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April CPB Currents: Building financial confidence, one step at a time
Featured Stories:
- WE by CPB Rising Tide Applications Now Open
- Recognized for Our People, Committed to Our Community
- Clocking In with CPB: Lanikai Juice
- Supporting Hawaii’s Small Businesses
- Market Recap
Financial Insights:
- Your Financial Literacy Month Checklist
- More Ways to Build Smart Money Habits with Greenlight
- A Beginner’s Guide to HELOCs and Home Equity
Small Business Resources:
- Women Entrepreneurs Conference
- Food Truck Opportunity for Hawaii Island
- Kona Low Storm Business Damage Reporting
- Workshop: AI Safety Week
- Webinar: Show Me the Money! How to Confidently Talk About Pay with Employees
- Webinar: Funding Your Farm or Food-Related Business
- Webinar: Pay Per Click Advertising — Or How Not to Lose Your Shirt on Google
Activity:
April is Financial Literacy Month, a great time to take a step back and focus on your finances. Whether you’re setting goals, building better habits, or simply looking to better understand your options, small steps can make a meaningful difference over time. In this month’s CPB Currents, we’re sharing practical resources to help you build confidence, along with stories that highlight how we continue to support our customers, small businesses, and communities across Hawaii.
Featured Stories:
WE by CPB Rising Tide Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for the WE by CPB Rising Tide program, a 10-week, tuition-free initiative designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs across Hawaii.
Led by Central Pacific Bank in partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership, the program is built for established business owners looking to strengthen their operations, expand their networks, and grow with confidence.
Participants will gain access to:
- Financial guidance to better understand cash flow, capital, and planning
- Opportunities to connect with fellow women entrepreneurs and business leaders
- A supportive community focused on growth and shared success
- Travel support for Neighbor Island participants
The program is open to Hawaii-based, women-owned businesses that have been operating for at least three years and meet certain revenue requirements.
Application period: now through June 7, 2026
Program begins: August 2026
If you or someone you know may be a good fit, we encourage you to learn more and apply!
Recognized for Our People, Committed to Our Community
We’re proud to share that CPB has once again been named one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work by Hawaii Business Magazine, marking the 17th time this recognition has been earned. This reflects a culture built on collaboration, care, and a shared commitment to making a difference.
That same spirit extends into the community.
Through this year’s Aloha United Way campaign, a total of $510,570 was raised to support individuals and families across Hawaii, including $448,163 in employee contributions and $62,406 in matching funds from the Central Pacific Bank Foundation. Since 2020, this partnership has resulted in nearly $3 million in total contributions, helping strengthen programs that provide both immediate support and long-term stability.
Being recognized as a Best Place to Work is an honor. Continuing to give back in meaningful ways is what truly brings that culture to life.
Clocking In with CPB: Lanikai Juice
Clocking In with CPB is a series where we go behind the scenes of local businesses to experience the culture, meet the people, and see what it’s really like to be part of the team.
In this episode, local comedian and social media influencer Island Magic Mike steps behind the counter at Lanikai Juice to see firsthand what goes into running a busy local favorite. From blending smoothies to learning the fast-paced rhythm of the shop, he gets a closer look at the energy, teamwork, and dedication that bring the Lanikai Juice experience to life.
Supporting Hawaii’s Small Businesses
We are so excited to announce that we were once again recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Hawaii’s top lender for 2025, leading all local banks in both the number and total dollar amount of SBA loans.
This recognition is made possible by the dedication of our lending team across the islands. Several of our CPB ohana were also recognized individually for their outstanding service:
- Gold Award: Lori Honda (Oahu), Eliza Kobayashi (Kauai), Crystal Kamahalohanuilai (Hilo), Alan Pak (Kona)
- Silver Award: Ignacio Escutia (Kona)
- Bronze Award: Amy Flores (Oahu), Robert Nakamoto (Oahu)
- Honorable Mention: Amber Chung, Jessica Helsham, John Sim, Dane Tonaki, Melissa Ilutiza
From supporting business expansion to helping provide working capital, this work continues to make a meaningful impact across our local small business community.
Market Recap:
In our latest market recap, Riki Yu, CPB’s VP & Trust Investment Manager, shares insights on how rising energy prices and global tensions impacted markets – and what it could mean moving forward.
Financial Insights:
Your Financial Literacy Month Checklist
Building financial confidence starts with small, intentional steps. This Financial Literacy Month, use this simple checklist to review your finances, set goals, and stay on track.
More Ways to Build Smart Money Habits with Greenlight
At Central Pacific Bank, we believe financial literacy is something you build over time through real-life experiences. That’s why we have partnered with Greenlight to give families a simple, digital way to help kids and teens learn how to manage money, now with more plan options to support families at every stage.
Greenlight is a money app and debit card designed for kids and teens, with built-in tools that help families manage money together. Parents can set flexible controls, send money quickly, and receive real-time notifications, while kids learn how to earn, save, and spend responsibly.
One of the most impactful features is Level UpⓇ, an interactive learning experience included across all Greenlight plans. Through short videos, quizzes, and in-app challenges, kids can build real-world financial skills, from budgeting basics to understanding how money grows, all in a way that feels engaging and easy to understand.
Because every family’s financial needs are different, the expanded Greenlight offering now includes a no-cost Select plan, along with two discounted premium plans that offer even more tools, including:
- Investing features for kids and teens
- Family safety tools like location sharing and alerts
- Added protection, such as account monitoring and identity theft coverage
Whether you are helping your child take their first steps with money or looking for tools to support your family’s financial well-being at every stage, Greenlight offers a flexible way to build financial confidence and stay connected.
A Beginner’s Guide to HELOCs and Home Equity
As part of Financial Literacy Month, it’s a great time to better understand the tools available to you as a homeowner. A HELOC can be a flexible way to access funds using the equity you’ve built in your home. Learn how it works, when it may be useful, and what to consider before getting started.
Small Business Resources:
Whether you’re looking to grow, stay informed, or connect with other business owners, here are a few upcoming events and webinars that may support your business.
Women Entrepreneurs Conference
Presented by Hawaii Business Magazine
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and hear from inspiring business leaders at this year’s Women Entrepreneurs Conference. This event brings together Hawaii’s business community for a day of insights, networking, and growth.
Date: Monday, May 18
Location: Prince Waikiki
Food Truck Opportunity for Hawaii Island
Food Truck Opportunity for Hawaii Island
Presented by the Department of Land and Natural Resources
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has opened bidding opportunities for Mobile Food Truck Concessions at five park locations on Hawaii Island.
Notice of Intention to Bid due: May 22
Kona Low Storm Business Damage Reporting
Kona Low Storm Business Damage Reporting
For Oahu Businesses: If your business was impacted by the recent severe weather, local officials are encouraging businesses to report damage. This information may help determine eligibility for potential federal assistance programs.
Per the City and County of Honolulu, the purpose of this form is only to collect information that will help local officials understand the damage that occurred and impacts on the community. The City will also use this information to determine whether the City can request federal assistance programs. This form is NOT an application for relief programs.
Workshop: AI Safety Week
Workshop: AI Safety Week
Join a week-long series of workshops exploring the current capabilities of AI, emerging risks, and practical considerations for businesses and individuals.
Dates: April 27 – May 1
Locations: Sessions on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai
Webinar: Show Me the Money! How to Confidently Talk About Pay with Employees
Webinar: Show Me the Money! How to Confidently Talk About Pay with Employees
Presented by the Hawaii Employers Council
Learn practical strategies for discussing compensation with employees and navigating pay conversations with greater confidence.
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 10–11 a.m.
Cost: HEC members $45 | Non-members $90
Webinar: Funding Your Farm or Food-Related Business
Webinar: Funding Your Farm or Food-Related Business
Presented by the Hawaii Small Business Development Center
Explore funding options available for agricultural and food-related businesses.
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Cost: $15
Webinar: Pay Per Click Advertising — Or How Not to Lose Your Shirt on Google
Webinar: Pay Per Click Advertising — Or How Not to Lose Your Shirt on Google
Presented by SCORE
This workshop will cover key aspects of advertising on Google.
Date: May 13
Time: 10am–12pm
Cost: $10