Get your business questions answered
Are you considering starting a business or have questions regarding your existing business?
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs hosts the Kona Business Action Center Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at the County of Hawaii West Hawaii Civic Center, Department of Research and Development, 2nd Floor, Building C, just above the DMV.
People will be available to assist with Hawaii State business registrations, general excise tax applications, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and other business filing questions. Walk-ins welcome.
CARE Hawaii wins partnership award
During its CCS provider appreciation luncheon and awards ceremony held in Waipahu on Nov. 16, Ohana Health Plan recognized four Community Care Services case managers and one case management agency based on the Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai for providing outstanding member care.
To help support good health, CCS case managers deliver behavioral and medical health services, case management, 24/7 crisis assistance and connections to social services to approximately 4,800 Medicaid-eligible adults who have severe mental illness. Ohana Health Plan has been the sole provider of CCS services since 2013.
Viviano appointed executive chef of Fairmont Orchid
WAIMEA — Fairmont Orchid, a resort along the Kohala Coast, announced the appointment of David Viviano as the resort’s executive chef.
Viviano brings more than 17 years of culinary management experience to his new role. He joins the Fairmont Orchid team from his most recent position as Executive Chef at Eau Palm Beach Resort &Spa in Manalapan, Florida, where he has served since 2017.
Viviano is versed in regional Hawaiian cuisine, having joined Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina, Maui as executive chef in 2015. He assisted the team in achieving its Forbes Five-Star distinction and ranking of No. 1 resort in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure. Prior to that, Viviano was acting executive chef during his tenure at Kauai’s St. Regis Princeville on Kauai in 2012.
“The abundance of fresh, locally sourced tropical fruits, seafood and pasture-raised cattle on Hawaii Island is a dream for any chef,” Viviano said in a press release. “I always search for ways to tell stories through the food I create and these Hawaiian staples give me the ability to craft countless narratives.”
Disaster loans available
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaii businesses and residents affected by Hurricane Lane, including wildfires and floods, that occurred Aug. 22-29, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced.
SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the denial of the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration for individual assistance.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Hawaii and Maui counties.
“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 27, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application.”
SBA awards seek nominations
The U.S. Small Business Administration is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Hawaii SBA Small Business Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year.
Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy.
SBA Awards will be presented in local celebrations on all islands in advance of National Small Business Week on May 5-11, 2019, and will include the following honors for eligible Hawaii small businesses:
* Small Business Person of the Year
* Small Business Exporter of the Year
* Family Owned Small Business of the Year
* Young Entrepreneur of the Year
* Entrepreneurial Success of the Year
* Small Business Advocate of the Year
Guidelines for nominations and evaluation criteria are available at the District Office at (808) 541 2990 or hawaiigeneral@sba.gov or at the Hawaii SBDC webpage, www.hawaiisbdc.org . All nominations must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
All nomination packages must be hand delivered or mailed to the nearest SBA Office. Email submissions of SBA Awards forms will not be accepted.
Western Governors winter meeting hits Big Island
Twelve governors will take part in public conversations about significant issues facing the region at the Western Governors Winter Meeting Dec. 11-13 at the Fairmont Orchid at the Mana Lani in South Kohala.
It’s hosted by WGA Chair and Hawaii Gov. David Ige.
The governors will hear keynotes and have onstage conversations with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, and Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Joining Gov. Ige will be WGA Vice Chair Doug Burgum (North Dakota), C.L. “Butch” Otter (Idaho), Steve Bullock (Montana), Brian Sandoval (Nevada), Mary Fallin (Oklahoma), Kate Brown (Oregon), Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota), Gary Herbert (Utah), Matt Mead (Wyoming), Lolo Matalasi Moliga (American Samoa), and Ralph Torres (Northern Mariana Islands).
Additional keynotes will be presented by Nainoa Thompson, President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and Henk Rogers of Blue Planet Energy. Public roundtable discussions will feature the Governors discussing issues such as renewable energy, the outdoor recreation economy, healthcare, and veterans’ employment issues.