KKCC to Host Annual Luncheon

On Friday, June 26 the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Membership & Installation Luncheon. The lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

The induction of KKCC’s new officers and directors for 2015-2016 will also take place, along with the KKCC Pūalu Awards, and honoring of the Hawai’i Island 2015 Small Business Award winners.

Russell Ruderman of Island Natural Market, Inc. will be recognized, after being honored as the state’s Small Business Person of the Year and Eric Tanouye of Green Point Nurseries, Inc. will recognized after receiving the honor of the state’s Entrepreneurial Success of the Year.

County of Hawai’i SBA winners include:

Ray and Shelly Ciriako of Precision Auto Repair Corp; Small Business Person of the Year.

Diandra and Type Dickinson of Dickinson General Contracting, LLC; SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Maureen Datta of Adaptations, Inc.; Small Business Advocate of Financial Services.

Craig Takamine of Takamine Construction; Small Business Advocate for Minorities.

Former National Public Radio Bureau Chief Neal Conan will be the event’s keynote speaker. Conan is the former host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation, he will share stories of his 36 years with the organization.

Among his NPR experiences, Conan served as Bureau Chief in New York and London and covered the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House, two Winter Olympic Games and several wars. He anchored many live events, including party political conventions, confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominees, Presidential inaugurations and address, and the impeachment of President Clinton.

Conan now lives on the Big Island and farms macadamia nuts while working as a news analyst for Hawai’i Public Radio.

An hour prior to the luncheon, as well as after the luncheon, the annual KKCC Business Expo will be open.

Those interested in attending the lunch must register online at the KKCC website.

Admission is $56 for members and $66 for non-members.

For tables of eight, call the Chamber at 329-1758 or e-mail info@kona-kohala.com