Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business /2004/12/14/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

State fines companies and revokes licenses

CORRECTION

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

» Douglas A. Wagner and D&R Auto & Radiator Repair were ordered to pay a $500 civil penalty and restitution of nearly $1,200 by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. A Page C1 brief yesterday said incorrectly that restitution of nearly $1.2 million had been ordered.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the boards it oversees recently took disciplinary action against several Hawaii companies for not performing up to professional and vocational licensing standards.

The Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board revoked the license for Tandal's Auto Maintenance and Detailing Inc. and ordered D&R Auto & Radiator Repair and Douglas A. Wagner to pay a $500 civil penalty and nearly $1.2 million in restitution.

The Real Estate Commission ordered Steven D. Weeks to pay a $3,000 fine and $1,200 in restitution and Sheldon H. Lau to pay a $1,000 fine.

The Contractors License Board revoked Apolosi Lauhingoa's contractor license and ordered $23,000 in restitution. David Malafu was ordered to pay $1,000 restitution and Laau Structures Inc. & Greg Boyd II were fined $1,500.

The Board of Medical Examiners reprimanded Lowell A. Rego and fined him $500. The board also fined Rachel F. Tortolini $500.

The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology fined Doug Peterson Salon & Day Spa $2,500.

The Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board ordered Makena Hawaii Windward Inc. to pay a $1,000 fine and Hawaii Nissan Inc. to pay a $1,500 fine.

The Pest Control Board ordered James D. Neely to pay a $6,000 fine.

State lowering business fees

The state will cut business registration and other fees, saving businesses a total of nearly $2.5 million in the next two years, Gov. Linda Lingle's administration said yesterday.

Among the cuts, businesses will pay lower fees for their annual reports to the state, and registered salespeople will get a one-time 50 percent reduction in their yearly renewal fee. The reductions will take effect next month. For more information, call 586-2622.

Convention center wins award

The Hawaii Convention Center has received a Prime Site Award from Facilities and Destinations magazine for the seventh consecutive year.

The Prime Site Awards winners are decided by promoters, booking agents and event planners who are are directly involved with site selection. Voting is based on convenience of location, facility attractiveness and maintenance, professionalism of staff, cuisine and technological capabilities.

Hawaii Foodbank receives grant

The Hawaii Foodbank and its subsidiary, the Maui Community Food Bank, have received a total of $90,000 in grants from Kraft Foods.

The first grant of $50,000 will provide most of the funding needed for two forklifts, one on Oahu and the other on Maui. The second grant of $40,000 will help start the Maui Food Bank's Laulima Produce Program, a produce recovery program expected to deliver up to 100,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables on Maui.