Business
Humane Society Expands Management Team
An expanded team of professionals will take the reins of the Hawai‘i Island Humane Society (HIHS) in 2019.
Hawai‘i Island Visitor Arrivals & Spending Decrease
Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.29 billion in November 2018, which was nearly flat (-0.3%) compared to November 2017.
Forest Stewardship Efforts Recognized
Through its FLEX Grants program, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation recently awarded $15,000 in grant funding to the Hawai‘i Forest Institute (HFI).
Hotel Revenue, Occupancy Decrease on Big Island in November
Hawai‘i hotels statewide reported no growth in revenue per available room, modest growth in average daily rate and a decrease in occupancy in November 2018.
Libraries Closed for Christmas & New Year’s Day
In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, all public libraries and support offices will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.
Kahilu Theatre Gala Raises $145K for Youth Programs
Funding will support Hawai‘i Island youth through performing arts programs at Kahilu Theatre.
Hawai‘i County Offers Holiday Tree-Cycling Service
To help make the holidays greener, Hawai‘i County’s Solid Waste Division of the Department of Environmental Management will again offer tree-cycling service.
Lyft Offers Holiday Promo Codes for Hawai‘i Island Residents
Lyft is offering new users up to $20 in Lyft credit and 20% off to existing riders for their next two rides.
IRS: Make Estimated Tax Payment Now to Avoid Tax Time Surprise
The IRS is advising employees that they can still avoid a tax-time surprise by making a quarterly estimated tax payment directly to the IRS.
Luquin’s Looking to Reopen in 2019
In January of 2017, Luquin’s Mexican Restaurant in Pāhoa was destroyed by a fire that also took out three commercial properties.
Top Accounting Scholars to Convene on O‘ahu
The world’s top scholars in accounting will gather at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa from Jan. 3 to 5 for the Hawaiʻi Accounting Research Conference.
Merriman’s Donates $30K to Local Charities
In honor of the 30th anniversary of Merriman’s Restaurant in Waimea, chef and owner of Merriman’s Hawai‘i, Peter Merriman, donated $30,000 to local Hawai‘i charities
Hawai‘i County Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.3%
The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) reports that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 2.4%.
State Releases Financial Report for 2018
The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) has released the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.
Many Hawai‘i Post Offices Will Close Early on Christmas Eve
Some Post Offices in Hawai‘i will be closing their retail lobbies at noon on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24.
Walmart Donates 1,428,000 Pounds of Food in Hawai‘i
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated over 1,428,000 pounds of food to Hawai‘i food pantries and nonprofits helping fight hunger during FY 2018.
Hawai‘i Helicopter Association Achieves Major Milestones
The Hawai‘i Helicopter Association (HHA), a nonprofit organization that represents the state’s helicopter industry, has achieved several major milestones in its first year.
Kona-Kohala Chamber to Hold Public Networking Event
The public is invited to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s networking event on Jan. 16, 2019, at Regency Hualalai in Kailua-Kona.
Hawai‘i Island ‘Ohana Health Employees Donate Nearly a Ton of Food
ʻOhana Health Plan’s Hawai‘i Island employees, who make up 10% of the company’s total number of employees, accounted for 21% of the total collected.
Kanuha Appointed as Hawai‘i County Planning Deputy Director
The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department has appointed Duane Kanuha as its deputy planning director, effective Jan. 2, 2019.
