BNI visitor’s day
Business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to a free business networking group visitor’s day. The group, BNI Kona Connections, meets every Friday from 7:45-9:15 a.m. where business owners swap referrals and network with each other.
The group will be hosting a visitor’s day this Friday at 75-5915 Walua Road in the Kailani Conference Room on the bottom floor. Come visit and meet fellow business professionals and learn about the ins-and-outs of business in Kona.
Info: 464-9723
Entrepreneur meetup April 10
West Hawaii Entrepreneur Meetup Group, 5:30-7 p.m. April 10 at Pictures Plus/Plus Interiors store, 75-1006 Henry St., Kailua-Kona. Guest speaker is Tyler Gomes, partnership manager with Elemental Excelerator. Gain exposure for your business and network with other small business owners in the community.
Sponsored by HIplan and SBDC Kona. Info: Jason@hiplan.biz.
Wong hired as new ACLU Hawaii communications manager
The ACLU of Hawaii announced the addition to its team of Kathleen Wong as communications manager. Her position is part of a strategic expansion by the local ACLU affiliate to build its capacity and reach in order to better protect and advance civil rights for all of the people of Hawaii.
Wong is a writer and digital media strategist whose mission is to provide a platform for underrepresented voices through engaging content. She has the ability to bring urgency and awareness to sensitive topics in innovative ways while empowering the right audiences.
Prior to coming to work for the ACLU of Hawaii, Wong served in Hawaii as communications manager for the Honolulu Museum of Art. Born on the mainland but raised on Oahu, Wong studied journalism and sociology at New York University.
Hawaii Restaurant Association forms educational foundation
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA), has established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm focused on bolstering workforce development beginning at the high school level, to be presented 6 p.m. April 4 at Honolulu Coffee Co. Experience Center.
The HRA Educational Foundation was founded in 2017 to inspire Hawaii’s youth to consider careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries. From there, the hope is students will graduate from high school and pursue a college education in related fields to become future contributors in the local workforce.
“Hawaii’s foodservice industry has been struggling for years to recruit and retain a quality workforce to service our hospitality industry,” said Hide Sakurai, chairman and co-founder of the HRA Educational Foundation and president of Diamond Dining, which operates several restaurants on Oahu.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at www.hawaiirestaurant.org. For more information about the HRA Educational Foundation and the ProStart program, visit www.hawaiirestaurant.org.