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

James Yamada Jr. - President of A-1-Alectrician

James Yamada Jr. has turned his family-run business from a 25-personnel firm in the 1970s to a 150-man workforce today; the company earning $40 million per annum. After his father’s death in 1979, Yamada began to apply the principles he learned from Peter Drucker on employee and customer relations, and involvement in social giving. Today, A-1 A-lectrician is an active donor to a number of foundations and charities including Youth for Christ, Salvation Army, and University of Hawaii Foundation. Yamada believes that businesses have an obligation to the community wherein they operate. “Anyone that is going to be involved in business, I think has a social obligation to go and touch and change lives,” he said. “I think business and social responsibility are interwoven and joined at the hip.” But their success didn’t come overnight. Financial difficulties hounded the company in the 70s and 80s “We had our ups and downs in the late 70s, a couple of years before my father died,” Yamada said. “I almost threw the company to bankruptcy. It was doing well until I thought I knew everything.” Greater Good Radio chats with James Yamada Jr. about his business principles and his belief in helping the community. In the aftershow, Yamada talks about financial failures as an essential character builder and prerequisite to success. BIO: Links: Listen on Youtube:

Kevin Sypniewski - Founder and CEO of Assist Guide, Board of Entrepreneur's Foundation of Hawaii, HiBEAM member

Kevin Sypniewski’s AssistGuide is a pioneer in providing long-term care and disability information through the internet. Founded in 1998, the company currently receives more than half a million hits per month with participation of over 400 industry-specific businesses and enlisting 160,000 providers nationwide, making it a leading player in this service realm. AssistGuide ‘connects providers, employers, and governments online to enable consumers to find senior and disability products, services, and support they need’. Kevin Sypniewski talks about how he has conceptualized AssistGuide and his shift from finance to the Senior & Disability service industry. He also mentions the difficulties currently being faced by long-term care service providers and the positive outlook of the industry pointing to the future needs of the 78 million baby boomers. “Right now most of us baby boomers are getting that glimpse of what it is like by going through it with our parents.” Listen to Evan Leong’s 1-on-1 interview with Kevin Sypniewski, board member of several non-profit organizations, as he shares his business formula and how he works with various community-based organizations to provide for the needs of the society. “Keep your ideas open. Find out what your passion is,” says Sypniewski advising individuals starting their own business ventures. BIO: KEVIN W. SYPNIEWSKI President & CEO, AssistGuide Inc. EMPLOYMENT April 1998 – Present: AssistGuide Inc., President & CEO (www.AssistGuide.com) AssistGuide provides online business systems for senior & disability businesses and offers an online resource with over 140,000 senior & disability providers nationwide. 1992 – April 1998: UNUM, Manager, State of Hawaii for group benefits and individual disability & long term care. UNUM is one the world leader in Disability & Long Term Care and Special Risk Products. 1988 – 1992: UNUM – Dallas, Texas – Employee Benefits Representative, Dallas/West Texas Territory SERVICE Hawaii Long Term Care Association – Board of Directors Olmstead Committee, State of Hawaii Catholic Charities, Board of Director Governor Appointed: Health Planning Council – Windward Oahu 1999-2003 Joint Legislative Committee on Long Term Care 1998 Winners at Work, 1995 – 2002: Board of Directors Winners at Work is a non-profit training and placement organization for individuals with disabilities and mental challenges. Joint Legislative Subcommittee on Long-term Residential Care 1998 Finance Resource Group, Hawaii Long Term Care Reform Blue Ribbon Task Force, 1995 – 1998 House Human Services Interim Committee, Long Term Care, Summer 1993 Senior Connections, 1998 – 2000: Co-founder Senior Connections is a free bi-monthly introduction to computers & the Internet classes for seniors sponsored by Weinberg’s Kuwili Technology Center and AssistGuide Hawaii Industry Venture, 1994 – 1997: Board of Directors & a Founding Member 1997 Center for Disease Control’s “Nation’s Best Organization Award” winner. Hawaii Industry Venture is a business group for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the workplace. National League for Nursing, Reimbursement Committee, 1995-96 EDUCATION Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas Bachelor of Business Administration, May 1988 Finance Major & Advertising Minor Links: Listen on Youtube:

William Donohoe - President of The Shipping Shack

William Donohoe turned an ostensibly fatal ailment into an opportunity to make his dreams come to life. In January 2002, Donohoe was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari malfunction (ACM), a congenital brain anomaly, which rendered him futile during the course of his operation and recovery. He used his amelioration period to plan his shipping business aptly named The Shipping Shack. With the assistance of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation program, William Donohoe eventually established his company in September 9, 2005. In addition, Donohoe was granted the SEE program by the Department of Human Resources for the state of Hawaii where minimum or 14 per cent of overall employee wage were reimbursed, significantly reducing costs, thus, increasing company viability. He claims that there are government programs out there, designed to assist the public, which do not get proper publicity. “I think that the word is not out there that some of these programs exist and a lot of times government money is not used. And I think the government in the State of Hawaii has these programs,” Donohoe said. “They need to publicize it more and let the private sector know that there is help available, which I believe they are starting to do now.” Hear more about William Donohoe’s humble transition from employee to employer, as he talks about how he has overcome disability and be the man he only once dreamt of. BIO: William Donohoe’s story in his own words: I am 48 years old. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Single father of four sons. They were 6, 5, 4 and 2 when I got divorced and custody of them. They are now 25, 24, 23 and 21. All are on their own and doing extremely well. Their jobs include warehousing, working for NASA, a firefighter, and my youngest son attending HPU majoring in marine biology and also studying his first year of graduate school concurrent with his senior year. For the past 19 years, I was employed by Federal Express. Started with FedEx in ‘ 86 in Columbus, Ohio. Approximately in ‘ 92, I transferred to Orlando, FL with my sons going with me. In April 2001, I transferred to here in Honolulu with Federal Express. My dream has always been to live in Honolulu, on the beach in Waikiki, and starting my own business after raising my sons. My youngest son Sean came over here with me to do his senior year in high school. He attended Mililani High School. His lifetime dream was to move to Hawaii and to do his senior year of high school to be considered as a Hawaiian resident for he wanted to attend college here in Hawaii and to major in marine biology. Upon completing his senior year at M.H.S. He was awarded Valid Victorian and offered full scholarships from UH Hilo and HPU both. He had done as to what his brothers had done. To receive full financial support to attend college. When Sean moved to HPU’s dorm, I moved down to Waikiki. At this point 2 of my 3 dreams had become a reality. My final dream of owning my own business came about in strange way. In mid 2002, I started to experience extremely severe headaches and numbness on the left side of my body. Also, while driving, I started to have periods of blackouts and numbness going down to both feet. There were times as to where I could not feel the brake and/or accelerator. My job with federal Express at that time was handling restricted articles such as radioactive material and explosives primarily to the military bases. Due to being a risk to the public and myself, I had to report my conditions to my supervisor at FedEx. This was after being seen by a neurologist. The neurologist located a Lipoma Tumor at the base of my brain. In fact it is still there. FedEx had me go see the company doctor. He immediately placed me on medical disability pending the outcome of my medical situation. My neurologist said that this Lipoma, a fatty tissue tumor, was not the cause of my symptoms.

Congressman Ed Case - U.S. Congressman running for U.S. Senate

Congressman Ed Case represents 650,000 people, the only member of congress with such number, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Case’s job entails that—Hawaii being 5000 miles from the DC—federal budgets are being spent “appropriately in Hawaii in the right programs and at the right amounts”, making his role vital in the state’s development and progress. In this exclusive Greater Good Radio interview—his first media appearance after his announcement of running for senate—Ed Case speaks about his role as Hawaii’s advocate to the U.S. federal government. He also shares with us how his family became instrumental in his running for public office. “I was raised to provide some form of public service. I mean, my parents cared deeply about their community, they still do, they’re still there,” Case says. “They’re still active in their communities. They were on a range of joint efforts to help other communities, so my household was a public service household.” Evan and Kari talk to Congressman Ed Case about how he has become a representative and his reasons for getting a career in government, plus, his most memorable and exciting moments in politics. BIO: CONGRESSMAN ED CASE: Roots, Experience, Family, Community * Born and raised on the Island of Hawai‘i * Fourth generation in Hawai‘i: O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Island * 53 years old * Husband and father * Educated in public and private schools * Twenty years of private sector experience * Twenty years of government experience * U.S. Congress (Spark Matsunaga) * Hawai‘i Supreme Court (William Richardson) * Hawai‘i State Legislator (Majority Leader) * U.S. Congressman Personal Born Hilo, Territory of Hawai‘i, September 27, 1952 Eldest of six children of Jim (born Lihu‘e) and Suzanne (born Missouri) Case Grandson of Hib and Betty Case of Kaua‘i (moved to Kaua‘i 1919) Great-grandson of Judge Daniel and Kathryn Case of Maui (moved to Hawai‘i 1896; Maui 1903-1946) Married to the former Audrey Nakamura, daughter of Rev. James Saburo (born Honolulu) and Magdalene Hirata (born Kona) Nakamura Four children: David (22), Megan (20), James (17) and David (15) Education Waiakea-Kai and Keaukaha Elementary Schools, Hilo (K-6th) Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, Kamuela (grad. 1970) Williams College, MA (B.A. 1975) University of California/Hastings College of Law, San Francisco (J.D. 1981) Private Sector Experience Attorney, Carlsmith Ball, Honolulu (1983-2002) Partner (1989-2002) Hawai‘i managing partner (1992-94) Government Experience Legislative Assistant, U.S. Congressman/Senator Spark Matsunaga, Washington, D.C. (1975-78) Law Clerk, Department of Labor, State of Hawai‘i (1979) Law Clerk, Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice William Richardson (1981-82) Manoa Neighborhood Board (1985-89), Chair, 1987-89 Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, Manoa (1994-2002) Chair, Committee on Hawaiian Affairs (1997-98) Majority Leader (1999-2000) U.S. Congressman (2002-present) Other Employment Messenger/office boy; laborer/container yard, tire company, construction/masonry; “jackeroo” (cowboy)/sheep-cattle ranch; youth counselor/summer camp Selected Awards Legislator of the Year, Honolulu Weekly (1995) New Economy Legislator of the Year, Hawai‘i Technology & Trade Assn. (2000) Legislator of the Year, Small Business Hawai‘i (2000) Aiting Kaibigan Progress Award, United Filipino Council Hawai‘i (2003) Small Business Advocate, Small Business Survival Committee (2004) Koa Award/Elected Official of the Year, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i (2005) Hobbies and Interests Outdoor activities, including running,

David Heenan - CEO of Campbell Estate, Author of "Flight Capital"

David Heenan became a pilot, a corporate executive, and board member of a numerous organizations, but his real passion directs him to share insights in the modern corporate and global phenomena. As an author, Heenan has written and co-written several non-fictions pertaining to specific aspects of corporatization and globalization with focus on the American paradigm. His latest material, Flight Capital, talks about the brain drain phenomenon, of foreign-born professionals leaving the United States to establish themselves in their motherland. “According to my statistics and accounting the country is losing probably on a daily basis somewhere between 500 and a thousand,” Heenan said. “These are foreign born Americans. Many of them in leading-edge professions in science, technology and medicine, exactly the types of people you want to get your hook in to.” In this interview, Heenan shares how his book can reverse the trend and help America get back on its feet and become an even greater player in the global economy. He also talks about Double Lives, published in 2002, and how people become successful by challenging the “time-honored advocacy of total commitment to a single profession”. Thought-provoking and insightful, this interview is a must for corporate individuals and businesspeople alike. BIO: DAVID A. HEENAN David A. Heenan is a trustee of the Estate of James Campbell, one of the nation’s largest landowners with assets valued at over $2 billion. Formerly, he served as chairman and CEO of Theo. H. Davies & Co., Ltd., the North American holding company for the Hong Kong-based Jardine Matheson. Earlier, he was the vice president for academic affairs at the University of Hawaii and, before that, dean of its business school. Mr. Heenan holds the A.B. degree from the College of William and Mary, the M.B.A. from Columbia University and the Ph.D. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has served on the faculties of the Wharton School and the Columbia Graduate School of Business. He also serves on the boards of Bank of Hawaii, Maui Land & Pineapple Company and several other organizations. An active writer, Mr. Heenan’s articles have appeared in such diverse publications as the Harvard Business Review (seven times), the Sloan Management Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Christian Science Monitor. He is the author or co-author of Double Lives, Co-Leaders, The New Corporate Frontier, The Re-United States of America and Multinational Organization Development. His sixth book, Flight Capital, was recently released. Links: Campbell Estate Listen on Youtube:

Joe C. Rice - President and CEO of Mid Pacific Institute

Some of us may only experience it vicariously in the movies but Joe Rice’s life story is a real drama. However, this did not stop him from achieving his goals in life, making him an inspiration to thousands. Listen to this interview as Joe Rice shares his experiences as a child growing up under the wrath of his step-father; his childhood filled with anxiety, fear, hatred, and destitution, offset by the love given by his mother and hope offered by various individuals who come along his way. “The greatest gifts come from loving and caring for others. I felt I was a recipient of the greatest gifts and love with no strings attached,” he said. “It just changed me, I don’t know how to put it but I think that’s the greatest lesson and I think it made me a better person. It made me feel that somehow I have to teach that to my children.” Joe Rice may not have achieved his dream of becoming a social worker but he has given and gained more as an educator, wanting to reciprocate all the help he had received growing up. Celebrating his first decade as president and CEO of Mid Pacific Institute, Joe Rice has spent 35 years in the teaching industry, changing people’s lives by sharing the life he once lived. Learn more about his thought-provoking and inspirational stories as he narrates his childhood and how he had become a teacher not only in the classroom but also to the community. BIO: Joe Carl Rice Joe C. Rice is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mid-Pacific Institute (MPI), an independent, grades kindergarten through twelve (pre-kindergarten effective 2005-2006 school year, 141-year college-preparatory school which is located adjacent to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Rice has been with Mid-Pacific Institute since 1996, and oversees all corporate financial, development, and educational activities. He is a member of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Rice has been in education for thirty-five years with twenty-three years as a principal/educational administrator. He is an educational consultant and university adjunct professor, specializing in learning and reading styles, nongraded and multiage education, and reading methods. In the State of Washington, Mr. Rice was the Principal of Madrona School in Edmonds for twelve years; Principal at Pennisula Elementary School in Moses Lake for two years; and Director of Special Programs at Lutacaga Elementary School in Othello for two years. In the South Pacific, Mr. Rice served for two years as a Special Assistant to the Director of Education, U. S. Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, where he oversaw the operation of the Personnel Department, Federal funding and grants, and teacher education activities. As Director of Project “Pacific” and State Director of “Right to Read,” Mr. Rice also hired, trained and evaluated project teachers. While in the Peace Corps, he taught high school language arts in Kabul, Afghanistan and in Saipan (Mariana Islands). Mr. Rice graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a Master of Arts degree from Central Washington University. His Doctoral Studies (continuing) are in the field of brain research and alternative education. Mr. Rice is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Association of Supervision Curriculum Development, Oahu Country Club, The Plaza Club, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise, Girl Scout Council of Hawaii (Treasurer), and Phi Delta Kappa. Mr. Rice received the Golden Apple Award for Educational Excellence presented by Public Television and Pemco in 1994, the Excellence in Educational Administration Award from Western Washington University in 1993, and the National Golden Acorn Award from the Washington State Parent and Teachers Association in 1988. Mr.

Steve Metter started his career as an 18-year old. Young and full of dreams, Metter was able to buy his own condominium which he eventually sold netting $4500. He used the money and some loans to fund his college education. “I had to pay for school some way and I realized, not taking some part-time jobs, that school was the solution and that working right out of school was not an option,” he said. “So now I had to figure a way to pay for it because my parents weren’t in that position and so this was a vehicle to do that and it happened to work.” Metter started working early in life because he believed in the value of education. He used his early experience to get him through tertiary level with a degree in social science from the University of California at Berkeley. After graduation, he worked as an investment banker for Morgan-Stanley in New York before going to Hawaii, which caught his heart. “New York was all about transactions, cutting edge, making money and as soon as you’re done with a transaction, you’re kind of done,” he said. “Hawaii was all about relationships from what I understood because I had an older brother that lived here, and it was beautiful. I mean it was beyond my description, and so I wanted to live in a beautiful place and start a career.” Metter moved to Hawaii and has never left. He now runs MW Group which has roughly $300 million in assets. Find out more how Steve Metter, CEO and principal of MW Group, Ltd. has put together with his partner, Mike Woods (20 years his senior), their real estate business and how the company provides social services through the B.R.I.D.G.E. program. BIO: STEPHEN B. METTER Stephen B. Metter is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal of MW Group, Ltd. and Principal Broker of MW Commercial Realty, Inc. MW Group, Ltd. is a diversified Hawaii based Real Estate Development company with over 300 million in assets. MW Group, Ltd. has a proven track record of adding value to existing properties and developing ground up projects. Currently MW Group owns, leases and operates: Self Storage, Assisted Living, Office, Retail and Industrial properties. Mr. Metter entered the investment banking business in New York City, working with Morgan Stanley’s Information Services Group. He was subsequently recruited into the Oppenheimer Investment Bank Merger and Acquisition Team. Mr. Metter earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Metter serves on the following boards: McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, Child and Family Services, Workforce Development Council, Hawaii Theater, Hawaiian Humane Society, Fort Street Business Improvement District, Downtown Arts and Cultural District, The Plaza Club and is a member of YPO. Mr. Metter is married to Susan Metter and they have two daughters, Cassidy and Mckenzy and one son, Hudson. Additional Info: As of 2-18-2006 Assets Managed Summary of Current Projects Hawaii Self Storage – Pearl City 115,000 square foot purpose-built self-storage facility located on Kamehameha Highway near Ka’ahumanu Street. Currently under construction with anticipated opening for summer 2005. Plaza at Punchbowl 918 Lunalilo Street, Honolulu, HI 108 Unit/138 Bed Assisted Living and Memory Care Residence. Opened in January 2004, Plaza at Punchbowl is filling a dramatic need in Honolulu’s senior community. Pioneer Plaza 900 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI Acquired in September 2001 with a $9 million renovation completed in 2003. This office building in the heart of downtown Honolulu contains approximately 275,000 square feet of leasable area. Pioneer Plaza is home to The Plaza Club and features Hawaii’s highest speed 100 mbps cable connection for the fastest possible connection to the internet. Nimitz Center

Stephen "Steve" Metter - CEO of MW Group

The tables have turned this time for our husband-and-wife radio show hosts. President and CEO of Energy Industries, Darren Kimura was a guest host for this episode interviewing Evan and Kari Leong, founders and owners of EK Ventures. The show features their careers and how they as a couple handle their seemingly hectic business and family life. Evan and Kari started their careers in a multi-level marketing organization where they have honed their skills in selling and dealing with people, which to them was not easy in the beginning. “The MLM business is probably the hardest thing you’ll ever do in your life. You go through more rejection in one day than you’d probably go through in one year,” Evan said. “If you’ve ever been in business and you ride that rollercoaster, try and ride it five times in the same day. That’s the experience, but you grow really, really fast, if you can make it.” Evan also talks about how he had come up with the concept of Greater Good Radio, focusing on the promotion of social entrepreneurship, and Kari’s unrelenting support for his endeavor. He shares the concept of ‘leverage’, which has been imparted to him by Duane Kurisu, and how it had become a paradigm for their program. Kari, meanwhile, tells us how their teamwork and support for each other prove to be instrumental in their growing success as entrepreneurs and parents. Find out more about Evan and Kari’s future plans for their program in this interview conducted by Mr. Kimura. BIO: Links: Greater Good Radio Greater Good Radio Mobile Site Bubble Tea Supply Bubble Tea Supply Store EK Ventures Listen on Youtube: