Lenders to small businesses recognized
Lenders to small businesses recognized
The top performing small business lenders, banking officers and business assistance providers were honored at the annual Small Business Administration lender awards breakfast recently in Honolulu.
One West Hawaii professional, Christie Crawford, of Bank of Hawaii, earned a gold award as a top performing lending officer for Small Business Administration loans.
Each fiscal year, the administration recognizes the top lending agencies in three size categories based on the number of 7(a) loans with bonus points for special support of agency initiatives. Bank of Hawaii captured the lender of the year honor for category 1, large financial institutions with assets in excess of $9 billion. The bank led 7(a) guaranteed loan production in the district, providing 94 loans for $8.16 million. The lender of the year award for mid-size category 2 is Central Pacific Bank with 75 approvals for $3.2 million. Hawaii National Bank captured the top award in category 3 with 15 loans for more than $1.68 million during the recent fiscal year.
In the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, the Small Business Administration provided $72.9 million in financing guarantees to small businesses throughout the state.
For more information about U.S. Small Business Administration, call 541-2990 or visit sba.gov.
Aloha Insurance receives Elite
Brokers award
Aloha Insurance Services received the Elite Brokers of the Big Island award by Kaiser Permanente Tuesday.
The award was presented at Royal Kona Resort by Kaiser Permanente director of business engagement, David Tumilowicz, and sales manager Kehaulani Giles. Aloha Insurance benefits manager Peter Amelotte and account executive Rebecca Logan accepted the award.
ALTRES relocates
to larger office
ALTRES Staffing, a locally owned staffing company, has expanded its operations in Kona and relocated to a newer and larger office facility to accommodate its growing customer base and increasing demand for business.
The new office is located at 75-166 Kalani St. Business phone numbers and hours of operation will remain the same.
ALTRES Staffing established its Kona branch in 1985 and offers temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire services to businesses throughout the island. The Kona office focuses on recruitment for office, technical, medical and industrial jobs.
First Hawaiian Bank gives $100K to
typhoon relief
First Hawaiian Bank is donating $100,000 toward the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. A donation of $50,000 will be made to the American Red Cross and another $50,000 will go to the Filipino Community Center in Hawaii, according to an announcement by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank president and chief executive officer.
To assist its personal account customers who are interested in sending support directly to families and friends, the bank will waive wire transfer fees to the Philippines through Dec. 31.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid to survivors of disasters. Filipino Community Center is a nonprofit organization that provides social, economic and education services for the Filipino community. The center has supported numerous disaster relief efforts in the Philippines since 2002.
Kings’ Shops farmers market adding hours
The Kings’ Shops Wednesday farmers market will now be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Kings’ Shops shuttle hours have also been extended from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The shuttle also runs 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays between The Fairmont Orchid, Hapuna Beach Prince and Mauna Kea Beach hotels and the shopping center.
HMSA breaks
ground on site
for new Keaau building
Construction will begin soon on a new Hawaii Medical Service Association office building in Keaau following a recent blessing led by kumu Kimo Awai.
The new two-story building will be at the corner of Old Volcano and Keaau-Pahoa roads. The 20,000 square-foot complex is expected to be complete in late 2014. It will house HMSA administrative offices and a call center. Walk-in member service will be available at the HMSA Center in Hilo’s Waiakea Center beginning in mid-December.