Business briefs

Hawaii makes list of worst states for business

The Aloha State has made another list of worst states for business, this one by the American Economic Development Institute and Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc. Hawaii ranked No. 41, followed by Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Wisconsin, Illinois, Rhode Island and, at No. 50, California.

The best states in which to do business, the organizations said in a news release Tuesday, are, No. 1 Utah, followed by Virginia, Wyoming, North Dakota, Indiana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas.

The annual analysis examined 32 factors over which states have control, relative to becoming pro-business. A hostile business environment creates the perfect storm for budget deficits, service cuts, unemployment and poverty, the organizations said.

Crown Thurston condos install PV panels

Residents of the Crown Thurston condominium in Makiki will see their electricity bills decrease following the installation of solar photovoltaic panels atop the 11-story building.

High-rise condos and apartments are a small but growing segment of Hono­lulu’s PV market, according to Bonterra Solar, which did the installation at the Crown Thurston.

It was only the second high-rise installation done by Bonterra, but the company has more planned, said Bonterra founder Andrew Yani.

"The rooftops of many residential and commercial high-rises are perfect places to install large PV systems," Yani said. "The roofs are large, flat and strong."

Less than 10 percent of Hono­lulu’s high-rise condos and apartment buildings have PV panels, according to Bonterra.

There was no upfront cost for Crown Thurston condo owners for the 40-kilowatt system, which will provide a portion of their energy needs. They will buy the electricity generated by the PV panels at a price below what Hawaiian Electric Co. charges.

Walmart gives $1.2 million to isle charities

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation said Tuesday they donated $1.2 million in cash and in-kind contributions to Hawaii charities in the last fiscal year.

Globally, Walmart said it gave more than $1 billion, the most the company has given in a year. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families affected by disasters.

Walmart said the $1.2 million given in Hawaii included $334,551 donated by store customers and employees.

Enterprise Honolulu gets $100,000 grant

Hawaiian Electric Industries, the state’s main electric utility, gave Enterprise Hono­lulu a $100,000 grant, said Pono Shim, president and CEO of Enterprise Hono­lulu, in a news release Tuesday.

The money will help pay for Enterprise Hono­lulu’s two-year project to develop a strategic plan of economic growth for Hawaii.

The nonprofit Enterprise Hono­lulu works to create economic prosperity and sustainable diversification.

$36,000 donation aids Kapiolani Medical

Hawaii’s Ace Hardware stores donated $36,722 to the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network in support of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, the company said in a news release Tuesday.

Representatives from the 29 Ace Hardware stores statewide gathered in a ceremony last month to pre­sent the gift to Kapiolani. The money was raised at various events and activities throughout 2012, including a dealer-led golf tournament in July and a Race for Miracles campaign with Stanley Tools.

On the Move

Bennet Group Strategic Communications has announced:

>> Taryn Naka­mura was promoted to assistant account executive from account coordinator. She was previously a freelance journalist for an e-book publishing company and served as an acquisitions editorial intern at Yale University Press.

>> Emma Wo was hired as an account coordinator. She was previously an intern at a local news station.

HHL Holdings has hired Dave Kostecki as president of Xpedite LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of HHL Holdings. Prior to joining Xpedite, Kostecki was a vice president of finance and chief accounting officer for Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.