Biz Wrap: Job Fair for Vets, New Name for Kayaking Company

With Veteran’s Day fast approaching next month, we are happy to report about a job fair for active military members and their spouses on November 3.

In other hiring news, Hu Honua just announced they’ve added a general manager to the bioenergy company team. The company says it plans to fill about 80 to 100 jobs when it refurbishes its Pepeekeo plant.

In other news, a Kealakekua kayaking company, hit earlier this year with a wrongful death lawsuit, has closed its doors and reopened in a new location under a new name.

2012 “Hiring Our Heroes” Veterans Event in Kona

A job fair will be held Saturday, November 3, at the Old Kona Airport State Park Pavilion for active duty military members, Guard and Reserve members, veteran job seekers, and military spouses.

The event kicks off at noon with music from 12 p.m. – 1p.m., an appreciation program with guest speaker Major General Kurt Fuller from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m, and the job fair itself from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. For registration questions, contact: hiringourheroes@uschamber.com or call (202) 503-6057.

Hu Honua Hires General Manager

Hu Honua Bioenergy has hired Kevin Owen as general manager of its biomass facility in Pepeekeo. Owen, who has already begun working at the site, will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the facility once operational.

Owen holds a degree in chemical engineering from Tri-State University in Indiana and comes to Hu Honua with more than 21 years of experience in the energy industry, ten of which spent managing a power plant. He and his family recently moved to Hilo from the mainland.

Hawaii Pack and Paddle Closes, Reopens at New Site

Hawaii Pack and Paddle LLC, closed its old location and reopened under a new name at a new location. The Kealakekua-based company moved from 81-913 Haleki Street to its new site at 79-7493 Mamalahoa Highway, also in Kealakekua.

An expansion of the old business, the new company is called Kayak Big Island and will offer a wider range of tours, retail rentals, and sales. Owner Bari Mims says he is also in the process of purchasing outrigger canoes.

In August, Hawaii Pack and Paddle was hit with a wrongful death lawsuit by the parents of a New York teen who was swept out to sea in Kealakekua.

Cost U Less Hilo Property for Sale, Store to Remain Open

The McCoy Properties Inc., a California real estate investment firm, has put Cost U Less’ Hilo property on the market for $5.5 million in an attempt to rebalance its portfolio. The investment firm owns the two acres of land on Kinoole Street containing the 23,000-square-foot property.

Rob Ewert, principal of Oahu-based Ewert and Co. who is representing the owner in the sale, says the investment firm is looking to shift its investments to California.