Local Industry News & Notes for Sunday, December 16, 2007

• Mediterranean Gourmet tops list of Hawai‘i eateries

• SBA offering money to grow small businesses

• KIUC candidate search underway

Mediterranean Gourmet tops list of Hawai‘i eateries

The Mediterranean Gourmet, located beachfront at Hanalei Colony Resort in Ha‘ena, was recently named one of Kaua‘i’s top three restaurants for 2008 in Honolulu Magazine’s 24th annual Hale ‘Aina Awards. The Mediterranean Gourmet followed The Beach House and Roy’s Poipu Bar & Grill in securing the top three spots.

“To be open less than two years and already be recognized at the same level as two of Kaua‘i’s most acclaimed and long-standing restaurants … we are very proud!,” Laura Richards, the resort’s general manager, said in a press release.

Last year, the Mediterranean Gourmet was named “Best New Restaurant” on Kaua‘i by the magazine after having been open six months.

The Mediterranean Gourmet, operated by husband-and-wife team Imad and Yarrow Beydoun, features traditional Mediterranean dishes and island cuisine such as fresh fish with a Mediterranean twist. Imad Beydoun is of Lebanese descent and was born and raised in Beirut. In 2005, the couple moved to Kaua‘i’s North Shore, and Beydoun quickly gained a following for his homemade hummus, sold at local farmer’s markets. His packaged products, including hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and tabbouleh, are still available at selected locations on Kaua‘i under the Mediterranean Gourmet label.

The restaurant’s menu features fresh, traditional preparations of stuffed grape leaves, hand-rolled fatayer, hummus, baba ghanoush, grilled kafta, tabbouleh and Greek salads, wraps of gyro, falafel and various kabobs.

For more information, call 826-9875.

SBA offering money to grow small businesses

The Small Business Association is offering information about its Community Express Loan during one-one-one consultations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18. The meeting — at the Kauai Veteran Center, 3215 Kapule Highway, Room 3, Lihu‘e — is designed for individuals who are looking for funds to start a small business, ready to expand or renovate an existing business, or veterans who may qualify for a three-month deferment on a loan payment.

Community Express Loans are available in amounts of $5,000 to $50,000 with seven-year terms. The free, confidential consultations will be arranged with SBA Community Express lenders, Hawai‘i Small Business Development Council network staff and an SBA specialist.

Registration is recommended; walk-in clients will be assisted as time permits. To expedite SBA loan applications, bring the following: current personal identification, General Excise Tax business license, current credit score for each owner of the business and business banking account information. SBA refers interested applicants to www.annualcreditreport.com for a free credit report, though there is a charge to obtain a credit score.

To attend, call Kim Hite at 541-2990, ext. 212; fax an application form to 541-2976; or e-mail Kimberly.Hite@sba.gov. Or register online at www.sba.gov/hi

KIUC candidate search underway

The Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Nominating Committee has begun its candidate search for the March 2008 elections.

In accordance with KIUC’s bylaws, the committee of four co-op members headed by one board member will name three individuals to run for the three open seats on the board of directors.

The committee is chaired by current KIUC board member Alfred Laureta and includes community members Michael Murakoshi, Mark Ozaki, Linda Salvador and Michael Tresler.

KIUC members who wish to be considered by the Nominating Committee for the election should submit a one-page resume and letter of interest by Jan. 2, 2008, addressed to KIUC Nominating Committee, 4463 Pahe‘e St., Suite 1, Lihu‘e, HI 96766-2000.

The committee will review the qualifications of interested candidates and announce its selections no later than Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008.

Qualified KIUC members may also be nominated by collecting 35 signatures of other members (electric account holders) in good standing and submitting a completed member petition to the committee no later than Feb. 11, 2008. All candidates with valid petitions, and all candidates selected by the committee will be placed on the ballot for the March 22, 2008 election. For more information about qualifications and board member responsibilities, visit www.kiuc.coop or call KIUC’s election hotline at 246-4383.