Biz Quickies: Kona Brewing, NELHA, Mango Court, Hawi

“Kona’s Own”
David Levenson, owner of award-winning Annie’s Fresh Burgers, has opened “Kona’s Own, Fine Foods and Café,” a “specialty food and ‘first-to-market’ local artisan retailer,” also at Mango Court in Kealakekua. The new store offers fine food and health products including fresh salad and hot food bar daily, Kona coffee bar, gourmet cheeses and charcuterie, chocolates, artisan pizza and more. Breakfast served daily 7-11 a.m. Follow Kona’s Own on Facebook or call 322-0000.

20 Years of Kona Brewing
Kona Brewing is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a craft brewer in 2014 and has served more than 35 million pints of “Liquid Aloha” in Hawaii, said a KB release. Kona Brewing’s flagship restaurant and pub in Kailua-Kona serves 316,000 people a year, its Honolulu Airport location gets 283,000 visitors a year, and the pub in Hawaii Kai draws 210,000 customers. Visitors to the Kailua-Kona pub can take a tour of the brewing process. Call 334-2739.

New NELHA Execs
The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority recently hired Alex Leonard, formerly with Aquasearch, as its administrative and projects coordinator, Pacific Business News reported. Leonard is currently general manager for Nan Construction’s Kona operations and is expected to start work at NELHA Jan. 21. Also, Dean Towle, formerly at Keahole Solar Power, was named operations supervisor. PBN reported in July that $20 million in construction projects planned or underway at NELHA are expected to generate 500 jobs and nearly $5 million in tax revenue in the next two years.

Top Destinations
Frommer’s has named Hawaii Island one of its “Top 15 Destinations for 2014,” citing ongoing volcanic eruptions, ranches, sleepy cities, coffee plantations and petroglyph-laden landscapes.

Hawi A Favorite
Hawaii Magazine named Hawi in North Kohala as one of the “Top 5 Favorite Hawaii Small Towns,” based on a Facebook poll conducted by the magazine. Hawi was lauded for its unique boutiques, eateries, bookstores and galleries.

Send Biz Quickie info to newsdesk@bigislandnow.com, or call Hunter Bishop, 987-5186.