Kaneohe Ranch said it will break ground Monday for the third phase of its Kailua Town Center redevelopment project that will feature a new Whole Foods Market and 8,000 square feet of other retail space.

The landowner said the project at the corner of Kailua Road and Hinano Way will feature a 32,000-square-foot Whole Foods, along with improvements to parking and pedestrian walkways.

The plans call for construction to be completed in the fall of 2011, with the stores opening soon after. The design and construction team includes MC Architects, Brownlie & Lee, Heath Construction Services and Gateside Inc.

FEDERAL GRANT TO PROMOTE ISLE PAPAYA

The Hawaii Papaya Industry Association is getting $134,400 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help develop and promote the fruit in overseas markets.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding as part of $234.5 million given out to organizations ranging from the California Prune Board to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin for promotion of food and agricultural exports.

FIRST HAWAIIAN EMPLOYEES GIVE $572,138

First Hawaiian Bank said its employees and retirees pledged $572,138 to 38 local charities last year through an employee charitable giving campaign administered by the company.

The bank said 100 percent of the donations go directly to the nonprofit groups. More than 90 percent of First Hawaiian's employees participated in the effort, it said.

MORE JOB-TRAINING FUNDS FOR SENIORS

The U.S. Department of Labor has provided an additional $610,000 of funding for its Senior Community Service Employment Program in Hawai'i.

The program allows grantees to address unmet employment and job training needs among low-income older workers. The program provides part-time, community service-based job training for unemployed, low- income individuals who are at least 55 years old.