Ka‘iu Kimura was installed as the new president of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, challenging its members to “serve as mentors to the next generation to help cultivate the talent in our schools and inspire youth to step to
Ka‘iu Kimura was installed as the new president of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, challenging its members to “serve as mentors to the next generation to help cultivate the talent in our schools and inspire youth to step to leadership positions in the community.”
“Our students are our future and bright minds need to know that there is a place for them on their home island,” Kimura said at the general membership meeting June 25 at the Imiloa Astronomy Center’s Moanahoku Hall. “Let’s help create and sustain these places for them.”
Also installed were president-elect Mike Kaleikini, vice president Bill Walter, treasurer Nathan Colgrove and Chuck Erskine as immediate past president. The directors who were installed include 21 other business leaders from the community who stepped forward to continue the chamber’s mission of providing leadership via services and advocacy for the business community and promote the economic well-being of the community as a whole.
Keynote speaker Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now, shared his goal to highlight local culture more in the media with the return of the local television classic “Island Music, Island Hearts.” The show’s new season began May 31 on KGMB. Blangiardi said a future broadcast will feature the popular Lim family of Kohala.
“We, as members of the Hawaii Island Chamber, are all businesses of innovation steeped deep in local values,” Kimura said in her address. “Our businesses have made an impact beyond our own shores. We attract consumers and partnerships from across the state and indeed across the world — because we work hard to ensure that our unique products are clearly identifiable as Hawaii Island’s own.
“And fundamental to this, are the stories, the connections and the sense of community that we take every opportunity to share, connecting our stakeholders to Hawaii Island no matter where they happen to be.”
