Virtue 1

Nashi has won recognition amongst her art peers as an exceptional watercolor artist whose art expresses Sincerity of her thoughts, ideas and actions. She applies that same sincerity to community events such as personally lending hands on aid to Hawaii tourists via the Visitors Aloha Society of Hawaii, fundraising for Queens Medical Center West & the organ transplant center and supporting efforts to soothe the pains of the tsunami victims via “Rainbow for Japan Kids”.

In 2008 Nashi aided my efforts to organize a scholarship fundraiser commonly called the 4^th of July Fireworks in Hawaii Kai, officially known as Independence Day at Maunalua Bay. Such sincerity for the general community surprisingly includes a successful donation of $50,000 from a Japanese national for the benefit of the City & County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division in 2009.

Virtue 2

As the former marketing director for the Pacific Expo’s Food & New Products, Spring New Products and Home Garden & Remodeling Shows, (2009 – 2011) I often asked, “How does Nashi get so much done with such a small team?”

The answer became evident only after witnessing many intriguing instances over an extended period of time – Loyalty. I have seen Nashi’s employs, associates, and vendors demonstrate an extremely high degree of loyalty whenever challenged, coerced or suggested to “jump ship”. This kind of loyalty can’t be bought or forced by dictate, but comes only when a leader cares enough to invest time, hard work, trust, and patience in her team.

Virtue 3

I am currently a director and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities – Hawaii since its inception on December 31, 2012. Our mission is to aid and promote members seeking equal treatment in their pursuit of happiness and the American Dream. Inconveniences such as communicating ideas, crossing a street, and using a restroom can be major hurdles for our members. We sought Nashi as a person with what I consider to be the most powerful skill any leader can possess – Empathy.

Empathy allows a leader to completely understand the unique set of problems faced by each employee, associate or client in their micro environment. Then see how those problems are intertwined in relation to business and community on a macro level solution.

Virtue 4

Knowing that Nashi guided her clients between the diverse worlds of New York fashion & real estate, Hong Kong & China’s product manufacturing, Japan retail products and banking, European gemstones & accessories and the multi-ethnicities and cultures of the travel, dining & shopping industries here in Hawaii leaves one with no doubt that Nashi is a natural.

We have since asked her to be a director of this chamber and have been blessed and honored by her acceptance. We are already laying gains with her advice and lead.

With loyalty, sincerity, & empathy permeating Nashi’s success habits she holds one other virtue that only a handful of people possess. The ability to Follow Through is the one leadership virtue that organizes all the diverse elements, finds solutions and overcomes problems to complete a goal. Literally turning dreams into reality. All one has to do is ask any one on her 31 year long list of clients.

In closing,

I have been fortunate to work with Nashi in both business and community projects. And now I am privileged to be able to author this letter of support for Nashi and her bid for PBN’s 2013 Best in Small Business Award.

Aloha Pumehana,

Derek Tamura

Director, Vice President

Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities - Hawaii