Aloha Petroleum customers give to American Heart Association
On behalf of its customers, Aloha Petroleum Ltd. recently donated $4,443 to the American Heart Association, Hawaii Division to help the organization educate the public on heart disease and stroke. The funds were raised through canister collection donations at participating Aloha Island Mart and Shell locations across the state.
The American Heart Association advocates for key issues in the community such as smoke-free public places and businesses, more walkable and bikeable streets, roads and parks and lowering the amount of calories consumed by children at school.
Hawi one of Top 5 Hawaii Small Towns
Hawaii Magazine recently named North Kohala’s Hawi town as one of the “Top 5 Hawaii Small Towns.”
The magazine placed Hawi in the No. 5 spot, based on voting by Hawaii Magazine Facebook readers. It lauded Hawi’s unqiue boutiques, eateries, bookstores and galleries noting that “Hawi today is vibrant again … but with no less of its small town appeal firmly intact.”
Hawaii Island recognized by Frommer’s
Hawaii Island recently received recognition for being one of Frommer’s “Top 15 Destinations for 2014.”
Frommer’s, which produces travel guidebook series and a website, cited Hawaii Island’s ongoing volcanic eruptions, ranches, sleepy cities, coffee plantations, petroglyph-laden landscapes and lava tubes, among others as reasons for being a top destination this year.
The Top 15 list is compiled by Frommer’s editors who consider politics, accessibility, popularity, major events and affordability when selecting a destination.
—Milestones—
Varney cooks 500,000th omelet
Dan Varney, known to guests and staff of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai as “Dan the Egg Man,” hit a milestone Dec. 30 when he cooked his 500,000th omelet at the station he’s manned for more than 17 years at the ULU breakfast buffet.
A team member since the resort opened, Varney is one of the most visible and popular staff members, as he has daily interaction with guests.
“I want our guests to have a great start to their day, and I can help make that happen,” said Varney. “Maybe we’ll shoot for the 1 million omelet mark next.”
—Movers &Shakers—
First Hawaiian Bank promotes Dods
Chris Dods became First Hawaiian Bank’s senior vice president and marketing communications division manager Thursday, according to an announcement by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank president and CEO.
Dods replaced Brandt Farias who retired Nov. 1, after 28 years with the bank.
Dods has more than 16 years experience in financial and business development management. He joined First Hawaiian Bank in 2007 as an assistant vice president, business development new markets and technology. He was promoted to vice president, card services division in 2009 and senior vice president and division manager in 2011 where he was responsible for directing the marketing and operations of the bank’s credit and debit card programs. Prior to joining the bank, he was a business development manager with Mid Pac Petroleum.