In Brief | Island Inc. | 6-30-14

Kings’ Shops holds Fourth of July event

Kings’ Shops will celebrate Independence Day with a rubber duckie race and a lineup of family-friendly events.

The schedule includes an 11 a.m. ukulele performance by Kahikina’s Nahenahe Ohana; Hilo’s Kris Fuchigami on ukulele at noon; Merriman’s Mediterranean Cafe watermelon eating contest at 1:15 p.m.; Laulima trio singing at 2 p.m.; The Great Rubber Duckie Race at 3:30 p.m.; Dam STR8 performance at 3:30 p.m.; duck waddling and duck calling contests at 5 p.m.; and 5:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

Also, through Sunday, patrons receive two HawaiianMiles for every dollar spent at Kings’ Shops. On the Fourth of July, spend $100 and receive a $10 Kings’ Shops gift certificate while supplies last.

Tiki Shark represents Hawaii at Washington, D.C. event

Tiki Shark Art Inc., a Kailua-Kona-based business, will be among more than 25 Hawaii-based businesses to participate in “Hawaii on the Hill,” a two-day event promoting Hawaii and highlighting the state’s qualities and attributes July 22 and 23 on Capitol Hill. “Taste of Hawaii,” a reception showcasing the state’s culture, food and arts, is part of the activities.

Gaines to teach at West Hawaii Dance Theatre

West Hawaii Dance Theatre &Academy has welcomed Alexis Gaines to its teaching and administrative staff.

Gaines studied at West Hawaii Dance Academy from the age of 9 to 14 , where her mother, Michelle Gaines, was a teacher. Gaines studied primarily ballet, jazz, modern and theater dance with many teachers from around the world.

After college, Gaines earned her multiple subject teaching credential. She will instruct classes in musical theater, classical jazz, contemporary, “jazzy” hip-hop, tap and filling in for ballet classes for all ages and levels at the academy.

Her classes will start in July. For more information and class schedule, call 329-8876 or visit whdt.org.

Aloha Petroleum supports veterans in May

Thanks to the generosity of its customers, Aloha Island Marts throughout the state raised $5,224.39 for the nonprofit organization that assists wounded military personnel, veterans and their family members through programs such as career transition, clinical health and wellness and educational opportunities.

Funds were collected through Aloha Island Mart’s in-store canister collections and the sale of Spam musubi. More than 16,630 Spam musubi were sold in May, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale donated.

Along with the fundraiser, Aloha Petroleum offered a 10-cent-per-gallon fuel discount to all active members of the military, their dependents and military veterans in May.

HCFCU honors employee of the year

Melody Carvalho, call center officer with Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, was recently named its employee of the year at the organization’s annual membership meeting and luncheon.

Carvalho, who has been employed at the credit union for eight years, was commended for her exemplary service to credit union members and for providing outstanding service and support to her co-workers. In 2013, she received a President’s Circle Award for being the top performing department. She has been active in community activities such as March of Dimes and the Relay for Life.

In addition, several credit union volunteers and staff were recognized for their years of service. They are: Jecoliah Pacatang, five years; Tyler Giddings, five years; Alison Wilson, 10 years; Christina Martin, 10 years; Jan Baldado, 10 years; Neivbea Zane, 15 years; Kim Quirit, 25 years; Lisa Carvalho, 25 years; and Flora Gomes, 40 years.

Annual tropical fruit conference slated

The 24th annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference will be held Sept. 12 through 14 at the Kahili Golf Course on Maui. All attendees registering before Aug. 1 receive a discounted fee of up to $75. Visit hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org for details.

Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the weeklong event is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and open to the public.

The conference, “It’s All About Production,” offers breakout sessions, plus visiting researchers and agriculture experts. The annual gathering continues Sept. 15 through 19 with daylong mini sessions on Molokai, Oahu and Kauai and in Hilo and Kona.

Registration forms and a fee schedule are available at htfg.org or by contacting Ken Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso at suiso@aloha.net.

Wailua Wheat now available year-round

After customers requested Wailua Wheat be brought back as a summer seasonal, Kona Brewing Co. has decided to launch Wailua Wheat as a year-round brew that will only be available in Hawaii.

Brewed with passion fruit, the beer has been a pub favorite since it was introduced in 1996 as Lilikoi Wheat. It became known as Wailua Wheat in 2007, when demand for it surged and distribution began on the mainland. This year on the mainland, the brewer is focusing on its current launch, Castaway IPA.

Wailua Wheat will be available on draught and in stores throughout Hawaii. To find a site, visit konabrewingco.com and click on the beerfinder link.

Luna Italian Restaurant holds blessing

Luna Italian Restaurant in Waimea will hold its grand opening and blessing at 4 p.m. today. Kahu Danny Akaka will preform the blessing ceremony. The restaurant will be closed for this event and reopen Tuesday.

Small business expo planned in Waimea

The Waimea Small Business Expo, “The Go-To Place For Our Business Community,” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18 at Kanu O Ka Aina New Century Public Charter School.

The expo is free and open to the public. Free business workshops will cover entrepreneurship, payroll law, LinkedIn and business apps. Exhibitor booths are available to companies that provide resources to small businesses. Booths are $30 with all proceeds supporting community and school programs in Waimea.

To register or for booth information, visit waimeabusinessexpo.eventbrite.com or call 890-2516.

Kaiser holds blessing for new facility

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii will hold a blessing ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday for the opening of its new Kona Medical Office at 74-517 Honokohau St. The facility opens at 1:30 p.m.

The three-building medical campus will offer a full-service pharmacy, optical and vision, diagnostic imaging, lab services, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric and other specialty care.

Roberts Hawaii scores top honors

For the third year in a row, Roberts Hawaii drivers earned top honors at the Hawaii Transportation Association’s statewide competition for commercial passenger vehicle drivers.

Eighteen Roberts Hawaii tour and school bus drivers from Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island joined other professional drivers at the 2014 Hawaii Transportation Association Passenger Carrier Driving Championships held June 14 at Leeward Community College in Honolulu. Roberts Hawaii’s drivers collectively captured first place in every competition category, plus the rookie of the year award and the grand champion title. Among the winners was David Okumura of Kona who took first place in the motor coach category.

— Movers &Shakers —

Hawaii Restaurant Association announces officers

The board of directors of the Hawaii Restaurant Association has announced results of its 2014 board of directors’ election as well as new officers for the upcoming year.

The following officers have been named to serve from July 1 to June 30, 2015: chairman, Dirk Koeppenkastrop, founder and co-owner of Il Gelato Hawaii; chairman elect, Eron Read, director of restaurant and retail development of Kona Brewing Co; vice chairman, Pat Kashani, president of Auntie Pasto’s (Beretania) with Tropics Tap House; treasurer, Allen Farinas, president and CEO of GRYLT; secretary, Tushar Dubey, president of Hokulani Bake Shop; and immediate past chairman, Bryan Andaya, chief operating officer of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.

Six new directors have been elected to the association’s board of directors, representing both restaurant members and allied members. The new directors include Michael Miller of Tiki’s Grill and Bar, Farinas, Thomas Metzger of Cici’s Pizza, Thomas Frigge of TOBE Co. Food Safety, Biff Graper of Colliers International and Conrad Nonaka with Culinary Institute of the Pacific.

For more information, visit hawaiirestaurant.org.

Queen Liliuokalani Trust selects intern

The Queen Liliuokalani Trust has selected Shawna-Lei Kuehu for its 2014 summer intern position. Kuehu will report to Robert Ozaki, the trust’s president and chief executive officer.

Kuehu will assist in all aspects of trust endowment operations, with projects assigned by managers in the areas of property management, portfolio investment, land development, finance and accounting and trust administration and probate matters.

Kuehu graduated from Punahou High School in 2008 and received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in June. She received an additional year of basketball eligibility at UH, making this upcoming school year her last as a Rainbow Wahine, during which time she also will pursue a second bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies.

Mauna Kea Resort names membership sales manager

Wallene Blizzard has been named golf membership sales manager at Mauna Kea Resort.

In her new role, Blizzard will be responsible for acquiring new members for Mauna Kea Golf Course and Hapuna Golf Course, as well as coordinating golf events, including member outings and charity tournaments. She will also serve an active role in community outreach and marketing efforts for both golf courses.

Most recently, Blizzard served as a travel director for various destination management companies in Hawaii. Her 25 years of hospitality experience includes positions at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Swissotel Chicago, The Westin O’Hare Hotel, The Westin Michigan Avenue and the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia.