Business briefs for May 12: Hilo business owners awarded, Fairmont Orchid has a new manager, Hawaiʻi Island Health Center CEO to start in the fall

Hilo business owners recognized, awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration

Jeremiah Leonard, owner of Sun Construction in Hilo, was honored as Hawaiʻi’s Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members from all 50 states and U.S. territories. 

Awards recognize the top entrepreneurs and small businesses for their ingenuity, job creation and community contributions.

Sun Construction partnered with Goodfellow Bros LLC to dismantle the Jaggar Museum at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as well as the other structures at Uēkahuna bluff including the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the Geochemistry Annex building.

Sun Construction also completed other jobs in the national park such as:

• Replacing water tanks that service the comfort station and Nāmakanipaio campground,
• Making improvements to the comfort station,
• Repairing the stone wall at the Uēkahuna bluff,
• Making pathway improvements,
• Presesrving the Jaggar Museum site by utilizing stones from the building to mark the building corners and create new benches.

Another Hilo business owner was honored big by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Nikki Savella of The BOOM! Bakery + Coffee Shop was awarded the Women Small Business Champion of the Year.

“2026 Women Small Business Champion for the State of Hawai‘i still feels unreal,” Savella said in a post on Instagram. “But I truly believe a real champion isn’t made on a stage, it’s built in the way you show up for people… through service, kindness, consistency, faith, and community.”

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Fairmont Orchid appoints new general manager

Todd Temperly will now provide strategic leadership across all resort operations, guest experiences, and team development at the 540-room Fairmont Orchid in Waikōloa.

Temperly brings more than three decades of hospitality experience, most recently serving as general manager at The Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland, Ohio. His career includes senior leadership roles with Hilton properties in Chicago, where he held positions at the historic Palmer House before advancing to general manager roles with Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

A return to Hawaiʻi marks a meaningful homecoming for Temperly, who previously served as resort manager at Grand Wailea on Maui. In his new role as general manager of Fairmont Orchid, he brings both deep operational expertise and a longstanding connection to the Hawaiian Islands.

“Fairmont Orchid is a truly special place, where the spirit of aloha and the beauty of the Kohala Coast come together to create something unlike anywhere else,” Temperly said. “I’m deeply honored to return to Hawaiʻi and to lead such a talented and dedicated team. This resort has a remarkable legacy, and I look forward to building upon it while continuing to elevate the guest experience and serving the community in meaningful and lasting ways.”

Throughout his career, Temperly has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing talent, fostering an inclusive and engaged culture, and delivering exceptional business results. In his new role, he will lead the overall strategic direction of the hotel, ensuring continued success while upholding Fairmont’s commitment to world-class hospitality.

“Todd brings a depth of experience in luxury hospitality, shaped by years of leading celebrated properties and a clear focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Michael Pye, regional vice president of Fairmont Hawaiʻi. “His thoughtful leadership style, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit to guide Fairmont Orchid into its next chapter.”

Temperly assumed his new role on May 4 this year. He looks forward to raising his two children, Kainoa and Grace, on Hawaiʻi Island with his husband, Chris.

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Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center CEO to start this November

The longtime Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center Chief Executive Officer Richard Taaffe has announced his planned retirement effective Oct. 31, 2026, and a new leader has been chosen to take his place.

The Board of Directors unanimously chose Chief Operating Officer Victoria “Vicky” Hanes, who has committed to taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer beginning on Nov. 1 this year.

In her new role, Hanes will assist the board in developing and implementing strategic goals and policies and will oversee the organization’s financial management, programs, and workforce. A key component of the job will be to secure funding and expand health care services islandwide and to ensure the well-being of patients during major regulatory changes.

“Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center has been so fortunate to have exceptional leadership for the past 20 years under Richard’s tenure,” said the center’s Board Chair Mike Matsukawa. “As our board of directors looks forward to the future, we are thrilled to continue this dedication to health care on Hawai‘i Island with Vicky Hanes.”

Raised on Oʻahu, Hanes has had previous stints at the Queen’s Medical Center and as a supervisor with I Ola Lāhui, Rural Behavioral Health Training Program, where she supervised training psychologists in health centers across the state.

Hanes began her career at the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center in 2010 as a licensed clinical psychologist and as the Behavioral Health Department director five years later. She has served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer since 2019.

Hanes has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Chaminade University, a Master of Arts in clinical psychology and a Doctor of Psychology from Argosy University Hawai‘i, and a Master of Science in psychopharmacology from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo College of Pharmacy.

She is an Omidyar Fellow and was recently named one of “Hawaiʻi Business” magazine’s HB20—20 For The Next 20 recipients.

A strong community advocate, Hanes serves on the Board of Directors for the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Foundation and Kailua Village Business Improvement District and is a member of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Committee.

“As I depart Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center later this year, I am confident that the organization is in great hands. I have no doubt that the health center under Vicky’s leadership will continue to thrive,” said Taaffe.

The Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center’s 14-member Board of Directors is led by Chair Mike Matsukawa, Vice Chair Brandee Menino, Secretary Patti Aoki, and Treasurer Haidee Abe and includes Douglass Adams, Kathryn Daub, Tom Hasslinger, Pete Hoffmann, Mario Lyman-Kekaualua, Larry McCabe, Mike McGee, Dalilah Schlueter, Elisa Yadao, and Britta Zimmer.

For more information visit the Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center website.

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