Matsumoto was most recently at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, where he was restaurant manager for the Surf Room and Mai Tai Bar.
Las Vegas-Hawaii link explored in book
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii has published a fundraiser book titled “California Hotel and Casino: Hawaii’s Home Away from Home” written by Dennis M. Ogawa, professor of American studies at the University of Hawaii, and John Blink, one of Sam Boyd’s key executives at the California. The book explores the historical background of how the Boyd Gaming Corp. created a lasting relationship with the people of Hawaii.
Ogawa will be available to sign copies of the book from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the KTA Super Stores in Waimea and from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the KTA in the Kona Coast Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona.
The book costs $16.99 and is available at all KTA Super Stores on the Big Island.
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawaii.
For more information, call 945-7633, e-mail info@jcch.com or fax 944-1123.
Green market is open longer hours
The South Kona Green Market, normally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday on the lawn of the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook), is extending its hours until 2 p.m. for the holiday season.
Fresh local-grown produce, a variety of local fruits, plants and keiki plants to transplant, herbs, Kona coffee, freshly prepared foods, breads, cakes and other goodies, goat cheeses, hot local corn on the cob, fresh-caught fish plus a large assortment of locally crafted items, including jewelry, gourds, paintings, greeting cards and books, all created by local artists and artisans, are available. Live music also is planned.
Fruit growers plan work day, meeting
Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers will meet for a work day to weed and replace weed mat at 8 a.m. Sunday at the 12 Trees Project site next to the Kona Pacific Farmers Co-op on Napoopoo Road. Refreshments will be provided. Nonmembers are welcome to attend.
The next regular meeting of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers-West Hawaii will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 at the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu.
Eva Lee will be the featured speaker, asking “Would you like to grow tea?” Members will be able to learn more about Hawaii’s Camellia sinensis tea and what growers on Hawaii Island are doing in propagation, cultivation and processing tea for the specialty tea and food market.
Members are asked to bring fruit for sampling to the meeting. Nonmembers are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Ken Love at 323-2417 or Ken@mycoffee.net or Virginia Easton Smith at 322-4892 or vsmith@hawaii.edu.
Fujimoto to lead Do it Best Corp. board
Mike Fujimoto, president and CEO of HPM Building Supply, was elected to serve as chairman of the board of directors of the hardware, lumber and building materials buying co-op Do it Best Corp. at the 2008 Do it Best October Market in Indianapolis. Fujimoto succeeds Niel Crowson of E.C. Barton and Co. in Jonesboro, Ark., who will remain on the board of directors until his third term expires.
“I’m honored to serve my fellow retailers as the Do it Best Corp. board chairman,” Fujimoto said. “This is an incredibly vibrant organization, and I’m proud to be in a position to help Do it Best and its member-owners succeed.”
HPM Building Supply has been a Do it Best Corp. member since 1995, and Fujimoto has been an active member of the board since 2004 and has served as vice chairman since 2007.
In addition to the new position, Fujimoto is also serves on the boards of a number of local organizations, including First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, New Moon Foundation, Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island (emeritus), Hawaii Lumber Products Association and the Blood Bank of Hawaii.
Matsumoto to direct food and beverage
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa has appointed Paul Matsumoto to the position of director of food and beverage for the 521-room resort.
Matsumoto joined the resort in June as part of a task force to assist in the food and beverage department. In his new capacity, he will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of Kai restaurant, Manta Ray Bar and Grill, Keauhou Coffee Co. and Crystal Blue Lounge. Additionally, room service operations, banquets, catering and special events will be among his responsibilities.
Matsumoto was most recently at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, where he was restaurant manager for the Surf Room and Mai Tai Bar.