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TheBuzz
Erika Engle
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‘Aloha’ can mean ‘for sale’ -- if you’re from Texas
THE Texas-based corporate offices of
Clear Channel Communications Inc. disconcerted at least a few employees at its Hawaii radio stations last week when it moved 71 stations into an entity called
Aloha Station Trust LLC from whence they may be sold.
"It doesn't have anything to do with Hawaii," the Hawaii stations are not for sale, said Chuck Cotton, Clear Channel's Hawaii vice president.
So, why name the trust Aloha?
"I have no idea," he said, chuckling, "They didn't call me and ask for my opinion or anything."
"I guess it's just that 'aloha' would be 'good-bye,'" said Cotton.
Perhaps it's a life lesson for businesses -- if you know your news will be picked up in your industry's trade publications, make it catchy.
Another 71 stations were moved into the trust yesterday.
The broadcast behemoth announced plans to sell 448 smaller market radio stations and all 42 television stations last Nov. 16, the same day it announced its planned merger with a private equity group led by Bain Capital Partners LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP. Many have been sold, but many have not.
Meanwhile, back where aloha comes from, the Hawaii Clear Channel cluster has begun streaming live video, "which is a little unusual, because it's expensive, but we figured out a way to do it where it's not expensive," Cotton said.
It's not just some cheapo Web cam showing jocks in-studio.
The stations use a digital video camera and a two-and-a-half pound laptop, and "it's only turned on if we have a special event," such as the Perry and Price broadcast from Fort Shafter last Friday, marking its 100th anniversary.
Tops in tech time
The nonprofit Pacific Technology Foundation is accepting nominations for its annual Technology Industry Awards, honoring business and technology industry folk and educators for making an impact on the industry.
Categories include Technology Company of the Year; Technology Community Service Award; Technology Woman of the Year; Technology Educator of the Year; and Technology Hall of Fame.
Details are available online and the deadline is July 31. Awards will be presented at the foundation's annual Flavors of Technology gala in September at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at:
eengle@starbulletin.com