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Recovering lawyer helps
young isle women
ready for work life

PUNAHOU graduate and recovering attorney Karen Elizaga is home to vacation and roll out her new business, Forward Options LLC.

The company's workshops help young women set the foundation for the rest of their lives by sharing the experiences of successful women around the world.

Elizaga has collected dozens of personal accounts from women in various industries, detailing both victories and what she calls "I-wish-I-would-haves," so students can learn from ups and downs.

"I want them to be conscious about they way they move forward in their lives, rather than have life just happen to them," Elizaga said.

Her first local presentation was last night at Maryknoll, the next will be today at St. Francis.

The advice and counsel, along with Elizaga's own professional experience, form the curriculum. She charges $100 a person for the school workshops; one-on-one sessions are $90 an hour.

Elizaga said she has interviewed far too many job applicants over the years who had great resumes but who fell short in very basic areas, such as making a positive first impression. Finding a way to help young women succeed in interviews and beyond became her passion.

The workshops cover those ABCs as well as larger topics such as the importance of goals; how college is a dress rehearsal for real life; and maintaining fruitful relationships, professional and personal.

Elizaga's bachelor's degree is from Columbia University and her law degree is from American University's Washington College of Law. Her career has taken her through the global Jones Day law firm and technology companies in New York and London, jobs that sent her traveling through many other international cities.

While preparing for her own career, she dreamed of succeeding in a big international law firm.

Been there, done that.

"I did that and I liked it, but I didn't love it," Elizaga said. "I know that you can love what you do for a living. I want people to know that."

Alpha Video

The Kaneohe Alpha Video store closed recently but another location may open in the near future.

"Our lease is done and the parking lot is small, so we decided to change the location," said co-owner Young Chu. The company is negotiating toward a new lease in nearby shopping center.

Many of Hawaii's 14 Alpha Video stores are owned by members of Chu's family, but some are franchised.

It has fared well in competition against Blockbuster, Chu said.

"We've been here 15 years. The main thing is to be nice to the customers."

The stores also compete with lower prices, which vary from store to store but which are around $3 for a three- to five-day rental or, for older movies, $2 for a five-day rental.

The stores "stick together ... so we can buy cheaper," he said. He claims thousands of loyal customers for each store and he appreciates the support for the local business.

"Every owner lives here in Hawaii, so it's actually not a franchise from another state or country. They are all owned by people who live here, all families, local businesses."

Warrior hit

The UH Rainbowtique may get long-distance requests for white ball caps bearing the green and black Warrior football logo after Wednesday night's "CSI: NY" episode.

One of the bad guys was trying to choose between the Hawaii cap and one for Auburn, which another bad guy recommended, but the third bad guy questioned the wisdom of the recommendation, noting the stellar performance of quarterback Timmy Chang.