HAWAII

Maui's Hale Makua changes name

Nonprofit health care provider Hale Makua, which operates two long-term facilities in Kahului and Wailuku, said yesterday it is changing its name to Hale Makua Health Services to reflect the breadth of health care programs and services it provides residents of all ages.

Chief Executive Tony Krieg said he views the change as “;a strategic move that will help enable the organization to be more nimble and flexible in responding to the health care needs of the Maui community, especially in a time where the demands on the health care industry continue to increase as baby boomers age.”;

Promotional program aids center

The Hawaii Convention Center said yesterday it has met its goal in securing five new conventions from a promotional package designed around the center's 10th anniversary.

The 10th Anniversary Destination Package, worth $175,000 in promotional and destination programs, was intended to persuade groups and organizations to book the Hawaii Convention Center for meetings with 2,500 delegates or more. The package premiered in Seattle in January.

The new bookings represent more than $72 million in statewide spending along with nearly $7 million in tax revenue. The center's hotel partners will benefit with more than 173,000 booked rooms. More information on the package is available by calling (800) 295-6603.

Mobi partners on Toys for Tots

Mobi PCS is joining in this year's collection drive effort for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program by placing toy donation boxes at seven stores on Oahu, including Pearlridge Center, Windward City Shopping Center, Kapolei Ace Center, Mililani Town Center, Salt Lake Shopping Center, the Avenue Shops at Safeway Center on Kapahulu Avenue and at 1467 S. King St, as well as at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo and inside Kona Coast Shopping Center's KTA Super Store on the Big Island.

Mobi also donated global positioning system devices and cellular phones with unlimited voice and text service to the Toys for Tots program to aid in this year's toy collection drive.

Since 1996, Marines in Hawaii have collected nearly 600,000 toys and $340,000 to purchase toys for more than 370,000 Hawaii keiki. This year's goal is to collect 40,000 toys.

Kohala Hospital receives grant

Kohala Hospital has been given a $3,000 grant by the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank, according to a statement by Don Horner, the bank's president and chief executive officer. The grant will support the purchase of a mobile x-ray machine.

Kohala Hospital has been serving residents of the West Hawaii region since 1917. The hospital offers 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient clinical laboratory and x-ray services, and skilled nursing care.

Isle cabbage production declines

Chinese cabbage production totaled an estimated 403,000 pounds in August, a decrease of 7 percent from last year. The continued dry conditions are contributing to insect, disease, and rot damages, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture recently reported.

Head cabbage growers produced 512,000 pounds in the month, a 29 percent decline from last year. Sweet corn production was 225,000 pounds, 10 percent lower than a year earlier. Yields in some fields were adversely affected by corn ear worm infestation.

Cucumber producers harvested 481,000 pounds during August, 5 percent more than August a year ago. Green onion growers produced 121,000 pounds in the month, a 1 percent decline.

BRIEFCASE

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: The 12th annual 2009 Ola Pono awards program is seeking individuals, groups or businesses who make meaningful contributions to the community by promoting healthy and drug-free lifestyles. Winners will receive $1,000 donated in their honor to a charitable organization of their choice. Log on to Aloha United Way's Web site at www.auw.org to download a nomination brochure before Dec. 12.

Promotions / New hires

» Suntech Hawaii has hired Kenneth Lou as residential division project engineer. He was previously a mechanical engineering intern at Portland General Electric and a research assistant at the Portland State University Materials Science Lab.

» Hawaiian Eye Center has announced the following new patient services representatives:

* Vanessa Soma was previously a clinical office assistant for Dr. Jay Honda in Kona.

* Margarita Raqueno returns to Hawaiian Eye Center with experience in billing and general office duties.

» Altres HR has announced the following new hires:

* Leilani Benson as human resource specialist for Maui County. She joined the company in 2003 and has 12 years of management and human resources experience.

* Joey Lee as manager of client care at the Honolulu headquarters. She was previously an account executive for Experian and a marketing coordinator for the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union.

Board elections

» The Sierra Club Hawaii chapter has elected Robert D. Harris as director. He will be responsible for advancing the organization's purpose, mission and goals. His legal experience includes clerking for the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Simeon Acoba Jr. and representing Defend Oahu Coalition in an ongoing motion to reclassify 236 acres of land at Turtle Bay.

» SCORE “;Counselors to America's Small Business”; has elected Keith Ogata to its board of directors. He is currently president of 3-K Financial Corp. in Nev. and has also served as district director for the SCORE offices in Hawaii and on the board of directors of Career Education Corp.

Awards/certifications

» Maui Divers Jewelry has been named “;Retail Business of the Year”; by the Retail Merchant Association of Hawaii and has received five design awards from the Hawaii Jewelers Association. Also awarded were Maui Divers jewelry designers Michael Van Ly as “;Designer of the Year”; and John Nguyen with the “;People's Choice Award.”; The company was awarded at the Ho'okela Awards, which recognizes Hawaii's outstanding retailers and retail employees.