Business

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and its High Technology Development Corporation agency will hold information sessions on new funding programs for technology and manufacturing companies.

Yoga Centered in Hilo will offer a schedule of seven different classes beginning on New Year’s Day.

The State Tax Department has selected Jaysen Morikami as the new Taxpayer Advocate. He has worked to resolve both taxpayers and tax practitioners’ problems the past 11 years in the department’s Taxpayer Services Section.

While the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern mid-elevation slopes of Mauna Kea is celebrating its 30th anniversary, it also faces very serious challenges, including the instability of federal funds.

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Business Registration Division reminds businesses to file their annual business reports.

Hawai‘i Electric Light Company has signed an agreement to purchase the 60-megawatt Hamakua Energy Partners generating plant currently owned by an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm.

Verizon is holding complimentary wireless Android smartphone, iPhone and mobile device workshops in Kona and Hilo throughout January.

Visitor arrivals to Hawai‘i Island increased .5% to 107,558 visitors and visitor days (up .2%) increased slightly in November 2015 versus the year prior. Visitor expenditures for the Big Island increased 2.6% to $143.4 million due to higher daily spending (+2.4% to $176 per person).

With the new year comes Hawaiʻi’s third BedMart, slated to open in Hilo in January. Hilo families in need can look forward to mattress donations as well.

The Hawai‘i Meth Project has appointed Scott Kuioka as chairman of the organization’s board of directors.

The Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers named the recipients of its appreciation awards and has scheduled its annual conference.

Waiakea High School in Hilo will compete with three teams from O‘ahu in the LifeSmarts Hawaii State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at the Hawai‘i State Capitol Auditorium.

The majority of people in Hawai‘i erroneously believe their health insurance plan and government programs will cover the costs for long-term services and supports, according to a recent statewide survey commissioned by of the State of Hawai‘i Executive Office on Aging.

Jon Snook, who has served as Hawaiian’s interim COO since October, oversees all flight operations, in-flight services, customer service, maintenance and engineering, and operations analytics.

In celebration of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service, all national parks will waive entrance fees on 16 special days in 2016, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will offer one additional fee-free day to celebrate its 100th birthday on Aug. 1, 2016.

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono encourages eligible Hawai‘i residents from the Compact of Free Association nations to enroll in healthcare coverage following the announcement that the enrollment period has been extended to Feb. 15, 2016.

Gov. David Y. Ige announced today that the State of Hawai‘i has negotiated an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer a special enrollment period for eligible Hawai‘i residents who are seeking healthcare coverage through healthcare.gov.

Hawaiʻi Island students will enjoy greater access to educational experiences at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in 2016, thanks to a gift from the Japan Foundation for Promotion of Astronomy through Subaru Telescope.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations today announced a 26% average drop in unemployment insurance contribution rates, resulting in employers paying $50 million less in taxes, or $100 less per employee on average for 2016.

The gated community resort will be composed of 41 detached single-family homes, with prices expected to start below $1 million.