Monica Belz named Business Executive of the Year
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union’s CEO Monica Belz, 37, has been recognized by Pacific Edge magazine’s 2020 Business Achievement Awards as Hawai‘i’s Business Executive of the Year.
Kilauea Bakery is Rotary Club Employer of the Year
KILAUEA — The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay recently awarded its 2020 Employer of the Year award to Kilauea Bakery and owners Tom and Katie Pickett.
Ham-fisted way of getting folks back to work
Here in the City and County of Honolulu, lots of people are out of work, especially in the hospitality industry.
Smart home devices give reason to rethink cybersecurity
The pluses of adding a smart device to your home were attractive before a pandemic made us all mostly housebound. As anxieties connected to COVID-19 crawl into the fall and winter, the convenience and cost-savings that technology like Amazon Alexa and Google Nest provide is seemingly more appealing than ever.
Koloa Rum Co.’s store and tasting room back in business
The Koloa Rum Co.’s store and tasting room at Kilohana Plantation in Puhi is now open, after being forced to shut down for eight months because of the pandemic.
Smith’s setting up limited Nov. 11 reopening
WAILUA — Smith’s Tropical Paradise gardens and the Smith’s Motor Boat Tours Wailua River tour to the Fern Grotto will open on a limited basis starting Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Some hiccups reported with restaurant card program
KAPA‘A — Since mid-October, unemployed residents on Kaua‘i have been “supporting local” by using their $500 restaurant debit cards issued by the state as part of the Economic Relief Program at local eateries. But restaurant owners say there are a few hiccups with the program that surfaced when the cards were first issued.
SBDC’s holds new business seminar
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, is hosting a Zoom seminar on “How to Start a Business on Kaua‘i.”
Shops at Kukui‘ula employees get food at distribution
PO‘IPU — There was so much excitement Thursday during The Shops at Kukui‘ula South Shore food distribution done in partnership with the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.
Someone was listening to the howl in the woods
Here at the Tax Foundation, we watch our state government, and we howl a lot. Often, we don’t know if our message is being heard, or if it’s being taken seriously.
Kauai woman looks to make a difference with ‘Ekahi Ahi
The pandemic has closed many businesses across the nation but has left one inspired Kaua‘i wahine to think “inside of a can” instead of outside of the box.
The Womb Bookstore to open in Wailua
WAILUA — There is a new bookstore off of Kuhio Highway in Wailua next to JC’s Flowers called The Womb Bookstore (TWB).
Target to open at Kukui Grove Center
LIHU‘E — Target is coming! The Kukui Grove Center announced the arrival of the new retailer to its ‘ohana of retailers, restaurants, and specialty services to the building at the Kukui Marketplace, close to the Kumu’s Cupboard resource center for Kaua‘i school educators.
Surfrider launches ‘Upon Request Only,’ ‘Choose to Reuse’ plans
LIHU‘E — Earlier this week, Surfrider Kaua‘i, a nonprofit environmental organization, announced it is joining Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants’ “Upon Request Only” program, which ties into their foundation’s goal of reducing single-use plastic waste.
Kukui Grove’s full plate for Halloween
LIHU‘E — The Kukui Grove Center discovered 200 treat bags for Halloween, and will be distributing the bounty to the first 200 keiki who register to receive the goodie bags through its website, kukuigrovecenter.com/events.
Hawai‘i Realtors come through for food banks
HONOLULU — The nonprofit Hawai‘i Realtors Charitable Foundation collected $14,000 in monetary donations and 3,700 pounds of non-perishable food items during its first-ever food drive.
We are in trouble, and need to make up for budget shortfall
Let’s first start by stating the obvious. We’re in trouble. According to the latest forecasts put out by our Council on Revenues, we have a state budget hole of more than 2 billion dollars.
Dawn Mitchell joins Hawai‘i Employers Council
HONOLULU — Dawn Mitchell has joined the Hawai‘i Employers Council as manager, Surveys & Compensation Services.
Closing costs fundraiser for Ha Coffee Bar
LIHU‘E — Ha Coffee Bar recently announced its permanent closing, and Kaua‘i Hemp Company is gearing up for a “Ha Coffee Bar Fundraiser” on Monday to help with the business’s closing costs at its Lihu‘e establishment.
Ag convention going virtual
HONOLULU — Celebrating Hawai‘i’s Agriculture is the theme for this year’s Hawai‘i Farmers Union United convention that is intended to be a regenerative exploration of our environment and how it inter-relates to our well-being as individuals and as a species said a spokesperson for the Hawai‘i Farmers Union United.