Home Energy Makeover show seeking island homes

The Blue Planet Foundation is looking for island homes to feature in its new television show “;Hawaii Home Energy Makeover,”; which debuts on KGMB9 this fall. The show, to be produced this summer, is looking for two local families whose homes could be upgraded to save energy.

Blue Planet is looking for two categories of homes - one that really needs help becoming more energy efficient and another one that already has a solar water heater but could be improved further with a solar photovoltaic system.

The show will be co-hosted by Billy V and Donalyn Dela Cruz and feature local products, vendors and contractors.

Interested homeowners on Oahu can apply online at http://www.blueplanetfoundation.org/

makeover. Applications must be in before Friday.

First Insurance unveils new auto plan for businesses

First Insurance Co. of Hawaii Ltd. is offering a new supplemental auto insurance plan that bundles 17 separate items designed to meet businesses' needs.

Called “;Business Auto Plus,”; the plan extends coverage to more employees, extends coverage to include physical damage to autos hired, rented or borrowed by a company, and includes coverage for accidental discharge of an airbag, among other enhancements.

Spicy wings heat up scholarship fundraiser

Spicy Chicken Alice wings and drumettes will be among the pupu served at the next Latin Business Hawaii scholarship fundraiser and monthly business mixer.

Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards for networking from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 at Cupola Theatre in the Honolulu Design Center at 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. Advance reservation, by phone at 638-3098, is $15 for LBH members, $25 for nonmembers and rises $5 for admission at the door.

Latin Business Hawaii scholarships will be presented Sept. 12 at Chaminade University. More than $5,000 may be awarded that day.

Small Business Administration raises guarantees

The U.S. Small Business Administration is now able to provide surety bond guarantees on federal contracts valued at up to $10 million, the agency announced.

To qualify for such a guarantee, the contracting officer must certify that the guarantee is in the best interests of the government.

The new limit temporarily will replace the current $5 million guarantee standard provided for in the Recovery Act.

“;Raising the surety bond limit is a critical step in making sure small businesses in the construction and service sector have access to federal contracting opportunities that will help drive economic recovery,”; said Karen Mills, SBA administrator, in a statement.

Neighborhood Sales

The median price of a fee-simple condominium in Hawaii Kai was $400,000 in 2008. Its median price so far this year is $380,000.

Sales past 12 months

» Homes: 102

» Median sales price: $390,250

» Median sales price per square foot: $357.38

» Median market time: 53 days

Active listings

» Homes: 80

» Median listings price: $399,000

» Median listings price per square foot: $347.68

» Median market time: 51 days

» Months remaining inventory:* 9.4 months

* Inventory divided by monthly sales

Source: Prudential Locations Inc.