Jonathan Montalbo of Aloha Termite & Pest Control Wins 2023 Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year

From the island of Kauai, an inspirational entrepreneur has emerged as a beacon of success in the pest management industry and the small-business community. Jonathan Montalbo, founder and owner of Aloha Termite & Pest Control, Inc., has recently been honored as the 2023 Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year. His career spans nearly 2½ decades in the pest control industry, as he worked his way up to a general manager and eventually started his own business in November 2006. Nominated by his business banker, Montalbo is the first in the pest control industry to receive this prestigious award in Hawaii. Montalbo states that while this recognition humbles him, it has fueled his ambition to continue to improve and strive for excellence.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader

Jonathan Montalbo’s entrepreneurial journey began in November 2006 when he took a leap of faith and established Aloha Termite & Pest Control. With a modest team of four employees, his company set out to provide comprehensive and reliable pest control solutions to the people of Kauai, Hawaii. Over the years, Montalbo’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction have propelled his business to unprecedented heights.

A Testament to Success

Under Montalbo’s stewardship, Aloha Termite & Pest Control has grown from four employees in 2006 to 110 employees, which serves as a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen. With an unwavering focus on delivering exceptional service and exceeding customer expectations, Montalbo has cultivated a loyal client base and fostered a culture of excellence within his organization. Through the assistance of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, not only was Montalbo able to keep his entire staff employed but he was also able to expand his business. As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Montalbo decided early on that if he was going down, he’d go down swinging, so he began to plan for company growth in early 2020 to enter a larger market aggressively. He capitalized on the opportunity for expansion, taking his business from its roots in Kauai to the islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii (the Big Island). This expansion allowed Aloha Termite & Pest Control, Inc. to serve a broader customer base and contributed to the economic growth of multiple regions in Hawaii.

The Aloha Termite & Pest Control team.

Community Involvement and Philanthropy

Beyond his business endeavors, Montalbo believes in giving back to the community that has supported him throughout his journey. He actively engages in philanthropic initiatives, partnering with local organizations and supporting environmental conservation efforts. Montalbo supports nonprofits like Toys for Tots by serving as a drop-off location and providing service discounts to those who donate. He also donates pest control services to local schools and historical groups. Montalbo’s commitment to social responsibility extends beyond his role as a business owner, making him a true inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Montalbo remains humble in this recognition, going as far as stating: “With these kinds of awards, there is no way you can achieve this kind of recognition without a lot of good people. We are not in an industry where we can automate things. It’s very much a people-friendly business. My employees have made this award possible. There is zero chance I’d be here without them supporting me. It’s an individual award, but my team made it possible.”