Tech Oahu

Want to get seen in Oahu? Tech Oahu can help businesses to reach their full marketing potential on the internet and beyond. 

Having a website is the only way to prove your credibility in your industry, and market your business to its full potential. If you’re looking to appeal to visitors from all over the world, the internet is the fastest and easiest way to get seen. 

Establishing an online presence is hard work, and at Tech Oahu, we’re here to take the job off your hands and leave you to focus on the business that mattes most to you. 

Tabletop SEM – Key Tech for advancing science

Recently I came across a piece of technology that made me wonder about the various possibilities that it brings to us.  It is still very expensive equipment.  However, if you think about portable ultra-sound devices were 20~30 thousand dollars not too long ago, as the technology advances, and graphic cards become better, and it may not be a distant future where these devices will be for consumers.  The device I’m talking about is Tabletop SEM.  SEM stands for Scanning Electron Microscope.  It’s basically an electronic microscope as we know it, but without the bulk.  It could literally fit on your desk (albeit, it still has to be a little large desk, but it’s practically about the same size as a computer).  But, if you think about how computers used to take up an entire room and they were not as powerful as our handheld smartphones, you can see where I’m going with this.

These devices can take images of, for example, inside the battery cell to see if there are any defects.  This could prevent future issues such as battery explosions, which we see a lot more often than we want to hear.  It could also view inside cells to see how the complicated interactions work inside biological cells.  One of the sectors that adopted this technology heavily is the semiconductor industry.  Because of their nature of having to deal with their components at a nano-meter level, a close inspection is a must when it comes to the semiconductor industry.

Some of the image magnifications are upwards of 3,000,000 times with regular Scanning Electron Microscope.  With the tabletop version, there are products that make 150,000 times possible.  Which is an incredible feat considering the size is as big as a computer body.

I remember when my mom bought a science kit and was excited to take a look inside that lens with a 10 times magnification microscope.  I was having a blast looking at hair strands, coins, I think we caught a bug or two to take a look at it.  And then there was a 50 times magnification lense option, and boy that gave me a perspective of a whole new world.  So, when I came across this information about an electronic microscope that could fit on your desk, I was excited and felt like I was going back to childhood.

With the advancement of technology, these machines allow us to explore a new world.  Ultrasound devices brought a quiet revolution to the medical field.  Doctors are now being trained on how to use them, and for example, when they are doing an injection, they can actually see it live where the medicine is being injected to.  I bet the same is revolution taking place with this Tabletop SEM for many fields.  Are you part of it?

Condo Life on Oahu

There are a lot of development taking place currently throughout Hawaii and especially Oahu.  There has been a pent up demand for new housing and various neighborhoods have been approved and development in motion.  Much anticipated Koa Ridge broke ground last year and there are neighborhoods like Hoopili that is supposed to be as big as Hawaii Kai coming up in central Oahu/Leeward side.  However, most notably the developments in Kakaako are the ones that are reshaping how Honolulu will operate.  Most of the development is concentrated on Kakaako area and that is a welcome news for many.  It provides direct access to downtown without the traffic hell that many have to go through.  Also, the new units come with varying options from affordable housing all the way through ultimate luxury housing.  If you have to work in Downtown or Waikiki side and have to travel every morning for it in the traffic, there is also a substantial cost associated with doing so, not just in terms of time, but in actual dollars and cents.

There are new developments that is about start being developed like Keeaumoku Towers and there ones that you can see the tower starting to rise up like Aalii condos in Ward Village.  There are many more options coming up in 2022 and with the sales starting soon, it’s definitely time to start paying attention to what’s coming up.  Also, places like Aalii is almost fully sold with few units remaining, so if there is any interest, now is really the chance.

Because of so many new houses coming on the market, some are concerned about the prices dropping.  This is a valid concern, however most experts state that the supply has a long way to catch up with the pent up demand that there is a very good chance the housing price will not ease up.  Especially with FED keeping the interest rate low for a few years in the foreseeable future.

There are some other options available, but for today we’ve highlighted Kakaako as that is the neighborhood has the most active developments taking place.

 

 

 

Becoming a Physical Therapist

Hawaii has limited economic sectors heavily depending on Government entities, Federal, Military and primarily State, and then tourist industries.  That was the reason why government worked on creating incentives for other industries to come to Hawaii, however the effect has been minimal.  Some of the industries that Stat of Hawaii tried to bring to Hawaii by providing tax incentive is technology, bio-medical, and movie industries.  As Hawaii population ages medical industry is about to hit a tipping point as doctor shortages are right around the corner and supporting medical industry is becoming shorthanded.  Today we’ll explore one small segment of that issue.  Especially since Hawaii doesn’t have a Physical Therapy school, as the demand for the service grows it is becoming a bigger problem for our islands. In order to highlight the issue and with hope to bring more physical therapists to Hawaii, by the way being a physical therapist in Hawaii is a pretty good gig, we wanted to take a quick break from tech side of things and share some info on medical field.

Becoming a physical therapist has benefits and drawbacks, but the advantages far outweigh the difficulties. The benefits include a high salary, excellent professional working conditions, respect from patients, their families, and the general public and strong job satisfaction. Physical therapists can work in a variety of clinical and management jobs in locations throughout the world. The cons include an extended educational requirement, demanding physical work, high costs of financing an education, and the necessity of dealing with people who aren’t always on their best behavior.

Qualifying for a Job as a Physical Therapist

In the United States, people must receive a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study and a graduate degree in physical therapy from an accredited institute of higher learning.  Unfortunately, there is no master’s degree program for physical therapy, so candidates must earn a Ph.D. to qualify. Candidates must also pass a standardized national exam to get a license.

It’s important to have a good understanding of what the job of physical therapy entails before committing to a course of study. Common duties of physical therapists include:

· Examining patients and conducting tests, x-rays, MRIs, etc.
· Making a diagnosis of the problems
· Formulating a plan to treat debilitations and relieve pain
· Following up to ensure that the plan is workable and followed by the patient
· Helping patients perform therapy
· Performing skilled treatments, such as massage, traction, and other therapies
· Dealing with families who are often in crisis situations

Outlook for Becoming a Physical Therapist

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy jobs will increase by 71,800 jobs by 2024. That stat demonstrates that these jobs are in high demand. Physical therapy jobs become increasingly important as baby boomers age to become the largest retirement-age-or-older population in history. Physical therapy treats not only accidents but also disabilities caused by aging.

Those who want to get a jumpstart on a career in physical therapy should pursue computer science, biology, and anatomy courses in high school and college. Other valuable courses include patient psychology, kinesiology, healthcare administration, and general science, and advanced mathematics courses.

Once a candidate gets hired as a physical therapist, he or she might work in a variety of jobs, such as helping patients cope with emotional problems, dealing with spinal trauma, performing hands-on therapy, leading patients in exercise and stretching routines, and managing pain as patients recuperate.

The work environment is excellent because most physical therapists work with physicians, surgeons, and physical therapist assistants in clinics, hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and educational institutions. The work is typically done during normal business hours, but private practices often schedule evening and weekend hours.

Salary Considerations for Becoming a Physical Therapist

The salaries of physical therapists rank among the highest salaries for entry-level employees, and there are many more lucrative positions for those who advance into private practice and administration. Physical therapists earned $86,850 in 2017, and the highest-paid therapists earned an average of $101,790. Both salary levels and the number of jobs has increased steadily in the physical therapy field since 2010, and the BLS predicts the field will grow by 28 percent between 2016 and 2026, a much higher rate than most other careers, including medical jobs.

The pay average for physical therapists varies among geographic regions and cities throughout the United States. The top salaries in the country are paid to therapists in the following cities:

· Merced, California: $128,040
· Hammond, Louisiana: $123,430
· Morristown, Tennessee: $117,110

You can find one example for Hawaii physical therapist here.

Physical Therapists Assume Multiple Duties

As the medical profession continues to specialize, physical therapists perform essential rehab work and provide emotional support that general practitioners seldom offer patients in today’s specialized medicine. People with injuries, chronic conditions, asthma, spinal problems, and difficulties recovering from various illnesses can benefit from a proactive regimen of physical therapy, so the outlook for becoming a physical therapist is overwhelmingly positive.

And as we pointed out in the beginning of the article, the prospect for career in physical therapy in Hawaii is even better.  Come join us and enjoy the beautiful weather together.

References:
[1] https://www.topoccupationaltherapyschool.com/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-physical-therapist/
[2] https://www.masmedicalstaffing.com/2018/02/20/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-physical-therapist/
[3] https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/physical-therapist/salary

How To Make Your Small Restaurant Business Shine

Owning a small restaurant in a popular tourist location like Oahu offers so many perks. You’ve got an ever-increasing number of potential customers to appeal to, and you’re based in one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. When it comes to job satisfaction, you certainly have very little to complain about.

However, every business has its downsides, and one difficulty that many small restaurant businesses in general face is how to stand out amongst their competitors. You might not have the funding for fancy advertising, which may mean you’re unable to pick up that rush of tourists that the bigger, more established businesses are able to bring in. So how can you still make your small restaurant business shine?

If you feel you’re struggling, don’t be disheartened – there are ways to stand out from the crowd that don’t have to involve forking out the cash for excessive promotion. Aside from having a website, which is a business essential, here are some simple steps to getting your small business out there and increasing your customer base:

Offer special customer service

When people go on a vacation, they enjoy being treated extra-specially. They don’t necessarily want the same customer service experience as back home, where they’re largely ignored and handled as another number by their servers and waiters. They’d rather be treated with warmth and welcoming, and it takes a friendly type of person to succeed in delivering that sort of customer service.

Take your hiring process seriously, be meticulous with applicants, and make sure the staff you take on have a real knack for friendliness and hospitality. You’re far more likely to gain repeat customers and a wealth of positive online reviews if you can offer something of extra special value to vacationers.
Re-evaluate your menu

No matter what cuisine you specialise in, you need to make sure that you’re offering up enough diversity and uniqueness to appeal to a customer who could quite as easily go down the road for a bigger selection. That’s not to say that the more food you can offer, the better – but think carefully about your menu options for the biggest appeal.

Always take food preferences, allergies and special dietary requirements into account when you’re designing your menu. Nowadays, more and more people are following the vegetarian diet, and if you’ve only got one or two vegetarian dishes on your menu, you’re not really catering to that audience. The same goes for gluten-free and nut-free menu options – make sure you’ve got plenty of choice, and you’ll be a hit with tourists simply for showing basic insight.
Be unique

Even if you’re offering the same sorts of foods as your competitors, there’s always a way to do it uniquely. Perhaps you can create variations of a traditional local dish or dessert, or find a way to put a modern twist on it. You could also consider your dinner setting, or the service itself, and think up ways to make this particularly different from the settings and services that your competitors offer up.

Think about what makes you different and act on it. You don’t have to do anything too extravagant, but it might be nice to be known as “the restaurant that does XYZ”, instead of just another food venue in your location. Share this uniqueness across to your website to widely appeal to potential customers.
Stay in touch with your customers

We’re not suggesting here that you befriend each and every one of your customers and add them on Facebook, but there’s no reason why you can’t take their information and (when consented) use it for your marketing purposes. People love being reminded of their favourite destination while they’re back at home, so they’re likely to welcome an email from you reminding you about their fantastic experience last summer in the middle of their working day… and, over time, it may even be enough to encourage them to make another trip out to see you.

One way to make your communication more personal to your customers is to email them on their birthday with a special celebratory offer. While you may not see much response to this if you’re largely a restaurant for tourists, you’ll be remembered simply for going that extra mile when it counted.
Consider your setting

Any restaurant business relies heavily on physical appearance, so if you’ve experienced a recent drop in customers, you might want to consider your current setting. Ask yourself a few questions, like: Is the theming appropriate for what we serve? Are certain elements starting to look outdated? How might a customer view the restaurant on a first-time visit? Be honest with yourself, and if you need to, enlist in the help of a friend or family member who won’t be afraid to tell the truth.

You might only need to make one or two subtle changes to your business to make it more visually appealing. A simple repaint of your walls or ceilings, or trashing your tables and chairs for more modern alternatives, could be all it takes to completely transform the interior of your restaurant. A full change in theming is only really necessary if it’s been a good decade or so since your last refurb.

8 Major Benefits Of Owning a Website For Your Tourism Business

In many ways, tourism is all about the here and now. People show up to a vacation destination, find themselves drawn into a bit of well-placed marketing, and the local industries bring in their business. Many tourists enjoy the spontaneity that vacations bring around; the saying “yes” to activities that weren’t pre-planned, trying out new experiences, and ultimately packing so much more into their trip than they’d expected.

This aspect of tourism will certainly never change or go away – there’ll always be an appeal to making snap decisions while on vacation and taking a “go with the flow” attitude. However, there is one major change to the way people plan, book and enjoy their vacations nowadays, and it’s all down to one thing: the internet.

There’s no avoiding the internet, and if you’re a tourism business, you shouldn’t be trying to anyway. You may argue that plenty of people still manage to find you by foot while on their vacations, but imagine how many more potential customers you’d appeal to with a website? A website takes time and money to set up, but once you’ve made it past the technicalities, you’ll be so glad you went through with the investment.

Here are 8 major benefits of owning a website for your tourism business:

It’s professional

For reasons that no-one can quite put a finger on, if you don’t have a website nowadays, it could really harm your reputation. A website can help you to come across as a professional and legitimate company, which you’ll struggle to do if you’re relying on your physical storefront presence alone.

It is no longer a maybe requirement for a business – if you want to be taken seriously, you have to have some sort of online presence. Social media isn’t even enough to cut it most of the time, as it will never give your customers the same experience as browsing your website.

It will engage your customers for longer

How often have you Google-searched a business only to find it has no website, and subsequently diverted your search to that business’ competitors? Your customers might be doing exactly the same thing with you.

If you’re in the food industry, you need your website so that customers can take a look at your menu, read up on your offerings and ultimately book a table with you. If you’re in retail, you need a website so that your customers can browse through all of your wares when deciding whether to make a visit to your store. Unless what you’re offering is incredibly unique, without a website, your customers will simply look elsewhere.

It will help you get discovered

If the only thing you’ve got going for you online is the occasional TripAdvisor review, you’re really hindering your chances of getting noticed by customers. Having a website with the right location-based SEO means that when your potential customers are searching for things to do in the local area, they’re far more likely to stumble across you.

When you’re a tiny business on a tiny island like Hawaii, online discoveries mean everything. People always want to get an idea of a destination before they visit, and your website is your chance to showcase yourself to vacationers while they’re doing their research.

It encourages shareability

There are hundreds of travel and tourism bloggers dominating the internet who might just be waiting for the opportunity to talk about your business online. You’re actually making a blogger’s job easier by establishing a website for yourself, because they’ll be able to find you online and share your website with their followers in seconds.

If you can get your name shared around by bloggers talking about the best things to do in a tourist hotspot, you’re onto a real winner.

It makes sense

How do you expect people to know you exist without a website? There’s no getting around the fact that having a website these days just makes sense. When so many people use the internet, you can be certain that purchasing a website is a solid investment that you won’t ever regret.

You’ll only have to take a look at your site visitation stats to see just how many people have checked you out and why, ultimately, setting up a website was such a practical and reasonable decision for your business.

Increased revenue

It’s pretty obvious – if you’re attracting more customers to your business, you’re going to see an increased revenue for your efforts. More visitors to your store equals more sales, and people are more likely to stop by if they’ve already read up on you before their vacation.

You might also be able to sell your products or services on your website, which will help to bring in additional revenue through your online platform alone.

Additional advertising opportunities

How do you currently advertise your business? If you don’t have a website, it’s most likely through traditional forms of advertising like flyers, leaflets, posters and, if you can afford it, radio ads.

While these all work well to bring tourists to you while they’re on their vacation, you want a way to make yourself known to them before they even board their plane. Online advertising can help you do this, by directing your targeted customers straight over to your website. It’s fairly cheap, too, making it a cost-effective marketing solution for almost guaranteed success.

A step into the 21st century

As much as technology can be massively confusing, expensive to run, and frustrating when it fails you, it really is the future. No matter what your views are on the internet, if you want your tourism business to stand out from its competitors, you need to establish yourself online.

It can be quite daunting taking that step into the 21st century, but it’s essential if you want to stick with the times – and continue to appeal to the modern-day customer. If you’re struggling with adapting to the internet, seek the help of a professional.

Tech Oahu in Modern Times

There are many new technological advances that we see it on a daily basis.  However, given that we are isolated so far from most of the United States, and for that matter from the world, it does make it difficult for the information to flow to us and keep us on the cutting edge.  Luckily, because Hawaii and Oahu, in particular, is heavily asset-based, and also because the culture is keen on fad and fashion and what is popular when the users make a shift, the technological update can be quite swift.  Solar panels adaptation is a great example.  Of course, the legislature providing a great deal of tax credit is a huge factor, however without the consensus of the general public.  Meanwhile, it is true that Hawaii is more apt for solar panels compared to most other places.  Another big factor is the concentrated population.  Pretty much everything have to be imported, so the distribution cost of items coming to Oahu is quite high, however, once the items are here, it doesn’t have to travel much further.

We want to use this blog to talk about tech that impacts our daily life as well as items that might impact our island specifically.  More to come, so please stay tuned.

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Greetings from Oahu! If you’ve made it this far, chances are, you’re looking to chat to a member of our team about the web services we provide. 

The easiest way to get in touch is to fill out the contact form. If you’re after a more immediate response, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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