Waipahu training center gets solar electric system

GreenPath Technologies Inc. recently installed a photovoltaic (PV) solar electric system for the Building Industry Association's new Construction Training Center of the Pacific in Waipahu.

The recently completed center will serve as BIA's headquarters for Hawaii and the Pacific region's professional construction trade organizations.

The 35.8-kilowatt PV system is expected to generate about 57,140 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year, offsetting about one-third of the building's annual energy needs.

GreenPath Technologies is a native Hawaiian-owned and operated renewable energy solutions provider. Sunforce Solutions International of Hawaii financed the project.

Gift bag sets available for business center fundraiser

The Hawaii Women's Business Center is selling sturdy, reusable gift bags for the coming holiday season and all year-round, as a fundraiser.

A package of 21 gift bags in assorted sizes, themes and color schemes is being sold for $18. Bags are available to walk-in customers at 1041 Nuuanu Ave. during business hours or can be ordered by phone at 526-1001 or e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The center hosts many nonprofit business organization meetings at no charge and offers many low-cost business-building programs throughout the year.

Outrigger hotels earn recycling commendation

The Outrigger Enterprises Group has been given the first “;Green Leader Award”; from Reynolds Recycling for leading the way in recycling in the tourism industry.

The awards were created this year by Honolulu-based Reynolds Recycling to commend businesses and individuals leading by example. Outrigger is the first recipient of the award.

Since 2006, Outrigger's hotels have recycled 48,000 pounds of material, preventing them from entering Honolulu's landfill.

Pleasant Holidays offers companion fares

Pleasant Holidays has introduced $50 companion fares for travel from California to Hawaii for select travel dates in December and January. Restrictions apply.

From Los Angeles and San Francisco, vacation packages that include the companion fare begin at $279 per person for Oahu and $299 per person for Maui, but it also offers travel packages to other neighbor islands.

Coming Up

» Today: National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for September.

» Tomorrow: The Conference Board releases the Consumer Confidence Index for November. Commerce Department releases third-quarter gross domestic product.

» Wednesday: Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims. Commerce Department releases durable goods for October.

» Thursday: Thanksgiving. Markets closed.