Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Tuesday, April 1, 1997
Atlantis Submarines, which operates underwater sightseeing tours off Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, has taken over management of Sea Life Park and Waimea Falls Park. Atlantis to manage
2 Oahu tourist parksA contract to put Atlantis in charge of the day-to-day operations of the two parks follows its recent appointment as the sales and marketing agent for the parks.
New York investor Christian Wolffer, who gained two-thirds ownership of the parks in October by picking up the owners' debt, last week announced plans for physical and operating improvements.
The parks, now owned by Oahu Entertainment/Attractions Hawaii, have 255 employees.
The American Business Women's Association will hold its Western regional spring conference Friday through Sunday at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. About 350 members from 13 Western states are expected to attend. Isle businesswomen
hold regional meetingLocal members from eight Oahu chapters are sponsoring the conference, which will include panel sessions on technology and business leadership training.
The registration fee of $109 a member includes workshops, seminars, banquets and breakfasts. For more information contact Faye Chambers, the conference promotions chair, at 522-9090.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The third largest merger in U.S. history was completed today when two former Baby Bells merged to create the nation's second-largest local phone company. Baby Bells complete
$16.7 billion dealThe California Public Utility Commission had given final approval yesterday to the merger of Pacific Telesis into Texas-based SBC Communications, a $16.7 billion deal.
SBC wasted no time in accepting PUC conditions and completing the deal today, with Edward E. Whitacre Jr., the company's chairman and chief executive officer, emphasizing "exploding demand for Internet access and high-speed data services," as well as wireless communications.
The PUC conditions included refund of a modest $213.5 million over five years to customers of Pacific Bell, Telesis' phone subsidiary.
The PUC said the average customer would get $3 a year for five years.
The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger in January, rejecting challenges from competitors.
TOKYO -- Japan's national sales tax rose to 5 percent today, and the prime minister urged consumers to take it in stride "for the sake of future generations." Japan's sales tax
rises to 5 percentRyutaro Hashimoto said the hike was needed to speed a package of administrative and financial reforms and pay for Japan's burgeoning elderly population.
The increase, up from 3 percent, was the first time the consumption tax has been raised since 1989. The new consumption tax will bring in an estimated $29.3 billion.