BUSINESS BRIEFS
Xcel makes 'Wetsuit of the Year'
Advertiser Staff
A wet suit made by Hale'iwa-based Xcel was named "Wetsuit of the Year" by the Surf Industry Manufacturer's Association at its annual industry conference and Image Awards program in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Xcel markets its Infiniti Drylock system as "the most watertight, flexible wetsuit on the market today." The Infinity Drylock is the next evolution of the Infiniti Series wet suits that won Xcel the same honors last year.
Xcel beat out other nominees such as Body Glove, Rip Curl and O'Neill to win the award.
Founded in 1982, Xcel is a global wet suit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. The company was acquired last fall by Australian surfwear giant Billabong International Ltd. Founder and former owner Ed D'Ascoli was retained by Billabong and continues to run Xcel from its base in Hale'iwa.
UH FUNDRAISER TO HONOR ALUMNI
The University of Hawai'i and the UH Alumni Association will honor distinguished alumni at a fundraiser Thursday as part of the school's centennial celebration.
The event, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki, marks the official launch of the UHAA Endowed Scholarship Fund, which is being established in honor of all UH alumni.
There will be a silent auction, a performance by slack-key legends George Kuo (Class of 1978), Aaron Mahi and Martin Pahinui, as well as by Cecilio and Kapono. UH Athletic Director Jim Donovan (Class of 1983) will emcee the evening. Distinguished Table sponsorships are also available for $1,500-$6,000, and individual seats are $110-$170. Alumni honorees are invited to attend the event at no charge.
For more information, call the Alumni Relations office at 956-4563 or 877-842-5867, or visit www.UHalumni.hawaii.edu.
MAUNA LOA FINED $75,000 BY EPA
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. was fined $75,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to meet a 2005 deadline to close large-capacity cesspools at its Hilo facility on the Big Island.
The EPA said the company was notified in July 2004 of the April 2005 deadline to close its large capacity cesspools. In October 2005, EPA inspectors were informed of cesspool closure plans. A year later, the facility was inspected again and the three large capacity cesspools were still in use; the company recently settled the case.
In August 2007, more than two years after EPA's regulatory deadline, the company completed work to close and replace its large capacity cesspools with a state-approved wastewater system. Mauna Loa's wastewater facility has the capacity to serve more than 1,000 people per day.
ANDREW JACOBSON NAMED CEO
Cyanotech Corp., the producer of nutritional and health products made from microalgae, named Andrew Jacobson as its president and chief executive officer, succeeding Gerald Cysewski, who continues with the company as executive vice president and chief scientific officer.
Jacobson, 26, was president of the personal care division of the Hain Celestial Group. He joined Hain in 1997 when the company acquired Westbrae Natural Foods, where he was president. He also served as president of natural products at Hain.
Jacobson's hiring culminates a search begun last year when the company announced Cysewski would step down as chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Cyanotech's lead independent director, Gregg Robertson, was elected chairman of the board of directors.
