biz briefs before 5-12

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The Leaf is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack instead of an internal combustion engine. There are no tailpipe emissions, and the cost of the electricity to charge them is cheaper than a tank of gasoline. For more information, visit nissanusa.com.

Local business group to hold visitors day

Business Network International, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among members, is holding a visitors day for its Kona Krew chapter at 7:45 a.m. May 12 in the private banquet room of Island Naturals on Kaiwi Street in Kailua-Kona. The guest speaker will be Joanne Seery, executive director of Business Network International Hawaii.

Anyone interested in attending the meeting is welcome. Call Marie-anne Rouse for reservations at 990-4149.


Jams World joining Shops at Mauna Lani

The Shops at Mauna Lani has announced the addition of leisure lifestyle fashion company Jams World to its family of merchants. The new 2,740-square-foot store will be the first of its kind on the Big Island and will open in early May.

“I can tell you personally that Jams World makes some of the most comfortable clothes I have ever worn,” said Bill Borkan, owner of The Shops at Mauna Lani. “This is a Hawaii-based company that is a great addition to The Shops at Mauna Lani.”

Jams World started in 1964 by David Rochlen in Honolulu with Jams shorts. Their appeal as a surfing lifestyle item landed Rochlen and a group of his surfing buddies a two-page spread in Life Magazine in June 1965. Demand for the brand followed as Jams World revolutionized the surfing fashion world with colorful, unique shorts.


Holualoa seeking local produce for farm fest

The Holualoa Village Association is inviting Big Island farmers to participate in its second annual Summer Farmfest and Ukulele Jam. The June 19 event will feature fresh produce samples and sales from local farms and ukulele music throughout town from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Much like Holualoa’s annual November Coffee and Art Stroll, the summer event will showcase local produce at most of the village art galleries and shops along the half mile stretch of Mamalahoa Highway between Holualoa School and the Imin Center.

Only producers and distributors of locally grown products are being invited to participate in the daylong event. Farmers will be asked to provide fresh samples for the public and will be allowed to sell their wares as well. Categories being accepted include fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, honey, fruit drinks, jam and jelly preserves, meat, poultry, dairy products, fresh bakery goods, seedlings and growing/cooking supplies. The emphasis is on “Buyin’ Hawaiian” produce at the villagewide farmers market.

Applications for farms/vendors are available at holualoahawaii.com, and at Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe. There is a $25 participant donation request for a 10-by-10 foot space. No arts and crafts vendors will be accepted.

For more information, contact Franz Weber at 322-6633 or FWeber@unfi.com.


State is early launch site for Nissan Leaf

Because of Hawaii’s strong commitment to clean energy and a recognized leader in the introduction of electric vehicles, Nissan North America Inc. has selected Hawaii to be one of its initial launch markets in the U.S. beginning in early 2011.

The Leaf is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack instead of an internal combustion engine. There are no tailpipe emissions, and the cost of the electricity to charge them is cheaper than a tank of gasoline. For more information, visit nissanusa.com.