WE by Rising Tide Announces First Cohort

HONOLULU, HI | July 22, 2021 – WE by Rising Tide is pleased to announce the first cohort of women entrepreneurs for their financial management and networking accelerator program.

The following are the members of the inaugural cohort

• Lauren Araki, Kuhio Grille
  Kuhio Grille is home of the one-pound Laulau, ono lunch plates, homestyle desserts, and friendly service.

• Carmenne Chiasson, Carmenne Chiasson, PhD
  Clinical psychologist and Neurofeedback specialist based in Honolulu.

• June Fernandez, Alliance Personnel Inc.
  Alliance Personnel Inc. is committed to staffing excellence by providing pro-active staffing solutions to support the demanding labor needs of doing business in Hawaii.

• Dr. Jamie Furutani, Mililani Mauka Veterinary Clinic
  A licensed and experienced Mililani veterinarian committed to educating clients on keeping pets healthy year-round, through good nutrition and exercise.

• Eri Hashimoto, The UPS Store Kailua and Kaneohe
  UPS Store Kailua/Kaneohe provides professional printing services, secure mailbox and package acceptance services, document shredding, office and mailing supplies, and more.

• Jalene Hitzeman, NOHO HOME
  A sophisticated island experience cultivated through artful home décor, NOHO HOME reimagines the island home aesthetic into organic textures woven with native intelligence.

• Emily Jaime, YIREH
  YIREH is passionate about changing the narrative of the fashion industry and showcasing fashion as a positive force for change.

• Alice Kim, Hanalei Company
  Hanalei creates gentle, restorative skincare products inspired by Hawaii's lush, tropical landscape and native botanicals, infusing everything with the spirit of Aloha.

• Kaz Masutani, KMS Construction, LLC.
  KMS Construction, LLC. is a general contractor specializing in ground-up residential construction.

• Angelina Moore, Hawaiian Drift Inc.
  Artistically created women's island inspired clothing made in Hawaii with Aloha.

• Irene Nakamura, iDepo Hawaii LLC/iDepo Reporters
  A full-service court reporting and record retrieval company dedicated to providing outstanding legal support services in Hawaii and the mainland.

• Shilpa Rathi, Island HOLI
  Handmade, all-natural fashion, home décor and accessories inspired by a fusion of the Aloha spirit and the world-renowned Indian festival of color.

• Melissa Rota, Sweat and Soul
  Sweat and Soul features a progressive, well-rounded barre fitness workout in Honolulu.

• Dr. Vivien Tham, Pacific Vision Institute of Hawaii
  Exceptional, advanced eye care in a state-of-the-art facility with a personalized touch.

• Miki Tomita, Education IncubatorAn education incubator that closes the gap between teaching and learning when kids change the world.

• Wendy Trinh, Paws for a Moment LLC
  Paws for a Moment provides daycare and boarding for dogs, cats and other small animals.

• Pei Wu, Mochi Foods
  Hawaii's award winning mochi mix used by renowned executive and pastry chefs throughout the US and around the world.

• Shari Yamaguchi, Blessed in Hawaii
  The purpose behind the Blessed Life and the BLESSEDinHI brand is to spread positive, faith-based messages through clothing.

• Chuen Yee, MCYIA LLC
  An award-winning interior architecture and interior design firm. Founded in 2004 by acclaimed interior designer, Chuen Yee.

• Shawna Yee, Apex Physical Therapy Specialists
  Apex Physical Therapy provides the highest quality of individualized physical therapy services that meet the rehabilitative needs of patients in their journey towards optimal health.

The cohort members are set to begin the 10-week program on August 4, 2021, covering topics like financial management, marketing, and leadership with benefits including fully funded advertising opportunities and networking with women executives.

“We are excited to welcome these 20 remarkable women to our inaugural cohort as we kick off the WE by Rising Tide program,” said Catherine Ngo, Chair of the CPB Foundation. “Women entrepreneurs are key to building a strong and resilient economy and we are proud to support them in this way.”

“We are grateful to be involved in this exciting initiative and look forward to seeing these women entrepreneurs thrive,” said Brandon Kurisu, representative of the aio Foundation. “It is our hope that this program provides not only a valuable learning experience, but also a way for participants to build lasting and meaningful relationships.”

“These 20 outstanding finalists represent seven different business sectors,” said Colleen McAluney, Director, Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership. “We hope to build a diverse, supportive community of women entrepreneurs through the WE by Rising Tide program beginning with this cohort, the first of many more to come.” 

About WE by Rising Tide

The WE by Rising Tide program is comprised of a 10-week series of workshops designed for Women Entrepreneurs to hone financial management, marketing, and leadership skills, and also offers a host of benefits including advertising opportunities to promote their business and networking with business leaders and women executives The WE by Rising Tide program curriculum and participant benefits are funded by grants from CPB Foundation and aio Foundation, and was developed in close partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership (MCBL). For more information on WE by Rising Tide, visit www.RisingTideHawaii.com.