The Judges and People have spoken, the HJA 2021 Design Contest results are in and the winners are:

Under $3500:

1st Place: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

2nd Place: Festive by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection

3rd Place: Kananaka by Maui Divers Design Team, Maui Divers

People's Choice: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

$3500 and over:

1st Place: Merry-Go-Round by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

2nd Place: Harmony by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection

3rd Place: Malie Kai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku

People's Choice: Cocotail by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Hawaiian Themed:

1st Place: Green Flash by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

2nd Place: Maua Makai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku

3rd Place: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

People's Choice: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Designer of the Year 2021: Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields for

"Merry-Go-Round"

HJA members are encouraged to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for 2022 Membership. Renew by December 15th, 2021 and save $50.

Click here to start your annual HJA membership renewal

HJA Members should enter their recently designed pieces now in the 2021 Design Contest. Entries must be submitted by October 14th, 2021. Winners will be announced November 1st. The People's Choice voting will again be conducted online via the HJA Facebook Page.

Click here for rules and entry details.

There have been a number of recent jewelry related break-ins, robberies and burglaries in Hawaii.

The most recent being on Feb. 7th, 2021 just outside Aloha Stadium: https://www.khon2.com/local-news/police-search-for-suspect-in-connection-to-aiea-carjacking/

Here are some security tip from HJA Board Member Dale Cripps:

The situation is critical for all stores & all Islands, Day & Night. No one is immuneto this and we encourage owners everywhere to do the following:           

1) Place signs at the front entrance and in the store, saying that you have Camera Surveillance in the shop. 

2) If you don't have Cameras.....Get them installed ASAP.      

3) At the very least buy a fake camera with a light, that is on, placed at the front entrance, with signage.   

4) If you have business neighbors, have a meeting for everyone to be watchful of people coming & going in the area who could be "casing" a store.

5) Remember that removing temptation is a great strategy.  Lock everything into your safes and remove inexpensive items from sight.  Leave your empty cases uncovered so the message is “Nothing available here, not worth your effort”.

Stay watchful and safe!

Welcome to new Associate Member Simply 3D Hawaii. We are pleased to have this Hawaii company offering 3D printers and 3D printing services to the jewelry industry. They offer the ability to print using castable resins which allows jewelers to cast custom pieces from 3D designs. Check out their HJA page, company website and Instagram page.

The 2020 Design Contest is now underway. The deadline for submissions was Wednesday, September 30th. Winners will be announced on October 10th, 2020.

Voting for the 2020 People Choice Awards will be done via a Poll linked to the HJA Facebook Page. Please vote for your favorite in each category now. Voting ends on Saturday, October 10th when the judged winners are announced.

VOTE NOW - Under $3500 Category

VOTE NOW - $3500 and Over Category

VOTE NOW - Hawaiian Themed Category

HJA Facebook Page

Your HJA Board of Directors have elected the Association's officers for 2020. They are:

• President: Sharon Gilbert
• Vice-Preisdent: Moshe Hakemolo (GG)
• Secretary: JD Wriston (GG)
• Treasurer: Andrew Taylor

For more information please visit our Board of Directors page.

Due to the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, HJA members may be in need of financial assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now working with banks for payroll assistance loans. The current program is called the "Paycheck Protection Program".

HJA Members should contact their bank to see if they are participating with the SBA loan program. Hawaii banks that we know are working with the SBA include:

American Saving Bank:
https://www.asbhawaii.com/business/sba-ppp

Bank of Hawaii:
https://www.boh.com/covid-19-main-page/small-business-assistance#pppapply

Central Pacific Bank: https://www.cpb.bank/ppp

First Hawaiian Bank:
https://sba.fhb.com/

Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union: https://www.hawaiiusafcu.com/Resources/Education/Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Update-Center

You download the SBA form, fill it out and then upload it to your bank. We have seen a couple of different versions of the SBA form, so we suggest you use whatever form/download your bank supplies. However, you can download the form directly from the SBA here:

https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form--paycheck-protection-program-borrower-application-form

In theory, a business can apply for a loan from a bank they don't currently do business with, but some banks (like BoH) seem to say that this is only available to existing customers. So HJA members should apply with their current bank whenever possible.

Applications are being accepted stating today (03-APR-2020) , so HJA members should act quickly as we suspect  that banks and the SBA will be overwhelmed with applications and you don't want to be last in line.

Knowing Mark Meador as many in HJA did, he touched so many through his brilliant work as a goldsmith and jewelry designer. Mark began making jewelry in 1968 specializing in strong, geometric shaped jewelry with vibrant colored stones and textured gold or platinum. Just from HJA alone, Mark won 6 awards in his career. There are many others.

• 2008 – Peoples choice award “Mana” Hawaii Jewelers Association
• 1995 – 2nd Place Diamond Jewelry, “Textual Concepts”, Hawaii Jewelers Association
• 1995 – First Place, Diamond Jewelry, “Shimmering Waves”, Hawaii Jewelers Association
• 1993 – 2nd Place, Colored Stones, “Chi”, Hawaii Jewelers Association
• 1992 – First Place, Diamonds, “Ode to Billie”, Hawaii Jewelers Association
• 1992 – Designer of the Year, “Awapuhi” Hawaii Jewelers Association

As jewelers, we all know our creations outlive us. Although Mark’s life was cut short it was indeed full and through his jewelry designs, he will continue to bring joy.

Love and Support from all your colleagues at Hawaii Jewelers Association.