Workshops to cover Opportunity Zone project
Hawaii County will host four virtual Opportunity Zone workshops during June and July.
Starting with a session focused on stakeholder engagement, the series will take attendees from start to finish on Opportunity Zone (OZ) project development and provide resources, best practices, and opportunities to connect with stakeholders and a network of incentives. This free series will be held biweekly starting at 9 a.m. and will feature leading experts in the field, with mentorship and advising available to attendees throughout.
The first virtual workshop is today featuring leading OZ experts: Blake Christian (Tax Partner | Holthouse Carlin &Van Trigt LLP), Gerry Reihsen (Corporate/Securities Attorney | Reihsen &Associates), and Ed Smith (former Chief Opportunity Zones Officer | City of Atlanta’s Economic Development Authority-Invest Atlanta).
Session 2, “Regulations Deep Dive” will be held June 29. During this workshop, participants will take part in a deep-dive into the OZ regulations and special topics for various stakeholders. Panelists will have “office hours” throughout the entire workshop series to answer questions and provide additional guidance to stakeholders.
Session 3, “The Perfect Pitch,” slated July 13, ill help project managers prepare to pitch in front of investors, including examples of actual projects, putting together pitches, project packaging, etc.
The fourth and final session will be “Pitch Presentations” on July 27 duirng which Big Island stakeholders will be invited in a pitch event.
For more information and tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hawaii-county-oz-workshop-series-tickets-158057619595.
Canoe club announces scholarship winners
Keauhou Canoe Club recently announced its 2021 scholarship recipients.
Dannia Andrade, of Kealakehe High Schooo, received the $2,000 James F. Rogers Scholarship for Academic Achievement. Andrade will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is planning to enter pre-med and return to the Big Island to practice as a medical doctor.
Anastasia “Kahina” Benbouzid-Hewitt, of Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, received the $2,000 Michael Haines Scholarship for Meritorious Achievement. Benbouzid-Hewitt will attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo to major in environmental studies and Hawaiian studies.
Both recipients earned associate degrees concurrently with their high school diplomas and are the first generation in their family to go to college.
The Keauhou Canoe Club has granted scholarships to 26 paddling scholars since 2008.