MAINLAND
Intel to invest $150 mil in Wi-Fi technology
SANTA CLARA, Calif. >> Intel Corp. said today it plans to invest $150 million in companies developing high-speed wireless networking technology, an area of growth that Intel sees as key to accelerating revenue and profit in the coming years.Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, did not specify which companies it would invest in, or the time frame in which it would make the investments.
The most prevalent high-speed wireless technology standard used currently to connect PCs, laptops and handheld computers to each other and the Internet is known as Wi-Fi, or 802.11.
Related to its push to spur the adoption Wi-Fi, Intel will introduce in the first half of next year its microprocessor chip code-named Banias, the first Intel has ever designed from scratch for mobile computing. Banias will include Wi-Fi capability as part of its chipset and processor technology, Intel has said.
Chinese company buys U.S. battery maker
Gainesville, Fla. >> A Chinese state-owned company bought a bankrupt Florida manufacturer to become one of the world's four biggest battery makers, prompting officials to forecast a wave of Chinese investment in the United States.Shanghai Huayi Group paid $20 million for Moltech Power Systems Inc., and will operate the Gainesville, Fla., battery maker as a wholly owned subsidiary, said Moltech Chief Executive Officer Martin Higgins.
Investment by Anheuser-Bush Cos., and other U.S. corporations in China has surged since the world's most populous country joined the World Trade Organization in December. China's decision also to find opportunities shouldn't be surprising, said former U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky.
USDA ushers in new organic food labels
WASHINGTON >> New organic food labels regulated by the U.S. Agriculture Department debuted today, enabling household names like Kraft Foods Inc to tell consumers which products are free of pesticides and genetically modified crops.Food makers ranging from giant corporations like General Mills Inc to independent firms such as Annie's Naturals and Honest Tea can now market their organic products under a federally approved USDA seal.
"Today, when consumers see the USDA national organic seal on products, the will know that the products labeled organic will be consistent across the country," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said in a statement. To carry the new USDA seal, organic products cannot include pesticides or genetically modified ingredients, or be irradiated to kill bacteria and lengthen shelf life. Meats sold as organic cannot be produced from animals that receive antibiotics.
Before these labels were issued, the term "organic" was defined under a hodgepodge of state, regional and private certifier standards, creating confusion about its meaning.
Group tries to stop pitches to cell phones
NEW YORK >> The Direct Marketing Association, a trade group, plans to announce a plan today to prevent telemarketers from calling people on their cell phones.A law passed in 1991 already bans most commercial calls to wireless phones, but marketers have found screening cell phones from their call lists difficult. As a result, consumers have increasingly complained about cell phone sales pitches, and marketers are worried about being fined or sued for inadvertently calling wireless numbers.
So the Direct Marketing Association, the trade group for direct mailers and telemarketers, has identified 280 million existing and prospective wireless numbers and will try to have marketers eliminate them from their lists.
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[ HAWAII INC. ]
PROMOTIONS
>> Island Insurance Cos. has promoted Beverly C. Ament to vice president and general manager of the commercial insurance division. She has been serving as acting general manager since June and continues to be responsible for the commercial underwriting, commercial operations, product development, loss control, premium audit and surety bonds personnel and functions of the division.>> Bank of Hawaii has recently named Vice President Linda Lewis to the newly created position of community development officer. She will serve as an advisor to the bank's nonprofit clients in assessing their financial needs and coordinating delivery of bank services, including community development loans and deposits, investment, insurance, and cash management products and services. She joined the bank in 1994 and previously served as a community reinvestment act administrator and commercial loan officer.
ON THE BOARD
>> Victoria Ward Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey C. Dinsmore has been named chairman of KCAA Pre-Schools of Hawaii's board of trustees. Other executive officers are: Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Early Childhood Administrator Susan Cleveland, vice chairman; Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii Executive Director Chuck Braden, treasurer; and Pacific Land partner Kimo Steinwascher. Three new trustees were also elected to the board: Servco Pacific Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Fukunaga, School Kine Cookies President Steven Gold, and community volunteer Susan Ing. KCAA Pre-Schools of Hawaii is an Aloha United Way agency, offering teacher training and free kindergartens to Hawaii's children.>> John E. "Jack" Flanagan has been named chairman of The Salvation Army Honolulu Advisory Board for 2003. Other new officers are: Vice Chairman David K. Arita, Vice Chairman Victor A. Fresca and Immediate Past Chairperson Gae Bergquist Trommald.
The board consists of 43 volunteer community leaders charged with the responsibility of advising and assisting The Salvation Army in all its Oahu activities.