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Business Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
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FAST FACTS HAWAII
HAWAII
REIT acquires Waikiki building
The
Shidler Group's West Coast office building real estate investment trust has acquired the Kalakaua Business Center in Waikiki.
Pacific Office Properties Trust Inc. acquired the nine-floor Class-A building adjacent to the Waikiki Beach Walk earlier this month. The building has about 152,000 leasable square feet, including 29,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor.
The Shidler Group purchased the building for about $30 million in February 2007.
The property, which is currently 97 percent occupied, is home to the state's only Planet Hollywood restaurant and also houses the international operations of Bank of Hawaii, the state's second-largest financial institution.
NATION
Real estate settlement reached
WASHINGTON » The Justice Department gave a boost yesterday to online real estate brokers -- and potentially their clients -- by forcing new industry policies that give Internet-based agents access to home listings they were previously denied.
The tentative settlement, which still requires court approval, could save consumers thousands of dollars when buying a home.
Online real estate agents often charge discounted commission fees and let buyers review listings at their own pace.
For years, however, Internet-based brokers have complained that the National Association of Realtors wanted to let real estate agents exclude some of their listings from their online competitors. More than 800 multiple listing services nationwide are affiliated with the Realtors group.
Judge: Dell misled customers
ALBANY, N.Y. » A New York judge concluded yesterday that
Dell Inc. engaged in repeated false and deceptive advertising of its promotional credit financing and warranties.
State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi ordered the computer retailer to more clearly disclose that most customers don't qualify for free financing or get "next day" repair service.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sued Dell last year. Teresi gave him until Dec. 1 to identify all consumer claims for third-party repairs, new computers or higher interest payments than they would have paid otherwise.
JetBlue delays aircraft order
NEW YORK »
JetBlue Airways Corp. said yesterday it will put off buying 21 new
Airbus jetliners it planned to receive starting next year for four to five years because of rising fuel costs.
The A320 planes, which were originally scheduled for delivery between 2009 through 2011, will now be delivered in 2014 and 2015.
Spokeswoman Alison Eshelman declined to say how much the Forest Hills, N.Y.-based airline hoped to save by deferring delivery of the planes.
WORLD
Vodafone returns to profit
LONDON »
Vodafone Group PLC, the world's biggest mobile phone company by sales, announced the surprise resignation of chief executive Arun Sarin yesterday as it posted a return to full-year profitability.
Sarin, who led Vodafone's expansion into emerging markets like India, Turkey and the Czech Republic over his five years in the top job, will be replaced by his deputy, Vittorio Colao.
New hires / promotions
» RoboDocs has named Hawaii native
Keana Anderson national accounts relationship manager. She has nearly 10 years of experience in sales, marketing, management and client relations.
» The Trust for Public Land has named Keith Kraughto Hawaii state development director. He will oversee fundraising efforts for the trust's conservation work, including Turtle Bay and the expansion of its Native Lands Program in Hawaii. His non-profit experience includes director of development for the Hawaii Humane Society, and working as a member of Chaminade University's institutional advancement team.
» University of Hawaii West Oahu has hired Gracelyn Myers as a clerk typist in the office of the vice chancellor for academic affairs. She will provide clerical support for curriculum development, orders and requisitions, and travel arrangements for faculty.
» Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa has announced the following promotions:
* Dave Kaneshiro to director of guest relations. His 19 years of experience include front office manager, front desk manager and guest service agent at the Hilton, and commission agent, suite coordinator and front operations clerk at the Pacific Beach Hotel.
* Shannon Schilling to front office manager. Her previous jobs include guest relations manager at the Grand Wailea Resort, and guest service working supervisor and guest service agent at the Hilton.
» The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has named Josette Murai convention services manager for its corporate, meetings and incentives division. She will support the destination travel needs of convention groups, and assist with marketing and promotions conducted by the bureau's regional sales directors nationwide. She has 17 years of Hawaii convention and hotel services experience.
» Starwood Vacation Ownership has named Kahau Manzo executive chef at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. He will lead all culinary operations for the resort's Nanea signature restaurant. His experience includes executive sous chef at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, restaurant chef for the rainbow Lanai at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, sous chef at the Grand Wailea Resort and restaurant chef at the Four Seasons Wailea.
» St. Francis Healthcare Foundation of Hawaii has named John C. Keene foundation programs director. He will oversee fund development, capital campaigns and financial investments for the foundation.
» Ruth's Chris Steak House in Restaurant Row has named Kyle Yonashiro executive chef. His previous jobs include executive chef at Lulu's Waikiki, sous chef at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and Acqua Restaurant, executive chef at Nick's Fishmarket and chef at Kula Lodge Restaurant and Mid-Pacific Country Club.
» Hoakalei Country Club has named Tulinh Luciano-DeSmith director of sales and marketing for Hawaii's first Ernie Els signature golf course and clubhouse. She has 20 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience.
» The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has named Jamie Story president. She replaces founder Richard O. Rowland, who will serve as president emeritus.
BUSINESS PULSE
