Jack’s Diving Locker cleans up the ocean
The crew of Jack’s Diving Locker recently came across a large heavy net floating outside the harbor while out on the ocean. Often, abandoned nets become habitats for fish. This net, however, had no fish beneath it. The net was not only a hazard to navigation, but it could cause damage to the reef if it was allowed to wash ashore.
The crew grabbed the net and towed it into the harbor, where is was able to get the net to the dock but were unable to lift it out of the water since it was so large and heavy. The folks at the fish dock used its hoist to pull it up. Later officers from the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation were able to remove the net and dispose of it properly.
Kona Subaru hosting pet adoptions, food drive
The Subaru dealers of Hawaii invite the public to a pet adoption and food and supply drive on behalf of the Hawaii Island Humane Society from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at Kona Subaru.
Dogs and kittens will be on site and ready to be adopted into loving homes. The public will receive a complimentary $25 Petco gift card from Subaru Hawaii with every adoption. Additionally, Subaru Hawaii will waive adoption fees for any current or new Subaru owner.
Subaru of Hawaii encourages the community to support its local animal shelters by visiting the Kona dealership to donate much-needed pet care supplies and treats.
Kona Subaru is located at 75-5793 Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona.
Walmart, foundation donate more than $1B
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions, making it the first time Walmart or any U.S. retailer has achieved that level of giving. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.
In Hawaii, Walmart gave more than $1.195 million, supporting nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter; Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii; Hale Kipa; Hawaii Food Basket; Hawaii Foodbank; Maui Food Bank; Project Vision Hawaii; University of Hawaii Foundation; YWCA of Kauai; and the YWCA of Oahu.
8 business installing solar modules
Kyocera Solar Inc. has supplied Kyocera solar modules to ProVision Solar. The modules will power eight auto businesses on the Big Island, making it one of the greenest enterprises on the island.
“Since December 2012, we’ve installed a combined total of 234.7kW on four of these businesses’ rooftops, which are already producing clean, renewable electricity from the abundant Hawaiian sunshine,” said Marco Mangelsdorf, ProVision Solar president.
The photovoltaic systems atop Kamaaina Motors, Kamaaina Nissan, Parts Center Hawaii in Captain Cook and Parts Center Hawaii in Waimea, are fully operational, with the remaining four installations — Hilo Used Cars, Parts Center Hawaii in Hilo, Kona Nissan and Kona Chrysler scheduled for installation this year.
— New Businesses —
Ukulele store opens
at Kings’ Shops
Local musician and luthier Robert Yates, who is also known as “Uncle Uke,” has opened Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar in Kings’ Shops.
By teaming up with fellow luthier Sam Li, Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar is able to offer handcrafted instruments using only the finest solid tone woods and building them to exacting specifications and standards.
Keauhou spa adds
salt therapy room
Hoola Spa at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay has debuted Hawaii’s first Himalayan salt room.
Widely-used for centuries in Europe, large amounts of salt in an environment create pure, bacteria-free air that can be therapeutic. Salt therapy, while neither a medical treatment nor replacement for medical care, can be a complementary and drug-free approach that offers adjunct support in relieving respiratory and skin conditions.
It is believed that breathing in superfine particles of salt cleanses the lungs of bacteria, irritants and pollution and reduces inflammation of the respiratory tract. Salt therapy also supports the look and health of skin.
Hoola Spa’s Halotherapy Salt Generator is the first model that is capable of producing particles of salt as small as 0.3 microns in consistent quantity. Sea Salt Therapy patrons simply sit and relax in the salt room for 30 minutes and breathe in fine salt particles, which are circulating in the room. The salt particles are extremely fine in this manmade microclimate ensuring that they reach even the smallest bronchia and alveolar in the lungs while not irritating the respiratory tract.
Cost per 30-minute session is $45 or complimentary when used before or after a spa body treatment or massage.
— Movers & shakers —
Bock heading news operations at papers
David Bock, news director for Stephens Media Hawaii, will now be managing the day-to-day operations of the newsroom of West Hawaii Today. The additional responsibilities became effective on April 25.
“West Hawaii Today has a long history of providing in-depth reporting of Kona and all West Hawaii communities,” Bock said. “There are many very talented news professionals in the newsroom at West Hawaii Today, and I look forward to working with each of them more closely in my expanded role.”
Publisher Tracey Fosso said, “Our goal is to not only continue the fine efforts done in the past, but to expand on them and provide West Hawaii the most complete local reporting possible.”
Guillen promoted to vice president-finance
Adrian Guillen has been promoted to vice president-finance at Hawaiian Queen Coffee. He will be responsible for financial records, controls and reports. Guillen started with the company in June 2010 after graduating from thne University of Hawaii at Hilo. He was previously director of finance.
Hawaiian Queen Coffee’s farm in Holualoa produces an annual crop of 70 percent fancy and extra-fancy beans and almost 10 percent peaberry. Its coffee was awarded second place in the 2012 Kona Coffee Cupping Competition.
Casey heading
Island Air
Paul Casey, former head of Hawaiian Airlines and former president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, has been named chief executive officer of Island Air. Casey will begin his new position May 1.
Casey, who is the current chairman of Oahu Visitors Bureau, has more than 35 years in international travel and tourism, the airline industry and business. He served as vice chairman, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines from 1997 to 2002. He was president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau from 1995 to 1997 and continues to serve on its board. He was chairman, president and CEO of Continental Air Micronesia from 1987 to 1991 then went on to serve as its vice president-international division from 1991 to 1994. He currently serves as a consultant on numerous travel-related and business projects in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.
Les Murashige will continue as Island Air’s president, responsible for all day-to-day operations, and will report to Casey.
Island Air was purchased by Lawrence J. Ellison in February.
By local sources
