Biz Wrap: Dive Shop for Sale

Businesses in a variety of fields are reporting good news this week.

An engineering firm selected for a new accelerator program is getting the attention of Silicon Valley investors while a new feed store recently opened in Honokohau. And Kona Brewing Company is reporting substantial growth in its 2012 sales.

We also provide tips to protect your financial health in honor of National Consumer Protection Week. Here’s a look at what’s happening in the world of Big Island business this week.

Well known Dive Shop and Charter Business for Sale

Sandwich Isle Divers is for sale. Owners Steve and Lara Myklebust are retiring after running the successful Kona-based scuba dive shop and dive charter company for more than 20 years.

The sale includes a fully insured vessel, the current inventory of dive gear and rental scuba gear, clientele contact information, and assorted equipment. Steve Myklebust is willing to stay on for a year to assist the new owner and share his knowledge and experience.

The company is being represented by Todd Barrett, R(S), of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers.

Big Island Tech Company Benefits from Tech Accelerator Program

Last month we reported about a Captain Cook company that was the only Big Island firm selected to take part in the state’s first clean energy business accelerator program.

We caught up with Paul Troy, owner of Acclimate TN, Physical Tech Inc., after he participated in the Lightning Excelerator program to find out how it has helped his business.

Troy reports that the program has created several opportunities for his firm and he is in Silicon Valley this week meeting with investors as a direct result of participating in the Lightning Excelerator program.

New Feed Store Open in Honokohau

L.H.L Feed Store recently opened across from Honokohau Harbor in west Hawaii. Owner Rachel Loando says she the store’s name represents the first letter of each of her three children’s names.

The store carries a variety of livestock feed for chickens, horses, sheep, goats, and cows. Located on Honokohau Street, the store is open Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.  For more information call 960-1450.

Kona Brewing Company Saw Double Digit Growth in 2012

Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard Island Lager helped it’s 2012 sales increase 27% over 2011.

Earlier this week Kona Brewing Company released its 2012 sales numbers, revealing double digit growth over 2011 sales. According to a Business Wire report, the Kailua-Kona based company shipped 220,000 barrels last year, an 27% increase over 2011’s 172,800 total barrels shipped.

The company attributes their increased sales to the popularity of its Longboard Island Lager and shipping its Big Wave Golden Ale to the mainland. Founded in 1994, Kona Brewing Company is currently distributed in 36 states.

This is National Consumer Protection Week

In case you missed our story earlier this week, this is National Consumer Protection Week. A myriad of tools to help people recognize a rip-off, sniff out a scam, and make smart choices for today’s financial climate are available at the National Consumer Protection Week website www.ncpw.gov.

You can also learn more about saving and investing with confidence at http://www.saveandinvest.org/, a free service from the financial authorities at the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

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.