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HAWAII
SBA tells how to get government work

Small business owners interested in learning more about government contracting are invited to participate in a training program to be offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration on May 17, and 18.

The agency has hired a New Mexico firm to run the program, called "Navigating the Maze: Your Roadmap to Small Business Success."

Strategic & Learning Services Inc., of Albuquerque, is aiming the course at companies that have entered the transitional stage of the SBA's 8(a) business development program, although companies in low-income and high-unemployment areas that have five or more years of contracting experience with the government also are eligible to attend.

For more information, call the SBA's Hawaii district office at 541-2990, or visit the agency's Web site at www.sba.gov/hi.

Businesses help 'keep it Hawaii'

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is accepting nominations until June 15 for the 14th annual "Keep It Hawaii Recognition Awards."

The awards recognize individuals, community organizations and businesses statewide that offer an authentic portrayal of Hawaiian culture to visitors and residents.

The awards were started in 1990 by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau but now are managed by the tourism authority. The authority works with a group of native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and supporters to determine the winners, who this year will be announced in July.

For more information, call program administrator Marty Schiller at 227-6002 or 539-5720, or e-mail him at mschiller@tsg-hawaii.com, or visit www.hawaii.gov/tourism.

California exec joins Hualalai

A tourism executive from California, Patrick K. Fitzgerald, has been named chief operating officer and executive vice president of Hualalai Development Corp. on the Big Island.

Fitzgerald joins Hualalai, which owns Hualalai Resort and a housing development in Kaupulehu, after 15 years with Ocean Colony Partners at Half Moon Bay in California, where he directed the development of several large projects, including the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, and Spyglass, a new luxury residential community within Ocean Colony.

High schoolers present their plans

More than a hundred high school students will converge at the Sheraton Waikiki this week to present their marketing and business plans in a competition sponsored by the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration.

A preliminary round will take place Wednesday morning, after which Eddie Flores, founder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, will speak at a luncheon. The students then will engage in breakout sessions covering a variety of topics.

On Thursday, there will be a final round of competition, after which the winners will be announced at an awards luncheon.