Best of Honolulu 2020: The Best Services on O‘ahu

The 99 editorial and reader picks for the places and businesses in Honolulu that make our lives just a bit easier.

August 12, 2020

James Charisma, Katie Kenny, Jayna Omaye, Mari Taketa, Brie Thalmann, Christi Young,

Best Pet-and-You Photos

photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Pet Portraits

Paws down, one of the coolest ways to capture the bond between you and your fur baby is with a Hawai‘i Pet Portraits photo session. Shutterbug Ashley Smith’s résumé includes 10-plus years of wedding and family photography, and three years of being hooman to her poi dog, Blake—translation, she’s got killer lighting skills and is aces at getting pets to unleash their inner adorableness. Each session includes a makeup artist and animal handler, and Smith keeps her studio well-stocked with stylish décor and seasonal props. All creatures are welcome, as long as they can fit in the studio—Smith once had to say no to a horse, but has snapped doggos, cats, bunnies and birds, and is currently planning a session for a pig. —Brie Thalmann

521 Ala Moana Blvd., M-423, (808) 306-7066, hawaiipetportraits.com, @hawaiipetportraits

Way to Learn Hawaiian Online for Free

Learning a language can be fun, especially when you’re following along with an entertaining teacher who’s always smiling. In Kamehameha Schools’ free ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i videos called Kulāiwi, ‘Ekela Kanīaupi‘o Crozier, a Hawaiian studies resource teacher, takes us through 24 lessons, 12 of which come with downloadable workbooks. Although the videos are a tad dated—they were produced in the mid-1990s in partnership with the state Department of Education—they are interactive and easy to follow for beginners of all ages. The lessons start with slides that Crozier uses to teach us the proper pronunciation and meanings of words and eventually evolves to using those words to carry on conversations in different real-life scenarios, such as going shopping and visiting a friend. By the end of it, you’ve (hopefully) learned the basics of the Hawaiian language. —Jayna Omaye

ksdl.ksbe.edu

Best Sustainable Hair and Waxing Salon

photo: COURTESY OF sustainery hair studio

For those who refuse single-use straws with pride, stroll around with reusable iced coffee tumblers and always have a tote ready to carry their weekly farmers market haul, environmentally conscious salons are the next obvious step. Enter: Sustainery Hair Studio in Mānoa. This green-chic modern studio comes with eco-friendly Davines hair care products (all have natural, eco-certified or organic materials), and practices sustainability. It uses paper instead of single-use plastic, and filtered recycled water—plus, it’s part of the Green Circle Salon initiative, which repurposes cut hair. And it has uber-talented stylists and colorists. Oh, and there’s an adorable leafy Kim Sielbeck mural. But of course! —Katie Kenny

2752 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 5-209, (808) 724-4297, sustaineryhairstudio.com, @sustaineryhair

Best Solar Company

Reader Pick

When HONOLULU introduced this category in 2012, RevoluSun was the first winner. Since then, as dozens of other pop-up PV businesses folded, the locally owned company marked its 10^th anniversary in a new Kaka‘ako location, added air conditioning and roofing services, and opened franchises in other states. Beyond that, RevoluSun has organized beach cleanups in Waimānalo and hosted everything from Naked Cow Dairy cheese-making classes to succulent classes with neighbor Paiko and ImprovHI comedy shows in its innovations space. —Christi Young

660 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 220A, (808) 748-8888, revolusun.com, @revolusun_smarthome

Best Adult Day Care

photo: courtesy of the Arcadia Family of Companies

Often, finding care for mom and dad as they age isn’t just about keeping them healthy; we want to keep them engaged and entertained too. And if they can pick up a new skill like painting or even shooting hoops, even better. Central Union Church Adult Day Care & Day Health Center offers a variety of activities to more than 100 seniors. Run by Arcadia Family of Companies, the program offers different levels of care, anywhere from a few hours to all day depending on what is needed. That care can include physical and speech therapy; two to three meals a day; showers, which can be stressful for caregivers; daily walks around the campus; and monthly outings to places including Dave & Buster’s, The Alley at ‘Aiea Bowl, and Gyotaku. “Each situation is unique and each client’s needs are unique,” says Jennifer Souza, the day care’s program director. “Because we’re part of the Arcadia Family of Companies, we can pull from people, social workers, health care administrators, nursing supervisors and administrators. There’s an opportunity to share and talk about experiences and get ideas for how to manage certain situations.” One such idea was the day care’s virtual caregiver support group, which became an essential resource for families when the state closed businesses because of COVID-19. —CY

1660 S. Beretania St., (808) 533-5416, arcadia.org/central-union, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies

Gas Station/Convenience Store

Reader Pick

In 2016, when a few dozen Tesoro and 76 gas stations were renamed Hele, Hawaiian for “to go,” it didn’t really seem like huge news. After all, these are still just gas stations we’re talking about. What’s in a name (change)? In just a few years, Hele Gas—and its partner, convenience store brand Nomnom, named for the sound made when chewing something tasty—has established itself as a distinctive local brand offering savory snacks like manapua and musubi, kama‘āina-exclusive deals on gas and big giveaways like free gas for a year. —James Charisma

Multiple locations, helegas.com, @helegas

Credit Union

Reader Pick

In 1936, the Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union was founded by 15 local government workers who wanted to help people and look out for each other. More than 80 years later, the organization is the biggest credit union in Hawai‘i, with more than 100,000 members and more than $1.6 billion in assets. And Hawai‘i State FCU is investing in Hawai‘i’s future: Since 1996, the credit union has awarded over $600,000 in grants for local high school students to attend college. It’s also given $20,000 in grants to Hawai‘i’s public school teachers every year for the past decade. —JC

Multiple locations, (808) 587-2700, hawaiistatefcu.com, @hawaiistatefcu

Best Employment/Staffing

Reader Pick

Barron Guss (left), president and CEO of ALTRES Inc. with Kerry Kopp, president of ALTRES Staffing.

More than 50 years ago, Oscar “Bill” Guss moved to the Islands from New York City and saw the need for reliable manpower to unload containers at O‘ahu’s shipyards. Temp workers eventually knew to show up at Guss’ new office at 6 a.m. He’d get calls from companies—“Send me three guys”—and Guss’ team would drive them to whatever business needed them. It got to the point where, from his office balcony in Waikīkī, Guss would raise a blue flag as a signal to early risers and surfers on dawn patrol to indicate whether there was work that day. Today, Guss’ son, Barron, runs ALTRES (short for “alternative resources for business”), Hawai‘i’s largest locally owned staffing company which screens more than 20,000 applicants every year. —JC

Multiple locations, altres.com

Moving Company

Reader Pick

Let them lift it. Let them load it. They can truck it anywhere. Even if you’ve never hired Island Movers to help move your home or business, you probably know the company’s jingle. Local entrepreneur Donald Takaki started the moving company more than 60 years ago. It’s since grown to include courier services, business records storage, trade show and convention rigging, furniture home delivery and installation, even armored car services. In short: These guys in the green shirts know how to move. —JC

4397 Lawehana St., (808) 832-4000, islandmovers.com

Best Mobile …

Flower Shop

Photo: Courtesy of Chelsei Lai

To add a little bloom-bloom-wow to a private event look no further than the Pua Blooms flower truck. Last October, owner Lynette Yi, who also owns North Shore boutique Isla the Shop, put petal to the metal and revamped a vintage 1968 Volkswagen pickup truck, adding a sweet fabric awning and flower boxes brimming with rustic pails. Guests can take their pick of seasonal protea, lush ferns, and classic and tropical blossoms sourced locally and from around the globe, then cozy up in the tailgate’s boho-inspired seating area for a photo op. You can also create and purchase bouquets from the truck at local outdoor markets and shopping events throughout the year. —BT

puablooms.com, @puablooms

Animal-Shaped Cotton Candy

Photo: Katie kenny

When HONOLULU Magazine held its big Burger Bash last November, one treat caught the eye of most kids (and adults, if we’re being honest): adorable duck, bear and pig cotton candy characters by Aloha Sweet. On a trip to South Korea, Amy Shin saw fluffy animal-shaped sweets, which her niece and nephew loved, so she started her own business in the Islands last September. Think bunnies done up with keiki-friendly light blue and lavender ears, a pink bow and an oh-so-sweet smile on top. Shin can spin up more than a dozen different looks including Yoda, pumpkins for Halloween, snowmen for winter festivals and even perfectly positive baby sharks. —CY

lovealohasweet@gmail.com, @alohasweet

Vintage Alohawear Shop

Photo: Courtesy of happy hale

Happy Hale’s wares splash out of the modest trailer and onto surrounding racks: aloha shirts and mu‘umu‘u dating back to midcentury, some bearing the iconic Primo beer patterns of the 1960s, others with Alfred Shaheen and other designer labels that trace a history of local fashion. Partners Angie Runyan and Jan Nagano, avid collectors, scour thrift stores and estate sales. “People give us their stuff because they’re downsizing and we have friends and family on the Mainland shopping for us,” Nagano says. “We love things that have a history or tell a story.” Happy Hale’s other wares have included handmade Hawaiian quilts and servingware made of monkeypod and koa. —Mari Taketa

@happyhalehawaii

Pop-Up Picnics

Photo: Courtesy of Mersadi Olson

Maybe you’re throwing an outdoor bridal shower, hosting a special homecoming, celebrating your 20^th wedding anniversary or you’re just about to pop the question. Enter Samai Saechang. She’s the owner of Aloha Picnics, a mobile picnic-service company that can help plan and lay out the ultimate outdoor setup for your special day. From the place settings and fresh flowers, to your favorite finger foods and beverages, Aloha Picnics specializes in creating elegant environments worthy of your most special events (and Instagram). —JC

@alohapicnics

The Rest of the Best: Readers Picks

Best Adult Day Care

Finalist: Evergreen Adult Day Care

Multiple locations, (808) 946-7505, evergreendaycarecenter@gmail.com

Best Auto Detailer

Winner: Shea’s Luxury Detail

2908 Kaihikapu St., Suite 104, (808) 232-6502, autodetailhawaii.com

Finalist: Servco Toyota

Multiple locations, servcotoyota.com

Best Auto Insurance

Winner: Geico

711 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 300, geico.com, @geico

Finalist: State Farm

Multiple locations, statefarm.com, @statefarm

Best Automotive Repair

Winner: Lex Brodie’s

Multiple locations, lexbrodies.com

Finalist: Kaimukī Auto Repair

3375 Wai‘alae Ave.

Best Bank

Winner: Bank of Hawai‘i

Multiple locations, boh.com, @bankofhawaii

Finalist: First Hawaiian Bank

Multiple locations, fhb.com, @fhbhawaii

Best Barbershop

Winner: Mojo Barbershop & Social Club

Multiple locations, mojobarbershop.com, @mojobarbershop

Finalist: Premier Barbershop Hawai‘i

Multiple locations, premierbarbershophi.com

Best Car Rental

Winner: Enterprise

Multiple locations, enterprise.com, @enterprise

Finalist: Hertz

Multiple locations, hertz.com, @hertz

Best Catering and Event Planning

Winner: Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering

94-903 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, taniokas.com, @taniokas

Finalist: Ige’s Catering Service Inc.

910 Māpunapuna St., igescateringservice.com

Best Cell Phone Service

Winner: Verizon

Multiple locations, verizonwireless.com, @verizon

Finalist: T-Mobile

Multiple locations, t-mobile.com, @tmobile

Best Chiropractor

Winner: Global Health Chiropractic

677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 914, globalhealthchiropractic.com, @globalhealthchiro

Finalist: Hawai‘i Elite Chiropractic

99-128 Aiea Heights Drive, #404, ‘Aiea, (808) 445-3527, hawaiielitechiropractic.com

Best Cleaning Service

Winner: The Maids

Multiple locations, maids.com, @themaidscorp

Finalist: Maid in O‘ahu

307A Kamani St., #12, (808) 664-0036, @maidinoahu

Best Cooling

Winner: Alternate Energy Inc.

Multiple locations, alternateenergyhawaii.com, @aeihawaii

Finalist: AirMasters

1721 Republican St., (808) 848-2473, airmastersinc.com, @airmastersinc

Best Cosmetic Surgery

Winner: Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery

1401 S. Beretania St., #888, (808) 585-8855, drshimching.com, @shimchingmd

Finalist: Honolulu MedSpa

1650 Liliha St., Suite 102, (808) 528-0888, honolulumedspa.com, @honolulumedspa

Best Credit Union

Finalist: Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union

Multiple locations, (808) 534-4300, hawaiiusafcu.com, @hawaiiusafcu

Best Day Spa

Winner: Heaven on Earth Salon and Day Spa

1050 Alakea St., (808) 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com, @heavenonearthhi

Finalist: Elizaveta Neginskaya Signature Brows & Beauty Studio

627 South St., #3, (808) 797-5757, en-beauty.com, @signaturebrowshawaii

Best Drug Store/Pharmacy

Winner: CVS

Multiple locations, cvs.com, @cvshealth

Finalist: Walgreens

Multiple locations, walgreens.com, @walgreens

Best Dry Cleaner

Winner: Hakuyosha Clean Living

Multiple locations, hakuyoshacleanliving.com, @hakuyosha_hawaii

Finalist: Al Phillips The Cleaner

Multiple locations, alphillipshawaii.com

Best Eyelash Extensions

Winner: The Beauty Room HI

Multiple locations, thebeautyroomhi.com, @the_beauty_room_808 and @the_beauty_room_808_mililani

Finalist: Kristin Wood

Multiple locations, (808) 738-7386, kristinwood.com, @kristinwoodlashes

Best Financial Adviser

Winner: Edward Jones

edwardjones.com

Finalist: Ameriprise Financial

ameriprise.com

Best Flower Shop

Winner: Watanabe Floral

1618 N. Nimitz Highway, (808) 832-9360, watanabefloral.com, @watanabefloral

Finalist: Le Flowers

2567B S. King St.

Best Gas Station/Convenience Store

Finalist: Aloha Petroleum Ltd.

Multiple locations, alohagas.com, @alohagasltd

Best General Construction

Winner: Atlas Construction

2222 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 951-9500, atlasconstruction808.com, @atlasconstructionhawaii

Finalist: HK Construction

2046 S. King St., (808) 841-1800, hkchawaii.com, @hkconstructionhawaii

Best Hair Removal

Winner: Honolulu MedSpa

1650 Liliha St., Suite 102, (808) 528-0888, honolulumedspa.com, @honolulumedspa

Finalist: European Wax Center

waxcenter.com, @europeanwax

Best Hair Salon

Winner: Salon 808

1585 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 710, (808) 942-7799, @salon808

Finalist: Color Box Hair Studio

711 Kamokila Blvd., Suite 102, Kapolei, (808) 674-1020, color-box-studio-hair-salon.business.site, @colorbox808

Best Handyman Service

Winner: Handyman Services Hawai‘i

(808) 358-9000, handymanserviceshawaii.com

Finalist: Handy Andy Hawai‘i

2646 Kilihau St., Unit B, (808) 285-3443, handyandyhawaii.com, @handyandyhawaii

Best Hardware Store

Winner: City Mill

Multiple locations, citymill.com, @citymill

Finalist: Home Depot

Multiple locations, homedepot.com, @homedepot

Best Home Insurance

Winner: State Farm

Multiple locations, statefarm.com, @statefarm

Finalist: Allstate

Multiple locations, allstate.com, @allstate

Best Home Painting

Winner: David’s Custom Roofing and Painting Inc.

96-1217 Waihona St., Pearl City, (808) 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com

Finalist: Raymond’s Painting Co. Inc.

904 Hikina Lane, (808) 842-1117, raymondspaintinghawaii.com

Best Home Security Service

Winner: Alert Alarm Hawai‘i

3210 Ualena St., (808) 521-5000, alertalarmhawaii.com

Finalist: ADT Security Services

Multiple locations, (800) 521-1734, adt.com, @adtsecurity

Best Internet Service Provider

Winner: Spectrum

Multiple locations, spectrum.com, @getspectrum

Finalist: Hawaiian Telcom

Multiple locations, hawaiiantel.com, @hawaiiantelcom

Best Landscaper

Winner: Hapa Landscaping

3514 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 732-4272, hapalandscaping.com, @hapalandscaping

Finalist: Landscape Builders Hawai‘i

(808) 781-2051, @landscapebuildershawaii

Best Locksmith

Winner: Salz Lock & Safe

3012 Wai‘alae Ave., Suite 100, (808) 734-6557, salzlock.com

Finalist: Pop-A-Lock

Multiple locations, (808) 923-5623, popalockoahu.com

Best Luxury Car Dealer

Winner: Servco Lexus Honolulu

650 Kapi‘olani BLvd., (877) 278-4715, servcolexus.com, @servcolexus

Finalist: BMW of Honolulu

777 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 201-6026, bmwhawaii.com, @bmwofhonolulu

Best Mani/Pedi

Winner: Gradient Nail

745 Ke‘eaumoku St., (808) 745-0588, gradientnail808.com, @gradientnail808

Finalist: Heaven on Earth Salon and Day Spa

1050 Alakea St., (808) 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com, @heavenonearthhi

Best Moving Company

Finalist: Two Guys & a Truck

(808) 542-3766, oahujunkremoval.com

Best Pest Control Company

Winner: Terminix

Multiple locations, terminix.com, @trustterminix

Best Place For A Massage

Winner: Massage Envy

820 W. Hind Drive, #1229-1229, (808) 524-3689, locations.massageenvy.com, @massageenvyhi

Finalist: Tiffany’s Thai Massage

1188 Bishop St., Suite 2808, (808) 688-8072, tiffanysthaimassage.com, @tiffanysthaimassage

Best Plumbing Service

Winner: T&C Plumbing

2472 Komo Mai Drive, Pearl City, (808) 456-2429, tncplumbing.com

Finalist: A-1 Budget Plumbing

131 Hekili St., #213, Kailua, (808) 526-3747, a1budgetplumbing.com

Best Real Estate Firm

Winner: Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties

1314 S. King St., Second Floor, (808) 596-0456, coldwellbankerhomes.com, @cbpacific

Finalist: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty

4211 Wai‘alae Ave., #96, (808) 738-3600, betterhawaii.com, @betterhawaii

Best Retirement Community

Winner: The Plaza Assisted Living

Multiple locations, (808) 377-5292, theplazaassistedliving.com, @theplazahawaii

Finalist: Arcadia

1434 Punahou St., (808) 533-5416, arcadia.org, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies

Best Roofing Company

Winner: Akamai Roofing

2222 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 486-5555, akamairoofinginc.com

Finalist: Kapili Roofing and Painting

252 Ipuhao Place, E2, Wahiawā, (808) 621-7663, kapiliroof.com, @kapiliroofingpainting

Best Solar Company

Finalist: Haleakalā Solar

Multiple locations, (808) 400-4181, haleakalasolarroofing.com, @haleakalasolar_official

Best Storage Company

Winner: Hawai‘i Self Storage

Multiple locations, (808) 949-7233, hawaiiselfstorage.com, @hawaiiselfstorage

Finalist: Public Storage

Multiple locations, publicstorage.com

Best Transportation Company

Winner: TheBus

(808) 848-4500, thebus.org

Finalist: Uber

uber.com, @hawaiiuber

Best Travel Agency

Winner: Panda Travel

1017 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 734-1961, pandaonline.com

Finalist: Non-Stop Travel Hawai‘i

615 Pi‘ikoi St., Suite #102, (808) 593-0700, nonstophawaii.com

Best Veterinarian

Winner: Kaka‘ako Pet Hospital

815 Queen St., (808) 592-9999, kakaakopethospital.com

Finalist: PetVet Animal Hospital

848 Ala Liliko‘i St., Suite 101, (808) 834-7387, petvethawaii.com, @petvethi

This story originally appeared as a section of the annual “Best of Honolulu” in the July 2020 issue of HONOLULU Magazine. Get your copy at shop.honolulumagazine.com and subscribe to the print and digital editions now.