Cynthia Sweeney

Hawaii

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Articles

Tariffs Are Hurting Lots of Industries. Here’s One That Stands to Benefit.

2 weeks ago | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

Many businesses in Hawai‘i are watching tariff decisions being made – and then sometimes reversed – 4,800 miles away in Washington, D.C. For them, the predominant feeling can be anxiety, hope or confusion. Like a lot of sectors, the local papaya industry tracks tariff decisions with interest.
Family Mediation Hawaii Helps Divorcing Couples Focus on What’s Best for Kids

1 month ago | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

2025 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award winner: Owner Katie Bennett’s background in law and sociology helps her navigate custody issues. Katie Bennett knows that navigating a divorce can be emotionally complex, especially when it involves expensive court processes to divide property and, more importantly, to determine child custody.
Family Mediation Hawaii Helps Divorcing Couples Focus on What’s Best for Kids - Hawaii Business Magazine

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Cynthia Sweeney

23 hours agoMeet Krew Kent, a three-year-old from Oahu, Hawaii who is already surfing better than his parents. Krew has been surfing with his folks' assistance since he was 1 year old but six months ago, he started standing on the board and catching waves on his own.
YWCA of Hawai‘i Island Aims to Transform Its Historic Hilo Campus

1 month ago | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

The nonprofit has so far received $2.8 million of its $6 million Phase 1 goal. The YWCA of Hawai‘i Island has been serving the community with valuable programs from its downtown Hilo location for 105 years. It’s now launched an ambitious campaign to raise $21 million to transform that historic campus.
20 for the Next 20: Aaron Vallely, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Mar 28, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

The executive VP of retail experience and operations has “revolutionized” banking by introducing customer-friendly technology. Aaron Vallely’s father adopted every new device that could improve his family’s lives, and that included an early car phone. Vallely says that “giant brick” plays a part in his vision today of using innovations to make banking easier and more accessible for people.
20 for the Next 20: Eddie Quan, Bank of Hawai‘i

Mar 20, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

The senior VP and director of institutional services in the Wealth Management Division views “service leadership as part of my DNA.” Originally from Guam, Eddie Quan is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a decorated combat veteran. Coming from a military family, he strongly believes that leaders should also serve. “My parents were servant leaders.
20 for the Next 20: Jon Pennington, Mid-Pacific Institute

Mar 18, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

This educational technologist and AI enthusiast says the technology is especially helpful for struggling students and English language learners. Jon Pennington is a “strong believer” that AI and its rapidly evolving landscape can ignite, fuel and empower learning. “It’s the most transformative technology available today. AI can help students, teachers and those in the business community accomplish things that they would never otherwise have been able to do,” he says.
20 for the Next 20: Jodie Duvall, First Hawaiian Bank

Mar 6, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

The senior VP and regional manager of the Wealth Advisory Division is passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals. Jodie Duvall, a self-described finance geek, says she loves the complexity of investing and financial planning. “We don’t get a lot of financial literacy training in school, so most of us don’t really know how to plan financially on our own. Plus, it’s not something most people take an interest in,” she says.
20 for the Next 20: Dylan Ching, T S Restaurants - Hawaii Business Magazine

Mar 5, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

As VP of operations, Ching is instrumental in maintaining the morale and trust of over 1,300 employees at 12 restaurants. Dylan Ching began his journey with T S Restaurants as a busser at Maui’s Leilani’s on the Beach, working his way through high school and college. Now, some 25 years later, Ching oversees operations at the company’s 12 restaurants throughout Hawai‘i and California, and is instrumental in maintaining the morale, trust and respect of over 1,300 employees.
Grab Your Racket! A Major Pickleball Event Is Coming to Honolulu.

Mar 3, 2025 | hawaiibusiness.com | Cynthia Sweeney

The Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open features 33 indoor courts, free clinics and tournaments for every skill level, including corporate teams. Hawai‘i’s largest indoor pickleball event will take place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center April 10-13 for players and spectators from Hawai‘i and around the world.