BUSINESS BRIEFS
Loan Blitz, vets' seminar in Hilo
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Small Business Administration has scheduled two events in Hilo on May 21 to assist small-business owners and potential startups.
The first event is intended to help veterans and those in the military community start a small business. The Veterans Entrepreneurial Seminar is presented by the SBA and Hawai'i Small Business Development Center Network and will be held 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Hawai'i Community College.
The program will address issues faced by those starting or expanding independent business ventures. Special emphasis will be given to business planning and financial assistance programs.
The second event, Business Loan Blitz, will run 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the college. That program is sponsored by the SBDC Network, American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank and Hawai'i National Bank.
Participants will be able to meet with the various lenders and pitch their loan proposals. The SBA gives the lenders a guaranty of up to 85 percent on approved loans.
For more information or to register for either event, call 808-541-2990, ext. 215, or e-mail david.brown@sba.gov. Registration also can be done online at www.sba.gov/hi.
KONA FISH FARM GETS APPROVAL RATING
Kona Kampachi, a packaged brand name of a Hawai'i yellowtail fish raised in pens in the open ocean off the Kona Coast, has been rated a Good Alternative by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program.
Kona Blue Water Farms, the only domestic producer of yellowtail, has worked with the Seafood Watch program to meet stringent criteria on environmental impacts and feed efficiencies, according to a news release from the company.
The rating is part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Initiative, a program designed to raise consumer awareness about the importance of buying seafood from sustainable sources. The Seafood Watch program has three rating categories, with Good Alternative occupying the middle spot. Best Choice is the top rating and Avoid is the bottom rating.
HARD ROCK CAFE SPONSORS SURFERS
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu has become a new sponsor of the Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association.
HASA is committed to helping its members maintain guidance, educational direction and responsibility to their families and others within their community. The organization depends on private sponsors, such as Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu, to keep its programs going.
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu is also sponsoring pro surfer Kekoa Cazimero, a former HASA member and a three-time state champion. Cazimero is currently shooting an inspirational documentary aimed at Hawai'i's surfing youth. The documentary, "Riding with Koa, a Young Hawaiian," focuses on the importance of staying in school and off drugs.
HOMESTREET BANK AIDS HABITAT
HomeStreet Bank provided a $10,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity Leeward O'ahu that the nonprofit organization used to help two low-income Wai'anae families build new homes.
The Community Housing Award helped pay for countertops, cabinets and electrical fixtures for the two homes.
"Supporting organizations that provide people with a place to call home has been a long-term focus for HomeStreet," said Kathryn Williams, community relations director for HomeStreet Bank.
