About Us

POOHKO HAWAII

Overview
We offer PR/Marketing, Advertising, Consulting, Business Coordination and translation services. Since 2010, POOHKO HAWAII has been the official Japanese media for Gabby Pahinui Waimahalo Kani Ka Pila organized by Uncle Cyril Pahinui. We host media events for local businesses for their media coverage.

Meet The Owners

Ritsuko Kukonu

Starting from a blog, Ritsuko, the founder of POOHKO HAWAII launched our official website. POOHKOHAWAII.COM in 2007. She is one of the first Japanese bloggers in Hawaii. Our website has a variety of Hawaii information such as restaurants, shopping, spa, local news, events, etc. Japanese magazines & TV programs feature me as a Hawaii information expert. As she also has strength with social media, local radio station KZOO interviewed her on the topic of social media & blogging on their show. She has brand recognition as POOHKO and also a Japanese social media “influencer” in Hawaii.

Robert Kukonu

Born and raised in Hawaii, Robert has over 30-years of Retail Management, Sales & Marketing experience in Hawaii as well as in Las Vegas, Bay Area and Japan. With his strength in retail and various service industries, he offers consulting and training services. His knowledge of managing and operating successful businesses helps clients and prospective clients. He often knows and understands their struggles and needs. POOHKO HAWAII has become powerful through his strong local connections and knowledge of Asian consumers.

Founded: 2007

Industries: Restaurants, Shopping Centers, Spas, Hotels, Hawaiian Music, Food, Jewelry Shop, Retail

Clients (past and present): Ka Makana Ali’i, Kahala Mall, Pesca Waikiki Beach, Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii, Ward Village, Kings Village, Pualeilani Atrium Shops in Hyatt Regency Waikiki, O’Kims Korean Kitchen, Lobster King, Waikiki Yokocho, Steve’s Chicks, Sho’s Kitchen, New Shilawon, Seoul Tofu House, Sedona Hawaii, Sanikleen USA, Gokoku, Cafe Lani, Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Joy of Sake

All Services:
• Advertising on POOHKOHAWAII.COM (Spa, Medical Clinic, Restaurants, Jewelry Shop, Specialty Store, etc)
• PR/Marketing (Media event/relations, Press Release, TV exposure, other promotions)

Past TV exposures

O’Kims K5 “Cheap Eats”
Kulu Kulu Cake KITV Morning Show
Kulu Kulu Cake K5 “Cheap Eats”
Gokoku KITV Morning Show
Gokoku K5 “Cheap Eats”

• Business Coordination ( Japanese companies start new business, do research, etc in Hawaii
• Consulting (Marketing, Retail, Asian Market, Social Media, Blogging, etc)
• Social Media Marketing/Promotion, Management (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Line, Pinterest)
• Media Relations: local, international
• Special Events/Launches
• Translation
• Event Coverage (see below *)

Focus: To promote Hawaii and its culture. “World-Class Multimedia with Integrity”

Press:
• Japanese magazine “LEE” 2008 – commented as “POOHKO”
• Japanese magazine “Mapple Honolulu” 2010 – shopping article written by “POOHKO”
• Japanese magazine “OL Manual” – interview article on “Overseas working woman story”
• Japanese magazine blog “Lani Lani” feature “POOHKO” blog
• KZOO Radio show interview on “Social Media & Blogging”
• KZOO Radio Show Cyril Pahinui Interview joined by POOHKO HAWAII as official Japanese media/translator
• Write correspondent blog at “Travelco-chan”
• Japanese magazine “Hawaii Style” Dec.2013 – interview article on Ala Moana Center
• Hawaii Food & Wine Festival Sponcers
• Mapple Hawaii Magazine 2016 – Interview article on dining
• Magazine House “an an” July 5th Issue – Sweets Special
• Fuji TV Morning Show “Non Stop” – Hawaii Special
• Hawaii “Urawaza” Best 400

Credentials:
• Over 30 years of Retail, Restaurant, Management, Sales and Marketing Experience
• 20 years of Translation and Interpretation Experience in the field of Technology, Entertainment, Tourism, Marketing, Social Media
• One of the first Japanese bloggers in Hawaii
• Concierge of the Year 2011

POOHKOHAWAII.COM

Focus: Anything about Hawaii that attracts Japanese visitors. “Lots of Hawaii Info”.

Content: Dining, shopping, spa, events, local news, sightseeing spots, tour, general information on Hawaii with lots of photos and videos. Information is updated on a daily basis.

*Event Coverage for POOHKOHAWAII.COM: Write about cultural, food, art, sports, and other events attracting Japanese tourists
• Sony Open in Hawaii
• Gabby Pahinui Waimahalo Kani Ka Pila
• APEC Hawaii 2011(US-Japan Council links to our page and videos)
• Lantern Floating Hawaii
• Hale Aina Award
• KZOO Radio Shirokiya Studio Opening Ceremony
• Honolulu Festival
• Spam Jam
• Chinese New Year Street Festival
• Aloha Festival
• Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
• Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce Chopsticks & Wine event
• Ala Moana Center Shop A Lea Fashion Event
• Na Hoku Hanohano Award
• Honolulu Marathon
• Eat The Street
• Discover Kaka’ako
• Food & New Products Show
• International Waikiki Hula Conference
• Kawaii Kon
• Hawaii Chocolate Festival
• Hula and music Events in Japan
• ……and much more!