Small Business News & Events for Sunday, June 21, 2009

• Apollo Kaua‘i

• Small Business Association

• Lihu‘e Business Association

• Wailua-Kapa‘a’s Neighborhood Association

Apollo Kaua‘i

Monthly meeting

6 p.m., Thursday in the Mo‘ikeha Room at the County Civic Center in Lihu‘e

Through education and advocacy, Apollo Kaua‘i assists the island in becoming more sustainable by using socially and environmentally responsible, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Topics and guest speakers include:

• Representative Mina Morita — Legislative Action this Session

• Update on Waste to Energy with input from SENTECH — Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan

• Thoughts on our water supply and its dependence on fossil fuel

• Eating locally

Small Business Association

Recovery tools for small businesses

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday at the Kaua‘i Community College Elections Room

Find out about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act at a workshop presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA received $730 million in the Recovery Act to enact a series of provisions focused on helping unlock lending and get capital flowing to the small business sector by cutting fees to borrowers, increasing guarantees to lenders, and offering new and expanded programs for many loans and contracting opportunities.

To assure that business owners are aware of this assistance, SBA will present Recovery events to update small business owners about how the new provisions may help them sustain, manage and strengthen their firms during the current economic crisis. Learn about requirements, eligibility and how to access these programs including the new SBA America’s Recovery Capital loan program. 

• The sessions are free. Advance registration is recommended due to limited seating. Visit http://www.sba.gov/hi or e-mail kimberly.hite@sba.gov

Lihu‘e Business Association

Investing in change: The Hawai‘i Community Foundation

7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Thursday in the Mo‘ikeha Meeting Room 2A/B at the Kaua‘i County Civic Center

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation provides many services, including management for private foundations and other donor funds as well as being a resource for community issues and trends. But HCF too has reportedly been affected by the economic downturn.

• Join Myles Shibata, HCF Vice President of Philanthropic Services, and Darcie Yukimura, Philanthropic Services Officer for Kaua‘i as they discuss the many facets of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s work; how it has responded to the impact of the economic downturn on Kaua‘i’s non-profit sector; and what changing trends in charitable giving are affecting Kaua‘i and the state.

• The program is free & open to the public.

Wailua-Kapa‘a’s Neighborhood Association

Saving Kaua‘i’s beaches for the next generation

2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday at the Kapa‘a Library Meeting Room

Guest speaker, Jim O’Connell, a coastal geologist and University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant Agent on Kaua‘i, will discuss beach protection and coastal processes.

O’Connell will present data from a recently completed erosion study of Kaua‘i’s coastline which analyzes historic shoreline changes. Charts and aerial photos, many which date back to the 1920’s, identify whether beaches are eroding or expanding. The study is online: www.soest.hawaii.edu/asp/coasts/kauai

There are effective erosion control alternatives and coastal construction practices that provide preventative and long-term solutions. Increased flooding in low lying areas, drainage problems, salt intrusion into groundwater and other hazards will need better collaboration between state and county agencies and coastal landowners to protect Kaua‘i’s valuable and fragile coastal resources.

• A portion of the association’s meeting will provide updates on other local issues and allow time to hear new concerns. For information, visit www.wkna.org or contact Sid Jackson at 821-2837.