HLH receives environmental award
HLH, a sustainable forestry company based on Hawaii Island, has been recognized for the second consecutive year as a “B Corp Best for the Environment” 2015 honoree from the nonprofit B Lab. HLH was accredited as a certified B Corporation in 2013, joining a new class of companies using the power of business to help resolve social, environmental and economic problems.
This award recognizes businesses earning an environmental impact score in the top 10 percent of all 1,200 Certified B Corporations from more than 120 industries on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive review of a company’s impact on its workers, community and the environment.
“We owe this repeat honor to our incredible team and partners,” said Jeffrey Dunster, HLH chief executive officer. “Together we are restoring an environment that has been degraded by decades of overuse, all while enhancing economic and social opportunities in Hawaii.”
Through state-of-the-art technologies and proprietary forest management practices, HLH is promoting long-term forest health, carbon sequestration, ecosystem diversity and unparalleled data collection for research and development, all while creating green jobs for Hawaii families. HLH is working closely with the nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative to plant more than 1.3 million endemic koa, sandalwood and other endangered Hawaiian species across the Hawaiian Islands. Through the sponsorship of Legacy Trees, they have planted more than 250,000 trees while raising funds for more than 300 nonprofits worldwide.
Businesses can get energy saving help
Hawaii Energy has introduced new cash incentives for restaurants and organizations with commercial kitchens, such as schools, hospitals and hotels, in an effort to reduce high energy usage by offsetting the cost of installing energy-efficient equipment.
Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program serving Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu offers more than a dozen new incentives for Energy Star ovens, refrigerators, freezers, steam cookers, fryers, hot food holding cabinets and electric griddles. On average, 23 percent of the energy used by full-service restaurants comes from refrigeration and 14 percent from cooking.
Incentive amounts range from $100 to $325 for commercial ice machines and from $500 to $2,400 for combination ovens. Amounts will vary based on the type, size and design specifications of each unit.
The program will continue offering incentives for Energy Star refrigerator trade-ins, kitchen exhaust hood demand ventilations and refrigerated night covers.
Hawaii Energy also provides free low-flow pre-rinse spray nozzles (valued at $60 each) for businesses and organizations with commercial kitchens. Since energy is required to pump, transport and treat water, using less water can save more energy.
In order to qualify, businesses must be an electric utility ratepayer and heat their water either with heat pumps or electric water heaters. The nozzles are designed to spray water to remove excess food on dishes prior to cleaning in a dishwasher. They are easily interchangeable and do not require professional installation. The nozzles are only available while supplies last.
Additionally, Hawaii Energy continues to offer its Small Business Direct Install Lighting program that provides free lighting, consultation and installation. About 18 percent of a restaurant’s overall energy usage comes from lighting.
In order to qualify, businesses must have an individual meter and be on an electric rate schedule G, or occupy a space of less than 5,000 square feet. Restaurants on any electric rate schedule and of any size can qualify since they are a historically underserved business segment.
Participants are required to work with a Hawaii Energy-approved lighting contractor for an assessment, approval and lighting installation.
For more information, call 877-231-8222 or visit HawaiiEnergy.com/restaurant (kitchen equipment) and HawaiiEnergy.com/retrofit (SBDIL program).
Anderson tapped by Mauna Kea Resort
Mauna Kea Resort has appointed Craig Anderson as vice president of operations.
In his new position, Anderson will oversee day-to-day operations of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, as well as its golf courses. He will also serve as a liaison between the hotels and Mauna Kea Resort homeowners.
With 31 years in the hospitality industry, Anderson has spent the last 16 years leading resort teams on Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Most recently, Anderson held the position of general manager at Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa. He also served as general manager of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and The Westin Princeville in Kauai. Prior to moving to Hawaii in 1999, Anderson was the director of operations for The Westin La Palmoa Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
Anderson attended the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated with honors and began his hospitality career at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He is an active board member of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and serves as a member in the government affairs committee for the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association.
Isemoto named union builder of year
Leslie Isemoto, president and chief operating officer of Isemoto Contracting Co., has been named the 2015 Outstanding Union Builder of the Year by the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. The award is given annually to a contractor who has made exceptional contributions to the construction industry and the community, taken a cooperative approach to labor-management relations and demonstrated strong support of union construction.
Isemoto is the third generation to lead the 88-year-old family business based on the Big Island. He began his career in 1972 as a laborer-carpenter summer hire before graduating from high school the following year. After attending the University of Hawaii’s business management program and working for several years on Oahu, Isemoto returned to the Big Island and rejoined his family’s company. In the mid-1990s, he worked as a project manager on Kauai until he was named president and chief operating officer in 1997.
Isemoto Contracting has built many of the Big Island’s largest projects, including facilities at University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo International Airport, Wailuku Bridge and Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Tennis Stadium. The company’s portfolio also includes major commercial, retail, resort and residential projects from North Kohala to South Point. Isemoto Contracting is also one of the few local builders qualified to construct advanced scientific research installations such as the Gemini North telescope and the Subaru Deep Space telescope, which are located atop Mauna Kea.
Logan, Amelotte, recognized for sales
Aloha Insurance Services’ health insurance brokers Rebecca Logan and Peter Amelotte have been recognized by Kaiser Permanente for exceeding expectations in sales. Logan and Amelotte sold more than 100 Kaiser individual and family polices within the state.
Lava Lava Beach Club named a top beach wedding site
Lava Lava Beach Club was named a “Top Beach Wedding Venue in Hawaii” by Wedding Spot and was one of five wedding venues in Hawaii to receive inaugural honor from the San Francisco-based venue-planning website.
Lava Lava Beach Club was chosen out of a competitive pool of more than 2,000 venues on Wedding Spot based on popularity with couples in each region and style category. Criteria included the number of online clicks, number of viewing appointments requested, number of price estimates created and number of weddings booked for each venue on the Wedding Spot website.
Wedding Spot is a venue-planning website that works with couples and allows them to search, price, compare, and book venues for their special events.
Luxury Big Island to serve elite property market
Harold Clarke has formed his own boutique firm to service a domestic and international clientele with the finest residential properties Hawaii has to offer. Luxury Big Island by Harold Clarke is headquartered at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive in Waikoloa.
Clarke, who brokered more than $66 million of Big Island property in 2014, has been a leader in high-end residential real estate for the past several years. He is a former partner of the local firm Windemere/ C and H Properties.
Since 2008, Clarke has been named a “Top Real Estate Broker” by Hawaii Business Magazine and also is a member of that publication’s “Top 100 Realtors Hall of Fame.”