Energy efficiency conference is set

The Pacific Coast Electrical Association has scheduled a conference on energy efficiency Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Resort.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and Polynesian Voyaging Society President Nainoa Thompson are among the 30 speakers scheduled to speak on subjects including smart grids, electric vehicles, energy policy, work force training, power quality issues, energy management systems, energy project financing and renewable energy integration.

The conference also will feature more than 40 exhibitors from Hawaii and the mainland.

The early bird registration fee of $395 ends Wednesday. The general registration fee is $475. For more information send an email to hecorsvp@heco.com.

APEC seeks contractor, volunteers

The APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee is seeking a qualified contractor to design, fabricate and install visual displays that will be used during the course of APEC Hawaii 2011 Leaders’ Week on Nov. 7-13 in Honolulu.

Interested companies can obtain a copy of the request for qualifications by emailing the APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee at rfq@apec2011hawaii.com. Please indicate the company name, contact name, contact phone, facsimile, address and email address. The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. July 15, with notification to bidders on July 27.

Also, individuals interested in volunteering for Leaders’ Week need to register online (www.apec2011hawaii.com/volunteer-opportunities) before Sunday. The committee is searching for more than 1,200 volunteers to take on roles that include directional guides, transportation escorts and informational assistants.

Prospective volunteers will be required to work a minimum of five days and attend a full-day training session on hospitality, customer service and Hawaiian culture. Additional training will be provided to others in the transportation, security and retail industries.

Kanu Hawaii energy challenge begins

Kanu Hawaii’s first energy challenge began Monday. The monthlong campaign calls on individuals and businesses across the islands to cut their electric and gasoline bills by 25 percent during the month and commit to lasting changes that permanently reduce energy consumption and spending. To stimulate participation, RevoluSun has donated a 120-gallon solar water heater, and Energy Industries has donated a lighting retrofit for the entire home as top prizes for the challenge winners. Other prizes include $400 in gift certificates for City Mill and other suppliers of energy-saving devices. Both renters and owners are eligible for prizes but must have access to their electric bill.

The households with the largest reduction in household electricity use during July will each receive a prize. The energy challenge rules are posted on Kanu’s website, kanuhawaii.org/energy, along with energy-saving tips.

Challenge contestants must register online to be eligible to win the prizes.

Founded in 2007, Kanu Hawaii is a nonprofit organization with a mission to encourage and support environmental and social change.

ON THE MOVE

The University of Hawaii Foundation and University of Hawaii Alumni Association announced that Alvin Katahara has been promoted to associate vice president of alumni relations and UHAA executive director. He joined the foundation in 2009 as a director of annual giving for ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue and served later as executive director of the University of Hawaii Na Koa Football Club.

The University of Hawaii Foundation has announced Dale Hagadone as its director of annual giving. She has 25 years of experience at Hawaiian Airlines as a manager at the call center/reservations department.

Farmers Insurance Hawaii has announced the following hires and promotions:

» Randall Chung as director of group sales. He was previously a district sales manager for Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services.

» Yvette Matsumoto as accounting manager. She was previously an assistant controller for the Halekulani Hotel.

» Melanie Joseph to advertising and public relations manager from marketing project manager. She has been with the company since 2007.

» Enrico Monteleone to systems programming supervisor from systems administrator. He has been with Farmers insurance Hawaii for three years.

IL Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar has named David Nagaishi general manager. He was previously an operations manager at Ocean House as well as general manager at Don Ho’s Island Grill and general manager at Neiman Marcus Restaurants. He was also manager at Bali by the Sea and vice president/general manager at Nick’s Fishmarket.