Akaka aide hired by solar energy firm

Jon Yoshimura, communications director for U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka, is stepping down at the end of the month to take a job with a San Mateo, Calif.-based solar energy firm.

Yoshimura, a former television news reporter who also served on the Honolulu City Council before joining Akaka’s staff, is joining SolarCity as director of government affairs in Hawaii, Akaka’s office said Wednesday in a news release.

"Mahalo nui loa to Jon for leading my communications office for over six years," Akaka said. "He successfully increased our outreach to the people of Hawaii through news media, my website, e-newsletters and social media sites."

Deputy Communications Director Jesse Broder Van Dyke will take over as director Nov. 1.

Broder Van Dyke has served as a spokesman for Akaka since December 2006. He previously was a news producer and assignment editor at KHON-TV from 2002 to 2006.

Discarded fridges can get rebates

Residents on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island can have their old working refrigerators hauled away for free and receive a cash rebate under a new "Bounty Program" launched Wednesday by Hawaii Energy.

Hawaii Energy, which administers the state’s energy conservation program, is offering rebates of $25 on Oahu and $65 on the other islands for working refrigerators and freezers that meet program criteria.

"Many homes have older refrigerators in their garage using up a lot of electricity. It takes a lot of effort to properly dispose of these appliances, which are costing hundreds of dollars to operate every year," said Ray Starling, Hawaii Energy program manager.

The program will run through June 22, 2012, or as long as funding lasts. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis to electric utility account holders, with a limit of one refrigerator and one freezer per household.

The appliances must be full size (at least 14 cubic feet) and currently in use to qualify. Some restrictions may apply. For more information call 537-5577 on Oahu, and 877-231-8222 on Maui and Hawaii island.

Hawaii Energy has two other refrigerator offers. Residents can receive a $50 rebate when they purchase a new Energy Star refrigerator with a minimum size of 16 cubic feet and price of $600 or less. Or, if they purchase a new Energy Star refrigerator and recycle the old working refrigerator, residents can get a $125 rebate.

Isle firm can get aid for training jobless

The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, through a $601,873 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, is seeking to reimburse employers who hire and train new employees laid off from their previous jobs.

Employers could be reimbursed between 50 and 90 percent of the wages paid to the new workers under the program, which incentivizes employers to provide hands-on experience and hire workers likely to remain with the company. The grant, which provides training for up to 70 individuals for up to six months, is for the period June 30, 2010, through June 2012. For more information, contact the One-Stop Center in each county.

Molokai tax office to close for 3 weeks

The Molokai office of the state of Hawaii Department of Taxation closed for three weeks effective Monday because of a staffing issue. Due to the Oct. 20 tax return deadline, temporary staff members will be available today and Friday at the office at 35 Ala Malama St., Room 101.

Asia-Pacific business event discounts fee

The Asia-Pacific Business Symposium, scheduled for Nov. 9-10 during APEC Leaders’ Week, and open to the public, has discounted its participation fee. Due to funding support from the APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee together with other community leaders, registration is now $375. To register for the two days of seminars, lunches and an evening cocktail reception, go to www.APBSymposium.com.

The Asia-Pacific Business Symposium will feature sessions on current trends and challenges impacting Asia-Pacific economies; energy security; green growth strategies; investment interests of China; disaster preparedness; food security and safety; and investing in health. Speakers include economic and trade ministers, CEOs and specialists drawn from sponsoring organizations. For a schedule of events and to register, go to www.APBSymposium.com.

ON THE MOVE

Punahou School has announced that Deborah Berger has been elected to its board of trustees. In 2007, she co-founded the Learning Coalition, a nonprofit that strengthens public education in Hawaii, and is co-founder and board chair of Unbound Philanthropy.

Castle Resorts & Hotels has announced the following new appointments: 

» Barrett De Santos as senior director of sales for domestic and international. He has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

» Chloe Rapozo as new marketing and web coordinator. She was a marketing and communications director for an Oregon medical institution.

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union has announced the following: 

» Teri‘i Holzgrove has been promoted to vice president of information technology operations. He has more than 27 years of information technology experience.

» Nikole McKellar has been hired as Kaloko branch manager. She has more than 10 years of customer service and managerial experience in financial institutions.

Colehour Bondera has been appointed the vice president for the Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network for North America. Bondera is a Honaunau coffee farmer and president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association.