RMH is honored to present the 2013 Retailer of the Year Ho’okela to Michael Tam, CEO & President, Martin & MacArthur. Established in 1985 to recognize individual leaders and innovators in our industry, this award honors the giants of retail who have contributed to the success and vitality of the retail industry in Hawaii. Criteria include: 1) has the principal responsibility of owning and/or operating a storefront retail business; 2) has gained the respect of his/her peers; 3) demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities; 4) contributes to the retail industry; 5) has earned success in retailing; and 6) contributes to the community.
Local-born Michael Tam returned to Hawaii in 2008 with an accomplished track record of senior leadership in global companies such as Nordstrom, McDonald’s International, Starbucks, and American Eagle Outfitters. Tam became the majority owner, CEO and President of Martin & MacArthur, the premiere Koa furniture maker in Hawaii.
Tam and chairman Simon McKenzie are responsible for leading the Martin & MacArthur team to achieve sustainable, profitable, and long term growth and making the company more relevant to today’s lifestyles.
The Martin & MacArthur team has created innovative personal accessories and fine home furnishings that re-invent the way people think about Koa. The company introduced the first-ever solid Koa watches, Koa iPhone and iPad cases, Koa sunglasses, and an exclusive line of Koa Eternity Rings and jewelry made with its own Koa and tungsten, for a shine that lasts forever. More recently, the company introduced its own line of Koa-Leather handbags and wallets and the first-ever Koa cover for the iPad Mini, made in Hawaii by its own craftsmen. It also introduced the first-ever self-winding, automatic watches made with solid Koa links.
Martin & MacArthur has also re-invigorated finely-crafted Koa furniture by introducing entire new collections designed and crafted in its Furniture Workshop in Kalihi, such as the Queen Emma line and the new Moana Collection which premiered in Modern Luxury Magazine in September 2013.