Business plan workshop offered June 26
Business plan workshop offered June 26
The Hawaii Small Business Development Center will present “How to Write Your Business Plan and Survival Tips” workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 26 at North Hawaii Education and Research Center, 45-539 Plumeria St. in Honokaa. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance.
Participants will learn how to write a business plan or revise a current plan with step-by-step instructions. The program will also cover repositioning and survival tips to get businesses back on track after the Great Recession.
This is a free workshop offered to the community in partnership with the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development. Preregistration is required by June 25. For more information, call Jackie at 327-3680. To register, visit hisbdc.org.
Student designed jet’s Hawaii-theme look
A specially painted Alaska Airlines jet adorned with a Honolulu high school student’s winning design honoring the culture of the Aloha State touched down June 3 in Honolulu before a crowd of students, educators and travelers. The unique theme, dubbed the “Spirit of the Islands,” was created by 17-year-old Aaron Nee.
Nee’s design was selected from among more than 2,700 submissions by students statewide in the “Paint-the-Plane” contest sponsored by Alaska Airlines, in partnership with the state Department of Education and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.
Nee was awarded a trip for four to any of the carrier’s destinations and a $5,000 scholarship.
Nee’s winning design displays a voyaging canoe depicting the cultural diversity of the Hawaiian Islands, a bright yellow hibiscus – the state flower, the Hawaiian Island chain and the phrase “Spirit of the Islands.”
Waikoloa eatery offers fundraising opportunities
Romano’s Macaroni Grill at the Waikoloa Beach Resort is encouraging schools and organizations to take advantage of its fundraising program.
The program consists of friends, family and supporters hosting a special day or night at the restaurant with 20 percent of the purchases donated to their school or organization.
For more information, call 443-5515.
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation makes $100K donation
The Daniel K. Inouye Institute Fund, a program of the Hawaii Community Foundation, has received a $100,000 grant from the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, according to an announcement by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank’s president and chief executive officer. The grant will support the establishment of the Daniel K. Inouye Institute.
Through the preservation and sharing of the late Sen. Inouye’s collection of materials spanning his career as a public servant, the institute will allow future generations to learn about Hawaii’s greatest political leader. The institute will serve as an enduring tribute to the American hero.
The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation is the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank.
– MOVERS & SHAKERS –
Hughes joins HVCB
Longtime Starwood executive Karen Hughes has joined the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. She began work April 5 as the vice president of Meet Hawaii and Travel Industry Partnerships.
In her new role, Hughes – who has more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the Hawaiian Islands – has the dual responsibility of leading HVCB’s sales efforts for both meetings, conventions and incentives, and travel trade.
Kam promoted
to executive VP
Nathan Kam has been promoted to executive vice president at McNeil Wilson Communications, one of Hawaii’s largest public relations firms and a division of Anthology Marketing Group.
Kam, who joined the firm in 2000, will play a larger role in the management of the firm in addition to his current client service responsibilities. He leads the firm’s representation of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Big Island Visitors Bureau accounts. He is also involved in the agency’s new business and staff development initiatives and oversees MWC’s internship program.
Kam attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations. He has served as president of the Hawaii Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and was recently elected to the PRSA National Travel & Tourism Section’s board of directors. He also sits on the advisory board of the Kapiolani Community College Business Marketing Management Program.
Three join credit
union board
Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union recently announced the names of three members nominated to the nine-member board of directors by the Board Nominations and Election Committee.
Peggy M. Ciriako, pro shop manager and tournament coordinator at the Kona Country Club, was nominated for another full term. Mary M. Katayama, president of Union Products of Kona, was nominated to a full term after previously being nominated in 2012 to fill a remaining one-year term. Newcomer Ross Oue, owner of Ross Oue, certified public accountant, was also nominated to a full term.
The board officers are chairman Dwight Manago, vice chairman Daryl Kurozawa, treasurer Thomas Whittemore and secretary Mary Katayama. Other members include Carol Ikeda, David Kaapu and Doland Sasaki.
Board members serve three-year voluntary terms. They provide direction to staff to meet members’ financial needs, as well as maintain the sound fiscal condition of HCFCU.
Quirit promoted to branch manager
Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union has promoted Kim Quirit to be the Kealakekua Branch manager. She will be responsible for the administration and operation, loans, personnel functions, and community and public relations of the branch.
Quirit has been with the credit union since 1988. During her 25-year career, she has served as a teller, member service specialist, mortgage loan processor, Visa coordinator and call center officer. She has certificates in Member Services, Credit Union Accounting, Consumer Lending and Service Excellence.
– NEW BUSINESSES –
Auto financing firm moves to Kona
Auto Credit Financial of Hawaii has relocated its corporate headquarters to the Big Island.
The new location at 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy., Ste. 202, in Kailua-Kona is a dream come true for CEO Mark Hergert, who lived on the island for more than 15 years and was the former general manager of Big Island Jeep Eagle Mazda in Kona.
Auto Credit Financial of Hawaii provides automobile financing for people who have bad credit, no credit or are in bankruptcy.
The company has been specializing in helping the self-employed, 1099 employees, military, students and first-time buyers get auto financing for more than 25 years.
For more information, visit AutoCreditDealerMarketing.com or call (866) 554-8322.
Real estate company under new management
Mauna Kea Realty, Mauna Kea Resort’s exclusive real estate brokerage company, is now under the management of Bob Chancer and Steve Hurwitz.
Chancer and Hurwitz, co-founders of C and H Properties Inc., have been involved in the luxury residential real estate market along the Kona and Kohala coasts for more than 32 years, with a combined sales volume of more than $2 billion.
In addition to real estate sales at the resort, Mauna Kea Realty and its current agents, Chacha Kohler, Linda Rattray and Diana Woods, along with Harold Clarke, Victorious Metzler and office manager Kaleo Warfield will also sell and market luxury residential real estate in other Kona and Kohala areas including Puako, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa, Hualalai and Kukio.