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* Longtime Hawaii sportscaster Kanoa Leahey recently joined Pacific Media Group. He is the newest voice at ESPN Maui AM 900 and is hosting a two-hour midday sports talk show, "Let's Talk Sports with Kanoa Leahey," 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.The show features live interviews, listener call-ins and the latest sports happenings on island and throughout the state.He also is part of the company's live sports broadcasts. He recently was sports director at KHON2 in Honolulu.* Nancy La Joy has been named executive director of the Pacific Cancer Foundation.La Joy of Paia specializes in ...

Business/In Brief • Sept. 27, 2014

Economist sees positives for Big IslandKAILUA-KONA - An economist addressing a Hawaii County economic forum sees positive signs for the Big Island.Tourism is flourishing in Kohala on the island's northwest side, said Jack Suyderhoud at the 40th annual First Hawaiian Bank event."In talking with the people who are on the ground here, the hotel bookings are really good," Suyderhoud told West Hawaii Today before his formal presentation at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. "It's a great destination. People with money are finding the properties here attractive."Some are buying ...

‘Triple bottom line’ lens used to determine sustainability

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the "triple bottom line" view of sustainability, often referred to as economy, environment and social well-being or people, profit and planet. We came to embody this guiding principal in large part due to the organization's participation on the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force, where the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan was created.Part of the task force's work was to produce a common language and understanding for the word "sustainability" as it meant different things to different people. To do this, the task force engaged thousands of ...

The Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono wins 2014 TripAdvisor award

The Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono has won a 2014 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.According to a news release, the award signifies that the Inn "has consistently earned outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travelers. This prestigious award is based on the quality of reviews and opinions you've earned on TripAdvisor over the past year."The inn also received the same honor in 2011 and 2013.The inn is located at 2199 Kahookele St. in Wailuku; its website is www.mauiinn.com.*****NEW STORE. Vicki C's Paradise to Go, a nostalgic and contemporary art store, opened in the Lahaina Cannery ...

Business/In Brief • Sept. 25, 2014

Kauai offered view of large solar farmLIHUE - Kauai's electric utility is inviting the public to visit the state's largest solar power project.The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative plans to hold an open house at its new solar farm in Koloa on Saturday.Engineers will explain how the facility's more than 45,000 panels provide electricity to the grid.The solar farm enables the utility to reduce its annual fuel oil consumption by 1.7 million gallons.The solar array became operational in July and went into full commercial operation this month. The $40 million project was built by SolarCity on ...

Names & Faces

* Wailea Realty Corp. recently hired Liza Pierce as its new interactive media strategist.She has a background in online marketing, social media management, blogging and digital marketing strategy.She will oversee the development and coordination of Wailea Realty's digital efforts, while maintaining the company's digital presence. She also will train agents in the efficient and proactive use of social media.A Maui resident since 1994, Pierce has nearly 20 years of experience in the real estate industry.She is also an award-winning blogger.* Carlene Rafael has joined Hale Makua Health ...