| Press |
|
|
|
|
With Leong's help, Kimura, 31, began his own podcast on energy-related issues. Along with Greater Good Radio, it continually ranks in Yahoo's Top 10 podcasts among an estimated 6,000. "And I owe it all to Evan," Kimura said.
Greater Good Radio has created a "barometer" for public service, according to Kimura. As a result, his own company has increased community service events from one per year to one every quarter. "It tells people like me that we have to strive for more to become the next generation of leaders."
And they need to start earlier.
When Mike May, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric Co., was asked when an aspiring executive should start getting involved in the community, May said, "In college."
Judging from their extensive involvement in a variety of nonprofit organizations, the Leongs might have understood this instinctively. They seem to know a thing or two about business, as well. The couple, married for eight years, started a business importing Taiwanese bubble tea in 2001. By 2003 the enterprise was booming, and Kari had given birth to the first of two sons.
"They're very modest but they're very accomplished," Arnoldus said. "They did so well (with their tea business) that they're actually retired. They're doing (the radio show) as a labor of love."
Indeed, Greater Good Radio began with what is generally considered volunteer work, when Leong was coaching girls' pole-vaulting at his alma mater, Punahou School.
The daughter of Hawaii businessman Duane Kurisu was one of Leong's athletes. A relatively easy introduction to an extremely busy person followed. And with it, a conversation that altered Leong's view of the relationship between business and community service.
Having always viewed his professional and community efforts as separate entities, Leong sought business advice from Kurisu, who explained that the two were inextricably linked. He taught Leong the importance of learning to "leverage your business to make a difference in other people's lives," recalled Kurisu. He also said that community service would be the one enduring - and meaningful - component in a person's industry that carried him through the rough times.
|
RSS Feeds Contact Us
