Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 7, 1 July 2017 — Supporting small businesses [ARTICLE]

Supporting small businesses

A $24,000 Mālama Loan from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs helped April Brobst make the transition from housekeeper to business owner. While initially daunted by the amount of the loan, 4 percent interest and a 7-year term eased her concems. The loan allowed her to set up an office, purchase a work vehicle and uniforms, as well as attend her first Residential Cleaning International Conference in 2015. Today, Aloha Maiden Cleaning Service LLC has five part-time employees and more than 70 active clients, including many referred by the Hawai'i County Office on Aging. More than 2,000 Native Hawaiian families and business owners have used OHA's loan programs to build businesses, repair homes, cover educational expenses and eonsolidate debt. Visit www.oha.org/loans or eall (808) 594-1924 for more information. ■