Whole Foods construction to begin

Construction on the Kailua Whole Foods Market begins Monday at the corner of Kailua Road and Hinano Way.

The 32,000-square-foot Whole Foods will be larger than the 28,766-square-foot store in Kahala Mall and will be the anchor tenant in Kailua Town Center-Phase 3.

Retail shops surrounding Whole Foods have been designed to evoke a residential feel, with Hawaii-style pitched roofs, board and batten siding, and wood shake.

Beginning Monday, construction barricades will be erected and, in the coming weeks, adorned with artwork done by Kailua Elementary School students.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2011, with the stores to open soon afterward.

Ulupono to expand organic farming

An Ulupono Initiative subsidiary will assume organic farming on the 158-acre Kapalua Farms, under a lease agreement with Maui Land & Pineapple Co.

Ulupono Sustainable Agriculture Development LLC will take over all aspects of farming operations, leasing equipment and processing facilities from MLP. It eventually plans to expand and produce more organic vegetables, herbs and eggs, and will create 20 jobs. Educational programs will still be able to use the farm as a resource, and Ulupono plans to expand its community gardens, according to the company.

The Ulupono Initiative was founded by billionaires Pierre and Pam Omidyar to make investments in renewable energy, locally produced food and other environmentally sound projects.

Preview of home solar system offered

An exhibitor at the BIA-Hawaii Home Building and Remodeling Show, under way this weekend, is offering homeowners free glimpses of what a rooftop solar electric system for their home might look like.

Various tax incentives can save homeowners up to 65 percent on the cost of a new solar electricity system, according to exhibitor RevoluSun.

The Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall event is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Sign up for free evaluations with SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Hawaii District staff will be at the next SBA Resource Day offering free and confidential operational evaluations and resources for the economic slump.

SBA staff can discuss critical issues including access to capital and credit, as well as the resources available through the federal agency.

The next SBA Resource Day will be Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Pacific Bank at 818 Keeaumoku St. Reservations are recommended for the 30-minute appointments and can be made online or by phone at 541-2990, ext. 210.

ON THE MOVE

  Planned Parenthood Hawaii has hired Andrea Anderson as chief executive officer. She was previously a director of education and community affairs for Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan for seven years.

The American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, serving Hawaii and Guam, has elected new officers and two members to its board of directors: Joseph Wikoff, chairman; state Sen. Roz Baker, vice chairwoman; Dr. James Grobe, president; Dr. Melvin Paul Palalay, vice president; Dr. Daryl Kurozawa, secretary; and Michael Chang, treasurer. New members: Ilsa Jencks and state Rep. Marcus Oshiro.

Architects Hawaii has announced the following promotions:

» William A. Brizee to chief executive officer from principal. He is an experienced architect, especially in the retail and hospitality industries.

» Bettina Mehnert to chief operating officer from principal and director. She has architectural experience in education and institutional facilities, health care, hospitality, residential, commercial and light industrial projects.

» David A. Miller to chairman of the board from chief executive officer. He will continue his architectural work as principal.

» Lloyd T. Arakaki was previously chief operating officer and continues as a director and principal.