Verizon offers free smartphone workshops
Verizon Wireless is offering free workshops for smartphone users, hosted by in-house experts, who offer tech tips, tricks and more during February.
Classes are free and participants must register at vzwworkshops.verizonwireless.com/vzwworkshops. Workshops can be found by searching by location and topic. Participants may call the Go Wireless Kona Commons Verizon Store at 362-9540.
Android — Getting Started: This workshop teaches the basics of a new Android Device. Verizon will review hardware functions, inform participants how to set up email, add social network accounts, master device features, customize a device and more. Workshops are slated from 8 to 9 a.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Apple iOS 7 — Getting Started: This workshop teaches participants how iOS 7 makes everyday tasks simple and more engaging. During the workshop, Verizon will show participants the refined user interface and how to personalize a device as well as how to use features such as Control Center, Notification Center, Siri, Mail, Safari and Touch ID for iPhone 5s. Workshops are slated 8 to 9 a.m. Feb. 22 and 23.
Investors to meet Feb. 17 in Kona
Investors Business Business Daily Meet-Up Group meets at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Big Island Chabad Center, Pottery Terrace, Suite 323, off of Kuakini Highway. The meeting is for novice and experienced investors and attendees are encouraged to bring a list of stocks to review.
A $5 donation is requested for the rental of the meeting room.
— Movers &Shakers —
Tweedie named 2013 Real Estate Photographer of the Year
Ethan Tweedie, of Ethan Tweedie Photography, was recently named the 2013 Real Estate Photographer of the Year. Recognized for his outstanding work, capturing picturesque land and homes across the state, Ethan was up against the top photographers in the business.
After winning photograph of the month in June 2013, Ethan advanced to the second round of the annual Photography for Real Estate competition, along with eight other contestants. The photographs were judged by a panel of his peers.
Xerox announces new Hawaii Island marketing rep
Xerox Hawaii has appointed Sydney Stevens to marketing representative at the company’s Hawaii Island office.
In her new position, Stevens will be responsible for providing new and existing clients in the Kona area with solutions to effectively manage their documents, allowing customers to focus on their core business.
Prior to joining Xerox Hawaii, Stevens served as operations and data manager for The Earl &Doris Bakken Foundation where she oversaw coordination of the North Hawaii Outcomes Project; researched, analyzed and disseminated community health-related data; established and monitored work processes; and managed external communications activities.
Xerox Hawaii first opened its doors in 1961 as a one-person office to serve Hawaii’s businesses. Since that time, Xerox Hawaii has grown into the State’s largest document-product sales, service and support team with more than 200 employees, offering a variety of technologically advanced business equipment, from copiers, fax machines, and color copiers and printers to high-speed laser printers and fully networked digital document solutions.
With headquarters on Oahu, Xerox Hawaii also has office locations in Lihue, Kauai; Hilo and Kailua-Kona; and Kahului, Maui. Its main office is located in Honolulu.
Mares named manager of Hawaii Water Service Co.
Hawaii resident Mike Mares has been named manager of Hawaii Water Service Company, the water utility providing water and wastewater services in the Waikoloa, North Kona, Kohala Coast, and Pukalani on Hawaii Island and Kaanapali on Maui.
Mares has served as Local Manager of Hawaii Water’s Big Island operations since June 2012. The Waimea resident began his water utility career more than 20 years ago with California Water Service Company, Hawaii Water’s sister company.
At Cal Water, he served in various capacities, including general foreman, a distribution superintendent and construction superintendent. Mares has a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Kaplan University and Grade 4 Certification in Water Distribution from the State of Hawaii.
“Mike is a dedicated water utility professional. Since coming to Hawaii Water, he has demonstrated a commitment to excellent customer service and efficient water and wastewater utility operations,” said Mares’ predecessor, James Smith, who was recently promoted to Director of Operations for Cal Water, the largest subsidiary of California Water Service Group. Hawaii Water Service Company serves about 4,200 service connections. It has been in operation since 2003.
— New Businesses —
O’Reilly Auto Parts opens in Kailua-Kona
O’Reilly Auto Parts has opened in Kailua-Kona at a location on Palani Road in the Kona Coast Shopping Center. The store will celebrate a grand opening Feb. 26 to March 11.
As part of the grand opening celebration, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. March 8 where Store Manager Kaeakulani Akuna, on behalf of the entire company, will present a $200 check to Kakooi na keiki (United Way). During the celebration, shoppers can pick up a game card that can be registerd online to win a $200 O’Reilly gift card. Every entry will receive a coupon for $5 off a $50 purchase.
O’Reilly Automotive Inc. is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional markets. Founded in 1957, the company operates more than 4,200 stores in 42 states.
PrimeLending expands to Kona
Dallas-based residential mortgage originator PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company, announces its expansion to Hawaii with two new branches to serve residential home loan customers.
The Kona branch, located at 68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive, Suite 114 in South Kohala; and the Oahu Branch, located in Honolulu are strategically located in areas where Prime Lending’s wide offering of mortgage solutions can serve the broadest range of consumers.
Hawaiian Telcom employees raise funds for United Way
Hawaiian Telcom Big Island employees raised in 2013 $12,367 for the Hawaii Island United Way. Statewide, Hawaiian Telcom employees raised $153,837 to support the four United Way organizations that provide services throughout Hawaii.
Hawaiian Telcom employees raised the money through a combination of individual pledges and team fundraising events, such as breakfast sales, a car wash and silent auctions, on all islands. The checks were recently presented to Hawaii Island United Way, Maui United Way, Kauai United Way and Aloha United Way.
Hawaiian Telcom employs 1,400 people.
First Insurance donates $400K to nonprofits
The First Insurance Company of Hawaii Charitable Foundation donated more than $400,000 in 2013 to 75 area nonprofit organizations.
The 2013 beneficiaries included the University of Hawaii Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, Enterprise Honolulu, Japan-America Society of Hawaii, Teach for America, American Red Cross and Aloha United Way. In 2012, the company donated $372,000.
Established in 1998, the FICOH Foundation has four areas of focus – education &career development; economic &work force development; family, social services &health care; and civic, culture and the arts. The Foundation also matches gifts to eligible nonprofits made by FICOH staff members.
By local sources