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Gallery supports Kohala watershed restorationIn appreciation for the Kohala Watershed Partnership’s (KWP) efforts in re-establishing the native forest mauka of Pelekane Bay, Gunner and Elli Mench of Harbor Gallery in Kawaihae recently donated $5,000 to the partnership.In 2009, the Menchs decided to support a local organization that was contributing to the betterment of native forests, since most of the woodwork in their gallery is made from native woods of Hawai‘i Island. Since then, they have donated nearly $16,000 or 10% of the proceeds from wood shows they hold twice a year at the gallery. The contributions go to help plant more trees in restoration areas that have been fenced and cleared of feral goats through KWP’s watershed projects on Kohala Mountain. “Just as we feel that we have a responsibility to help support over 150 of our local artists,” Mench said, “we feel a responsibility as well to direct some of our resources where we can promote a positive impact to our immediate environment for the benefit and enjoyment of our precious natural and cultural resources.” As a member of the Kawaihae Local Resource Council, Mench has been involved in discussions with the Army Corps of Engineers and others regarding the cleanup and restoration of Pelekane Bay. One of the Corps’ conditions to participating in the bay’s restoration is for the siltation from runoff to be eliminated from the watershed. KWP is a voluntary coalition of private landowners and state land managers who joined together in 2003 to work across property boundaries to manage the forested watershed of Kohala Mountain and protect it from threats. In 2009, KWP received $2.69 million in federal funds through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) coastal restoration grant to improve the condition of the Pelekane Bay watershed on the leeward coast of Kohala Mountain. See http://kohalawatershed.org. KWP works in partnership with The Kohala Center, a Hawai‘i Island-based nonprofit dedicated to environmental research and education that support a sustainable future for our island and the world. See www.kohalacenter.org. As co-author of a book on water pollution and environmental studies in 1970 while at prep school, Mench has always been in tune with protecting the environment and conserving resources. In the gallery, the Menchs have switched over to LED lighting throughout and have decreased electrical usage to less than half of what it was a year ago. See http://www.harborgallery.biz/. “Every business owner should try to do something to contribute to enhancing our environment and help us to sustain the resources we will need to survive here for the long term. We are trying to do our part! Conservation is the key,” Mench said. _________________________________________________________________________ Kohala Center awarded contract to operate education center at Kahalu‘u BayThe Kohala Center begins a 10-year contract with the County of Hawai‘i to establish a learning center—the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center—at Kahalu‘u Beach Park. The Bay Education Center offers a unique visitor education experience—one that teaches respect and reverence for the natural and cultural resources of Kahalu‘u Bay.The Bay Education Center represents a new model of collaboration between the County and a nonprofit, The Kohala Center. The two entities will work together to enhance the natural environment of Kahalu‘u Bay through educational, public outreach and research efforts. “Kahalu‘u Beach Park can and should be host to a visitor center similar to the one at Hanauma Bay, a center which provides outstanding educational experiences and good employment opportunities for local people,” said Cindi Punihaole, Public Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for The Kohala Center. “Current visitor numbers support the creation of an education center at Kahalu‘u. Local residents, adjoining landowners, and business owners support this project, and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce took action to adopt it.” The Bay Education Center is starting small. A new, portable facility to house the educational center and the snorkel rental concession has been professionally designed by Jennifer Bryan of Anoano Design Group and established on-site. The center provides educational videos and computerized access to environmental and cultural information about Kahalu‘u Bay and the ahupua‘a. As part of the educational outreach efforts, The Kohala Center will manage a snorkel rental concession through which visitors can learn how to enjoy the bay and at the same time protect its fragile environment. All profits from this outreach effort will be re-invested in educational programs and in the implementation of the Kahalu‘u Beach Park Master Plan, a conceptual plan which incorporates the community’s vision for revitalization of this area. “We are excited about this partnership with The Kohala Center and we hope it can be used as a template for similar agreements around our island,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center will provide the necessary link to remind us of what we already know—that our recreational and natural resources can be enjoyed by our residents and visitors—but thesewahi pana, or celebrated places, are fragile and it is everyone’s responsibility to help preserve them.” New staff will be hired and trained to operate the rental concession and the educational center and to support volunteers. Staff and volunteers will wear distinctive apparel to be readily identified by visitors. The rental center and the educational center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day that the park is open. The Kohala Center will continue its successful ReefTeach and Citizen Science programs, as well as the other outreach, educational, volunteer, and research programs currently underway at Kahalu‘u Bay. Currently, ReefTeach includes over 270 volunteers and three dozen businesses. The Kohala Center also created the ReefTeach “Train-the-Trainer” and “Adopt-a-Day at Kahalu‘u Bay” programs in which more than 30 businesses participate. Both programs educate staff members of businesses and organizations on proper reef etiquette so that they may help by volunteering at Kahalu‘u Bay and by sharing their knowledge with visitors who frequent their establishments. The Kohala Center staff will also collaborate with Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Fitzgerald to discuss opportunities for improvements to Kahalu‘u Beach Park and to implement the Kahalu‘u Beach Park Master Plan. “This is a wonderful educational opportunity that will only enhance Kahalu‘u Bay and its resources,” Fitzgerald said. “We believe this agreement will also reduce the impact of concessions, which are vital and necessary, but should be kept as low key as possible at such a beautiful location,” he said. The Kohala Center is an independent, not-for-profit center for research and education about and for the environment. The Kohala Center builds teaching and research programs for energy and food self-reliance as well as ecosystem health. To learn more about The Kohala Center’s programs, visit www.kohalacenter.org. For more information about the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, visit www.kohalacenter.org/kahaluubay/about.html. ___________________________________________________________________________ Hawaii Community FCU raises $15,000 for The Food BasketKicking off their 75th anniversary, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union recently held its annual Market Day at all five branch locations during International Credit Union Week. The event raised $15,000 for The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s clearinghouse for food and non-perishable items.The annual Market Day effort and its results exemplified this year’s International Credit Union Week theme of “Credit Unions Build a Better World.” Market Day featured fresh produce, baked goods, rummage sale items and crafts. “Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union would like to thank its members and other island residents who supported Market Day,” said James Takamine, president/CEO of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union. “Making a donation to an organization that helps so many families on Hawai‘i Island is a wonderful way to start our organization’s 75th anniversary celebration.” The Food Basket supports over 100 non-profit agencies to help alleviate hunger in Hawai‘i Island communities. Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union, wholly owned by its more than 38,000 member/owners. The financial institution has branches in Honoka`a, Kailua-Kona, Kaloko, Kealakekua and Kohala. In addition to complete checking and savings services, the credit union offers credit cards, auto, mortgage, construction, small business, educational and personal loans; investment services; money-saving programs and more. It sponsors Student Credit Unions at Kealakehe, Kohala and Konawaena high schools, Children’s Savings Projects at elementary schools from Pa`auilo to Ho`okena and supports numerous Island of Hawai‘i programs and events. Membership in Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is open to all island residents. For information, www.hicommfcu.com. _____________________________________________________________________________ Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel rolls out new meeting space, amenities for biz travelersThe newly branded Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is catering to business travelers and meeting planners with the debut of new and renovated meeting space, an interactive Business Library and a host of business-friendly amenities.With an idyllic beachside location, the Kailua Village hotel provides meeting organizers with a choice of nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event venues and an experienced catering staff. Also available are on-site businesses that can conveniently provide event banners and handy reproduction of conference materials, plus event photography and wedding planning. Indoors, the Courtyard by Marriott property offers over 11,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that features six brand new breakout rooms, including an Executive Boardroom. Kamakahonu Ballroom offers 7,700 square feet of pre-function and event space and can be converted into four separate meeting rooms. All meeting areas are on the ground floor, which has convenient and easy access to the hotel’s large parking facility. The brand new Business Library introduces guests to Courtyard by Marriott’s signature Go Board. The large and visible, interactive touch-screen allows access to local flight information, market reports, global news and local events. Serving as a relaxing place to do business, the Library offers a stylish laptop counter, three TVs with comfortable seating and the capability to print airline boarding passes. Around the corner are three private media pods offering free computer usage for guests wanting to check email. Outdoors, events and receptions can be enjoyed in an expansive lush garden setting, with panoramic views of the Kona Coast. Also available is an on-site oceanside lu‘au complete with an underground imu oven, raised stage and plenty of Hawaiian pageantry. The paved lu‘au dining area overlooks the sweeping slope of Mt. Hualalai and is adjacent to Ahu‘ena Heiau, a National Historic landmark. Similar to other Courtyard by Marriott properties nation-wide, the Kona hotel offers business travelers choices and options to get the most out of their road trips. That includes free wireless Internet access and plush bedding in all 452 guest rooms, free Wi-Fi in the hotel’s public areas, an invigorating 24-hour fitness room and a relaxing infinity edged pool with adjacent lounge. The on-site restaurant, Honu’s on the Beach, is open for both breakfast and dinner and serves a standout morning buffet starting 6 a.m. daily. With an indoor-outdoor ambience, Honu’s can accommodate 180 and has a private dining room with an ocean view that seats 75. The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel recently completed over $42 million in renovations. For information on meeting facilities and package options, that can include per person room rental plus food and beverage, contact Deanna Isbister, Director of Sales at 808-331-6347 or email disbister@konabeachhotel.com. Visit http://www.konabeachhotel.com/meetings.htm _____________________________________________________________________________ Lava Rock Realty welcomes Laura NanceLava Rock Realty welcomes Laura Nance, R(S). She received her BBA in marketing from University of Texas at San Antonio and enjoyed a successful career in retail management until she moved to the Big Island in 2001, where she acquired her Hawaii Real Estate license.Nance has an extensive background in property management and considers it a great training ground for real estate sales. Her goal in transitioning to sales is to help others to follow their dreams. She said, “If that dream is to sell a home and move on, or to move to the Big Island and purchase a home, for me it is all in the fulfillment of those dreams and making that process as easy and seamless as possible.” Nance can be reached directly at (808) 345-3843 or Laura@LavaRockRealty.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Latitude 19° opens at Keauhou Beach ResortCatering to adult women of all sizes, a new Kona clothing store offers fun, sassy clothes and accessories at affordable prices. Latitude 19º is located at the Keauhou Beach Resort and has both island-inspired and Mainland-made styles.Owner Janet Kronemeyer stocks her Latitude 19° boutique with fashionable short dresses that can double as tops to wear with leggings or slacks. She mixes and matches layers to stretch a wardrobe, offering name brands like Life is Good and the fun and lacy 818 line. Find blouses, tops, dresses, capris, colorful one-size-fits-all camis and strapless lingerie. Selections are color coded for easy browsing and sizes range from small to 3X. Prices start at $15 and go up to $65. Emphasizing that the clothing is “E-Z wear,” or requiring minimal care, Kronemeyer says the choices are great for traveling in style. “We offer latitude with attitude,” she smiles. A former clothing retailer from Oregon, Janet is big on accessories, stocking the store with purses, travel bags, hats, scarves, jewelry and sunglasses—pay $10 a pair for glasses or get two pair for $15! Find island-inspired fragrances and body products too. The real find here for the traveler, however, is the nifty line of bandals footwear that lets you mix and match several dozen styles of straps with two types of soles to create your own sandal. Match your mood or the fashion moment with choice of strap color and pattern and you’re good to step off in style! Latitude 19°—which points out where Hawai‘i is on the globe—is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at ground level next to the lobby at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Gift certificates are available and Hawai‘i residents can enjoy a 10 percent kama‘aina discount. For info, phone 808-322-1811 or email latitude19kona@yahoo.com. _____________________________________________________________________________ Keauhou Beach Resort reopens Kalanikai Bar & Grill, Kama‘aina TerraceKeauhou Beach Resort recently reopened Kalanikai Bar & Grill. Jim Heather, the hotel’s new GM, invites Chamber members to visit this casual oceanfront restaurant conveniently located next to popular Kahalu’u Beach Park.Patrons can sip on great cocktails and enjoy lunch made with local ingredients while watching honu swimming gently in the tide pools and surfers catching waves. The menu includes a variety of burgers, wraps and salads. The bar is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Chamber members will receive a 15% discount on food items at the hotel’s restaurants if they show their kama‘aina ID. As of January 12, the hotel’s open-air Kama’aina Terrace, an old-time favorite, opens for dinner every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:30-9 pm. |
