Sunetric to supply solar parking site

Sunetric has signed a contract with Honda Windward to design and build a 329.69 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for the auto dealer's new parking structure.

The system will provide roughly 972.18 kilowatt-hours per day, providing a savings of about $145.83 daily for Honda Windward. Completion is slated for December 2009.

Sunetric said the solar project will make the parking structure the first on Oahu with solar panels.

Island Air offers $54 flights for fall

Island Air is offering a “;Fly into Fall”; $54 fare sale for one-way, nonstop flights.

Tickets must be purchased by today for travel from next Thursday through Nov. 23. The fare does not include taxes and fees.

Island Air offers 316 weekly flights between Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai and the Big Island.

Unity House buys Lotus for $8.5M

The Lotus Diamond Head hotel in Waikiki has been sold to Unity House for $8.5 million.

The sale of the 51-room boutique hotel at 2885 Kalakaua Ave. was confirmed in court last week, according to state-appointed Commissioner Richard Emery. No additional bidders came forward. Emery said the sale should be recorded in about three weeks.

Unity House was the highest bidder for the hotel at a foreclosure auction in August, which went forward despite efforts by Brian Anderson, the former owner, to stop it.

Marriott to record $760M in charges

BETHESDA, Md. » Hurt by shrinking demand for luxury real estate, Marriott International Inc. said yesterday it will record $760 million in third-quarter impairment charges as it lowers prices and curbs development in its timeshare business at high-end resorts to boost cash flow.

The company also will sell some undeveloped land, given the weak economy that has dampened demand for both business and leisure travel.

Marriott operates more than 3,200 properties worldwide, including in Hawaii.

Kauai defers plastic bag decision

The Kauai County Council deferred a decision yesterday on whether to ban conventional plastic checkout bags.

The decision was being deferred for a second time, given that the bill originally was scheduled for a second hearing last week.

It is now scheduled for Oct. 7.

Co-authored by Council members Tim Bynum and Lani Kawahara, the bill proposes that retailers offer only biodegradable, 100 percent recyclable paper or reusable tote bags.

If passed, the bill would go into effect July 1, although businesses can ask for an 18-month extension due to hardship.

Maui County passed a plastic bag ban last year, but it does not go into effect until January 2011.

ON THE MOVE

  The Organization of Chinese Americans Hawaii Chapter presented the 2009 Community Leader of the Year Award to Market City Shopping Center Vice President Sandra Au Fong at the 25th annual installation banquet. The 2009 Corporate Achievement Award went to Kyo-ya Management Co. Ltd.'s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Ernest Nishizaki.

The Hawaii Medical Service Association has promoted Brenda S. Takahashi to compliance and ethics officer from senior counsel in the company's legal services department. HMSA also hired Elisa Yadao as vice president of community affairs. She previously had a consulting business in Hawaii specializing in community and media relations and strategic communications.