All posts by Mark Carson

Security Tips

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!

2020 Design Contest Winners

The 2020 Design Contest has concluded. Voting for the 2020 People Choice Awards was done via a Poll linked to the HJA Facebook Page.


HJA Facebook Page


And the winners are:

Under $3500 Category

  • 1st Place: Pua Melia by Chira Duval-Arnould, Aquagems
  • 2nd Place: Lunar Love Ring by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
  • 3rd Place: Dawn Eclipse by Mark Carson, Mark Carson/Individual Design
  • People's Choice: Rippin It by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

$3500 and Over Category:

  • 1st Place: Magnificent by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
  • 2nd Place: Secret Garden by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection
  • 3rd Place: Dancing Mr. Blue by Wailua Brandman, Opal Fields
  • People's Choice: Magnificent by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields

Hawaiian Themed Category:

  • 1st Place: Hawaiian Sunrise by Denny Wong, Denny Wong Designs
  • 2nd Place: Moana Reef-Life by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
  • 3rd Place: Lehua Alohilani by Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers
  • People's Choice: Ohana by Luana Zablan, Lehua Jewelers

Designer of the Year 2020:

Chira Duval-Arnould, Aquagems for Pua Melia

Click here for all of the details

2020 Design Contest

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

SBA Loan Information (Covid-19)

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.

Remembering Mark Meador

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.

HJA Logo Redesigned

The Hawaii Jewelers Association logo has been updated. The design contest for the logo closed on October 31st and your Board of Directors voted on November 11th to adopt a new logo from the 6 submissions (and also considered keeping the old logo).

The new logo is really an update to the logo the HJA has used since its founding in 1949. The colors are now more in keeping with the Hawaiian Royal Coat of Arms and the text font has been replaced with a more contemporary one. And a diamond was added to help the public identify our logo with jewelry.

The 2020 Membership stickers will use this updated logo. We will be making digital copies of the logo available to members for use on their websites and promotional materials.

Mahalo to all of the HJA members who submitted entries!