Video: KTA Super Stores’ Derek Karisu gives public talk at UH Hilo: “Converting Crisis Into Opportunities”
The talk on lessons learned is part of UH Hilo’s Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story gatherings.
By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.
Derek Kurisu, executive vice president of KTA Super Stores on Hawaiʻi Island, gave a public talk on “Converting Crisis Into Opportunities” on March 28, 2025, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
Kurisu has made countless contributions to the local community, such as creating Mountain Apple Brand products, creating and producing two TV cable programs, and holding numerous positions with KTA Super Stores. He is know for his exuberant, friendly personality, always at-the-ready to share his manaʻo.
In this talk, he shares lessons he learned and how he applied them to make Hawaiʻi Island a better place.
Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story
The goal of the series, named “Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation” and launched in fall of 2024, is to strengthen the university’s connections to the local community through conversation. Talks cover youth-focused government programs, health care, food systems, climate challenges, and more. Following a short talk by a featured guest, attendees break out into discussion groups and then share their manaʻo (thoughts) with everyone.
The talks are held on campus at the Kilohana Student Success Center located in Edwin Mookini Library.
The Kuleana and Community series is sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, Kilohana Academic Success Center, Center for Global Education and Exchange, and Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose and Associate Professor of Sociology Alton Okinaka.
Watch more talks from the series.
