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Elections will be here soon

It is hard to believe it, but the election season is just around the corner.Each year, the Maui Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to get out and vote by sharing important information and conducting voter registration campaigns. With an earlier-than-usual primary election, on Aug. 9, we wanted to get information out earlier as key dates are fast approaching.Here are the dates to know:* Filing deadline to run for office is June 3, by 4:30 p.m.* Voter registration deadline for the primary election is July 10. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date.* Early walk-in voting ...

Business/In Brief • May 15, 2014

HONOLULU - The assets of the state's largest public pension fund have reached an all-time high.The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the state Employees' Retirement System had $13.7 billion at the end of the fiscal third quarter. That translated to a 1.5 percent investment gain for the quarter that ended at the end of March, and it boosted returns to 12.5 percent for first three quarters.The fund provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to more than 115,000 eligible state and county employees.Fund managers say the fund needs an annual 7.75 percent fiscal-year return to ...

Business/In Brief • May 14, 2014

HILO - A geothermal plant on the Big Island has been cited by the Environmental Protection Agency for 14 violations, accused of failing to properly maintain and monitor its operations.The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday that 10 of the violations had already been corrected as of 2010.A spokesman for the geothermal plant, Puna Geothermal Venture, said the company disagrees with the EPA's findings but can't yet comment more specifically."We are working on a response to the report," said Mike Kaleikini, the plant's senior director of Hawaiian affairs. "Our ongoing commitment is to be ...

Andaz earns LEED Silver

Andaz Maui at Wailea has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, the resort announced last week."With very few LEED certified hotels in Hawaii, we have a tremendous sense of accomplishment that our efforts surrounding energy efficiency have paid off," General Manager Michael Stephens said in a statement.The certification recognizes design, construction, maintenance and operations of "green" or environmentally-friendly buildings.Andaz Maui at Wailea focuses on reducing energy and water consumption; minimizing waste and harmful emissions; and ...

Business/In Brief • May 13, 2014

Google set to help maximize businessesResidents can learn how to grow their businesses from Google experts during a live broadcast event May 21.Maui Business Resource Center and Hands Off Media are hosting the free event, held from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall. Speakers from Google will be broadcast live to discuss topics, including "Helping small businesses succeed on the Web," "Maximize your business online," and "Work and win with an agency."Hands Off Media owners Tom Gaddis and Joseph Cicchino also will be available to answer questions ...

Business/In Brief • May 8, 2014

Kau Coffee Festival for small growersKAILUA-KONA - The ongoing Kau Coffee Festival is celebrating the success of small growers who have begun producing world-class coffees.The sixth annual festival includes farm and mill tours, stargazing, rain forest hikes and a recipe contest, West Hawaii Today reported. A hoolaulea Saturday at the Pahala Community Center will feature coffees prepared by master baristas and a chance to meet Miss Kau Coffee and her court. Coffee experts will convene Sunday to lead education discussions.The 10 days of festivities are meant to showcase the region as a ...