Event company buys speakers bureau

Current Affairs, an event planning and production company, has acquired HawaiiSpeakers.net for undisclosed terms, to expand its range of services.

HawaiiSpeakers.net represents more than 70 local and mainland professional speakers, including Wally “;Famous”; Amos, Pam Chambers, veteran sportscaster Larry Beil and comedian Ben Stein.

Current Affairs' parent company is International Catering Concepts Inc., incorporated in Honolulu in 1986.

Kona golf course to be remodeled

The Ocean Course at the Kona Country Club will be remodeled beginning in April by Florida-based golf architect John Sanford.

Some 30 acres of grass will be removed to expose the course's volcanic roots and to conserve on water needed for maintenance. A gravity-based irrigation system will be used to eliminate electricity costs associated with course maintenance. The course will use recycled water for irrigation.

The course, originally designed in 1966, is expected to reopen in December 2010 or January 2011.

Windward Mall reopens food courts

After 10 months of renovation work, Windward Mall's Paina Koolau Food Court is adding a few new tenants along with longtime favorites.

Blazin' Steaks, Bull Kogi, Chinatown Express, Cookie Corner, Hot Dog on a Stick, Maruki Tei, Papa John's, Subway and Yogen Fruz are the occupants of the renovated food court, and will open throughout this month.

A grand opening celebration is scheduled in conjunction with the mall's Festival of Giving Saturday and Sunday, with live entertainment and special events.

Palolo Chinese Home receives grant

The Palolo Chinese Home has been given a $20,000 grant by the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank.

The grant, which will be given out over two years, will help support the home's campus redevelopment campaign.

Hainan Air renews interest in Hawaii

Hainan Airlines has renewed its commitment to provide direct flights between Beijing and Hawaii by signing a memorandum of understanding.

Gov. Linda Lingle, who is the first Hawaii governor to visit Hainan, encouraged Chen Feng, the chairman and founder of Hainan Airlines to initiate direct flights promptly.

Hawaii expects the flights to start sometime next year, said state Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert.

“;They probably won't start until the end of the first quarter,”; she said.

In addition, another memorandum of understanding was signed between Hawaii and Hainan to cooperate in the development of clean and renewable energy, energy security and in the reduction of emissions.

On the Move

» Sunetric has announced the following promotion and new hire:
— Josh Lucero to superintendent. His experience includes solar thermal installation for a local solar company in 2002 and lead installer with Sunetric in 2005.
— Sandra Santiago as director of operations and acting project manager for the commercial division. She was a project manager at LEDCOR US Pacific Construction Inc.

» Kona Community Hospital has appointed Kathryn Harter as chief nurse executive. She has 32 years of professional experience, including 18 years in administration.