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    ‘Moms in Hawaii’ launches

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Moms in Hawaii at the Great Aloha RunWith a public kickoff fittingly timed to Mother’s Day, Moms In Hawaii is throwing open its doors, inviting mothers of all ages and stages across the Islands to join its new, exciting and one-of-a-kind community of mothers, online and “in real life.”

    “Moms In Hawaii is unlike any other gathering place for mothers in the Islands in the way it provides them with exciting and informative experiences in both the digital and ‘real’ worlds,” said Esme Infante Nii, Editor/Host and Chief Executive Mom. “The wonderful thing about this community is that members actually direct the topics that are discussed, the content that emerges, and everything else that takes place in the community through their interests, priorities, feedback and engagement online and offline.”

    The Moms In Hawaii community is extremely active on FaceBook and Twitter, as well as on the momsinhawaii.com social media site itself. Since its soft launch, over 300 mothers signed up for the Moms in Hawaii enewsletter, over 1,000 joined the Moms in Hawaii FaceBook and Twitter sites, and almost 18,000 people have visited the momsinhawaii.com site during this time. “We wanted to initiate the community and then ask the founding moms to guide us in how the technology for the social media site and the offline activities should evolve,” said Nii. “We are committed to making this an ever-evolving community guided by its participants.”

    Moms In Hawaii is supported by a respected list of initial sponsors — The Queen’s Medical Center, Meadow Gold Dairies and McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii. In a groundbreaking business model, Moms In Hawaii and the initial sponsors have honored the moms’ preferences by eschewing an advertisement-heavy social media site in favor of engagement with the moms community via such channels as sponsored informative content, custom promotions, and special events for moms, kids and families.

    Queen’s Medical Center has sponsored the content related to pregnancy and birth for moms, moms-to-be, potential moms and interested family and friends. Meadow Gold Dairies has sponsored the food and nutrition content on the site, including some of Lani Moo’s favorite recipes and those of the moms. McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has sponsored the keiki and family activities content on the site where families, including families visiting Hawaii, can find new and interesting things to do.

    Online

    The MomsInHawaii.com social media site is the online home base for a warm, supportive community of women who go there to share information, product and service recommendations, opinions, friendship and support.

    The social media site offers a dynamic mom-to-mom discussion forum, expert articles, calendar of family-friendly events, photo albums, polls and groups. And with a commitment to continuing technological development, MomsInHawaii.com has many more features coming soon, such as a pregnancy calendar and a due-date calculator sponsored by The Queen’s Medical Center, a mobile edition, and live discussions with people of interest to moms. There are also plans for sponsored content in other areas that moms want to know and talk about such as: finance, business, health and fitness, green living, military life, technology and gadgets, and travel.

    Offline

    Moms In Hawaii and its members organize frequent playdates, moms’ nights out, charity drives, community fun-run teams, picnics and more. The outings build bonds between Moms In Hawaii members while enriching their and their children’s educational experiences.

    “Our vision is to bring moms together in a comfortable way and places where they can engage as parents, women, citizens, community activists and volunteers, employees, employers, consumers, and in every other role that helps them get the information and support they need to enrich their lives,” Nii said.

    “Over the nearly five years I’ve spent creating and administering social-media communities for mothers, I’ve seen that there is tremendous power when you bring these women together. They and their families become happier and healthier, and the women become a force in our communities. Moms In Hawaii is uniquely equipped and driven to provide a gathering place for moms and their ideas, and we are excited about the social good it will do,” added Nii.

    Editor/Host and Chief Executive Mom Esme Infante Nii brings rich experience to Moms In Hawaii as a journalist of 21 years at The Honolulu Advertiser and USA Today, a leader in Hawaii’s social media industry, and a kamaaina mother of two. Nii is supported by the Mom Squad, 13 moms who serve as discussion leaders for the site, as well as the online and offline welcoming committee for all who join the community.

    The MomsInHawaii.com social media site “beta” test-launched to a limited group of 25 founding moms in November 2010, then specially invited another 50 beta-test moms in January; the site soft-opened to the public on February 16. Moms In Hawaii now welcomes all moms, expectant moms, want-to-be moms, aunties, tutus, and all women who care about children and our community.

    Where to find Moms In Hawaii:

    About Moms In Hawaii:

    Moms In Hawaii’s goal is to empower moms by bringing them together, both online and “in real life” … help them get the information and support they need to keep their families and themselves happy and healthy … and add enrichment and fun to their lives along the way.

    Trans-Pacific Voyage Bound for Hawaii

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Green power will take seven traditional vaka, or canoes, on an epic expedition of re-discovery across 15,000 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean.

    Powered solely by the sun and the wind, the double-hulled, 22-meter vaka will leave their Pacific home countries over the next month and sail to Hawaii via French Polynesia in the wake of their ancestors.

    The vaka make up a pan-Pacific network of voyaging societies which aim to raise awareness of environmental issues — including ocean noise pollution, acidification and anoxic waters — in tandem with recapturing traditional Pacific voyaging and navigational skills and re-establishing cultural links between Pacific neighbours.

    The network is supported by Okeanos, a German-based philanthropic organization which promotes the protection of the world’s oceans and marine life.

    Four of the vaka took part in a shorter voyage in 2010, sailing from New Zealand to FrenchPolynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. Among those on last year’s journey was vaka expert and curriculum manager at the New Zealand tertiary institute Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Hoturua Barclay-Kerr.

    Mr Barclay-Kerr, who will celestially navigate the Haunui, describes this year’s event as a full performance after last year’s dress rehearsal.

    “Despite having to organise seven canoe loads of people, preparations are going well, probably because the logistics were worked through last year. This journey will take up a large chunk of our lives, but we are taking a strong environmental message that impacts on all of us across the Pacific, so it is important that people see our commitment in carrying that message. For me, doing another voyage means being able to bring a canoe into islands where people have only heard stories about their ancestors doing this sort of thing. We are able to reinforce the stories told in these different Pacific cultures about the knowledge and abilities of their ancestors. To see this on their faces is a great thing.”

    Mr Barclay-Kerr says that not only do the crews need to be good sailors who are able to work together in a confined space for a long period of time; they must also be able to deliver articulate messages about being responsible guardians of their environment.

    “We have to ensure the oceans and our world are being taken care of.”

    After having arrived in Hawaii, the crew will attend a conference addressing the costs which ocean climate change will have for us all if we don’t change our behaviour. The journey of the vaka will continue to North America to teach young people about the voyage and the environment. They will return via the Cocos Islands, Galapagos, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, with the ultimate destination of the Solomon Islands for the 11th Pacific Arts Festival in 2012.

    The New Zealand-based contingent of this extreme voyage will depart from Auckland’s Viaduct harbour on April 12th (weather permitting). These four vaka – Gaualofa (Western Samoa crew). Uto Ni Yalo (Fiji), Haunui (Pan Pacific), Te Mataua a Maui (New Zealand) and Hine Moana (Pan Pacific) – rendezvous with the rest of the fleet, Marumaru Atua (Cook Islands) and Faafaite (Tahiti) at the Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia, in late April for the first part of the project.

    Once the fleet is underway the public can follow its progress via the official voyage and project website, which will carry daily blogs from crews, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

    The voyage will also be the subject of documentary film produced by Okeanos and itssubsidiary, the New Zealand company Oceanic Nature Film Productions.

    State to deploy electric vehicle charging docks

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Level 3 Fast Charger from AeroVironmentHawaii Lt. Governor Brian Schatz today announced that AeroVironment has been selected to help lead the way to a cleaner transportation future through an $820,000 contract from the Hawaii EV Ready Grants Program.

    The contract will fund the deployment of up to 320 AeroVironment 240-volt electric vehicle (EV) charging docks throughout the islands. Once deployment is completed, Hawaii will have one of the nation’s first statewide public charging networks supporting electric vehicle drivers.

    AeroVironment (AV), the official home charging-dock provider for the Nissan LEAFÒ and co-developer of the first modern-day electric vehicle, the GM Impact, will partner with Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to design and build public and semi-private charging stations at convenient locations for electric vehicle owners, including high-rise buildings, resorts and rental car facilities.

    AeroVironment’s charging docks, including the two-port or four-port EVSE-RS+ and EVSE-CS (commercial) dock, will be strategically located throughout Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai to offer drivers a practical, safe and reliable EV charging experience. AeroVironment has installed more than 1,000 charging docks in more than 300 communities across 18 states since November 2010.

    The State of Hawaii is offering a rebate of up to $500 for installing charging docks through its Hawaii EV Ready Rebate Program. Customers who purchase an EV are also eligible for a state rebate of up to $4,500. In combination with the Hawaii EV Ready Grant Program and other development efforts, the rebates aim to establish the state as a leader in the clean transportation movement.

    “We look forward to working with AeroVironment to help reduce the use of oil for transportation,” said Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president. “Wide use of electric vehicles will not only help reduce our fossil fuel dependence, it will make it easier to increase our use of renewable energy sources such as wind power and others, all contributing to our energy, economic and environmental security.”

    Alm added, “AeroVironment shares this vision and is an outstanding example of a supplier with a comprehensive solution for the EV market, a history in Hawaii, experience working with leading auto manufacturers and consistent high quality customer support.”

    The Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), University of Hawaii at Manoa will work with AeroVironment and Hawaiian Electric to collect data from chargers to analyze the impact of EVs and associated infrastructure on the power distribution grid.

    “AeroVironment’s team focuses on the entire user experience from the start by providing the right tools and a full range of practical, groundbreaking solutions,” said Richard Rocheleau, director of the HNEI. “As a result, we’ll have the unique ability to collect and analyze usage patterns that will help us project the increased demand on Hawaii’s utilities as EV adoption accelerates.”

    AeroVironment has been working on clean transportation programs in Hawaii for more than a decade, beginning with deployment of fast charging stations for passenger EVs in the early 2000s. AeroVironment also established world altitude records with its solar-electric, unmanned aircraft systems at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on Kauai.

    “AeroVironment and the state of Hawaii are pioneers in the EV movement and have a long partnership focused on introducing clean transportation solutions,” said Mike Bissonette, senior vice president of Efficient Energy Systems for AeroVironment. “Together, we’re deploying practical solutions for a game-changing electric transportation ecosystem that will dramatically alter the vehicle refueling paradigm for drivers in Hawaii, the United States and the world.”

    About AeroVironment, Inc.

    AV is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces and supports an advanced portfolio of electric transportation solutions and electric-powered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). AV’s comprehensive EV charging solutions include EV home charging, public charging, fast charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications and complete installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers, utilities, government agencies and businesses. AV’s industrial fast charging systems support thousands of electric materials handling vehicles in mission-critical supply chains for Fortune 500 enterprises. AV’s power cycling and test systems provide EV developers and EV battery manufacturers with market-leading simulation and cycling capabilities. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s battery-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and communication.

    Island Innovation Fund recipients announced

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    The Hawaii Community Foundation announced today the first recipients of its new Island Innovation Fund, which was created to serve as a catalyst for innovation within the nonprofit sector.

    A total of $461,119 was awarded to five recipients for projects that will:

    • promote group buying with socially-responsible businesses, with proceeds benefitting partner nonprofit organizations
    • organize the harvesting, collection and processing of excess food in rural communities to distribute back to its residents
    • create a shared database of real-time information of Hawaii’s native forests to coordinate and promote conservation efforts
    • establish a shared registry of electronic medical records that will improve the quality of care for diabetes patients, and
    • launch a mobile phone application connecting consumers with Hawaii farm products to advance the local food movement.

    Recipients were selected from a group of 11 finalists that all share a common purpose to uncover new ways to tap into the power of emerging technology, collaborative problem solving and strategies to address changing workforce needs and demands.

    “As our state looks to emerge from this difficult economic period it becomes increasingly important to create a culture for innovation,” explained Kelvin Taketa, president and chief executive officer of Hawaii Community Foundation. “The Island Innovation Fund was designed to foster new ways to solve the various problems that our state faces, by working together and building upon each others’ great ideas.”

    The Island Innovation Fund was established in 2010 as part of the $50 million commitment from Pam and Pierre Omidyar to the Hawaii Community Foundation. Pierre is a celebrated entrepreneur and innovator who spent many years in Silicon Valley, and is best known as the founder and chairman of eBay. The Omidyars are also highly regarded for their pioneering work in philanthropy globally, in addition to their contributions at home in Hawaii.

    “It has been exciting to see the creativity and resourcefulness from within our island community. We received more than 180 ideas that were submitted for consideration and it was a daunting task to select the grantees,” said Kina Mahi, senior program officer at the Hawaii Community Foundation in charge of the Island Innovation Fund. “All of the entries can be read on our website, IslandInnovation.org and we will also share progress of our initial grantees over the course of the year. We look forward to seeing the effect of these thoughtful ideas and solutions and how they are able to change the lives of many within our island community.”

    This is the first of three award rounds planned over three years. The Hawaii Community Foundation expects to distribute more than $2.5 million to fund innovations over those three rounds. The first round recipients of the Island Innovation Fund include:

    Better Corporate Practices and Nonprofit Engagement Through Group Buying (Kanu Hawaii) – $100,000

    Kanu Hawaii’s Better Corporate Practices and Nonprofit Engagement Through Group Buying initiative will foster good social and environmental business practices and increase public engagement with Hawaii’s nonprofits, at scale. The program will allow consumers to connect and participate in group buying with socially-responsible businesses, with proceeds to benefit partner nonprofit organizations. Kanu Hawaii started in 2005 as a local movement to maintain Hawaii’s unique culture, foundation and way of life. The nonprofit focuses on island-style activism and values based on individual residents empowering themselves through positive choices.

    Community Harvest Hawaii (North Kohala Community Resource Center) – $82,415

    The North Kohala Community Resource Center’s Community Harvest project focuses on an idea intrinsic in Hawaiian culture – that of preparing and sharing food together – to create a process that makes use of food that is going to waste. The project will bring together members of the community to harvest and collect food that would go to waste, process and preserve the food then distribute it back into the community. The North Kohala Community Resource Center assists residents and organizations write strong proposals to garner funding, turning ideas into well-planned projects that benefit the North Kohala community.

    Hawaii Conservation Technology Initiative (The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii) – $78,784

    In its mission to protect ecologically important lands for nature and people, the Hawaii Conservation Technology Initiative will create a centralized database of information for conservation efforts and tools, providing real-time information to help resource managers protect Hawaii’s endangered native forests. The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii is part of a worldwide initiative by the leading conservation organization to protect more than 200,000 acres of critical nature lands in the islands.

    Improving Population Management through Disease Focused Registries (Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health) – $100,000

    Through a collaboration with Bay Clinic in Hilo and Waimanalo Health Center the health center will launch Improving Population Management through Disease Focused Registries to establish an accessible registry of electronic medical records that will improve quality of care for diabetes patients, particularly in rural communities. With a growing number of community health centers utilizing health information technology, health care practice has highlighted the critical importance of tracking and efficiently producing quality disease-focused registries. Information from the registries will be enable doctors and health centers to provide more proactive care and treatment to diabetes patients. The Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has provided more than 27,000 patients in the Wai’anae district with complete comprehensive health and related human services, including dental care, pharmacy services as well as primary, emergency and specialty care.

    Lei Fresh: Connecting Farmers to the Community (Hawaii Agricultural Foundation) – $100,000

    The Hawaii Agricultural Foundation’s Lei Fresh: Connecting Farmers to the Community projectaims to develop and launch a mobile application which will advance the local food movement by connecting consumers with Hawaii farm products, giving specific locations and availability of locally-sourced items. The project will allow users to interact with a social-geo check-in application which will reinforce sustainability messaging and provide new fundraising opportunities funding farmer education programs. The Hawaii Agricultural Foundation’s mission is to promote awareness and appreciation for agriculture in Hawaii and ensure the long-term viability of the industry.

    “This process has been a fantastic way to show innovation in Hawaii in solving some of our thorniest issues.” said Suzanne Case, executive director for The Nature Conservancy. “Hawaii is well situated to be a trial in this because of our appreciation for innovation and our ability to work well with each other.”

    The Island Innovation Fund will begin accepting concepts for the second round of grants July 1, 2011. Details on the Island Innovation Fund are available at www.islandinnovation.org and the Hawaii Community Foundation website, www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.

    ABOUT HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

    With more than 90 years of community service, the Hawaii Community Foundation has become the leading philanthropic institution in the state. With a presence stretching across all the islands and a reach covering a broad array of fields, the Foundation works with individuals, families, foundations, businesses and organizations to transform lives and improve our communities. Last year, the Foundation provided more than $38 million in grants and contracts throughout Hawaii on behalf of its clients and funds.

    New Hawaii rebates for energy efficient appliances

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Fridge | Illustration Provided by Hawaii EnergyHawaii Energy, the State’s energy conservation and efficiency program, will offer a limited time $250 rebate for ENERGY STAR refrigerators purchased from local appliance retailers for residents of Hawaii and Maui counties beginning March 7, 2011. The program runs only two weeks.

    Hawaii Energy hopes to lessen Hawaii and Maui county households’ utility costs and reduce energy consumption through this offering.

    Native Hawaiian homestead residents of Hawaii and Maui counties will also be eligible for $250 rebates for ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and/or clothes washers through additional support from the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA). A limited number of applications are reserved for those who are qualified. CHNA and Hawaii Energy will assist families that need additional support or have questions about the logistics of this offering.

    “We strongly encourage the communities to take advantage of this limited time offer,” said Crystal Ingalls, project assistant at Hawaii Energy. “This limited-time incentive will last for just two weeks – yet the benefits to Hawaii’s ecosystem and on participants’ lowered energy bills will last for years.”

    Approximately $200,000 has been allocated for this program with majority of the funds coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This offer will expire when the funds are depleted.

    Energy-efficient refrigerators can use up to 40 percent less energy than older models, which can be two to three times more expensive to operate. Replacing a single 10-year old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR® model can save people between $1,700 and $2,000 in electricity bills at today’s prices and 13 barrels of oil each, over a 15-year lifespan.

    ENERGY STAR front- or top-loading clothes washer also use 20 to 35 percent less energy and use up to 15 to 22 gallons less water per load compared to a standard full-size machine.

    Participant Guidelines

    Hawaii and Maui county residents must visit a participating retailer in Hawaii or Maui county to purchase an ENERGY STAR refrigerator. The retailer will then provide the rebate application. The completed application and required proof of purchase must be sent to Hawaii Energy to receive the rebate.

    Native Hawaiians residents of Hawaii and Maui county homestead communities must contact CNHA to get a rebate application. Upon verifying that the applicant lives on Hawaiian Home Lands, CNHA will mail rebate application. The applicant may then purchase an ENERGY STAR refrigerator and/or clothes washer from a participating retailer. Following the purchase, the completed application and required proof of purchase must be sent to Hawaii Energy.

    For a list of Participating Retailers and additional information, please visit:

    www.HawaiiEnergy.com/115/energy-star-residential-incentives

    About Hawaii Energy

    Hawaii Energy is a ratepayer-funded conservation and efficiency program administered by SAIC under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission serving the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.

    About CNHA

    The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a national, member-base 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to capacity building and providing support services to agencies and organizations focused primarily on Native communities in Hawaii and the Pacific. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. They are a strong voice on public policy, operate a community loan fund, deliver capacity building and leadership development services, and promote community-owned enterprises.

    UH to study vog forecasting

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    UH Vog StudyA feasibility study to determine if vog forecasts are achievable and useful is being made available to the public through a new website hosted by the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. The website is a product of the Vog Measurement and Prediction (VMAP) project.

    Principal investigator for the VMAP project is Steven Businger, who along with lead vog modeler Roy Huff are members of UH Mānoa’s Department of Meteorology. Scientific collaborators in the VMAP project include Keith Horton and John Porter of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which funded the initial phase of the project through a cooperative agreement with UH Mānoa that ends on September 30, 2011.

    Vog, or volcanic air pollution, has been a concern in Hawaii since January 1983, when Kīlauea began erupting sporadically at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, a relatively remote vent on the volcano’s east rift zone. The Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption became constant in 1986, and continues to emit large volumes of sulfur dioxide gas today, resulting in early and ongoing worries about air quality and human health. The opening of a second vent at Kīlauea’s summit in March 2008 increased the emissions and the concerns as gases emitted from Halema‘uma‘u Crater directly impacted nearby, downwind communities.

    Vog can pose environmental and health risks to communities throughout the state, especially to those nearest the active vents. To date, the risks posed by volcanic emission hazards have been mitigated by health officials and emergency managers through public education. The VMAP project hopes to offer another mitigation option—accurate vog forecasting.

    Vog is primarily a mixture of sulfur dioxide gas and sulfate aerosol. Sulfur dioxide, an invisible gas, reacts with oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere to produce sulfate aerosol, which is visible as a haze in the air. Sulfur dioxide gas impacts areas immediately downwind of Kīlauea’s active summit vent (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pahala, Na‘alehu, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, and, during kona winds, Volcano to Hilo). Sulfate aerosol is the main problem for locations farther from Kīlauea’s active vents (Kona and other Hawaiian islands).

    Separate forecasts for sulfur dioxide gas and visible sulfate aerosol are available on the VMAP project website. “We expect that people will find the animated vog forecast maps that show the extent of the vog to be the most useful,” said Businger. The website also includes a written forecast that describes how the vog distribution is expected to change with time over the coming couple of days and why. Observed concentrations provided by the Hawaii State Department of Health and the National Park Service are displayed on the website and are used to validate and improve the vog model predictions.

    Added Huff, “We hope the webpages will generate awareness regarding vog and serve as a learning tool about the hazard for researchers and the general public alike. The website and the vog forecasting effort are a work in progress with improvements in observations and modeling planned for the near future.”

    The VMAP project is an ongoing investigation with the long-term goal to offer accurate vog forecasting. Since VMAP is in its initial phase, the forecast discussions, vog model predictions, and model validation graphics on the website provide limited service and reliability. Thus, users of the VMAP website should have no expectation of accuracy or timeliness, and vog model forecasts should not be used for health-related decision-making purposes at this time.

    For further information, visit the VMAP project website, which includes contact information for project collaborators and links to cooperating state and federal agencies.

    The University of Hawai`i at Mānoa serves approximately 20,000 students pursuing more than 225 different degrees. Coming from every Hawaiian island, every state in the nation, and more than 100 countries, UH Mānoa students thrive in an enriching environment for the global exchange of ideas.

    Sanyo brings hybrid bicycle to Hawaii

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    1

    Sanyo Eneloop Bike in HawaiiSANYO North America Corporation (SANYO) announces that the award-winning eneloop bike, the SANYO pedal-assist synergetic hybrid bicycle, is available in Hawaii to provide an alternative method of transportation for tourists and locals.

    The eneloop bike won the Best of Innovations Award at CES 2010. Collaborating with Assist the World of Green, LLC., SANYO’s eneloop bike will be available in bike rental shops. Two eneloop bikes, the CY-SPA600NA and the CY-SPH600NA, have been available since January 2011 as rental bicycles.

    Consumers are looking to continue their eco-friendly ways even while on vacation. One such method that is fun, affordable, healthy and eco-friendly is to ride an electric bike around the islands. The award-winning SANYO e-bike uses a combination of pedal-power and battery-power to help riders go further and easily maneuver hills. The riders experience a unique ‘lighter than air’ feeling offered by the eneloop bike. ‘eneloop’ is a word combining both “energy” and “looping,” and the bicycle is based on the concept of its ‘looping charge function’ that offers regenerative coasting and braking, recharging the battery while in motion. In addition, the synergetic hybrid bicycle is also designed for a safer, more stable ride. Because the rider has to pedal to maintain the battery charge they have a healthier lifestyle option that maintains their flexibility.

    “Hawaii is filled with such beautiful scenery, the best way to experience the magic of the islands is to be outdoors among the flowers, greenery, and coastal areas. This experience is enriched by seeing the interior of the islands on a bicycle which makes it easier to pause and enjoy the surroundings,” said Mr. Murata, President of SANYO North America. “It’s also an easy way to save money while on vacation as bike rentals are less costly than automobiles and with no gas to buy,” Murata commented. “Vacationers can work off the extra pounds from all the good food they eat on the island,” he added.

    Maintaining the beauty of the islands and clean air is a priority for Hawaiians. One way this can be achieved is by decreasing the number of vehicles on the road. By renting a SANYO eneloop bicycle, tourists and locals can enjoy the island while respecting its environment. Assist the World of Green, LLC. has set up a network of bike rentals where people can rent the bike in one location and return it to another so they don’t have to pedal back to the original rental destination. People who ride bikes such as the eneloop bike can save money, do something good for their health, do something good for the environment and maintain their flexibility.

    Yasushi Harada, President of Assist the World of Green, LLC., commented, “As we opened this rental bicycle business we carefully considered and compared products from several major companies. We selected the ‘eneloop bike’ because the brand is well known to tourists from Japan and SANYO is the only Japanese company that sells a hybrid electric pedal-assist bicycle that conforms to US-standards. Also, because SANYO also has some of the world’s leading energy solutions with solar panels and large-scale industrial-use battery technology, we feel that there is the potential to preserve the natural beauty of Hawaii as we focus on environmental conservation through environmental business opportunities.”

    About the SANYO eneloop bike

    The eneloop bike features a regenerative charging system similar to hybrid automobiles, which allows the bike to re-generate energy, replenishing part of its power needs through regenerative coasting and braking. The bike is equipped to not only generate energy but to store energy as well, thereby eliminating emissions and encouraging the preservation of the natural environment. The power available from its engine is also powerful enough to assist weaker riders on hills and steep inclines, allowing for a light and pleasant riding experience. The eneloop bike, CY-SPA600NA won the Best of Innovations award at CES 2010, receiving the highest overall score in the Eco-Design & Sustainable Technology category.

    About Assist the World of Green, LLC.

    Assist the World of Green, LLC. is a venture business established in 2010 for the purpose of expanding green energy businesses and products throughout the many islands of Hawaii. Starting with a rental bicycle business utilizing hybrid electric pedal-assist green bicycles, the company aims to bring and expand environmental business opportunities to the rapidly demand-driven Hawaiian islands. The rental bicycle business will open operations near the Waikiki Duty Free Shop mall, and by the end of March 2011, a second shop will be added in the Kailua region, a very popular destination for tourists. In addition to the rental shops, a new system to drop off rental bicycles will also be created. The owner of the shops will use knowledge based on years of experience in the food and drink industries and connections in Hawaii in the industrial world to expand the rental shop and service locations to five locations.

    About SANYO

    SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is a global company providing solutions for environment, energy and lifestyle applications. SANYO North America Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., is based in San Diego, and its products include solar, rechargeable batteries, digital solutions (such as digital cameras, projectors, home appliances), biomedical laboratory equipment, HVAC and refrigeration equipment, and Smart Energy Systems.

    Nissan delivers Hawaii’s first LEAF

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Nissan LeafToday, Nissan North America Inc. brought sustainable mobility to Hawaii with the arrival of the state’s first all-electric Nissan LEAF. Bill Markevitch took delivery of his Nissan LEAF SL today at New City Nissan of Honolulu.

    This groundbreaking moment follows deliveries in the launch states of California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee and Texas.

    Markevitch is a development executive for Hawaii Pacific Health who focuses on fundraising for Kapiolani Media Center, Hawaii’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The Honolulu resident plans to use photovoltaic panels installed on his home to have the sun power his car.

    “Electricity is the new fuel for cars, and the Nissan LEAF has the potential to transform the automotive industry and the way people drive,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas. “Starting today, drivers in Hawaii have the freedom to choose a future that produces zero tailpipe emissions, moves away from our dependence on fossil fuels and represents the end of trips to the gas station. This Nissan LEAF delivery signifies the dawn of a movement that brings sustainable mobility to within our grasp.”

    In August 2010, Nissan announced that it had entered into an agreement with the State of Hawaii to advance zero-emission mobility. This partnership is helping pave the way for the introduction of the Nissan LEAF throughout Hawaii.

    “We are excited about Nissan bringing the first Nissan LEAF electric vehicle to Hawaii,” said Estrella Seese, acting energy program administrator of the State of Hawaii Energy Office.  “The introduction of the Nissan LEAF will support our state’s effort to move towards a clean energy future and meet our 70 percent energy goal by 2030.”

    The delivery is Nissan’s first in Hawaii, completing a series of “first” deliveries in each of its primary launch markets, which began in December 2010.  Nissan is on track for a nationwide launch of the Nissan LEAF by 2012, with more states taking deliveries later this year. In order to fulfill interest and meet demand in initial launch markets, Nissan plans to reopen reservations in the first half of 2011 as well as shift timing of additional markets until the second half of 2011.

    In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan inNorth America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

    HR Biopetroleum takes over Cellana

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    HR BioPetroleum, Inc. (HRBP), a Hawaii-based and -founded renewable biofuels company, today announced that it will acquire Shell’s shareholding in Cellana, a joint venture between Shell and HRBP. On January 31, 2011, HRBP will become the sole owner of Cellana, including its six-acre demonstration facility in Kona.

    In 2007, HRBP and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, the international energy company, formed Cellana as a separate joint venture to build and operate a demonstration facility to grow marine algae and produce vegetable oil for
    conversion into biofuel. To date, it is one of the most advanced operational demonstration facilities among algae-to-biofuel organizations and companies in the United States.

    “The acquisition of Cellana represents a significant opportunity for HRBP and its corporate and project stakeholders, including the University of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts consortium, the U.S. Department of Energy and others,” said Ed Shonsey, HRBP CEO.

    “We will continue to operate Cellana’s Kona demonstration facility and to continuously improve the economics for growing marine algae using HRBP’s patented process. Based on HRBP’s and Cellana’s results to date, we believe this technology holds great potential for the economical production of algae and algae-derived products for applications within the aquaculture and animal feed markets, as well as for the production of algal oil for conversion into biofuels.”

    To support the transition Shell has agreed to provide short-term funding to advance and focus the algae technology development program. HRBP will further develop the technology at the Kona demonstration facility with the objective of first commercial deployment at the Ma’alaea site the company has selected on Maui, Hawaii.

    Algae, the fastest growing plant on the planet, can produce substantially greater oil per acre than traditional oil seeds while simultaneously recycling industrial emissions of CO2, greatly reducing the carbon footprint
    as compared to other processes. Many strains of algae can grow optimally using brackish water, seawater or wastewater.

    About HRBP and Cellana

    HR BioPetroleum (HRBP) a Hawaii-based and -founded renewable biofuels company, and Cellana are focused on using the most productive plants on earth ­ marine algae ­ to produce feedstocks for biofuel, animal feed, and other valuable applications while simultaneously reducing industrial emissions of CO2. Using the joint HRBP/Cellana technologies, HRBP intends to construct and operate commercial algae facilities to produce fuel,
    aquaculture and other animal feeds, and other valuable products.

    Verizon sets sights on Hawaii for 4G

    Ryan Kawailani Ozawa
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    Verizon at CES
    Verizon at CES | Courtesy Photo
    Honolulu, Kahului, and Lahaina are among the 140 new markets in which Verizon Wireless plans to roll out its 4G LTE network, company officials announced today. The upgraded network offers speeds up to 10 times faster than its current 3G network, with average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second.

    Verizon Wireless announced that it installed 4G LTE wireless data service at the Honolulu International Airport late last year.

    “We will aggressively continue launching 4G LTE markets over the next 36 months,” said Tony Melone, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Verizon. “We’ll cover two-thirds of the U.S. population in the next 18 months, and by the end of 2013 we’ll offer our 4G LTE network from coast to coast – everywhere that we offer 3G today.”

    The news was part of a slew of announcements made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

    Verizon also unveiled a suite of ten consumer-oriented devices that will run on its 4G LTE network by the middle of this year:

    Smartphones

    • HTC ThunderBolt (exclusive to Verizon Wireless) – HTC Sense 2.0, Skype mobile™ with video, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 4.3” WVGA display, Dolby surround sound, 8-megapixel camera and HD video recording, wireless DLNA capability.
    • LG Revolution – HD support for streaming, playing and recording video, large 4.3-inch touch screen, Android™ 2.2, video telephony support with front-facing camera and mobile hotspot capability to share a 4G connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
    • DROID Bionic 4G – Android with Adobe® Flash® and HTML5, front-facing VGA camera and See What I See video feature, rear-facing 8-megapixel camera, 4.3-inch HD quality screen, HDMI connectivity, dual-core 1GHz processor, 512 DDR2 RAM.
    • Samsung 4G LTE Smartphone – Android 2.2, Google Mobile services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™ and Gmail™, YouTube™, brilliant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen display, powerful 1GHz application processor, HTML5 Web browser, rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera to support video chat capabilities, Samsung Social Hub and Media Hub.

    Tablets

    • Motorola XOOM – 10.1-inch HD 4G LTE upgradable tablet, Android™ Honeycomb, 1080p HD video, Adobe® Flash® Player, front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats and 5-megapixel camera to capture video in 720P HD. Mobile hotspot capability provides connection for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
    • 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab™ – 7-inch enhanced TFT display with 1024 x 600 WSVGA resolution, Android 2.2, Adobe® Flash® 10.1, 1.2GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird application processor, rear-facing 5-megapixel camera and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera and camcorder enable video chat capabilities.

    MiFi and Mobile Hotspot

    • Novatel MiFi® 4510L Intelligent Mobile Hotspot – Small enough to fit in the palm of the hand, share Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE and 3G networks with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
    • Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot – Dual-mode device works as a wireless access point to connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE or 3G networks.

    Notebooks

    • Compaq CQ10-688nr – 10.1-inch diagonal anti-glare widescreen LED display, Intel® Atom N455 processor, up to 8.5 hours of battery life, multi-format digital media card reader, webcam and multiple connectivity options.
    • HP Pavilion dm1-3010nr – 11.6-inches, HP CoolSense Technology, HD 1080p, VISION Technology from AMD, up to 10.75 hours of battery life, 320 GB of storage, full-size, island-style keyboard, multi-format digital media card reader, HDMI port, Dolby Advanced Audio and GPS for mapping and navigation.

    Verizon Wireless also introduced new applications that are being fully integrated into the new smartphones and run seamlessly over the 4G LTE network. An upgraded version of Skype mobile takes advantage of video capabilities enabled by 4G LTE’s incredible speed, allowing users to see and hear friends and family when making or receiving Skype-to-Skype video calls. EA’s ROCK BAND leverages the high-speed, low-latency 4G LTE network to provide the next generation of multiplayer gaming. At launch, this will be the first time the game can be played with friends over the mobile network, which means consumers can rock out with their friends like never before with 20 favorite hits – while on the go.

    “Today, we’re unveiling the next evolution of 4G LTE for consumers,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. “During this three-year journey, from acquiring spectrum to launch, we not only transformed our network, but also our business by engaging in a strategy of collaboration and openness, while driving partnerships that will make 4G LTE successful across the globe. The result is true magic – the sum of a powerful network, applications, software systems and devices that bring 4G LTE to life.”

    Verizon Wireless’ primary 4G LTE network vendors, Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, are providing the underlying infrastructure for the 4G LTE network. Verizon Wireless’ 700 MHz spectrum gives the company specific advantages with 4G, including improved in-building penetration and a contiguous, nationwide network footprint.

    Verizon Wireless is also working with rural companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700MHz spectrum. Rural operators are leveraging Verizon Wireless’ scale for infrastructure while they keep their customers on the cutting edge of technology. Bluegrass Cellular is the first rural wireless provider to partner with Verizon Wireless, and to date, more than 200 organizations have expressed interest in collaborating with Verizon Wireless to bring 4G LTE to rural America.

    Since 2007, when Verizon Wireless jump-started the global 4G LTE ecosystem with its selection of LTE for its 4G technology, the company has developed deep partnerships to spearhead a broad LTE ecosystem, including the LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., and an LTE Applications Center, soon to open in the San Francisco area.

    “2011 will be a gang buster year, especially as we combine our growing 4G LTE network with our amazing lineup of 4G devices and applications that take advantage of high speed and low latency,” said Melone.

    New Cities

    Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network already reaches more than one-third of all Americans. A list of initial 4G LTE markets to be covered by Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network in 2011 include:

    • Honolulu, Hawaii
    • Kahului-Wailuku, Hawaii
    • Lahaina, Hawaii
    • Huntsville, Alabama
    • Mobile, Alabama
    • Montgomery, Alabama
    • Little Rock, Arkansas
    • Colorado Springs, Colorado
    • Gainesville, Florida
    • Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
    • Pensacola, Florida
    • Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
    • Tallahassee, Florida
    • Augusta, Georgia
    • Boise-Nampa, Idaho
    • Carbondale-Marion, Illinois
    • Wichita, Kansas
    • Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • Hammond, Louisiana
    • Detroit, Michigan
    • Flint, Michigan
    • Fayetteville-Lumberton, North Carolina
    • Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, North Carolina
    • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
    • Wilmington, North Carolina
    • Dayton-Springfield, Ohio
    • Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Erie, Pennsylvania
    • State College, Pennsylvania
    • Charleston, South Carolina
    • Columbia, South Carolina
    • Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina
    • Hilton Head, South Carolina
    • Sioux Falls, South Dakota
    • Chattanooga, Tennessee
    • Clarksville, Tennessee
    • Cleveland, Tennessee
    • Kingsport, Tennessee; Johnson City, Tennessee; Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee
    • Knoxville, Tennessee
    • Memphis, Tennessee
    • Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
    • Bryan-College Station, Texas
    • Provo-Orem, Utah
    • Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah
    • Centralia, Washington
    • Olympia, Washington
    • Charleston, West Virginia
    • Madison, Wisconsin
    • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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