Keauhou Store honored for historic preservation
Kurt and Thea Brown, Keauhou Store owners, received the Historic Preservation Recognition Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Keauhou Store has been an integral part of the Big Island’s commercial history and a community resource since 1919. Its historic value was nearly lost until the Browns bought, restored and reopened it for business in 2011.
Resort gets check for energy-saving improvements
Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties, presented Four Seasons Resort Hualalai with a $70,655 incentive check for energy-efficient upgrades throughout the 243-room oceanfront resort on the Kona Coast.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai installed 297 energy-saving motors in the air conditioning units in every guest room. Variable flow on-demand kitchen exhaust systems were installed in three kitchens, Beach Tree, ULU and the banquet kitchen, which vary fan speed and energy consumption based on the cooking demand that helps save on energy and air conditioning costs. Nearly 500 energy-efficient LED bulbs were also installed to replace halogen lights throughout the lobby and restaurant exteriors.
The resort’s upgrades are projected to pay for themselves with the money saved on electricity in 14 months. The resort invested $196,287 toward the various energy-saving upgrades.
Hawaii HomeOwnership Center receives $20K donation
American Savings Bank has donated $20,000 to the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. This gift will be used to fund the center’s primary programs: homeownership loss prevention and homeownership promotion. The center’s homeownership loss prevention counseling educates and assists distressed homeowners, providing options to avoid foreclosure, while the homeownership promotion classes prepare first-time homebuyers.
Chamber networking event held in Waimea
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its monthly networking event, After Hours, which will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The networking event is sponsored by Parker School. Pupu and refreshments will be served. Cost is $15 for Chamber members and first-time nonmembers and $30 for repeat nonmembers. Walk-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged at kona-kohala.com as space is limited.
For more information, call the Chamber at 329-1758 or email at info@kona-kohala.com.
Tours offer green building ideas, tools, technologies
Curious about green building ideas, tools and technologies? A new tour series hosted by the Green School will begin Nov. 2 with a visit to the Hiilani EcoHouse in Honokaa, followed by a tour on Dec. 7 to The Light Wave Bamboo Building in Holualoa.
Th tours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and welcome the whole family to learn about “Green Think” solutions for island living.
“Green Think” is an education program hosted by One Island Sustainable Living, along with the Kona and Kohala Green Schools, to promote eco- and energy-wise building design. Attendees can gather ideas for their home or work space.
Tour donations benefit the Green School scholarship fund. To register for a tour, email attendee names to greenschool@oneisland.org or call 328-2452. See oneisland.org for more “Green Think” information and resources.
Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative wins award
The Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative was recently presented with the 2014 Phoenix Award by the Society of American Travel Writers.
The initiative is a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization devoted to reforestation. It is one of four international winners of this year’s award, announced in conjunction with the society’s 2014 convention in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The award honors individuals and organizations actively involved in conservation, preservation, beautification and anti-pollution campaigns that further the growth and appeal of travel destinations.
— MOVERS &SHAKERS —
Medeiros promoted to senior director of N. America stations
Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Randy Medeiros to senior director of North America stations. In his new role, Medeiros will lead and direct all airport customer service operations at the airline’s 11 North American gateway cities. He fills a position that was previously held by Linda Srabian, who was recently promoted to managing director – Honolulu hub.
Medeiros first joined Hawaiian Airlines as a ramp agent in 1974 and has 40 years of experience working in airline operations. During his tenure, he held several positions within the organization, including assistant station manager and senior ramp manager at the airline’s Honolulu hub. For the past 12 years, he served as Hawaiian Airlines’ station manager at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Hinds, Vallis earn designation
Associa Hawaii recently announced nine of its community managers have attained their professional manager of community associations designation through Community Associations Institute.
The Big Island Associa Hawaii individuals who earned the designation are Christy Hinds and Terri Vallis.
This designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management. In order to earn it, managers must have five years of community association management experience, successfully complete all six M-200 level programs, earn the CMCA designation and complete a case study, among other things.