We are an Island-based company of people who have created successful apps and are now designing apps exclusively here in Hawaii.
We are from here. We will develop your app from concept to launch. We are passionate about putting you front and center. We are Hawaii. We are apps.
We are … Hawaii Apps.
It could be a way to get more customers into your restaurant, club or boutique. It could be a game with surfing geckos or angry mongooses. Or an app that tells people where to find the closest shave-ice wagon or shrimp truck. Or an app that opens up the history of Hawaii to youngsters through video, pictures and music.
First, we focus only on creating apps. Competitors might develop a few apps on the side, freelancing when they aren’t stuck in their day jobs. But developing apps is all we do.
Just as importantly, we know Hawaii. We live, breathe and honor the culture and traditions that make the Islands special. This is our home and Hawaii Apps works full time to deliver quality apps for you, our Hawaii clients. We do it by working directly with you and creating apps efficiently, at a reasonable price and with a lot of Aloha.
So now you ask, how do I get started?
Easy. Fill out our contact form right here:
The first round is on us
We think working together is the fastest way
to get acquainted. So we´ll complete a free consultation on your app idea and give you a quote– you get to know us, we get to know you, and one thing on your to-do list gets done.
ready to get the ball rolling?
Here's what to expect:
You’re a not-for-profit organization
Goal: Get people’s attention, stay engaged and grow your volunteer and donor base.
App Idea 1: The app is a gateway that keeps your donors up-to-date on your news, educates through videos about the projects you’re working on, and allows them to engage and share on social networks.
App Idea 2: The app is a real-time calendar and schedule that lets your volunteers know what your needs are and allows them to sign up hassle-free. The app also accepts online donations—the most convenient way to give.
You’re a local business
Goal: Be a resource, make it easier for your clients to do business with you, and stay top of mind.
App Idea 1: The app features articles on developments in your business, lets clients submit forms or applications, lets them check the status of their account.
App Idea 2: A handy utility app (just like a flashlight or mosquito repellent with your logo on it) that clients can share (word-of-mouth marketing) which reminds them of your company every time they use it. A great alternative to holiday calendars or keychains.
Melialani James
Meli is a graduate of Punahou School and Cornell University with years of experience not only in marketing and product promotion on a national level, but also in the development of mobile apps. She created five of her own apps, some of which have been featured as "Staff Picks" and "New and Noteworthy" on iTunes App Store. The Wine Ratings Guide app was rated #1 in the wine category for two years and was #4 in the lifestyle category on the iTunes App Store. She’s also launched an interactive children’s iPad book and co-founded two social media and mobile technology companies, Nirvino and TuneTug. She traveled the world from Spain (to study wines) to Australia (to produce events for the 2000 Paralympics) before returning to Hawaii to help launch Hawaii Apps.
Steve Hochart
Steve has over 12 years of experience successfully implementing technology projects for a wide range of clients in Hawaii and around the world. Former leader of the technology consulting team at CH2M Hill and Group 70, Steve’s strengths are building teams, solving complex problems and finding solutions in the tech world to meet the requirements of all customers. Steve has successfully implemented small and large projects for clients such as City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii, U.S. Air Force and Maui Electric Company.
Kitty Lagareta
Kitty, CEO of Communications Pacific, is a successful communicator and entrepreneur whose eclectic, creative background makes her a perfect partner for the Hawaii Apps team. Kitty’s been involved in technology for more than 20 years and was a founding partner of one of the state’s first Internet Service Providers (ISPs). She helped launch Moms In Hawaii, an online and offline community for moms that reaches thousands of Hawaii moms, tutus, aunties and soon-to-be-moms each day through its social media website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels and dozens of "in real life" activities and events. Kitty not only is known for her marketing, public relations and tech prowess but, once upon a time, she did standup comedy with Island comic legend Rap Reiplinger in his ensemble group, “Hats.”
Andrew Yani
Andrew Yani is a Hawaii entrepreneur who has proven his talent, creativity and acumen through a surprising variety of successful ventures. He launched Hawaii Apps, his newest venture, as a way to help Hawaii businesses and individuals create mobile apps that will inform, entertain and attract users and customers. With enthusiasm honed as a successful TV producer, commentator, show host and correspondent, he returned to Hawaii to grow businesses. He launched Bonterra Solar in 2009 and it has become one of the top solar energy companies in the Islands.
Okay. You’re kind of new to the whole “handheld device” thing.
You do have a handheld device. It’s called a cell phone. And you use it to call your wife (or husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, son, daughter or grandma) to tell them you’re at Safeway and to ask if they need anything.
But everyone else has an iPhone or (BlackBerry, Android, iPad, tablet, etc.). And their handheld device does more than call home. They reach out to the world through these mysterious things called “Apps.”
And you’re feeling a bit behind the times because, frankly, you aren’t sure what an app is. You don’t want to ask anyone what an app is because they’d think you aren’t cool.
But you are cool. Because you already are using apps. That basic cell phone you have also is a camera. And a contact list. And a clock. And probably a stopwatch. And a lot more. All those things are apps, or “applications.”
An app is nothing more than a computer application. If you have a MacBook or a PC running Windows, all those icons on your desktop are apps. You click them and they do things: take you to iTunes, the Internet, a word processor, calculator or a little program that tells the weather outside.
When you hear someone talking about apps for handheld devices, they are talking about “mobile apps.” Mobile apps are just apps that aren’t held prisoner on your desktop computer. They go with you. They make your life simpler. Or more complicated. Depending on the app. You can get an app that tells you not only where the nearest Safeway is, but what it has on sale and whether it’s closed or not. (It’s not. They’re open 24 hours a day). Or you can get an app that explains (or tries to) quantum physics. Trust me. That’s complicated.
Apps can be games, like one of the most popular apps of all times: Angry Birds. But they also can link to Google, Facebook, Twitter or NASA. There are apps that can take you to museums around the world or apps that can direct you to the nearest pub. There are apps that translate English to Spanish and apps that translate yards to meters. Frankly there are too many different kind of apps to go into here. And it was that way almost from the moment apps began. Apple opened its first App Store in 2008 with about 550 apps, including educational programs. Two months after opening, the App Store hit 100 MILLION downloads.
The trick if you are new to mobile apps and just left your dumb phone behind for a smart phone, is to pick apps that you need, either for entertainment, mobility, information or enlightenment.
Once you have a nice, usable collection of apps on a reasonably priced handheld device, you’ll look as cool as anyone. And you won’t be fooled by appearances.