Biz Wrap: Housing Market Sees Improvement; Sig Zane Soars

It’s been a busy week in business around the Big Island.

From IT firms to family-run restaurants, several local companies received Small Business Administration awards for being outstanding in their field. The housing market is continuing its recovery, albeit slowly, and Sig Zane designs are flying the Hawaiian skies.

Here’s a look at what’s happening in the world of business around the Big Island this week.

Big Isle Housing Market Sees Gains in January

Home sales and median sale prices rose on the Big Island in January compared to the same month a year ago. According to data released by Hawaii Information Service, there were 105 sales last month, up 8% from 97 sales a year earlier.

Median prices of single-family homes also rose to $265,000 last month, up 15% from $231,000 in January 2012.

Sales and median prices of condos also increased last month in year-over-year totals. Big Island condominium sales jumped 16% to 44, up from 38 the same month last year. Median condo prices rose to $205,006, up 12% from $182,500.

Sig Zane Designs Grace Hawaiian Airline Planes

Hawaiian Airlines has launched a new fleet of turbo-prop planes to service the islands of Molokai and Lanai. Entitled “Ohana”, the fleet is comprised of 48-passenger modern ATR42 twin-turboprop aircraft.

Aircraft design for the new brand was created by renowned Hawai‘i designer and Hilo native Sig Zane. The designs incorporate traditional kapa fabric print elements that represent three symbols rooted in Hawaiian culture, including piko (umbilical), manu (bird), and kalo (taro).

Social Media Club of Hawaii Names 2013 BOD

Multiple Big Island residents were named to the 2013 board of directors for the Social Media Club of Hawaii.

Those selected for the board include branding strategist and business coach Dewi Maile Lim (committee member), Sylvia Dahl, rainmaker at SmartSearch (sponsorship chair), and Laura Kinoshita of Kinoshita Communications (communications chair).

It’s been a busy week for Kinoshita, who was also recently named the Women in Business Champion: County of Hawaii by the Small Business Administration.

Thomas Cross Named Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Manager

Thomas Cross was recently named hotel manager of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

His extensive experience in the hospitality industry includes serving as food and beverage director at Kona Village Resort and working as resort manager of Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort for seven years.

Moir Named Executive Director of Lyman House Memorial Museum

Barbara Moir was recently named executive director and president of Lyman House Memorial Museum by its board of trustees.

Previously the museum’s deputy director, as well as curator of education and operations, Moir will oversee the museum’s $2 million capital campaign.

If your business has an opening, closing, promotion, retirement, new product release, special event, award, new location, or expansion, please let us know. Email us at newsdesk@Bigislandnow.com.