In an effort to recognize outstanding community leadership, Hawaii Business Magazine recently honored 20 local leaders as part of the “20 for the Next 20” initiative. This program celebrates individuals who are dedicated to shaping the future of Hawaii through their work in various sectors.
Celebrating Leaders for a Resilient Future
The honorees for 2026 were selected based on their innovation, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting impact. These leaders are seen as pivotal in defining the future landscape of Hawaii across multiple domains, including business, education, and community services.
2026 Honorees List
- Warren Altona – Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
- Lance Askildson – Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Dr. Kapua Chandler – Namahana School
- Chelsie Evans – Hawaiian Community Assets
- Chris Fong – Tradewind Capital
- Tricia Fujikawa Lee – First Hawaiian Bank
- Elaine Gascon – Atlas Insurance Agency
- Victoria Hanes – Hawaii Island Community Health Center
- Zack Hernandez – AEP Hawaii
- Jamila Jarmon – Hawaiian Electric
- Erin Kanno Uehara – Choco
- Ryan Kuniyuki – Bank of Hawaii
- Trung Lam – Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
- Su Lazo – City and County of Honolulu
- Richard Matsui – KWH Analytics
- Daniel Moats – Architects Hawaii Limited
- Danicole Ramos – Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic
- Kaloa Robinson – Stanford Carr Development
- Summer Shelverton – Cades Schutte
- Gabriel Yanagihara – Iolani School
Insights from the Ceremony
During the ceremony, Kent Coules, the publisher of Hawaii Business Magazine, emphasized the importance of these leaders. He stated, “They lead with purpose, elevate their industries, and invest in community in ways that will matter for decades to come.”
As part of this recognition, honoree Zack Hernandez, the CEO of AEP Hawaii, will appear on HNN’s Sunrise on March 7 to discuss the significance of their contributions.
For more information on the honorees and their initiatives, please visit El-Balad.
