Business After Hours function on Among the first Kaua’i Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours functions of the new year is one at the Regency at Puakea assisted-living elderly apartments in Puhi, on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Business After Hours function on
- Among the first Kaua’i Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours functions of the new year is one at the Regency at Puakea assisted-living elderly apartments in Puhi, on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The charge is $10 per person for Chamber members, $20 per person for all others. To register or for more information, please call the Chamber office, 245-7363, fax 245-8815, e-mail info@kauaichamber.org, or see the Web site, www.kauaichamber.org.
Free blood-pressure screening offered
- Through the Macy’s Go Red for Women campaign, free blood-pressure screenings will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Kukui Grove Center store, Macy’s officials said in a press release. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over the age of 25 both in Hawai’i and around the nation, and officials at Macy’s are encouraging women especially to take advantage of the free service. It is part of Macy’s employees’ participation in the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign, when all are encouraged to wear red to support women’s health.
Stan Brown promoted again at Marriott
- Stan Brown, former Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club general manager and Marriott International’s top executive in Honolulu for the past six years as area vice president for Pacific Islands and Japan, will relocate to Hong Kong in mid-March to serve as area vice president for China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Korea, company officials said in a press release.
The move is a promotion for Brown, who will oversee the fastest-growing region in Marriott International’s global portfolio. He will be responsible for all the properties that span the five Marriott International lodging brands: JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, and Marriott Executive Apartments.
Brown will be replaced in Hawai’i by Ed Hubennette, who is currently in Hong Kong as area vice president for Southeast Asia, over-seeing operations in Thailand, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Pakistan.
Brown came to Hawai’i in November 1999 to fill a new position supervising the growing regional operations of Marriott International and Marriott Vacation Club International. In 2004, his area of responsibility was expanded to include nine hotels in Japan.
During Brown’s tenure, Marriott’s interest in Hawai’i more than doubled, from four resort hotels and two timeshare properties to 10 resort hotels and four timeshare properties.
Marriott also became one of the state’s largest employers, with more than 5,500 associates on O’ahu, Kaua’i, Maui and the Big Island.
In announcing the new leadership posts, Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International, said, “These gentlemen have distinguished themselves in their previous assignments, and we are confident that they will approach their new roles with vigor and creativity.”
A native of Haddonfield, N.J., Brown joined Marriott International in 1981. Over the course of his career, he has served in numerous capacities at hotels in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Australia. He was in Hawai’i at the Maui Marriott Resort from 1989 to 1993.
Hubennette joined Marriott International in 1974. He later pursued opportunities with other hotel groups, including Sheraton and InterContinental. He was previously general manager of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. He rejoined Marriott in Hong Kong.
Brown is a past chairman of the Hawai’i Hotel & Lodging Association, and has sat on the board of advisors of University of Hawai’i Travel Industry Management School. He is also a past member of the board of directors for the American Resort Development Association and the board of governors of the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council.
He and his wife Nancy have two sons who are attending college on the Mainland.
Hilo Hattie gets new area manager
- Mike Hearne, who began his career with Hilo Hattie in Arizona, has been promoted to the new position of area manager for the Hawai’i region, according to a company press release. In his new capacity, he will oversee the operation and profitability of six Hilo Hattie stores in Hawai’i, including the Lihu’e store on Kuhio Highway.
Training, coaching, and preparation of new stores in the Hawai’i region will also be his responsibilities. Hearne has been with Hilo Hattie since 2000, and he was initially assigned to the Management Resource Department, reporting to managers in Human Resources.
In July 2001, he was appointed assistant store manager for the Arizona store, and in July 2002 was appointed store manager for the Arizona store.
Since February 2004, he has moved to Maui with his wife and two sons, and has been the store manager of the Kihei location.
Prior to joining Hilo Hattie, he was the general manager for the Delstar Group, managing four specialty gift shops at the Arizona Mills Mall for 13 years.
“Mike Hearne, with his varied retail experience on the Mainland, brings a new perspective to his position,” says Paul deVille, president and corporate executive officer of Pomare, Ltd. dba Hilo Hattie, “and his positive attitude coupled with his aloha spirit will contribute to the growth and continued success of our company.”
Hilo Hattie is Hawai’i’s largest Hawaiian retailer, and also the largest manufacturer of Hawaiian, resort and casual fashions, offering hundreds of prints and styles only available at a Hilo Hattie store.
There are seven stores on all the major Hawaiian islands, and stores in Orange, Calif; Las Vegas; Orlando, Fla.; and San Diego.
Last year, more than 2.5 million visitors and locals shopped at Hilo Hattie. For more information on Hilo Hattie, call the Sales Department toll-free at 1-800-233-8910, or visit the Web site at www.HiloHattie.com.
Kula to head AIG’s long-term care section
- Dr. Stephen A. Kula has been hired by AIG Hawaii leaders for the newly-created position of director of long-term care, they said in a press release.
Kula, a veteran in the health-care and nonprofit industries, heads a recently-formed AIG Hawaii department that will develop and implement a new software system that will provide a framework and a mechanism for coordinated longterm care in Hawai’i.
AIG Hawaii officials partnered with those from the non-profit organization Caring for Life Foundation to pursue the new venture.
With the extensive resources of AIG Hawaii’s development center, combined with the expertise of the Caring for Life Foundation, the new long-term-care subsidiary will present numerous opportunities for Hawai’i residents seeking long-term-care information and options, a company spokesperson said.
“As Hawai’i’s elderly population increases, so will the need for long-term care services. Our new unit will develop a coordinated, cost-effective system to provide residents with easy access to long-term-care services available in Hawai’i,” explained Robin Campaniano, president and chief executive officer of AIG Hawaii.
Campaniano himself has elderly parents who own homes on O’ahu and Hanama’ulu.
“Stephen’s extensive knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry will be a great asset to us as we move forward with this new and exciting, long-term-care venture,” Campaniano said.
Prior to joining AIG Hawaii, Kula served as executive director of The ARC in Hawaii, over-seeing day-today operations for the organization’s adult-day-health facilities, apartment buildings, intermediate care facilities, domiciliary homes, and its administrative complex on O’ahu.
He has also served as president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of Hospice Hawaii, Inc., and as executive director for Sisters of the Sacred Hearts and Sacred Hearts Academy.
Kula is the former owner of a computer programming and analysis consulting business, and also worked as director of government relations for United Egg Producers in Washington, D.C. Since 2000, Kula has served as an adjunct professor at Hawaii Pacific University, where he teaches computer science.
Kula received his bachelor’s degree in avian science, pre-veterinary medicine and chemistry, as well as his master’s degree in production management and avian medicine from Colorado State University.
He received his doctorate of philosophy in business administration from Kennedy-Western University.
Kula is also active in a number of nonprofit organizations, including Hawaii Youth Challenge, Hawaii Waiver Providers Association, and the Hawaii State Board of Nursing. He is a resident of Honolulu.
AIG Hawaii Insurance Company, Inc., a member company of American International Group, Inc., is a full-service insurance company, offering commercial and personal lines of insurance.
AIG Hawaii is the largest provider of mass-marketed automobile insurance in Hawai’i.
