Kalanimoku Building completes solar unit

The state has completed the installation of a 236-kilowatt photovoltaic electrical generation system on the roof of the Kalanimoku State Building in downtown Honolulu that will cut the building’s energy use by 12 percent.

The system is expected to generate a minimum of 296,849 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, cutting the building’s power bill by $300 a day, the state’s energy office said.

The PV system is one of 10 energy-saving projects undertaken at state buildings in downtown Honolulu that are expected to cut the state’s electric bill by 30 percent.

"The Kalanimoku Building is a great example of how best to use clean energy to reduce our use of imported oil, keep the money we would have spent on oil in our economy, and save taxpayer dollars," said Richard Lim director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. "The Capital District includes other examples of being green and I am confident that we’re moving closer towards our goal of 70 percent clean energy for Hawaii."

Mortgage aid available to at-risk homeowners

Interest-free federal loans are available to qualified Hawaii homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

The loans up to $50,000 are from a $1 billion program launched in June by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with nonprofit NeighborWorks America.

There is a July 22 deadline to qualify for the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program.

To qualify, homeowners must have suffered involuntary unemployment or underemployment due to economic conditions or a medical condition.

EHLP funds will pay a portion of an approved applicant’s monthly mortgage, including missed mortgage payments or past-due charges, for up to two years or $50,000. The program is expected to aid up to 30,000 distressed borrowers in 27 states and Puerto Rico.

More information is available at FindEHLP.org or toll free at 855-346-3345. Assistance is free. Offers of assistance for a fee should be avoided as a scam, according to NeighborWorks America.

PUC to take up Young Brothers rate hike

Young Brothers Ltd.’s application to raise interisland shipping rates will be the subject of a series of Public Utilities Commission hearings to be held this month and next around the state.

Young Brothers is seeking the PUC’s approval for a rate hike ranging from 14 percent to 38.7 percent depending on the type of cargo being shipped. The increase would generate an additional $14.4 million in revenue for Young Brothers. The company has said it needs the increase to provide the company a reasonable profit amid cargo volume declines and new competition from Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines.

The hearing schedule is as follows:

» July 25, 6 p.m., Maui Waena Intermediate School cafeteria, 795 Onehee Ave., Kahului;

» July 26, 6 p.m., Lanai High & Elementary School cafeteria, 555 Fraser Ave., Lanai City;

» July 27, 6 p.m., Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, 465 S. King St., Honolulu;

» July 28, 6 p.m., Mitchel Pauole Center Conference Room, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai;

» Aug. 1, 4 p.m., Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue;

» Aug. 2, 9 a.m., Hawaii State Building, 75 Aupuni St., Hilo;

» Aug. 2, 4 p.m., West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Keohokaloe Highway, Kailua-Kona.

For information call the PUC at 586-2020.

Ideas sought for venture capital allocation

The Hawaii Strategic Development Corp. is requesting input from community members that will help HSDC deploy the $13 million of investment capital allocated by the U.S. Department of Treasury for a venture capital "fund of funds" investment program.

HSDC said it would like to identify opportunities to invest in qualified venture capital funds or investment entities that will develop and mentor Hawaii-based technology companies and help them enter venture capital markets.

HSDC will conduct a general meeting on July 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at 250 S. Hotel St., first floor, to provide background information, answer questions and entertain comments. Information is available at www.hsdc.hawaii.gov. Written comments are due by Aug. 22. For information call 587-3830 or email karl.fooks@dbedt.hawaii.gov.

ON THE MOVE

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has appointed Maile Meyer as chairwoman of the Hawaiian Way Fund, which is administered by CNHA’s Philanthropic Fund. Meyer is president and chief executive officer of Na Mea Hawaii and Native Books.

Certified Hawaii, an Associa company, has announced the following promotions: 

>> Al Denys to senior vice president for government affairs. He has extensive background as an Army-trained political/military/economic adviser.

>> Kanani Kealoha-Faleafine to vice president of quality assurance. She has been with the company for five years.

Hawaii Government Employees Association members elected the following for the 2011-2013 term:

Jackie Ferguson-Miyamoto has been elected to her second two-year term as HGEA president. She is a Unit 3 member and office assistant with the state Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division. The HGEA directors are: Suanne A. Miyata, Jon A. Gasper, Iwalani P. Kaheiki, Adele N. Koyama, Sandra Moses, Pua Sanborn, Patrick K. Yuen, Constance A. Malo, Francine W. Honda, Patrick D. Frane, Suzanne R. Kaulukukui, Jeannette M. Abara, Wayne K. Akana, Douglas Pyle, Craig K.
Yugawa, Priscilla A. Badua, Sharon M. Char, Helen H. Hamada and Ruth Walker.