- Blank Canvas
- Lucky Belly, Livestock Tavern, Tchin Tchin Bar
- Eggshell Lighting
- Kenworth Hawaii
- Royal Kitchen
- Sig Zane Designs
- Eight Point Distributors
- Autosource
- Island Topsoil
- Honolulu Eye Clinic
- Local Joe
- The Pig & The Lady
- T&C Surf
- Aloha Personal Training
- MD Restoration
- Goldwings
- AW Dental Group
- GreenPath Technologies, Inc.
- Heaven on Earth
- Honolulu Coffee Co.
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
- McKinley Car Wash
- Mountain Apple Company
- The Pâtisserie
- Scott Hawaii
- The Systemcenter, Inc.
- Town Hospitality Group
About the Entrepreneur
Kevin Balog began working in the transportation business on the Big Island with his wife, Debbie, her parents, and her brother and family. Three families working together was a success, one that eventually evolved into the opportunity for Kevin and Debbie to become the Hawaii dealer of Kenworth trucks.
But before that could happen, Kenworth required Kevin and Debbie have a succession plan in place. They immediately knew it would be their children, Lauren and Bryant. The Balog’s believe it’s better to involve children in a family business sooner than later, passing on knowledge and connecting them to its values, so when it’s time to transition to an ownership role, they’re ready.
Today, Kevin and Debbie run Kenworth Hawaii side by side with their children, going between their Big Island and Oahu locations. Far from being ready to retire, Balog, like a true entrepreneur, has other avenues he wants to explore, and believes that Hawaii needs more local businesses.
More with Kevin
Tell me more about Kenworth.
Kenworth Hawaii services the transportation industry in the whole state. Before they would grant us the right to be the Kenworth dealer for the State of Hawaii, they wanted to ensure we were a local family from Hawaii who represented the same values Kenworth has as a manufacturer—that people could come to a dealership here, feel comfortable and like they were not just buying a custom-built truck but getting the best service, the best parts and the best atmosphere. The dealers on the mainland don’t understand the conditions or needs of individual transportation businesses in Hawaii. So we really try to get our customers to understand that it’s all about getting them exactly what they need to be successful.
What brought you to Hawaii National Bank?
Prior to working with Hawaii National Bank, my belief was that all the banks were owned by corporations. Then our CPA introduced us and explained that Hawaii National Bank is a local family who has had their bank for generations and wants to continue to be a family-owned bank. At the corporate banks, you’re just a number, and at Hawaii National Bank, you’re a person and a local business.
What is something that sets Hawaii National Bank’s service apart?
For me it’s the people. My wife goes into the branch in Hilo and loves the people there. You could have the branch anywhere, but the way I see how they interact with their own employees and how they want their employees to interact with their customers—that’s what makes a difference for us.
What sets your business apart?
Our goal is to represent our customers the way Hawaii National Bank has stood by us. Kenworth has a large market share in Hawaii, and we want to give our customers the same kind of service I get from Hawaii National Bank and Kenworth dealers on the mainland give to us.
What’s next for Kenworth Hawaii and the Balog Family?
We’re opening another branch on Maui, remodeling our Oahu facility, and continuing to grow our business. And whatever happens, Hawaii National Bank is just a phone call, email or visit away.
“My wife and I believe in family businesses in Hawaii—it’s at the core of what we do. We enjoy working with other locally-owned businesses, and we believe that Hawaii’s success is based on local families owning businesses that employ people and pass that on to their next generation. We're going to pass ours on to our children.”
