How to Choose a PR Agency in Hawaii: 5 Critical Questions to Ask

Selecting the right PR agency in Hawaii can make or break your brand’s visibility in a market as unique as the islands. With tourism, tech, hospitality, and local commerce all vying for attention, you need a partner who understands both global strategies and aloha-driven storytelling.

As Hawaii’s only full-service, multi-disciplinary agency blending public relations, digital marketing, and creative strategy, JB Brands has helped dozens of local businesses—from boutique hotels in Waikiki to sustainable agtech startups on the Big Island—earn coverage in The New York Times, Forbes, and Hawaii Business Magazine.

But we’re not here to sell you. We’re here to educate. Below are the five critical questions every Hawaii business should ask before signing with any PR agency—and why the answers matter.

1. “Do You Have Proven Experience in the Hawaii Market?”

National agencies often treat Hawaii like an afterthought. A true PR agency in Hawaii knows the difference between pitching Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Pacific Business News, understands the cultural weight of kama‘āina vs. malihini messaging, and can secure placements on KHON2 or Hawaii News Now with authentic local angles.

What to look for:

• Case studies featuring Hawaii-based clients

• Relationships with local journalists (e.g., Civil Beat, MidWeek)

• Coverage in regional outlets like Maui Now or Big Island Now

JB Brands Insight: We’ve secured front-page features for clients in West Hawaii Today and national coverage tying local sustainability efforts to global trends.

2. “How Do You Integrate PR with Digital Marketing?”

In 2025, PR doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Earned media must amplify paid and owned channels. The best PR agencies in Hawaii don’t just land press—they turn coverage into SEO signals, social proof, and lead-gen fuel.

Ask:

• “How do you repurpose a Forbes mention into Google Business Profile reviews, Instagram Reels, and email nurture sequences?”

• “Do you optimize press releases for featured snippets?”

Red flag: Agencies that treat PR as “set it and forget it.”

JB Brands Advantage: Our in-house digital team ensures every placement drives traffic, backlinks, and conversions.

3. “What’s Your Track Record with Crisis Communications?”

Hawaii’s businesses face unique risks—natural disasters, labor shortages, overtourism backlash. Your PR partner must be ready before the crisis hits.

Probe for:

• Pre-written holding statements tailored to Hawaii risks

• 24/7 media monitoring (e.g., Meltwater or Brandwatch)

• Experience managing reputational issues (e.g., negative Yelp trends, activist campaigns)

Pro tip: Ask for a redacted crisis comms plan from a past client.

JB Brands Preparedness: We helped a Maui resort navigate post-fire media scrutiny with transparency and community-first messaging. Contact us for crisis support

4. “How Do You Measure PR Success Beyond Clips?”

Vanity metrics like “impressions” don’t pay the bills. Modern PR agencies in Hawaii must tie efforts to business outcomes.

Demand clarity on:

• Share of voice vs. competitors

• Domain authority lift from earned backlinks

• Lead attribution from media mentions (UTM tracking)

• Year-over-year brand sentiment shift

Resource: The AMEC Measurement Framework is the global standard—any agency worth their salt uses it.

JB Brands ROI Focus: We deliver monthly dashboards showing media value, traffic uplift, and MQLs generated.

5. “Are You a One-Trick Pony or a Full-Spectrum Partner?”

Many PR firms stop at press releases. But in Hawaii, where budgets are tight and competition fierce, you need an agency that scales with you—offering crisis comms, influencer partnerships, SEO-optimized content, and paid media under one roof.

The multi-disciplinary edge:

• Faster execution (no subcontractor delays)

• Consistent brand voice across channels

• Better ROI through cross-channel amplification

Why JB Brands Stands Out: We’re the only Hawaii agency combining PR, paid media, web development, and creative under one roof. Explore our full services →

The Bottom Line: Don’t Settle for “Good Enough” PR

Hawaii’s market rewards authenticity, agility, and integration. The right PR agency in Hawaii doesn’t just get you in the news—they turn coverage into customers.

Ready to elevate your brand? Book a free 15-minute strategy call with JB Brands and discover why local leaders trust us to tell their stories.

Related Reading:

• The ROI of Earned Media in Tourism Marketing (Forbes Agency Council)

JB Brands | Hawaii’s Multi-Disciplinary Growth Agency