American Savings Bank, HELCO help Kona hospital
American Savings Bank, HELCO help Kona hospital
Kona Hospital Foundation recently received a $20,000 grant from American Savings Bank and another $20,000 grant from Hawaii Electric Light Co. The grants will fund the purchase of two baby warmers to enhance newborn care at Kona Community Hospital.
On May 28, HELCO representatives presented the foundation’s board members with a $20,000 grant for the funding of a baby warmer.
At the June 22 grand opening of American Savings Bank’s Kailua-Kona branch, American Savings Bank CEO and President Rich Wacker presented a $20,000 grant to the foundation’s board of trustees.
Kaiser grants aid community health initiatives
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is giving $77,000 in grant funding in support of two community health initiatives aimed at promoting nutrition, food safety and wellness in Hawaii schools.
The University of Hawaii Foundation is getting a $50,000 grant to promote school wellness in alignment with Kaiser’s “Thriving School” efforts. The grant will help to establish the Hawaii 5210 Schools program in approximately 20 schools statewide. This health initiative will also promote recommendations of including five or more fruits or vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity, and no sugary beverages each day.
The Kohala Center is getting a $27,000 grant to provide food safety certification and offer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program in Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island elementary schools. This initiative will provide food safety certification of high-need schools and will benefit approximately 700 students.
Gas company helps the hungry
Aloha Petroleum Ltd. recently donated $5,039 to Aloha Harvest to support the organization’s efforts to feed the hungry in Hawaii.
Aloha Harvest is a nonprofit that collects donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies feeding the hungry in Hawaii. Since its founding 13 years ago, Aloha Harvest has collected and distributed more than 10 million pounds of food donated by more than 650 participating restaurants, caterers, government facilities, hotels, food distributors, businesses and others.
To solicit donations from customers, Aloha Petroleum set up collection canisters at Aloha Island Mart Convenience stores, and select Shell locations, during May and June.
— NEW BUSINESSES & SERVICES —
Volcom opening first Big Isle store
Volcom, a modern lifestyle brand that embodies the creative spirit of youth culture, will open its first Big Island store at Queens’ MarketPlace by the end of this year.
Founded in 1991 on the principles of “liberation, innovation and experimentation,” Volcom products are designed for people with a passion for art, music, film, skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding. With designs for men, women and youth, Volcom incorporates a distinctive mixture of fashion and function combined with quality, comfort and athletic performance.
For more information, visit QueensMarketPlace.net or volcom.com.
New security company available for Big Isle residents, businesses
Security systems industry veteran Tom Keener recently announced the formation of Blackhawk Security. As founder of Hawaii-based Keener Technologies and Private Eye Security, Keener has more than 30 years of experience in the electronics industry and recently worked on the Kohanaiki development.
Blackhawk Security will provide state-of-the-art security systems such as high-definition surveillance equipment and biometric identification for access control. Blackhawk’s areas of focus include critical infrastructures, military, data centers, health care institutions, retail establishments, solar farms, exclusive private homes, hotels and condominiums.
For more information, call Kirsten Fujitani at 386-7323 or email kirstenf@hawaii.rr.com.
Solar company offering new power system
Island Pacific Energy recently announced the introduction of emPower, an independent power system that provides dependable, reliable power for homes and businesses in Hawaii.
The system keeps house lights on and businesses open, according to the company. The pricing starts at $9,995.
When connected to the grid, emPower provides power during outages. When off the grid, emPower is a true independent power provider. It has a modular design that enables it to be configured for a variety of power needs and is compatible with existing photovoltaic systems, the company stated.
For more information, call 377-4570 or visit islandpacificenergy.com.
— MOVERS & SHAKERS —
Wong honored by chefs
Vernon Wong of Kailua-Kona was recently elected as an honorary member of the American Academy of Chefs.
The honor society of the American Culinary Federation, the American Academy of Chefs represents the highest standards of professionalism in the culinary industry. A certified executive chef, Wong is a culinary consultant and member of the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association.
Airline promotes Vaughan
Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Greg Vaughan to the new position of business intelligence director. In this role, he will oversee the collection of data and analytics that will drive Hawaiian Airlines’ business performance.
Vaughan has 15 years of programming and data warehousing and analyst experience. Prior to joining Hawaiian Airlines, he served as a senior database developer and database administrator for Camber Corp., claims data manager and senior data analyst for Esurance Insurance Co. and technical lead for Hewlett Packard Co. He holds a master of business administration degree in information science and bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from California Polytechnic State University.
Kona Trans earns accolades
Members of the West Hawaii cycling community recently honored Kona Trans drivers with the Share the Aloha award, given to those who keep everyone safe on local roads.
The award came from the Hawaii Cycling Club, Team Mango, Coffee Talk Riders, United Natural Foods, Queen Kaahumanu Triathlon Club and Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii.
According to these six organizations, Kona Trans’ consideration for the well-being of others is exemplary and present on all levels, from warehouse workers, drivers and administration to the upper management. The company also has a willingness to work with local groups to improve the safety of everybody who is affected by or part of the traffic on the Big Island. Kona Trans has been supporting Big Island organizations and events in numerous ways, including with donations, transporting goods, providing trucks and trailers for parade floats, and offering space and storage.
Kona Trans President Albert Shiotsuka called the award an honor. He said the drivers in his company pride themselves as being “the gentlemen of the highway” and road safety is a top priority. He explained how the safety of all drivers, personnel, customers and other highway users is paramount, as well as talked about regularly during meetings and especially during the weeks leading up to the Ironman World Championship.
Shiotsuka also shared how safety is an integral part of the company’s operations, procedures and programs. He said this award belongs to all the employees, adding “We’re a team and we count on each other to obtain all of our goals, including improving safety and minimizing risks.”
Kona Trans has been offering islandwide transportation service for more than 70 years. The company, with branches in Kona and Hilo, has more than 70 full-time employees. Some employees have been with the company for more than 40 years and one driver has logged 1.5 million miles, Shiotsuka said.
Shiotsuka said the company couldn’t exist without the community and tremendous support of its customers. He said it’s important that the company gives back, not just through donations, but also by volunteer participation.
— MILESTONES —
Merriman’s celebrating anniversary with $25K donation
Hawaii Regional Cuisine founding chef Peter Merriman’s flagship restaurant, Merriman’s Waimea, is planning for a weeklong anniversary celebration, commemorating 25 years in business while paying tribute to the Big Island community.
The restaurant, which opened its doors in December 1988 in Waimea, will celebrate its historical role in Hawaii’s food history while honoring the farmers, ranchers and community that has loyally supported the restaurant for 25 years.
On Dec. 14, Merriman’s Waimea will host an “All Big Island Grown” celebration honoring Big Island farmers, ranchers and the community and will donate $25,000 to five designated local charities. The beneficiaries include The Food Basket Inc., Hawaii Island United Way, Merriman’s Culinary Scholarship, The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and the Kahilu Theatre Foundation.
Keeping with the anniversary theme, Merriman’s will give diners a chance to taste a special “All Big Island Grown” menu from Dec. 9 to 13. The three-course anniversary menu will feature grass-fed beef, lamb and local produce, all grown or raised within a few miles of the restaurant. Ranchers such as Hawaii Low Line Cattle Co., Kahua Ranch and farmers, such as Nakano and Hirabara Farms, will make it on the menu, along with other Merriman’s classic signature dishes to commemorate the anniversary.
Merriman’s Waimea began to earn worldwide acclaim in the early 1990s when Merriman’s reputation as an innovative, locally minded chef flourished, quickly turning the restaurant into a culinary crossroads for Hawaii Regional Cuisine.
“When we opened in 1988, I was not thinking beyond the next payroll and where I could find more local veggies,” Merriman said. “No one had heard of ‘farm to table,’ and we were the only folks using the term Hawaii Regional Cuisine. I feel very fortunate to have been part of a special time in Hawaii and America’s food history.”
For more information, visit MerrimansHawaii.com.