In Brief | Business | 4-3-15

Kahaloa chosen to head chamber

Kahaloa chosen to head chamber

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce announces Kirstin Kahaloa will serve as the organization’s new executive director effective April 20.

Kahaloa comes to the Big Island from St. Louis where she most recently served as director of international admissions at Maryville University.

Kahaloa grew up in Kapolei, Oahu, and graduated from Kamehameha Schools. She has degrees in public service administration, international studies and political science from the University of Evansville and a master of arts in management and leadership with an emphasis in human resource development from Webster University.

In her new post, Kahaloa will be overseeing the 510-member KKCC, working with its board, committees, staff and volunteers. She will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives, monitoring organizational performance, growing membership, managing the budget and collaborating with other organizations and government entities.

HCFCU announces board, committee appointments

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union announces the recent appointments to its board of directors and the supervisory committee.

Chrystal “Chrys” Thomas Yamasaki was appointed to the Board of Directors to fulfill a remaining term seat, according to the credit union. Thomas Yamasaki grew up on Oahu, attended the University of Hawaii and helped to form Wes Thomas Associates. She has been an owner and manager of Wes Thomas Associates since 1975, moving to Kona in 1979. In addition to managing 6 acres of coffee in Honaunau, she is an active member of the Rotary Club of Kona and is on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation. She has been a member of HCFCU for 36 years.

Tony Keeling was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Supervisory Committee. He is a retired fire chief, serving in that capacity in California, Oregon and most recently with Washington, according to the credit union. He served on the board of the Buena Park City Employees Federal Credit Union and was also a board member of the Lewis County United Way and Rotary Club president in Chehalis, Wash. Tony has been on the Kona Reef Association’s Board of Directors for six years, currently serving as its vice oresident, and is a board member of the Keauhou Yacht Club.

Board members serve three-year terms on a voluntary basis. They are responsible for providing direction to staff to meet members’ financial needs, as well as maintaining the sound fiscal condition of the credit union. The supervisory committee is appointed by the board of directors and is given the responsibility of ensuring the safety and soundness of the credit union in accordance with the Federal Credit Union Act, regulations of the National Credit Union Administration, and state and federal laws.

Spa plans grand reopening April 18

Moana Salon &Day Spa at The Shops at Mauna Lani will celebrate its first anniversary with a fresh new look, and expanded product lines and services that include acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Hawaiian lomi lomi massage and more. A grand reopening and blessing will take place at 5 p.m. April 18.

Owner-operator Bita Sulistiono, who took on the business last April has refreshed the space and added new services, including her professional specialty, acupuncture. An island resident since 1994, Sulistiono graduated from the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii and began sharing her skills.

Sulistiono works with massage specialists to provide a variety of therapies, including lomi lomi, Swedish, Reiki and deep tissue massage. In addition to a full menu of services for hair, nails, facials, waxing, makeup consultations and more, the spa will be working with nearby restaurant Under the Bodhi Tree to coordinate spa lunches, and other special events.

The spa is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 883-3244.

Maui Divers Jewelry wins design awards

Maui Divers Jewelry recently won seven international jewelry design awards in the 2015 Jewelers’ Circular Keystone Jewelers Choice Awards. The Jewelers Choice Awards, now in its eighth year, is the industry’s largest design competition.

The award-winning designs are inspired by the beauty of the islands and include pendants such as a plumeria flower, a breaching whale and a nautilus. Another pendant uses the Hawaii state gemstone, Hawaiian black coral.

Founded in 1959, Maui Divers Jewelry is the largest jewelry manufacturer and retailer in Hawaii. The company is known for its unique, high-quality designs featuring pearls, precious corals, diamonds and other gemstones. All this jewelry is created locally at the Jewelry Design Center, its Liona Street, Honolulu facility where tours are offered to the public daily.