In brief

Walmart announces open call for entreprenuers

The application process for Walmart’s seventh annual Open Call is open, and the company invites entrepreneurs dreaming of landing their U.S.-manufactured products on Walmart shelves to apply for the opportunity to meet with Walmart buyers on Oct. 1 via virtual pitch meetings.

The deadline to apply to participate in this year’s Open Call for U.S.-manufactured products is Aug. 10. The application and additional information about the event are available via www.walmart-jump.com.

The event, scheduled for Oct. 1, kicks off Walmart’s celebration of U.S. Manufacturing Month and will include similar programming to previous years. In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart buyers, participants will have an opportunity to hear directly from Walmart executives and learn from company leaders during smaller breakout sessions designed to inform, empower and encourage supplier-hopefuls.

This year’s Open Call attendees could secure deals ranging from a handful of stores in local markets to supplying hundreds, even thousands of stores, Sam’s Clubs and on Walmart.com.

In January 2013, Walmart announced its commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. Walmart’s Open Call is one way in which the company continues to invest in this commitment.

Cattlemen’s Council donates tons of beef to The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands recently received donations of over 20,000 pounds of beef from members of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Inc. located on Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.

The beef donations are helping to provide protein for thousands of prepared meals being distributed by The Salvation Army to those in need during the pandemic.

“It’s with a grateful nod and a tip of our hats to the members of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council that we thank them for their generous support of our feeding programs across the state,” said Major Jeff Martin, Divisional Leader of The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands. “The donations of protein directly help those in need, and have provided over 5,000 meals to date and counting.”

Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council member donations include Agee Inc., Al Galimba, Blackrock Cattle Co., DB Cattle, DeLuz Ranch, Double J Ranch, E. Eguires Ranch, Egami Ranch, F Ranch, Griffith Livestock, Hawaii Meats LLC, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, Kapapala Ranch, Kauai Ranch, Kaupo Ranch, KK Ranch, Kuahiwi Ranch, Kualoa Ranch, Kukaiau Ranch, Lau Ranch, Lazy L Ranch, North Shore Livestock, Ohia Ranch, Palani Ranch, Parker Ranch, Peter DeLuz Ranch, Puuwai Ranch, Ponoholo Ranch, Rocker G Livestock, SC Ranch, Ulupalakua Ranch and Zanga Schutte.

The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council is the statewide umbrella organization comprised of the five county-level Cattlemen’s Associations. HCC’s 150-plus member ranchers represent over 60,000 head of beef cows; more than 75% of all the beef cows in the state.

Zonta Club of Hilo offers small business MicroGrant

The Zonta Club of Hilo is accepting grant applications to provide funding for women-owned businesses in East Hawaii. Women who are seeking financial support to start up or improve upon a business are encouraged to apply. Applications are available through their website zontahilo.org and are being accepted via email zontapayitforward@gmail.com or mail through midnight on July 31.

The Pay It Forward program of the local chapter of Zonta was launched in 2014 with an initial generous donation from Nancy Cabral, a member of Zonta and owner of Day-Lum Rentals &Management, Inc./Coldwell Banker Day Lum Properties. Cabral’s desire is to encourage other women to achieve financial independence and business success.

The program goal is to help women in the community start up or expand a business through a microgrant intended to give a helping hand. The grant will be for up to $2,000. Awardees are required to submit a written report after one year, and will be asked to present the report to the club. Awardees are encouraged to “Pay It Forward” when they are able.

“Encouraging women to succeed in their goals to provide a better community for East Hawai’i is an important part of the mission of our club. The Pay It Forward Program is one of the many programs our club offers to empower women and girls through service and advocacy. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Zonta International,” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Elyse Robinson.

Applications may also be requested by mailing Zonta Club of Hilo, Pay It Forward Program PO Box 1915, Hilo, HI 96721-1915.

For more information, visit the website zontahilo.org or email zontapayitforward@gmail.com.

Hawaiian Electric opens sixth EV fast charger on Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Electric has installed a DC fast charger for electric vehicles at the new Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa. It is the sixth publicly-accessible fast charger owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric on Hawaii Island. Others are located at the company’s offices in Hilo and Kona, KTA Super Stores in Waimea Center, The Shops at Mauna Lani, and the Punalu‘u Bake Shop in Na‘alehu.

A fast charger can provide about 43 miles of additional range for a typical EV in 15 minutes. The fast charger supports CHAdeMO (used mostly by EVs like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla with their proprietary adaptor) and CCS (used by American and European EVs like the BMW i3 and as an option on the Chevy Bolt). Payment can be made with a major credit card or a Greenlots subscription.

Hawaiian Electric has approval from the Public Utilities Commission to operate up to 25 fast charging sites across the five-island service territory to promote electric vehicles by reducing range anxiety and making it easier for residents who cannot charge at home to own an electric vehicle. There are now 19 fast chargers on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii islands.

Securitas names Nakamura area human resources nanager

Securitas has named Liane Nakamura to serve as its area human resources manager with oversight of the company’s operations in Hawaii and Guam that includes nearly 2,700 employees.

Prior to joining Securitas, she served as the human resources manager for Hickam Communities and as an associate at Helber Hastert &Fee, Planners. Nakamura brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources to her new role.

Securitas in Hawaii added that it has hired more than 200 people since March and is looking to hire about 100 more in Hawaii with the majority of positions on Oahu and Hawaii Island.

Red Cross announces new regional CEO

The American Red Cross recently announced the selection of Diane Peters-Nguyen as the new regional chief executive officer for the Pacific Islands Region, which includes Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

Peters-Nguyen brings with her more than 25 years of proven success in planning and implementation, revenue development, philanthropic partnerships, marketing and communications, volunteer management, and the ability to motivate and manage diverse staff teams. She assumed her duties on July 6.

Peters-Nguyen is joining the Red Cross after a career as the vice president of advancement at Chaminade over the past 12 years. She played a lead role in initiating, developing, and completing a $118 million comprehensive campaign, the most successful in the organization’s history.

The Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free.

Hospitality veterans launch real estate company

With decades of hospitality and real estate experience between them, Tim Powell and F. Kevin Aucello have launched a new full-service hotel real estate advisory firm offering brokerage and consulting services. This includes lender, receiver and real estate-owned (REO) services, development consulting, and feasibility analysis, as well as commercial real estate brokerage services, including buyer and seller representation, and property valuation.

In their previous roles with Hilton and Marriott International, Powell and Aucello have worked with a range of clients, including multinational private equity firms, banks and individual hotel owners. Projects have spanned construction project management and branding choices in Hawaii, hotel valuations in Saipan and brokerage services throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.

Powell’s experience in hospitality spans nearly four decades, most of that time with Hilton. He oversaw the opening of more than 10,000 hotel rooms in Honolulu, Kauai, Los Angeles, New Orleans, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Singapore and Jakarta.

Aucello’s hotel brand experience includes positions with Outrigger Resorts and Marriott International. At Outrigger he sourced resort properties and management contracts in Hawaii, Micronesia, Okinawa and Mexico. He was also responsible for securing management and franchise contracts in Hawaii for all of Marriott’s brands, including Edition Waikiki and Courtyard Hotels in Waikiki, Kauai, Kona, and Maui.