Hawaii's Best Places to Work Recognized by Magazine

Hawaii Business Magazine honors top employers in the state for 22nd year.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 6:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hawaii Business Magazine is set to honor the best employers in the state through its annual Best Places to Work program. The program, which has been running for 22 years, recognizes companies that have created exceptional workplace cultures, with 80% of the results based on anonymous employee feedback. In addition to the overall Best Places to Work awards, the magazine will also present honors in categories such as Most Family-Friendly Workplace, Best Places to Work for Women, and Healthiest Company.

Why it matters

The Best Places to Work program shines a spotlight on companies in Hawaii that prioritize employee satisfaction and engagement, which can have a significant impact on talent retention, productivity, and a company's overall success. The awards also provide valuable insights for other businesses looking to improve their workplace culture and attract top talent.

The details

One of the firms honored for 2026 has made the annual list 19 times. Bowers + Kubota, a local engineering and architecture firm, has been named a Best Place to Work in Hawaii for 19 consecutive years and has been the best large company winner since 2022. The first-ever Best Places to Work training day will be held on April 23, where attendees can learn insights from keynote speaker Peter Burke, president of Workforce Research Group, on building strong workplace cultures and employee engagement.

  • The Best Places to Work program has been running for 22 years.
  • The 2026 awards will be announced this year.
  • The first-ever Best Places to Work training day will be held on April 23, 2026.

The players

Kent Coules

Publisher of Hawaii Business Magazine.

Brian Bowers

President of Bowers + Kubota, a company that has been named a Best Place to Work in Hawaii for 19 consecutive years.

Peter Burke

President of Workforce Research Group, the keynote speaker for the Best Places to Work training day.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Over the past 22 years, the Best Places to Work Program recognizes the best employers in the entire state.”

— Kent Coules, Publisher, Hawaii Business Magazine

“Bowers + Kubota has been awarded Best Places to Work for 19 years, and has been the best large company winner since 2022.”

— Brian Bowers, President, Bowers + Kubota

What’s next

The 2026 Best Places to Work awards will be announced later this year, and the first-ever Best Places to Work training day will be held on April 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The Best Places to Work program in Hawaii recognizes companies that have created exceptional workplace cultures, providing valuable insights for businesses looking to improve employee satisfaction, retention, and overall success. The awards also highlight the importance of prioritizing employee well-being and engagement in today's competitive job market.