Retail Merchats of Hawaii recognizes that during the past few years, it was not just one person but a team effort in pivoting, giving back to the community and navigating the many challenges retailers face. Without these outstanding retailers, our community and visitors would not experience the full magnitude of our industry’s aloha spirit.  So, it is only right that we recognize their continued great work and dedication. 

cALLING FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE HO'OKELA AWARDS!

The Ho'okela Awards celebrate excellence in various categories, recognizing the hard work and dedication of both retail and non-retail community teams. We believe that your insights can help us unearth those hidden gems who deserve to be honored for their exceptional contributions.

  Categories for Nominations:

• Retail Team of The Year: Recognizing both management and non-management teams that have demonstrated outstanding commitment, teamwork, and innovation in the retail sector.
• Community Team of The Year: Honoring the retail teams that go above and beyond to make a positive impact on our community, encompassing both management and non-management members.
• Retail Manager of The Year: Honors an outstanding retail employee in a Management position that has gone above and beyond their job responsibilities, and/or provides outstanding and unusual service to the company, to the customers, and/or to the community. Some examples include cultivating innovative or creative products/services; showing outstanding leadership qualities; overcoming obstacles; consistently adding to the customer experience; meeting special or unique needs of customers; and/or performing heroic deeds.
• Retail Employee of The Year: Honors an outstanding Non-Management or Supervisory retail employee that has gone above and beyond their job responsibilities, and/or provides outstanding and unusual service to the company, to the customers, and/or to the community. Some examples include cultivating innovative or creative products/services; showing outstanding leadership qualities; overcoming obstacles; consistently adding to the customer experience; meeting special or unique needs of customers; and/or performing heroic deeds. 

Know a team or individual from a company that shows exemplary professionalism and service, goes above and beyond expectations, and is visionary & innovative in problem-solving? Nominate them for a Ho'okela Award! Please send nomination form to kamak@rmhawaii.org by March 3, 2025

Click Here for the Rules and Guidelines to Nominations

Click Here for Nomination Form

Your participation is crucial in helping us uncover the best of the best. Please take a moment to submit your nominations by March 3, 2025. Your input will contribute to the selection of the most deserving winners who will be honored at our prestigious Ho'okela Awards Ceremony.

congratulations to our 2024 Ho'okela Award Winners

Retailer of the year- Danene Lunn of Manuheali'i

Retail Business of the year, State of Hawaii- Honolulu Cookie Company

Chairperson's Award- First Hawaiian Bank

Retail team of the year- Par Pacific's Hele Gas Stations

Retail community team- Goodwill Maui

Non-retailer community team- Bank of Hawai'i

Mahalo to our 2024 Ho'okela AWards sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Double Gold Sponsor

Manuaheali'i

Gold Sponsors

First Hawaiian Bank |Honolulu Cookie Company

Bronze Sponsors

ABC Stores | Bank of Hawai'i | City Mill| Crazy Shirts | Hyatt Regency Waikiki | Par Hawai'i