IN HAWAII
Hotel workers to vote on contract Sept. 20
Unionized hotel workers have set a date of Sept. 20 to ratify a tentative four-year contract with five Hilton and Sheraton hotels in Waikiki.Negotiators of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 5 reached contract settlements over the weekend after threatening a strike several times last week. Local 5 represents about 4,000 workers at the hotels.
Local 5 still faces contract negotiations with Hyatt, the Ilikai and the Ala Moana hotels in Waikiki, covering another 1,320 workers. The union is hoping to reach agreements quickly with Hyatt and the Ilikai now that it has established a pattern-setting contract with Hilton and Sheraton. The Ala Moana may be more difficult, since wages are lower there and the union hasn't had a contract with the hotel since February, according to Local 5.
Big Island to host tropical fruit growers
The Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers organization will host the 12th annual International Fruit Conference Oct. 4-6 at the Big Island's Keauhou Beach Resort. The conference will attract attendees from around the world.The program includes presentations and discussions on quality assurance, pest management and the latest industry research. For further information and registration contact Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers at (808) 934-9610 or e-mail HTFG@hawaii.rr.com.
ON THE MAINLAND
Former Hawaii cop sues Brunei royalty
LAS VEGAS >> A civil lawsuit against two corporations owned by members of the royal family of Brunei is due for trial next week in a Nevada state court.George Chock, a retired Hawaii police officer and former security director for Earnst Inc. is suing that company and another called Amedeo Vegas IV.
Chock alleges that he was wrongfully discharged from his $200,000-per-year job managing the sultanate's royal family's Las Vegas interests because he refused to keep quiet about sexual harassment of a female Earnst employee.
Martha Stewart faces Justice probe
Washington >> Martha Stewart may be investigated for perjury after a House committee asked U.S. prosecutors to examine evidence it says suggests the homemaking celebrity lied about her sale of ImClone Systems Inc. shares.The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has been investigating whether Stewart, chief executive of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., had inside information when she sold 3,928 ImClone shares a day before regulators rejected the company's cancer-drug application. Stewart has said she did nothing wrong when she sold the shares.
Shares of Martha Stewart Living closed up $1.30 at $9.05 on the New York Stock Exchange after the panel recommended the Justice Department continue the investigation.
Hilton Hotels debt outlook raised
NEW YORK >> Hilton Hotels Corp.'s debt outlook was raised to stable from negative by Moody's Investors Service, citing efforts by the third-largest hotel company to reduce debt and cut costs.Bloomberg News reported the credit rating company, which cut its outlook on the debt of Los Angeles-based Hilton in January 2001, also confirmed Hilton's Ba1 senior unsecured debt rating. The ratings action affects about $4 billion in debt.
Even though a slump in business travel will keep the hotel business "challenging" next year, Hilton's ability to generate cash for capital spending and dividends improved after the company cut its debt by $273 million, Moody's said.
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Thursday
Workshop: Professional Bidder Services Inc. President Larry Nelson offers a grant writing workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 55 Merchant St., Suite 2500. Call Hector Venegas at 523-2931, or e-mail hectrv@earthlink.net. Cost: $295.Seminar: Edward Jones investment representative Ellen M.U. Narayan hosts "Fixed Income Seminar" at 9:30 a.m. at 201 Hamakua Dr., A104, Kailua. Free. Call 262-1350.
Luncheon: The Exchange Club of Downtown Honolulu features city council chair Jon Yoshimura discussing his campaign for the state senate from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Oahu Country Club. Cost: $15. Call 524-0330.
Forum: The American Society of Heat Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers Hawaii Chapter announces "Mold, Insurance and the Law" at 5 p.m. at the Pagoda Hotel. George Benda, Kale Feldman, and Wes Unemoto speak. $25, includes dinner. Call 543-4739.
Open House: Edward Jones investment representative Shane Shimatsu hosts a career open house at 5:30 p.m. at his office in Newtown Square, 98-1247 Kaahumanu St., Ste. 108A, Aiea. Talk with Edward Jones investment representatives about career opportunities. Free. Call 487-1800 or visit www.jonesopportunity.com.
Sept. 16
Luncheon: The Institute of Internal Auditors, Hawaii Chapter will discuss "Risk Management" with Angela Issac at 11:30 a.m. at the Plaza Club. Cost: $22 members, $10 students, $25 others, by Sept. 10. Call 593-5285.
Sept. 18
Luncheon: PRSA Hawaii presents "Practicing Solo, Opening your Own PR Agency" with solo practitioners Eileen Mortenson, Mele Pochereva, Sandy Van and Mona Wood at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki, Ewa Room. Cost: $25 members, $20 PRSSA students, $35 others. Reservations: E-mail prsa@hawaii.rr.com or call Debbie Robbins at 254-7570.Luncheon: The Hawaii Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association celebrates Aloha Week with guest speaker Peter Apo from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Grand Terrace. Cost: $28 members and students, $33 others, by Sept. 13. Call 538-3884.
Luncheon: Kevin Lui, financial advisor at Merrill Lynch private client group, will speak at the monthly Hawaii Economic Association meeting at noon at the Plaza Club on "What's Ahead in 2002: A Market Update." Cost: $20, members; $25 others. Reservations: snakano@hawaii.rr.com.
Sept. 19
Luncheon: The Exchange Club of Downtown Honolulu features retired judge and Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Duke Aiona from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Oahu Country Club. Cost: $15. Call 524-0330.
Sept. 22
Gala: The 2nd annual Flavors of Technology Gala to recognize talent and leadership in local companies that cultivate the growth of Hawaii's IT industry is at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The event benefits the Technology Scholarship Fund. Cost: $95. Call 535-1508 or email lincoln@pacificnews.net.