Veteran Hawai'i travel industry executive Jerry Pupillo has been appointed general manager of Sea Life Park at Makapu'u.

Pupillo will start work Monday, replacing Jesus Bravo who resigned to return to his native Mexico. The announcement was made by James Judy, vice president of operations at Palace Entertainment, which owns Sea Life Park.

Pupillo's visitor industry career spans 20 years with companies that include Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Cirque Hawaii and JTB Hawaii.

Palace Entertainment is part of the Parques Reunidos family of parks.

OMIDYARS PLEDGE $10M TO AID NONPROFITS

The Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm established by Hawai'i residents Pierre and Pam Omidyar, has made a $10 million, two-year commitment to the White House Social Innovation Fund.

The fund is a public-private partnership started last year by the Corporation for National and Community Service. It helps support innovative nonprofits employing scalable, technology-driven solutions for pressing problems.

The Omidyars are well-known for their philanthropy with the Omidyar Network, committing more than $330 million to efforts that harness the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives.

Locally, the Omidyars have pledged $50 million over six years to the Hawai'i Community Foundation. Pierre Omidyar derives the majority of his wealth from his holdings in eBay Inc., the online marketplace he founded in 1995.

CLEAN-ENERGY EVENT FRIDAY AT YWCA

Hawai'i's clean-energy future will be discussed at a half-day event featuring talks by government and industry leaders Friday at the Laniākea YWCA, 1040 Richards St.

The Hawai'i Clean Energy Day event is hosted by the Hawai'i Energy Policy Forum and others, and will include a panel discussion on recent legislative changes affecting clean-energy initiatives; a look at industry pacesetters and their challenges; and local political and military leaders commenting on how the state can reach its clean-energy goals.

There also will be an after-conference networking session. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and last until 6. Registration is $25 and available through www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu/hced2010.