biz briefs 8-3

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Anyone interested in AmeriGas-Big Island can call Unger at 326-1803.

Summer Blast is benefit for animal sanctuary

The Kealakekua Summer Blast is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kealakekua Ranch Center.

The momentum rock wall, an inflatable bouncer, free ice cream eating contest, music motion water sprinkler, Keiki IDs by the Kona police and a free jazz concert by Dylan and the Social Lizards are planned. Bring lawn chairs and umbrellas.

The event is a benefit for the three-ring exotic animal sanctuary. The sanctuary is a nonprofit organization whose mission, as an education facility, is to teach the children of Hawaii and beyond about the fragile relationship with the environment.

The Kealakekua Summer Blast is sponsored by the Kealakekua Ranch Center Association.


Family child care training offered Aug. 16

People Attentative to Children offers classes in Kona for anyone interested in starting a family child care business in their home.

The “Introduction to Family Child Care” will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Kona PATCH office. There is no fee, however registration in advance is required. Register for this class by calling PATCH at 325-3800.

Call Mary Gerth, PATCH family child care recruiter, at 325-5900 during the morning hours for further guidance in starting a child care business in the home.

PATCH is a local 501c(3) organization created in 1976 to improve the quality and availability of child care in Hawaii. To support the vision and mission of PATCH, call Gail Judd at 325-3800 for more information.


AmeriGas-Big Island opens at Honokohau

AmeriGas-Big Island has officially opened on the Big Island. Its two-acre plant, located at the Honokohau Industrial Park in Kailua-Kona, was completed several months ago.

AmeriGas is the largest distributor of propane in the United States. Although new to the Big Island, it has had a presence in Hawaii for many years. Oahu Gas and Maui Gas are both AmeriGas companies.

Scott Unger, who was born and raised on the Big Island, was hired by AmeriGas to manage the operation. “With the absence of natural gas, propane is the primary alternative to electrical power.” Unger estimates the annual consumption on the Big Island to be 15 million to 20 million gallons of propane. As the island grows, so will the demand.

AmeriGas-Big Island began servicing a limited number of customers in June 2004. “We had enough equipment to handle a few select customers. Kona Village Resort and Cyanotech were two of these customers. Work at their latest project, The Shops at Mauna Lani, was just completed.”

AmeriGas-Big Island will focus primarily on commercial accounts. “Our customer mix here on the Big Island will be similar to that on Maui and Oahu, ie, hospitality industry, restaurants, agriculture and industrial.”

In addition, AmeriGas-Big Island is actively pursuing vendors to operate dispensing stations in the Kohala, Waimea and South Kona areas.

Anyone interested in AmeriGas-Big Island can call Unger at 326-1803.