Hawaii among top 10 in solar power

Hawaii utilities are among the top 10 nationally in integrating solar energy to their grids, according to the second annual report released yesterday by the Solar Electric Power Association.

Hawaiian Electric Co. ranked No. 7 in overall ratings for systems installed in 2008, based on its total solar megawatts. For total solar watts per customer, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative ranked No. 2; Maui Electric Co., No. 4; Hawaii Electric Light Co. ranked No. 6; and HECO ranked No. 9.

Utilities in seven different states participated in the survey, with nine of the top 10 utilities in either California or Hawaii.

California's utilities lead the way, with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric as the leaders in the total solar megawatts category. San Francisco PUC ranked first in the solar watts per customer category.

Go! picks publisher for new magazine

Hawaii interisland carrier go! has selected Nella Media Group as the publisher of beyond, its new in-flight magazine.

Go! said it chose the name of its new publication to reflect the “;positive, innovative and forward-thinking philosophy of the airline.”; The first issue will debut on July 1.

Disney Store returning to Ala Moana

The Disney Store will reopen at Ala Moana Center at 9:30 a.m. June 10 on the second level in the Macy's wing.

The center's original Disney store closed March 31 to make way for Hawaii's first Victoria Secret store, which is to open in October in space formerly occupied by Disney and the Gap.

The first 200 guests will receive a free Mickey Mouse lollipop. Shoppers also will receive a pair of child-size Mickey Mouse ears with each purchase while supplies last.

Interisland Airways to serve Big Isle

Interisland Airways has expanded its charter service to include flights to the Big Island - Hilo and Kona as well as Kamuela Airport near the Waikoloa Resort area.

The company, which has been conducting tours since 1982, also does private charters to Lanai, Molokai, Kahului and Lihue.

Interisland Airways also offers private one-day tour charters from Honolulu to Kauai, Maui and the Big Island and circle-island sightseeing air tours for each of the islands.

Labor union to hold special election

After months of delay, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Laborers' International Union of North America agreed to hold a special election for the local union's business manager position.

LIUNA's chosen candidate, Oliver Kupau, petitioned the federal courts to allow him to serve as business manager but was declared ineligible to serve due to a 1990s conviction for laundering and cockfighting.

Nominations for three contested positions, including business manager, were held on May 9. William Naone, Peter Ganaban and Ernest Santiago are in the running as LIUNA's business manager.

On the move

» John Hayashi has been promoted from vice president to president of HTH Corp., effective June 21, replacing Corine Watanabe, who will remain as company chairman and CEO. Hayashi has been affiliated with the company since 1979, which was founded by H.T. Hayashi in 1975.

» The Hawaii Medical Service Association has elected Kathleen Fujihara-Chong to its community board of directors. She is a senior executive vice president of Bank of Hawaii and also on the Hawaii advisory board of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She also has held board positions with Aloha United Way, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Junior Achievement of Hawaii and Ronald McDonald House Charities.