Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce to host mayor, county officials

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County brass is coming to West Hawaii for an annual session of shop talk with the local business community.

Mayor Harry Kim and a handful of county officials will be on hand Friday, March 15 at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Focus Luncheon. Scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the luncheon will convene at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Wendy Laros, executive director of the chamber, said the organization has three primary focuses in 2019.

“Homelessness is one of our focus areas and also permitting … so businesses that are trying to get permits so they can either renovate or build,” she said.

The chamber has developed task forces in both areas, Laros continued, which were generated out of its economic development committee. A third organizational priority area encompasses astronomy and Maunakea management in one.

Following lunch, Kim will kick off proceedings with a keynote speech before joining the panel.

While it’s subject to change, currently listed panel participants include Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to the mayor; Brenda Carreira, mass transit administrator; Paul Ferreira, police chief; Keith Okamoto, Department of Water Supply manager-chief engineer; Deanna Sako, Department of Finance director; David Yamamoto, Department of Public Works director; and Roxcie Waltjen, Department of Parks and Recreation director.

Chamber leadership will get the ball rolling with a few questions before accepting queries from Hawaii Island business people in attendance.

The deadline to register for the luncheon is today.