Hisae Uki has worn multiple hats at Sun Noodle, where craft noodles are produced for restaurants and retail in Honolulu, New Jersey, California and the Netherlands. Since beginning her journey at the family business, founded by her father, Hidehito, and mother, Keiko, the 2012 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business MBA graduate held various management roles.
“No two days are the same,” she said. “My day typically starts around 5 a.m., and communication is crucial, especially when collaborating with teams in different states. I handle a mix of tasks, from administrative duties to project-based responsibilities, making sure we’re on track or addressing delays.”
Alongside her brother, Kenshiro, Uki strives to carry on her family’s legacy through Sun Noodle. Since returning home to Oʻahu in 2023 after moving to the continental U.S. in 2016 to oversee the California facility, she spends more time with her parents and seeks to balance family time with work commitments.
“Sun Noodle is truly a family business,” Uki explained. “Many of our employees started with my parents 25 years ago, which is beautiful and gratifying. It reflects the care and respect my parents have shown, and the loyalty they’ve earned from these individuals who helped build the company. As a second-generation leader, my brother and I aim to carry forward that same energy and culture as we continue to grow the business.”
A network of peers
Uki said her time at Shidler College connected her with a group of like-minded classmates, who’ve become a valuable network of peers where she seeks advice, gains new perspectives and can talk through challenges. She reflects that these friendships have played a significant role in shaping her professional trajectory.
During the pandemic, Uki was faced with both her most challenging days and ultimately the ones that would become her proudest. She feared losing the business during 2020 and said that they feel fortunate to have survived such a heartbreaking time. The team needed to pivot since 80% of the business was in food service, an industry that had come to a halt.
She credits authenticity, openness and honesty in communication with customers and employees as the key attributes that helped them through. When she was in college, Uki and her brother shared inspirational cards with one another. One he sent to her when she had just moved to California now sits in a frame next to her bed. The Eleanor Roosevelt quote reads, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Along those lines, her advice to current students is that temporary discomfort can lead to unexpected growth.
“I’ve learned that if something scares you or makes you nervous, that’s often a sign that it’s worth pursuing,” she said. “It could be the opportunity for growth you didn’t expect.”
