with the non-profit sector that makes all the difference in the community. Gary currently serves as president of the Honolulu Zoo Society, an organization that he believes is critical in preserving the wildlife population in the state for posterity. He also acts as director and officer of Helping Hands Hawaii and a member of the Mayor’s Budget Review Advisory Committee, among many others. “As far as being involved in the community, I think that’s something that I just always felt. I’ve always liked being a volunteer,” Gary says “I think that other people who do a lot of volunteer work will always tell you this: you really do get a lot more out of it than you give, because it’s a way of forming relationships and feeling connected to a community, and to me, that’s something that I’ve always had a feeling for.” Find out more about Gary Slovin’s ineffaceable attachment to supporting community-oriented causes and why surrounding one’s self with people of good moral and ethical conduct can be a significant contributor to success. All these and more is just one click away. Listen now. BIO: Gary Slovin, Managing Partner, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, LLP Business Background  Has served as Managing Partner for law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, LLP since Jan. 1st, 2006  Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel was established in Hawaii in 1878 and is the largest law firm in the state with over 70 attorneys  Specializes his practice in government relations, including representation of clients before government agencies, negotiating agreements with regard to contested matters, and representing clients before the Hawai‘i State Legislature and the Honolulu City Council.  Has represented numerous business interests before the State Legislature.  Lobbied for General Excise Tax reform on behalf of the Direct Sellers Association, a workplace exemption on behalf of Covanta Energy Corporation and an Excise Tax exemption on behalf of McDonald’s Corporation.  Also works in the area of Land Use litigation.  Successfully coordinated development efforts for Costco Wholesale outlets located on the islands of Oahu, Hawai‘i, and Maui.  Represented a leeward landowner in litigation before the State Commission on Water Resource Management regarding allocation of water that has historically flowed through the Waiahole Ditch System.  Established legislative, governmental and public relations strategy for the operators of the H-Power Facility, the waste-to-energy facility in Honolulu that disposes of nearly all of Oahu’s solid waste and converts it to electrical energy. Links: Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, LLP Listen on Youtube:

Gary Slovin - Managing partner of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, LLP

Being a mayor’s wife and a career person herself, it seems that there is so much pressure on Gail Mukaihata Hannemann, but apparently she enjoys every moment of her waking life. Gail Hannemann spent more than 15 years in Washington D.C. as congressional aide and professional staff member of the U.S. House of Representatives prior to moving to Hawaii in 1992. Married to Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, Gail currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts Council of Hawaii and an active member of various community organizations. When asked how it felt to be married to the mayor of Honolulu, Gail said that it made her life better in a sense that it became more organized yet stayed appealing. Their professional career, according to Gail, makes for an interesting conversation during the end of the day, which puts their relationship on even stronger ground despite their busy schedules. Greater Good Radio brings to you, Gail Mukaihata Hannemann, CEO of the Girl Scouts Council of Hawaii and wife of Mayor Mufi Hannemann as she talks about her involvement with the State’s largest, girl-focused organization whose mission is to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” In this interview, Gail shares how she manages to deal with and accomplish her tasks as a professional minus the detriments and benefits of being branded “the mayor’s wife”. She also speaks of her active involvement in the Arts and why she sees it as an important aspect of community development. All these and more only here on Greater Good Radio. Listen now. BIO: As Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii, Gail Mukaihata Hannemann oversees Hawai`i’s largest, girl-focused organization whose mission is to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” Under her leadership, the Council is transforming its personal and leadership development model and operations to ensure that the Girl Scout Program remains inviting and relevant to not only today’s girls but also future generations. Born and raised in California, Ms. Mukaihata Hannemann left the Golden State soon after graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She moved to our nation’s capitol where she spent most of the next 15 years as a congressional aide and professional staff member of a U.S. House of Representatives legislative committee. There she developed an expertise in the legislative process by primarily working to improve the social, economic, and political conditions of the U.S. insular areas. In 1992, Ms. Mukaihata Hannemann departed Washington, D.C. for Hawai`i to join her husband, Mufi Hannemann. She became Vice President of Corporate Development for SMS Inc., one of Hawai`i’s premier research and marketing firms and eventually left to pursue other interests. Just prior to joining the Girl Scouts She became Vice President of Corporate Development for SMS Inc., one of Hawai`i’s premier research and marketing firms and eventually left to pursue other interests.. In this capacity, she staffed a six-person commission charged with making recommendations to the President of the United States regarding the economic development of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. Active in her community, Ms. Mukaihata Hannemann is the Chair of the Hawai`i Alliance for Arts Education (dba, Hawai`i Arts Alliance). It is the only statewide, non-profit organization that supports and advocates for all the arts and is part of the national Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, a major program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. The Hawai`i Arts Alliance represents 105 organizations and 300 individuals, with a combined statewide membership of over 35,000. Ms. Mukaihata Hannemann also serves on the Board of Directors of the Children&...

Gail Mukaihata Hannemann - Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii

Susan Page embodies everything that characterizes today’s powerful career women. As a profession, Susan has become a model, fashion-oriented entrepreneur, emcee, radio show host, public speaker, and writer. But despite all her conquests and successes as a career person, Susan still considers her involvement in the family and raising children as the greatest achievement of her life. On the other side that tips the scale lies Susan’s commitment to the community. Susan has co-hosted the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network telethon and specials for 22 years and currently serves as a director on the boards of the Kapiolani Health Foundation, Women In Need, and is Vice Chair of the national board of the humanitarian faith-based organization, Heart for Africa. Her involvement with the latter made her realize how minute and irrelevant her problems were relative to those she came across with in Africa. “We have a lot in our country, and I feel very blessed in my life to have a lot,” Susan says. “I’m focused a little bit on Africa because there’s just such a grave and dire need there beyond what we can even imagine here. Our greatest need here is very small compared to the least of their needs there, and so that’s what we’re doing.” This GGR exclusive takes us into Susan Page’s professional, domestic and philanthropic endeavors. Susan shares her knowledge about business and how to do a successful marketing, critically important especially in today’s increasingly globalized business community. Listen now and find out more. BIO: Susan Page has been a weekly columnist for Oahu’s MidWeek magazine for 14 years, writing on current events and life style. After selling both her modeling and fashion photography businesses in 1993, she has been a busy emcee, guest radio host, and public speaker. Susan also has co-hosted the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network telethon and specials for 22 years and currently serves as a director on the boards of the Kapiolani Health Foundation, Women In Need, and is Vice Chair of the national board of the humanitarian faith-based organization, Heart for Africa. She is currently Vice President of Marketing for Coffee Enterprises, Inc. Susan has been a military wife and a widow. She is the proud mother of a daughter, Joy Ditto, a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. and a son, USMC Captain Kyle Ditto, an FA/18 pilot, four grown step children and seven grandchildren. She is married to retired Navy Captain Gerald Coffee and resides in Aiea, Hawaii. Links: Coffee Enterprises Listen on Youtube:

Susan Page - VP of Coffee Enterprises, Inc. and columnist for Mid Week

Retired Navy Captain Jerry Coffee has spent 7 years and 9 days as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, mostly in solitary confinement. Captain Coffee, along with his comrades, endured physical and psychological torture, not to mention the agony of being away from home and loved ones. To this day, his experience serves as an inspiration to thousands, or even millions, around the world—his story withstanding the test of time. Capt. Coffee considered those years under communist incarceration an episode that should be heard, and this became his purpose. Retiring from the military, Capt. Coffee started a civilian career as a professional speaker and author, sharing his stories to thousands of people across America and overseas. Greater Good Radio has had the chance to hear first-hand Captain Jerry Coffee’s experiences as a military personnel, POW, keynote speaker, father and husband. Capt. Coffee talks about the importance of communication in our daily interactions with the people around us. He tells how the democratization of technology changes the way we communicate with each other, pinpointing its advantages and downsides. 30-minutes of motivational insights and inspirational words await our listeners, ending with four simple words, “Be in the moment.” Find out more only here on Greater Good Radio. BIO: Born in Modesto, California, Gerald (Jerry) Coffee joined the Navy in 1957 after graduating from UCLA with a degree in Commercial Art. In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis as an F-8 Crusader pilot , Jerry was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying low level reconnaissance missions over Cuba, taking the photos ultimately used by the United States UN ambassador to prove the existence of Soviet missiles there. In February of 1966, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam, his RA5-C reconnaissance jet was downed by enemy fire. He parachuted safely but was captured immediately. For the next seven years he was held as a POW in the Communist prisons of North Vietnam. After his repatriation in February, 1973, Jerry returned to operation duties. He retired from active duty in the Navy after 28 years of service. His military decorations include the Silver Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 13 stars. For the past 20 years, Captain Gerald Coffee, has been considered one of the nation’s top speakers, addressing thousands of people a year across a broad spectrum of corporate America and to international groups as well. In his message of going “Beyond Survival,” Jerry draws not only from insights derived from the prison experience, but also from the perspective of his unique experiences since then: earning a masters degree in political science from Cal-Berkeley, studying at the prestigious National Defense University in Washington, D.C., Navy command and staff assignments, and his continuing interaction with hundreds of America’s corporations and associations as a professional speaker. In a poll of corporate meeting planners, Captain Coffee was selected as one of America’s Top Ten Speakers. And, the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table selected him as one of its top twelve most popular, highest-rated, main platform speakers for the past 20 years. He holds the National Speaker’s Association’s highest rating of CSP and membership in the Speaker’s Hall of Fame (CPAE). His numerous civilian awards include the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. Jerry is a highly respected commentator on current political, economic, and social issues, seeing most in terms of opportunities yet to be seized by heroic leadership. He has appeared on Larry King Live (twice), Talk Back Live, NBC news, and numerous radio and TV talk shows. His book, Beyond Survival,

Jerry Coffee - Retired Navy captain, keynote speaker, author and media commentator

“Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations” basically means that the first generation in a family-run business starts and grows the company, the second generation drives it, and the third blows it, as explained by Steven Ai. But for the president and CEO of City Mill, Steven and his sister, Carol try to maintain and preserve a legacy that their grandfather started more than 100 years ago. To lay proof to this claim and refute the business proverb are the various awards they have received as proprietors of City Mill. In 2004, the company was awarded the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award by the Hawaii Psychological Association. In the same year, Steven and Carol were honored the Retailer of the Year and Retail Business of the Year awards by the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. The century-old company was also featured in Pacific Business News as “Best in Business” worth over $10 million. “One thing my sister and I wanted to make sure is that we were not the third generation that took the company down. We’re very proud to be third generation. About five to ten percent of businesses will make it to the third generation,” says Steven in his Great Good Radio interview. What keeps the hardware and lifestyle store a strong business entity in the State is the support-based relationship it preserves through the years with the local community. In addition, City Mill effectively embodies transformation, innovation and keeping up with the times, making the business a fierce competitor of mainland companies founding their trade in the islands. Evan and Kari brings to you Steven Ai as he shares how “remembering the source of the water you drink” may prove to be an effective business strategy. Listen now to know more. BIO: AI, STEVEN C. PR/CEO, City Mill Co. Ltd. 138 B. Honolulu, HI EDUC. Iolani School, HI Whittier College, BA, Bus, Admin. U of Denver, MBA MIL. NA EXP. EVP (’83-85) Admin. Asst. (’79-83) with City Mill Co. Ltd. MGR/Mgt. Consulting, NY, HI with KPMG Peat Marwick Loan Analyst/International Div., Union Bank Accountant, City of LA Mayor’s Office CORP. DO. Imatec, Ltd. CLUBS Oahu CC, Honolulu Club COM. BD. Children’s Discovery Ctr., Iolani School, HMSA, YMCA, Young Presidents’ Organization, Le Jardin, Fil Com Center, Gee Hing Trust, Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants HOBBIES Tennis, running, keyboard, guitar, golf, travel, cooking, computers Links: City Mill Listen on Youtube:

Steven Ai - President and CEO of City Mill Co. Ltd.