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CEO Lupenui leaving YWCA
Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui, longtime president and CEO of the YWCA of Oahu, has tendered her resignation and will end her 13-year tenure with the organization at the end of the month.
Lupenui is credited with instituting numerous programs for women, youth and families including Dress for Success, Honolulu Life Inc., Homebase Transitional Housing, Women Leading Change-Hawaii, CAFE Y (Culinary Arts for Enterprising Youth) and the Ways to Work family loan program.
Lupenui "was instrumental in working with the community to raise more than $20 million in funds to revitalize the YWCA’s facilities, programs," said Lissa Guild Eveleth, YWCA of Oahu board of directors chairwoman, in a statement. The Y and its programs under her leadership have served more than 5,000 women and girls, 2,300 members and 300 volunteers each year.
YWCA Assistant Controller Maria Boritzer will serve as interim managing director during the transition while the executive search, to begin within 30 days, is under way.
Shindo launching 2 new startups
Local technology entrepreneur Dustin Shindo said he is teaming up with a former colleague from Hoku Corp. to launch two new startups.
Shindo, who co-founded Hoku with Karl Taft 11 years ago, said they are "about a month or two" away from making an announcement about the new ventures.
Shindo stepped down as CEO of Hoku last year after a China-based firm bought a majority stake in the struggling technology company.
Shindo relinquished this week his position as CEO of Kai Medical, a company he founded in 2006. Shindo remains chairman of Kai Medical’s board of directors. Bob Nakata, Kai Medical’s chief technology officer, replaced Shindo as CEO.
Sheraton workers to take strike vote
Some 1,700 union workers at the four Kyo-ya-owned Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki will take a strike authorization vote today and announce the results on the sidewalks of Waikiki.
The vote will take place from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in front of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, one of the properties that is in contract negotiations with the hotel workers union Unite Here! Local 5. Voting also will encompass the Sheraton Waikiki, Sheraton Moana Surfrider and Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The contract between Local 5 and these properties expired June 30. The last negotiations took place in December.
On the Move
Lynne Waters has been appointed associate vice president for external affairs and university relations for the University of Hawaii System. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist, consultant, television host and producer and writer as owner of Lynne Waters Communications, anchor for KITV, host and moderator for "Dialog" and production and programming director for KGMB.
Hawaiian Hospitality Group Inc. has named Linda Kress as its chief executive officer. She will be responsible for the development and success of Loulu Palm Estate, the company’s primary business operations, as well as the promotion of Submersible Technical Services. Kress has more than 10 years’ experience in the commercial insurance industry.
American Savings Bank has presented a check for $10,000 to Anuenue Immersion School. It is part of its Bank for Education program, which was created to help Hawaii’s communities raise funds for their schools.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration has announced a $100,000 grant to the State of Hawaii in order to develop a plan to innovate its agricultural and food distribution cluster to spur new job growth and boost self-sufficiency.
The Small Business Commerce Association has recognized Moiliili Community Center with the 2010 Best of Business Award in the community center category in Honolulu.
