Kaanapali picked as best in the U.S.
Maui’s Kaanapali Beach is the best beach in the U.S.A, according to the TripAdvisor.com 2013 Travelers’ Choice Beaches Awards.
Other Hawaii beaches in the top 10 were Lanikai Beach at No. 5, Maui’s Wailea Beach at No. 6 and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu at No. 10.
About 276 beaches around the world were chosen based on feedback from millions of TripAdvisor travelers. The full list is online at www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches.
Foundation forwards $1M to hospital
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation gave $1 million to the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Thursday, the first installment of a $3 million pledge from the foundation to support the hospital’s renovation.
The grant was presented at a luncheon at the Sheraton Waikiki.
"The generous and caring spirit of the Weinberg Foundation can be found throughout our community," said Michael W. Perry, the foundation’s chairman.
The third and fourth patient floors of the hospital have been renovated, and work on the second floor is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
State gets grant for health care planning
The state has won a $937,691 grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a plan to improve how health care is delivered and paid for and to reduce escalating costs.
Starting April 1, the state will have six months to design and submit a State Healthcare Innovation Plan to be eligible for up to $60 million to implement initiatives that include payment for patient-centered medical homes and telehealth services.
The grant also helps pay for the salary of Beth Giesting, the state’s healthcare transformation coordinator.
Besides Hawaii, 15 other states also received planning grants.
Invest Hawaii seeks more exhibitors
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to exhibit their ideas during "Invest Hawaii — Entrepreneurs’ Day at the State Capitol," from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at the state Capitol. Exhibitors’ registration deadline has been extended to Monday.
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will showcase the businesses to lawmakers, to emphasize the importance of entrepreneurs to Hawaii’s economy.
The exhibit is being undertaken in partnership with the Hawaii Fashion Incubator; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Economic Development Boards of Hawaii Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai; and numerous other entities and organizations.
Further information is available via email from mhiraoka@dbedt.hawaii.gov, while downloadable registration forms and fliers are online at is.gd/DBEDTinvestHawaii.
Hawaii’s Natural High to go to Kapahulu
Longtime Waikiki retailer Greg Azus will relocate Hawaii’s Natural High after this weekend and reopen Wednesday in a new spot at 465 Kapahulu Ave. in a former computer repair shop.
Rising rent in his present location at 339 Saratoga Road prompted his December decision to move from his 900-square-foot store to cheaper digs.
The store move begins Monday and the new location opens Wednesday.
Azus told the Star-Advertiser in December that Eggs ‘n Things restaurant, his Saratoga Road neighbor, will be expanding into his former space.
30-year mortgage rises to 3.56 percent
The average U.S. rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose this week but remained near historic lows. Low mortgage rates have helped support the slowly recovering housing market.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan increased to 3.56 percent from 3.53 percent last week. That’s still near the 3.31 percent reached in November, which was the lowest on record dating to 1971.
The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage stayed at 2.77 percent for a third straight week. The record low is 2.63 percent.
The cheap mortgages that are encouraging more people to buy or refinance could also help sustain the economy’s recovery this year. Increased sales are helping lift home prices, which tend to make consumers feel wealthier and more likely to spend.
ON THE MOVE
Trump Hotel Collection has promoted Marcus Y. Ito to global sales director for Asia Pacific. His experience includes work as director of international marketing for Wyndham Vacation Resorts in Honolulu as well as director of Asia Pacific sales and services for the Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua, Maui.
The Hawaii Government Employees Association has promoted Joan Takano to field services officer. Before joining HGEA, Takano was a planner with the city.
Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Michael Chock its director of alliances and airline partnerships. He has 22 years of domestic and international management experience, including working for Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
