The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s quest to obtain a rare nonexclusive easement to use about an acre of public shoreline for commercial enterprises will be discussed today at the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board.

Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board Chairman Richard Turbin said he invited a representative of the Kahala to attend the meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church at 1350 Hunakai St. Turbin said the hotel declined to make a formal presentation, but a number of other people plan to weigh in on the hotel’s plans to expand commercial activities on the public beach.

The hotel has said it wants to offer torch-lighting ceremonies and rides in traditional sailing outrigger canoes. It also plans to expand its outdoor wedding ceremonies to three state parcels from two.

Largest public tobacco acquisition OK’d

RALEIGH, N.C. >> The consolidation of Big Tobacco companies looking as much to nicotine replacements and e-cigarettes for revenues as traditional smokes continued Wednesday with what will become the world’s largest publicly traded tobacco company. Shareholders approved British American Tobacco taking over Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Reynolds American Inc.

ON THE MOVE

AHL has hired the following two new staff members:

>> Abby Wisco has been hired as a payroll accountant. She will be responsible for reconciliation of taxes, payments, billings and invoices; time sheets; onboarding employees, payroll and benefits and assisting the accounting department and the chief financial officer on projects.

>> Erick Sanchez-­Zambrano is the company’s new technical designer. He is experienced in construction and design with commercial, residential and restaurant projects. Sanchez-Zambrano’s responsibilities include developing and designing technical plans, details, concepts and sections; coordinating design requirements of engineering and special consultants; and preparing design and construction drawings and documents.