Honolulu – www.RevoluSun.com and www.Zippys.com– RevoluSun, Hawaii’s leader in solar design and installation, and Zippy’s Restaurants, is pleased to announce the winners of the “Join the RevoluSun Home Solar System Giveaway.”

FUN WITH THE SUN – –(L-R) Zippy's Kahului Manager Michael Poulter, Grand Prize Winner and Kahului resident Simeon Tabieros, and RevoluSun’s Gregg Murphy and Brian Clark (Photo Courtesy Revolusun)

Simeon Tabieros of Kahului, Maui was named the grand prize winner of a photovoltaic system valued at $15,000. In addition, three winners, George Condus of Pearl City, Reagan Morgan of Kapolei and Cherilyn Verde of Kanoehe, all received bicycles valued at $700 each.

“We enjoyed working with Zippy’s Restaurant for a second year now to help build a cleaner, smarter Hawaii by encouraging people to think about energy and ways to conserve it,” said Eric Carlson, RevoluSun Principal. “Through its use of earth-friendly packaging and support of Hawaii’s businesses by buying local, Zippy’s Restaurant is just as committed to the sustainability of our local communities as we are. We congratulate our grand prize winner, Mr. Tabieros, and look forward to helping him start saving on his electric bill through the benefits of solar.”

“Once again, this was a win-win partnership for us,” said Jeanine Mamiya-Kalahiki, Zippy’s Restaurants, Marketing Manager. “We are extremely delighted by the thousands of entries received for this promotion as it is obvious that Hawaii homeowners not only realize the benefits of having a photovoltaic system or using a bike instead of a vehicle when possible, but RevoluSun’s reputation for being a leader in residential installations as well.”

The “Join the RevoluSun Home Solar System Giveaway” ran from March 5 to March 31, 2012 at all Zippy’s Restaurant locations, including Maui, Kauai and Big Island. No purchase was necessary to enter, but eligible entrants must be 18 years of age or older, and be a Hawaii resident and homeowner.

Zippy’s Restaurants has 25 locations Statewide, many of which are open 24 hours.  For more information on Zippy’s Restaurants, contact Jeanine Mamiya-Kalahiki at 973-0880.

RevoluSun is Hawaii’s leading solar provider, designing and installing more than 1,000 photovoltaic projects for 20 MW of energy. Providing the highest quality of service, technology and design in renewable energy, RevoluSun is bringing cleaner, smarter energy to communities, one rooftop at a time.  With its extensive network of alternative energy partners and detailed knowledge of federal and state tax incentives, RevoluSun makes renewable solar energy an affordable, attractive option for both homeowners and businesses.

Hawaii-owned RevoluSun offers free, understandable energy evaluations to its residential clients, which allow for customized systems based on each home’s unique energy needs. RevoluSun also provides a robust community education program aimed at educating homeowners on how solar works and what tax incentives are available through its free solar education series and solar open house programs. For commercial and government projects, RevoluSun is pioneering new models in renewable energy that provide maximum value,
expertise and service, while ensuring its client’s structure the best possible business models to take advantage of local renewable energy opportunities. For more information about RevoluSun visit www.RevoluSun.com or call 808.748.8888.

HONOLULU – National Hepatitis Testing Day will be observed in Hawai’i on Friday, May 18, 2012.  In collaboration with Hep Free Hawai’i, the Hawai’i State Department of Health (DOH) clinics and other community-based sites are offering free hepatitis screenings to the public on Friday, May 18 to encourage people to find out their hepatitis B and C status.   National Hepatitis Testing Day events will also help to raise awareness and support improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people living with chronic viral hepatitis B and C. 

“Often called the silent epidemic, most people with hepatitis B or C don’t have symptoms for many years,” stated Loretta Fuddy, A.C.S.W., M.P.H., DOH Director of Health.  “People with hepatitis B and C shouldn’t wait until they feel sick to be tested because there are many things, including treatment, they can do to take care of themselves before they become ill.  The earlier people know they have hepatitis, the better the outcome.” 

According to DOH Immunization Branch estimates, 1 percent to 3 percent of people in Hawai’i have hepatitis B, and approximately 23,000 are living with hepatitis C.  Hepatitis B and C are the most common known causes of liver cancer in Hawai’i, and Hawaii has the highest rate of liver cancer in the U.S. 

“Many people with hepatitis B and C get liver damage or cirrhosis from the disease, which can be minimized by making healthy choices such as not drinking alcohol,” said Fuddy.

Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with blood and body fluids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that anyone who has been exposed to blood through needle use, blood transfusion, non-sterile equipment, or tattooing should be tested for both hepatitis B and C.  Anyone born in a country with high rates of hepatitis B, especially countries in Asia and the Pacific, should be screened for hepatitis B.  Hepatitis B is easily spread from mother to child through contact with blood and other body fluids.

Not all sites will offer hepatitis B testing.  Individuals can call Aloha United Way 211 or go to www.hepfreehawaii.org to find the free screening location nearest them (flyer attached).

For more information about National Hepatitis Testing Day, go to www.cdcnpin.org/HTD. 

For more information about hepatitis resources and events in Hawai‘i, go to www.hepfreehawaii.org.

A woman, visiting from California, was critically injured Tuesday when the moped she was riding struck a guardrail in Honokahau Valley.

The woman was apparently ejected over the rail and was found about 15 feet from the highway. She was wearing a helmet – but suffered mutiple major injuries.

The woman was transported via ambulance to Napili Park then transferred to a helicopter that flew her to a local trauma center.

The number of Hawaii residents age 65 and older grew more than three times faster than the total state population from 2010 to 2011, according to a state analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The analysis by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism found that while the total state population increased by less than 1 percent between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, the population of people age 65 and older grew by 3.1 percent.

Kauai and the Big Island had the largest percentage of people age 65 and older at more than 15 percent, while 14.8 percent of Oahu’s population was in that age group, according to the DBEDT analysis. Maui County’s percentage of people age 65 and older was 13.4 percent.

Kauai had the highest median age at 41.4 years in July 2011, followed by the Big Island at 41 years and Maui County at 39.7 years, according to the DBEDT analysis. The City and County of Honolulu had the youngest median age at 37.9 years. The statewide median age in Hawaii as of July 2011 was 43.1 years.

(Report Provided by Pacific Business News)

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawai`i– Maui County and state officials are working together to help start the first community center for the people of Nahiku.

Governor Neil Abercrombie and his staff have released $250,000 in state funds for the design and construction of the Nahiku Community Center. The County has already contributed $250,000 and have put in for another $280,000 in the fiscal year 2013 budget for a total project budget of $780,000 to get the center built.

“It is always a pleasure to be able to work together with the state for the benefit of the community,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “The Nahiku community deserves this center and I’m sure it will be well used by the people ofEast Maui.

Many thanks to all those involved in the process from the Maui County Council to the Office of the Governor.”

East Maui Councilmember Bob Carroll added, “Mayor Arakawa’s assistance has been invaluable in moving this concern along. We would also like to publicly thank Governor Abercrombie, his Special Assistant Marvin Wong, Senator Kalani English, Representative Mele Carroll and the entire board of the Nahiku Community Association.

This will provide the residents of Nahiku with a place to meet, work and celebrate life. We are very grateful.”

The Maui County Council Budget and Finance committee approved the budget amendment for the county’s contribution on Feb. 14, 2012.  Councilmember Carroll said he expects the bidding process for center construction to begin soon.

Hawai’i Commercial and Sugar (HC&S) reports that – around 11 a.m. today –  an arsonist ignited a fire in cane fields near Pa’ia.

Maui Fire crews joined HC&S workers to bring the fire under control. No further details have yet been released.