Johnson Choi, president of the Hong Kong China-Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, has been honored with a national award by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Choi was named the SBA Hawaii District's 2008 Minority Small Business Champion and this week was selected as the SBA's national winner. He competed with winners from nine SBA regions nationwide.

For 20 years, Choi has provided advice to small-business owners, organized business seminars and workshops, linked export and import resources, and developed Web sites and materials to disseminate to all types of small businesses.

Naomi Masuno, business banking officer with First Hawaiian Bank, nominated Choi for the SBA award and said he is deserving of the honor.

"He is always willing to help small businesses in getting started, planning and finding new customers through exporting," said Masuno. "He shares an amazing wealth of knowledge, particularly with minority business owners interested in doing business in Asia."

Choi and the other winners of the local SBA awards will be honored at the annual luncheon on April 30 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.