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Business

Last Call

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Last Call

After less than a year at the helm of Paddlers Inn Restaurant and Bar, owner Darrin Abell sold the business last week and plans to leave Molokai.

The business was signed over to new owner Louis Santiago on Friday. Santiago owns restaurants and bars in Honolulu, Hilo and on Kauai. He also owns the company Game Master, which supplies the pool tables and gaming machines to Paddlers.

Abell, who previously owned four restaurants in California, said it was difficult getting the business going as the new guy in town. He called Paddlers “the hardest restaurant I’ve ever opened,” but said that he will miss the island.

“Molokai is one of those places where everybody stands off while they get to know you,” he said. “But once they do, they’re very warm. I’m going to miss that.”

Abell said he decided to sell Paddlers about two months ago. He will be going back to California to be with his wife and three-year-old son.

He added he was confident Santiago had the resources to carry the business forward.

“He’ll be able to take Paddlers where it needs to be stability-wise,” Abell said.

Santiago lives in Hilo, where he also owns a cattle ranch. He is expected to come to Molokai this week to get oriented with the business.

“I think Louis is a Hawaiian gentleman and he is going to bring aloha and happiness to Paddlers,” said Jerry Johnson, the building’s owner. “We can look forward to some happy days,” he added.

Santigao said on Friday that the restaurant will stay open during the transition but that the bar must close while the business applies for a new liquor license. Abell’s license cannot transfer because he has had it less than a year.

Until a new liquor license is secured, customers can bring their own alcohol to the restaurant, according to Santiago.

Johnson said the current staff will have to reapply for their jobs.

Johnson bought the property and opened Paddlers Inn in 2005. He ran it with his brother, Jimmy Johnson, before selling it to Robert Spruiell, who was later murdered in Florida in 2008. Spruiell’s parents, Robert and Sharon Spruiell, took over the business and ran it while living in Arizona. Abell bought the business from them in August.

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Jockeying for Jobs

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Jockeying for Jobs

Young people looking for jobs and ways to build their resumes this summer will have help from the state government. The Summer Youth Employment Program, which Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona announced last week, will fund public service jobs for young people from low-income families across the state, including here on Molokai.

Jobs are available at federal, state or county government agencies or private non-profits and will pay at least $8 an hour.

While jobs created under the program may not be glamorous – typical office work includes filing, copying and answering telephones – Aiona said any time spent in an office offers valuable communication, writing and trade skills.

“You would really get a work experience you wouldn’t get in a normal job,” he said in an interview Saturday.

The program is open to people 14-23 who meet at least one of the following criteria: attend a Title I school (which includes Molokai High School); receive free or reduced price lunches; live in a household receiving public cash assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) benefits or with a gross annual income at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level for Hawaii.

Jobs will be created based on employee interest, though Aiona predicted most will be on Oahu, where there is a concentration of state and federal government offices. He encouraged people who are able to travel there for the summer to go.

Applications for workers and eligible agencies looking to hire under the program will be available at the Kaunakakai Civic Center from May 24 to September 30.

While the number of jobs will depend on participants and available funds, Aiona’s office expects nearly a thousand positions will be created statewide. The program is possible, Aiona said, because of “an infusion of funding” from the federal stimulus package. He does not anticipate it becoming an annual program.

“For now at least it’s a one time shot,” he said.

For more information visit the Workforce Development Division at Kaunakakai Civic Center (55 Makaena Pl.) or call 553-1755.

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Kualapu`u Center Expands

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Kualapu`u Center Expands

Upcountry Fast Stop, a new convenience store, opened its doors Friday at Kualapu`u Center, offering the community an array of goods and services.

As its name implies, the store is for patrons who need to make a quick pit-stop to grab a few grocery items, snacks or utilize their various services.



Services include Internet with printer, fax, copy machine, scanner, and an ATM. Upcountry plans on charging customers eight cents a minute for the Internet, 18 cents for copies and scanning, and $1.50 for the first page of a fax and 50 cents thereafter.

Goods offered are various microwavable and frozen foods, snacks, household items and baby supplies.

The Upcountry Fast Stop group says it’s a positive addition to the community, which didn’t have a business center or ATM until now. Prior to its opening, Kualapu`u residents had to utilize the schools for Internet and other computer needs.

Also coming soon will be a neighboring laundry mat managed by the Upcountry staff, and is currently in its permitting phase. Upcountry is anticipating another two months before the laundry mat opens, while its infrastructure is modified for water use.

Upcountry Fast Stop will be open seven days a week; Mon. thru Fri. from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sat. from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Sun. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change.

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Bankruptcy won’t stop go!Mokulele

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Bankruptcy won’t stop go!Mokulele

Inter-island flyers breathed a sigh of relief last week when they learned that none of go!Mokulele’s regular flights would be grounded after a major shareholder filed for bankruptcy.

Last Tuesday, Mesa Air Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a New York court. Mesa Chairman and Chief Executive Jonathon Ornstein said it was a move to unload over one-third of their fleet that is currently unused by the company. Chapter 11 filings allow companies to restructure and eliminate debt without liquidating assets.

“This process will allow us to eliminate excess aircraft to better match our needs and give us the flexibility to align our business to the changing regional airline marketplace, ensuring a leaner and more competitive company poised for future success,” Ornstein said.

Mesa primarily serves as a regional provider for major airlines including Delta and US Airways. They provide the smaller aircraft and flight crews for short connection flights. Those flights have been dramatically reduced over the past year and 52 of the 130 aircrafts Mesa currently leases are not needed.

Go!Mokulele is a joint venture company owned by Mesa and Republic Airways with Mesa serving as the majority shareholder. However, Mesa made it clear in its bankruptcy filing that the Hawaiian company will be unaffected.

“We are a completely separate company,” said go!Mokulele vice president Paul Skellon. “Mesa provides aircraft and crews for our flights and they will continue to do so for all of the flights.”

Skellon said the move might actually improve financial conditions for the Hawaiian company. Go!Mokulele currently uses five jets and four Cessna caravans leased by Mesa. The Chapter 11 laws allow Mesa to renegotiate the price of those leases. The current market value for commercial jets is nearly 50 percent less than what they are currently paying.

“Because all of the major airlines have reduced their flights, the lease rates have come down incredibly,” Skellon said. “During the restructuring, we will renegotiate the lease rates and we suspect those rates will drop drastically.”

Go!Mokulele and Mesa believe that the debt-restructuring scheme will pull the company through this tough period in air travel business. Skellon said experts anticipate that he hardest times are in the past.

“There have been some very early signs of a return to confidence in the travel market. If the rough winter weather continues elsewhere in North America, hopefully Hawaii will become an even more attractive destination than it already is,” Skellon said.

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New Law Makes Hope for Bright Future

Monday, January 4th, 2010

New Law Makes Hope for Bright Future

Blue Planet Foundation News Release

Hawai‘i took a major step towards clean energy leadership this week as the landmark “Solar Roofs” law took effect. The new law requires that almost all new homes be built with solar water heaters. Hawai‘i is the first state in the nation to make solar water heaters compulsory.

“Hawaii’s new law brings the benefit of free sunshine to new homeowners across our islands,” said Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of the Blue Planet Foundation, a local non-profit focused at making Hawai‘i energy independent. “We are the Saudi Arabia of sun. Every house in the state should be tapping into this free resource.”

Solar water heaters are among the most effective means of reducing the high electricity bills that residents now pay. The Solar Roofs law will reduce the total cost of home ownership in Hawai‘i by cutting the electric utility bill of an average new home by 30 to 40 percent – saving about $750 each year for an average household. The Solar Roofs law is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide by upwards of 8,000 tons annually from avoided electricity use.

The law was the result of a bill introduced by Senator Gary Hooser (D – Kaua‘i) with strong support from House Energy Committee Chair Rep. Hermina Morita (D – Hanalei, N. Kaua‘i). The law states that “no building permit shall be issued for a new single-family dwelling that does not include a solar water heater system that meets the standards established pursuant to section 269-44.”

The law is flexible in that it allows some exemptions for those homeowners who can demonstrate that their home receives “poor solar resource” or that a solar water heater is “cost-prohibitive” based on a 15-year life cycle cost-benefit analysis.

Supporters of the law are worried that there are still some loopholes that need to be made smaller for the law to have its desired effect. Legislators will be asked to revisit the law if a high percentage of developers seek variances for new home construction. Bills have already been prepared to tighten the variance requirements to ensure that the intent of the law remains.

Solar water heating is a foundation block in building Hawaii’s clean energy future.  A solar water system is the most basic renewable energy device to harness the clean energy from the sun. Solar water heaters provide the greatest energy savings per dollar for reducing substantial residential energy demand.

 

The Solar Roofs law ensures that the vast majority of new homes will have solar water heaters and smooth the transition to zero-energy homes of the future. Further, with solar water heaters a standard feature on new homes, residents will be more accustomed to the benefits of solar, turning more of them into potential customers for photovoltaic and other renewable energy devices.

“Hawai‘i can be proud to lead the nation with this policy,” added Mikulina. “At a time when the globe hungers for smart energy solutions, Hawai‘i is demonstrating how it can be done.”

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Capital Improvements Not Slowed By Economy

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Capital Improvements Not Slowed By Economy

State of Hawaii News Release Governor Linda Lingle announced last month that the State has advanced nearly $1.5 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide since her Administration launched a plan last December to accelerate public infrastructure construction as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

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“Find the Humor”

Friday, December 11th, 2009

“Find the Humor”

Donald Sunshine had one terrible day of traveling. While coming back to Molokai from his other home in Virginia, he and his wife missed their flight from Honolulu to Molokai due to a previous four-hour delay; his luggage was torn to pieces; and his finger slashed open traveling to his hotel. But Sunshine, channeling his last name, was able to laugh it off.

Sunshine shared this story and many more like it in his newest book, “Life’s Moments.” He was at Molokai Public Library last week to discuss the collection of short stories that focus mostly on his grandfather.

“In these troubled times I was inspired by remembering my grandfather and his gift of trying to find the humor in things,” he said.

The book is also filled with life lessons Sunshine picked up on the road. A common theme for Sunshine is traveling, as it lends itself to many horror-turned-humor accounts.

One story which he read to the audience is called “The Reluctant Traveler,” where he recounts his attempts at packing for himself for the first time, and forgets his shorts. They were vacationing in Tahiti.

Joanne Sunshine, who Donald calls his ‘guiding force,’ smiled at these shared memories as they were read and interjected some more humor into the live reading.

The Sunshines’ have lived in Molokai and their farm in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia for 10 years. He is a Professor Emeritus of architecture at Virginia Tech, and has written several architecture books, five Molokai-focused books (including a themed “Molokai Moments”), and 13 volumes of sketchbooks.

“Life’s Moments” is available at the Big Wind Kite Factory, Molokai Fish and Dive, Molokai Drugs, Coffees of Hawaii, Import Gift Shop and The Local Store (Hotel Molokai).

Sunshine left his audience with some advice.

“I thought it’s a special time when we need faith, hope, and humor,” he said. “I’d like to suggest ‘lighten up.’”

 

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