In Brief | Island Inc. | 5-26-14

Shops at Mauna Lani to install EV charger

The Shops at Mauna Lani, Charge Bliss Inc. and Island-Wide Solar LLC, in association with the Big Island EV Association, announce the installation of the first Island of Hawaii Direct Current Fast Charger for Electric Vehicles at the Shops at Mauna Lani. The device can charge electric cars to 80 percent battery capacity in 30 minutes. Demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and the environment of Hawaii The Shops at Mauna Lani elected to make their location the lead example in this project.

The installation takes place July 6. Danny Akaka will give a blessing at 10 a.m. Sen. Mike Gabbard, chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee, is the master of ceremonies. Sen. Russell Ruderman, vice chairman of Energy and Environment committee and a Big Island renewable energy advocate, will also be in attendance. The event is free and open to the public. Food and entertainment will be available at the keiki-friendly event.

— Movers &Shakers —

Cox, Wo join First Hawaiian Bank board

First Hawaiian Bank announces the appointments of two board members: Matthew Cox, president and chief executive officer of Matson Inc., and Scott Wo, chief investment officer, C.S. Wo &Sons Ltd.

Both executives are strong leaders within their own companies and willing to share their expertise with the bank. They are committed to the community, which is important to the bank and its board members. These two appointments follow the retirement from the board by Dr. Richard T. Mamiya and Robert C. Wo.

The Board of Directors of First Hawaiian Bank also announced that President and CEO Robert S. Harrison, will become chairman of the board following the retirement of Donald G. Horner as chairman.

Horner, who has served as board chairman since 2008, will remain a member of both the bank’s board and the BancWest Corporation board.

Harrison has more than 25 years of financial services industry experience, joining First Hawaiian as a business banker in 1996.

—New Business—

SolarCity expands to isle with Kona location

SolarCity has expanded to Hawaii Island with the launch of a permanent operations center in Kona. The company is already providing clean energy to its first 100 customers on Hawaii Island, and has completed a solar power system at the Kona International Airport through a partnership with the Department of Transportation.

“This was the next sensible step for SolarCity, as we expand our facilities and resources to provide clean energy to Hawaii Island customers,” Jon Yoshimura, director of policy and electricity markets at SolarCity, said. “We look forward to establishing a strong relationship with the community and increasing our business within the residential and commercial sectors on Hawaii Island.”

The 6,300-square-foot operations center includes a storage facility, warehouse and business office. The center currently employs 12 people, and SolarCity expects to hire 10 to 12 additional employees in 2014.

Sasha Hawaii opening at Kings’ Shops

Sasha Hawaii will open its first Hawaii location at the Kings’ Shops next month. Sasha Hawaii will join a lineup of stores including Tiffany &Co., Louis Vuitton and Tori Richard.

Everything from exclusive brands that cater to newborns and children; including the swaddle line Prince George wore on his departure from the hospital, to the formal women’s apparel line Alexis and footwear for both women and children by Melissa, as well as Mini Melissa.

Sasha Hawaii will be located next door to Maui Divers Jewelry.

Kohala eatery wins TripAdvisor award

Kohala Burger &Taco, a Kawaihae diner, has received a 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honorees that takes into account reviews ratings. Businesses must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, volume and recency of reviews. Additional criteria include a business’ tenure and popularity ranking on the site.

Walmart hires more than 42K veterans

During the first year of Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, the company hired more than 42,000 veterans. The commitment, launched last Memorial Day, guarantees a job offer to any honorably discharged veteran within his first 12 months off active duty. Walmart projects it will hire more than 100,000 veterans in five years.

The Walmart Foundation pledged an additional $20 million through 2019 to support veteran employment and transition programs. In 2011, the foundation pledged $20 million through 2015 to help veterans and their families get through those challenges with assistance from programs that provide job training, transition support and education. It met that goal one year early.

Big Isle companies are Taste Awards finalists

Big Island companies and individuals are finalists for the inaugural Taste Awards presented by the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association. They were nominated by members of the statewide association and supporting organizations. The winners of eight different awards will be announced June 14 on Oahu.

The finalists include:

c Big Island Abalone of Keahole for Product of the Year

c Big Island Bees of Captain Cook for Innovate Hawaii Manufacturer of the Year-Small Company

c Glow Hawaii Inc. of Waikoloa for Community Service Award

c Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co. of Kawaihae for Innovate Hawaii Manufacturer of the Year-Small Company

c KTA Super Stores with islandwide locations for Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award

c KTA Super Stores with islandwide locations for Innovative Marketing Award

c Nina Tanabe of Hilo for Advocate of the Year

c University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for Supplier of the Year

c FCH Enterprises for Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. FCH operates a Zippy’s in Hilo.

KBXtreme offers keiki bowling

KBXtreme is partnering with Kids Bowl Free, a national summer bowling program for children younger than 15. Participants bowl two free games on weekdays.

Bowling centers, schools and youth organizations work together to launch a summer activity option for children and families year after year. More than 8.2 million kids have participated.

This year, KBXtreme is nominating Big Island elementary and intermediate schools for the Bowling for Schools $50,000 grant program. The program runs from June 1 to Aug. 31.

Register at kidsbowlfree.com/kbxtreme.