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Honolulu, HI, May 6, 2004---Chaminade University is announcing the top three cash winners of the Hogan/Bank of Hawaii Nonprofit Business Plan competition, the first of its kind in Hawaii. The awards will be announced Thursday, May 13, 2004, from 10 – 11am at the Mystical Rose Oratory at Chaminade University.
Sponsored by the Hogan Entrepreneurs of Chaminade University and the Bank of Hawaii, the competition showcases “both Hawaii's passion for community service, and its entrepreneurial energy,” according to Sue Wesselkamper, Chaminade President. “It also recognizes the important role the nonprofit sector plays in Hawaii's economy, supporting nearly 1 in 10 jobs in the state.”
Contest organizers were surprised to receive more than 75 submissions in this inaugural year--evidence that the nonprofit sector is rich with innovation and initiative. Ideas ranged from creating for-profit subsidiaries and grass-roots application of new technologies to creative agricultural projects which bring work to people in need.
James Koshiba, Principal of 3POINT Consulting and one of the competition's organizers, said the winning plans demonstrate "social entrepreneurship” and promise “social return on investment,” rather than the old “social service” model. Cash prizes and consulting services will go to the top three finalists, with $15,000 going to the first place winner. The consulting services are designed to assist winners in implementing their ventures with offerings in design, financial planning, accounting, marketing, grant writing, fundraising, organizational management or legal assistance.
The 2004 Finalists: All Saints Bakery and Catering, Honolulu: Blue Hawaii Building Project and the Wailuku Small Business Center; Hawaiian Homestead Technology, Inc, Honolulu; Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii, Honolulu; Intergenerational Theater Project, Honolulu; Ka Hale Pomaika’l “The Blessed House”, Kaunakaka; Pacific Biotech Support Services, LLC, Honolulu; Wai’anae Organic Farmers Cooperative, Wai’anae.
Contest judges include Bank of Hawaii Vice president Linda Lewis Ezuka; Chaminade University 's John Webster; HMSA Corporate Communications Vice President , Michael Stollar; YWCA Honolulu President & CEO Cheryl Ka’uhane; American Savings Bank Senior Vice President Anna Marie Springer; Harold K.L. Castle Foundation Executive Director Terrence George; Hawai’I Community Services Council President & CEO John Flanagan; and Business Advisory Group, Inc. President Debbie Halloff.
One of the Contest 's organizers Adrew Aoki, also of 3 POINT Consulting says the nonprofit sector is often “misperceived as the province of charity, shoestring budgets and bureaucratic service provisions . In fact, Hawaii's nonprofits display great business acumen and organizational prowess.”
He says the work showcased by the competition highlights the fact that Hawai`i’s nonprofits are no longer the “charities” we’re familiar with; they’re becoming “change agents”, using innovation to tackle old social problems in new ways.” John Webster , Director of the Hogan Entrepreneurs says Chaminade's nonprofit business plan competition has “helped reveal the strong leadership, creativity and business savvy that is characteristic of Hawaii's nonprofit sector, but too often unrecognized.”
The Hogan Entrepreneurial Program was launched two years ago at Chaminade University with a grant from the Hogan Family Foundation. More than 40 students have been trained, mentored and taught by advisory board members representing Hawaii’s leading private and public sector executives.
Founded in 1955, Chaminade University is committed to educating future
leaders equipped with both talent and character. Chaminade University offers
a liberal
arts curriculum that prepares students for life, work and service. With 22
undergraduate degree programs and five graduate degree programs, CUH enrolls
over 2,500 students
at its scenic Kaimuki hillside campus overlooking Diamond Head. CUH offers
day, evening, online and accelerated 10-week courses to meet the needs of
working adults at 10 satellite locations around O’ahu military bases and Catholic
parishes and schools.
John Webster can be reached at 739-4611 or jwebster@chaminade.edu Chaminade
University is located at 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816. For more
information, visit
the Chaminade University website at www.chaminade.edu or
call (808) 735-4711.
