Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 5, 1 May 1989 — Henry Kauhi--Hiki No! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Henry Kauhi--Hiki No!

New Entrepreneur Joins Asia Trade Mission

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer Henry Kauhi is a "ean do" kind of guy. He seems to haue adopted the Hawaiian expression "hiki no" as his personal motto and way of life. Kauhi decided about a year ago that, with a wife and three children to support, he just couldn't make it on a poliee officer's salary on Kaua'i. Today, after graduating from OHA's entrepreneurship training program, Kauhi is about to enter the world of international trade. He is scheduled to make business presentations to potential clients in Osaka and T okyo and will be negotiating contracts in Hong Kong. Kauhi is president of Hana Hou Distributors whieh he operates from his home in Kalaheo. His best-selling product is the Bon Del water filter, whieh Kauhi says utilizes technology developed by NASA and the space program. Kauhi says he expects to sell more than 15,000 of the filters this year, making his company the largest volume distributor of the product nationwide except for California. In March, Kauhi submitted his application to participate in the Small Business Administration/Federal Express trade mission to Japan and Hong Kong. The mission is designed to promote American-made medical and health related technology in those countries. Kauhi radiates justifiable pride when he tells you that his is one of only 14 businesses throughout the nation accepted to participate in the trade mission. He was scheduled to leave May 7 and return May 20. Although some of the trip is underwritten by the sponsoring agencies, participants themselves must pay a portion of the expenses and shortly before his departure date, Kauhi was busy seeking assistance from a number of agencies. Kauhi, however, is an extremely self-confident

man and fully expects to attain his goal of eeonomie independence. He credits OHA for the opportunity to participate in the entrepreneurship training program whieh provided him with the encouragement and knowledge necessary to start his own business. In Japan and Hong Kong, Kauhi says he will be doing more than just trying to sell water filters. He'll be demonstrating that with the right attitude and training, Hawaiians ean compete and succeed anywhere. Kauhi says, "I am honored to represent the people and business interests of Hawai'i, and as a proud Hawaiian business owner, want to

promote good will abroad and inspire other young Hawaiians interested in business and eeonomie self-sufficiency to utilize opportunities through OHA and other city, state and federal programs." Hiki no!

Henry Kauhi