BUSINESS BRIEFS
Tourism authority elects chairman
Advertiser Staff
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Local hospitality industry veteran Kelvin Bloom was elected chairman of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority yesterday during the HTA's board meeting on Lana'i.
Bloom, who has been on the HTA board since 2006, succeeds Douglas Chang, who served two consecutive terms as board chairman.
"As the current vice-chair, Kelvin has brought his enthusiasm and a new perspective to the authority," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of HTA.
Bloom has more than 30 years of experience in Hawai'i's visitor industry and is currently the president of ResortQuest Hawai'i LLC.
Bloom was the founding president of Castle Resorts & Hotels and the chief operating officer of The Castle Group. Prior to joining Castle Resorts & Hotels, he served as vice president of the Hawai'i region for Village Resorts.
An active member in the community, Bloom also serves on many boards including the Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association, Waikiki Improvement Association, Pacific Rim Bank and Manoa Valley Theatre.
TOURISM LIAISON TO SPEAK IN KONA
The state's tourism liaison will travel to Kona Wednesday to give a presentation on how the closures of Aloha Airlines and ATA and the reduction of cruise ship port calls are affecting tourism to the Big Island.
Marsha Wienert's address to the Governor's West Hawai'i Community Advisory Council also will discuss the state's efforts to assist affected employees, ensure continuity of service and bolster tourism to the island and the state.
The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority Gateway Center, 73-4460 Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, Room 101.
A question-and-answer period will follow Wienert's presentation. For more information, call 327-4953.
MAUI AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
The Maui County Office of Economic Development is accepting nominations for the 2008 Mayor's Small Business Awards program.
This year's event, sponsored by Central Pacific Bank and other supporters of small business, includes four main award categories: Small Business of the Year (10 or fewer employees), Small Business of the Year (11-50 employees), Young Small Business Person of the Year (under age 40) and the Lifetime Achievement Award (for any individual doing business in Maui County for more than 20 years).
New this year is the "Non-Profit Angel Award" for businesses with 50 or fewer employees that have contributed significantly to the support of nonprofits.
Finalists and winners will be announced at an awards dinner Oct. 10 at the Wailea Marriott Hotel. Nomination forms are available at the Maui County Business Resource Center at Maui Mall and at all Maui County Central Pacific Bank locations. The form also is available at www.mauicounty.gov/mcbrc.
Completed nomination forms, along with two supporting letters of recommendation, must be received at the MCBRC no later than 4 p.m. Sept. 12. The form and letters may be dropped off or mailed to: MCBRC, 70 Kaahumanu Ave., Unit B-9, Kahului, HI 96732.
For more information, call 808-873-8247.
