SFI Kapolei gets condo project

SFI Kapolei LLC has acquired through foreclosure the 220,000-square-foot industrial condominium project formerly known as Kapolei Spectrum II. The project will now be known as Kapolei Trade Center and is being marketed for lease by Scott Mitchell and Guy Kidder of Colliers Monroe Friedlander.

Kapolei Trade Center, located in Kapolei Business Park, contains 93 units ranging in size from 1,620 square feet to 22,136 square feet.

SFI Kapolei is part of iStar Financial Inc., one of the largest U.S. publicly traded finance companies focused on commercial real estate.

Horizon and Pasha boost fuel fees

Horizon Lines and Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines have matched Matson Navigation Co. and increased their Hawaii-mainland fuel surcharges to 27.5 percent, effective Feb. 7.

Pasha, which carries vehicles between Honolulu and San Diego, had the biggest increase as its raised its surcharge 5 percentage points from 22.5 percent. Pasha, which typically undercuts Matson and Horizon, decided to match its two rivals because “;that's where the industry's at,”; said Pasha Hawaii General Manager Reggie Maldonado.

Horizon, the state's second-largest ocean shipper behind Matson, boosted its surcharge 3.5 percentage points from 24 percent. In addition, Horizon also increased its fuel surcharge for the Guam/Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands trade to 29 percent from 25.5 percent.

Pono Pacific lands algae contract

The Nature Conservancy has awarded a contract to Pono Pacific Land Management LLC for large-scale removal of invasive algae from Maunalua Bay. The contract is expected to create 50 new jobs in addition to the 25 jobs already supported by the project. The new jobs will last for about 12 months. After that period, Pono Pacific hopes to assist workers find employment in conservation or related fields.

The work was made possible by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award to the Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with Malama Maunalua, for Maunalua Bay reef restoration. This stimulus funding to restore coastal habitats scales up three years of volunteer efforts to pull invasive algae out of the bay and enables these organizations to create jobs and accelerate invasive algae removal—the first step in restoring habitat in Maunalua Bay.

Pono Pacific was selected through a competitive process. Five local companies responded to a request for proposals issued in October.

Electric vehicle charge station opens

Green Energy Outlet will open Hawaii's first public electric vehicle charging station today.

The outlet, at 575 Cooke St. in Kakaako, also will be offering free charges until the end of March.

The ChargePoint CT2000, made by Coulomb Technologies, allows a user to charge 24/7 by waving a smart card or putting in a toll-free call.

“;For the first time the public will be able to drive up to an electric charging station and charge their electric vehicle (EV) 24/7, a major milestone for Hawaii,”; said Frank Rogers, GEO president.

Grand-opening festivities, which take place from noon to 4 p.m., include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a variety of electric vehicles—from bikes to mo-peds, Segways and neighborhood electric vehicles—that will be available for inspection and test drives.

On the Move

» Four Seasons Resort Lanai, the Lodge at Koele, has named Todd Yamaoka as manager. He has 12 years' experience with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, including as assistant director of rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, assistant director of rooms and director of conference services at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., and catering and conference service management at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

» Robin Wagstaff was the top producing banker for Wells Fargo in Hawaii for 2009. He is a private mortgage banker with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage of Hawaii.