HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

46

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

honoring the 2004 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF hawaii business hall of fame INDUCTEES.

 

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame was established in 1990 by Junior Achievement of Hawaii and several other business organizations to honor the State's business leaders who, through their entrepreneurial and civic activities, have made enduring contributions to Hawaii's economy and community and serve as inspirational role models for Hawaii's youth; and

WHEREAS, David S. De Luz, Sr., as a descendant of immigrant ranchers on the Big Island, is a perfect example of the immigrant success story. Having learned the value of hard work at an early age, David De Luz's work ethic and his entrepreneurial spirit established him as a top automobile salesman, who subsequently started his own dealership, Big Island Toyota, which has been the number one dealership on the Big Island for over thirty-two years. While Mr. De Luz expanded his business to include real estate investments, ranching, and other diversified interests on the Big Island, he also remains committed to giving back to the community through his involvement in a number of civic organizations, including the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Linda and Kane Fernandez's bold vision, innovation, and hard work catapulted this legendary couple's business empire into a premier family entertainment enterprise, including the Fun Factory, Inc. and E.K. Fernandez Shows, Inc., which have become an integral part of the local island tradition in this State. In addition to the couple's family business success, Linda and the late Kane Fernandez remain committed to the youth of Hawaii through scholarships and active community service; and

WHEREAS, Donald H. Graham, Jr., with his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for real estate development, came to Hawaii in 1945, managed corporate and real estate portfolios for the Dillingham corporation, and became known as the "Father of Shopping Centers" in Hawaii, with the Ala Moana Shopping Center among his most outstanding Hawaii real estate development projects, which also include the Ala Moana Hotel and various condominiums, subdivisions, and other projects on Oahu; and

WHEREAS, the late Christopher B. Hemmeter came to Hawaii in the 1960s and became a prolific, noted developer who changed Hawaii's tourism and visitor industry by building some of the State's most outstanding hotels and resorts, notably the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Hyatt Regency Maui, Westin Kauai, Westin Maui, and Hilton (formerly Hyatt) Waikoloa. In this part of the world, Mr. Hemmeter's concept of destination resorts created the impetus for the growth of Hawaii's tourism and visitor industry in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Michael H. Lyons II of Makawao, Maui is a fifth generation son of Hawaii's Alexander and Baldwin missionary family with roots in philanthropic and charitable work in the islands. Mr. Lyons' strong values of personal integrity and doing the job right enabled him to assume the leadership role of Senior Vice President and Regional Manager at the Bank of Hawaii for Maui County, where he worked for thirty years and excelled at--among other things--creating a culture of service and "championing the customer" and expanding the bank's business through his innovative concept of creating "in-store" bank branches in supermarkets; and

WHEREAS, James "Jim" S. Romig's love of the islands, together with his entrepreneurial passion, led to the creation of Hilo Hattie, which is currently the world's largest manufacturer of Hawaiian and island lifestyle products. In forty years, Jim Romig grew Hilo Hattie from a two-employee shirt wholesale operation to a successful business employing over six hundred people, such that Hilo Hattie ranks among the top one hundred corporations in Hawaii today; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that this body commends David S. De Luz, Sr., Linda and Kane Fernandez, Donald H. Graham, Jr., Christopher B. Hemmeter, Michael H. Lyons II, and James S. Romig for their inspirational business success that has contributed to Hawaii's economic development and exemplary community service that enriches the quality of life of the people of Hawaii, congratulates them upon being recognized as inductees to the Junior Achievement of Hawaii Business Hall of Fame, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to David S. De Luz, Sr., Linda and Kane Fernandez, Donald H. Graham, Jr., Christopher B. Hemmeter, Michael H. Lyons II, and James S. Romig.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Honoring Junior Achievement of Hawaii Business Hall of Fame Inductees 2004