Royal Star Hawaii, which entered the isles in 1996, is investing $3.6 million to modernize its fleet.
The company, a subsidiary of Stars of Paradise Tours & Attractions, will bring its Hawaii fleet to 45 with the addition of seven upgraded gold and silver motor coaches.
The company said five new gold motor coaches will offer onboard restrooms, three-point seat belts, upgraded audio-video systems and eco-friendly 2017 engines, and will be equipped with USB and electrical outlets. Two silver motor coaches will be refurbished with new interiors, paint, seat beats, audio-video systems and eco-friendly air-conditioning systems.
“We’re pleased to announce the continued modernization of our fleet of gold and silver motor coaches,” said Marc Rubenstein, vice president and general manager of Royal Star Hawaii Motorcoach Tours & Destination Services. “As we celebrate 20 years in business, we remain committed to delivering the best ‘Aloha on Wheels’ service, and constantly upgrading our fleet is a key component of catering to our guests.”
HECO extending EV charging program
Hawaiian Electric Cos. will extend their DC Fast Charger program for five years after the state Public Utilities Commission approved the request Thursday.
The program, which is designed to encourage use of plug-in electric vehicles, is two-pronged. The first allows Hawaiian Electric to operate as many as 25 fast-charge stations available to the public on Oahu and in Maui and Hawaii counties. The second offers an incentive for businesses to install a fast-charge facility on-site by allowing the business to pay for the facility separately from its other electricity uses.
HECO has a dozen fast-charge stations in operation in the three counties. A fast charger can charge an EV battery from empty to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
ON THE MOVE
>> Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hawai‘i Realty has hired the following new Realtor Associates: Adrianna M. Marks, previously a concierge at CBRE, and Wayne C. Wang, previously with Coldwell Banker.
Hawaii Pacific University’s Board of Trustees has announced the following:
>> Richard Hunter has been elected its chairman. He has served as an HPU board member since 2012 and played an active role in supporting students, staff, faculty and the HPU community. Hunter has numerous years of retail executive and consulting experience, including as president of DFS Hawaii and executive vice president of DFS Group Ltd.
>> Linda Lingle is a trustee. She was elected governor of Hawaii in 2002, serving two terms. Before that she was mayor of Maui County and served on the Maui County Council.
