— Movers & Shakers —
Armandroff leaving Keck Observatory
Taft Armandroff, executive director of W.M. Keck Observatory, will step down June 1 to become a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and director of its McDonald Observatory.
Armandroff joined Keck Observatory in June 2006. During his tenure, the observatory continued to be a global leader in optical and infrared astronomy. Keck serves nearly 500 astronomers worldwide. The observatory also provides ground-based support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Before coming to Keck, Armandroff worked at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Ariz., holding positions of associate director and director of the NOAO Gemini Science Center. He is a 1982 graduate in astronomy of Wesleyan University, and earned his master’s degree and doctorate in astronomy from Yale University. His research has focused on dwarf spheroidal galaxies, stellar populations in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, globular clusters, chemical evolution of galaxies, and dark matter.
Agoot heads Kona Executives board
The Kona Executives Association has elected a new board. Serving as president will be Sotero Agoot, Pacific Farmers Cooperative and Tooga Inc.; vice president, Jacob Lindsay of Alert Alarm; secretary, Steve Machesky, KCPM Inc. Kokua Contracting; treasurer Ginger Sandell, CPA; and past president, Hazel Beck, Hawaii SBDC Networking.
Businesses in West Hawaii looking to join a networking organization are encouraged to contact Cindy Smart at 333-6598 for more information.
Aloha Krav Maga moves to new location
Aloha Krav Maga has moved to a new location and added equipment. Current and prospective students may attend a grand reopening at noon Feb. 22 for an introductory Krav Maga class followed by a barbecue. The class is for ages 13 and older, but children are welcome to stay in the kid’s room during class and join the barbecue afterward.
The event will be held at 74-5616 Luhia St. and is free to attend. Participants must preregister at alohakravmaga.com.
Johnson honored by insurance group
A leading insurance professional organization recently recognized Ellen Johnson of Aloha Insurance Services for dedication and ongoing leadership in the insurance industry.
The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors honored Johnson for 10 years of successfully maintaining the certified insurance counselor designation, denoting significant commitment to advanced knowledge and customer service.
Workshop for business owners, entrepreneurs
A Back in the Black workshop will help entrepreneurs starting a business and small business owners take advantage of the improving economy and make the most of available tools and opportunities.
“Re-positioning Your Business For Success” will be presented by Hazel Beck and “Marketing to a Changing Marketplace” will be presented by Penny Pagliaro from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Anna Ranch Heritage Hall, 65-1480 Kawaihae Road in Waimea. The registration fee is $20.
To register, visit backintheblack.eventbrite.com. For more information, call Jackie at 327-3680.
Class helps businesses market to the government
A free workshop on marketing to the government and capability statements will be offered by Hawaii Procurement Technical Assistance Center from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 in Suite 213 of Kuakini Tower, 75-5722 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona.
The class will cover the basics and expand into market research, marketing methods, how to market and to whom. Participants will also gain understanding of the purpose of the capability statement and how to use it in the contracting world.
To register, click the workshop link at hiptac.org or call 596-8990, ext. 1008.
KTA matching donations to HPR
KTA Super Stores will match $20,000 in donations from Hawaii Public Radio fans eager to bring over-the-air service for HPR-2, the network’s local, national and international news and information, local talk, jazz and blues programming service, to East Hawaii communities. The gift, made in memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, founders of KTA Super Stores and K. Taniguchi Ltd., is the first lead and matching gift committed toward a $150,000 grassroots capital campaign to pay for equipment, installation, engineering and legal fees, and first-year overhead for the new state-of-the-art transmitter, the network’s second in East Hawaii.
Because of a decadelong Federal Communications Commission freeze on noncommercial licenses, terrain shielding and other challenges posed by Hawaii’s unique geography, East Hawaii has been the largest geographic area in the state without access to service for both HPR-1 and HPR-2. HPR acquired the broadcast license for KAHU 91.7 in late summer and restored over-the-air service to the Pahala area. Since then the station has begun a multistep engineering and technical process which will result in a new state-of-the-art transmitter that will bring HPR-2’s services to the greater East Hawaii region.
Volunteers are actively seeking contributions to match the gift made by KTA Super Stores in order to keep the campaign on track for a planned spring sign-on. To donate, visit hawaiipublicradio.org and click on Support, East Hawaii HPR-2 Transmitter, or call 955-8821 during business hours.
First Hawaiian Bank enhances online service
First Hawaiian Bank’s FHB Online service has been enhanced to enable customers to view their First Hawaiian trust, investment and insurance accounts, according to an announcement by Teri Hirata, senior vice president and manager of First Hawaiian Bank’s Trust Service Center. The bank is one of the first in the nation to offer this secure single access service to its customers.
Customers will be able to monitor their investment balances, review detailed breakdowns of their asset allocation and holdings, and download and view monthly performance reports and custody statements through FHB Online. FHB Online is also available through FHB’s Mobile Banking service, which allows customers to use their cellphone or mobile device to bank using a mobile web browser or by downloading a free application for iPhone, Android or Blackberry platforms.
— New Businesses —
Debsky opens eatery in Queens’ MarketPlace
Ted Debsky has opened Hawaiian Fish N Chips in the Queens’ MarketPlace Food Court, featuring fresh local fish, grilled, smoked or seared for salads, fried up for sandwiches or served with noodle dishes.
Originally from Poland, Debsky has been an island restaurateur for years, formerly running the Kings’ Court Pizza & Grill and Senor Nachos Mexican Restaurant at the Kings’ Shops. With his new enterprise, he hopes to share not only familiar fare like fish and chips, but unique local specialties, such as oxtail udon soup, made with fresh oxtail from Honokaa, and broiled eel with a Japanese eel sauce.
The restaurant is open 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 886-1595.
By local sources