Business Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire services
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SUNTECH HAWAII
High-powered: Kailua-based Suntech Hawaii said yesterday it has completed a 103-kilowatt high- efficiency photovoltaic solar electric power system, above, at Pineridge Farm Inc. in Kalihi. The 515-panel solar system will generate enough power to cut the company's power usage by more than 80 percent.
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HAWAII
Pacific Wings unit offers $9 fares
Maui-based Pacific Wings' startup sister airline, GeorgiaSkies, is inaugurating flights between Georgia cities Atlanta, Macon and Athens for $9 one way from Hartsfield-Atlanta Airport.
GeorgiaSkies, which is replacing Mesa Airlines in Athens, is taking a page out of Mesa interisland carrier go!'s flight book and offering the below-cost fares to drive traffic. Go! offered one-way fares as low as $1 at one time.
GeorgiaSkies is a division of Dallas-based Pacific Air Holdings, the parent company of Pacific Wings. The parent company also serves New Mexico and Nevada.
"There are no roads between islands in Hawaii, so people have to fly whenever they want to visit family or conduct business in other parts of the state," said GeorgiaSkies President Gabriel Kimbrell. "Bringing people together conveniently and inexpensively is the only way to make it work. Especially here in Georgia, where there are roads and automobiles to compete with."
Ecotourism deadline extended
Hawaii Ecotourism Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserve Hawaii's environment and culture through responsible travel, has extended the deadline for entries for its Ecotourism Operator of the Year Award to Monday.
The award winner will be announced in late October.
To apply, applicants must complete an "Ecotourism Operator Review" with the Hawaii Ecotourism Association. The review process examines factors including the company's compliance with all local regulations, permits and codes for use of natural areas, conservation steps taken to prevent negative impacts upon natural areas, cultural and historical stewardship, contributions to the local community, and appropriate education and training of staff.
Beach Walk gets 4 new stores
Outrigger's Waikiki Beach Walk has several new tenants to add to its collection of stores and restaurants.
Red Mango, a new-to-Hawaii yogurt franchise, has opened its doors on the ground level of Wyndham Vacation Ownership-Waikiki, along with Planet U2, an apparel shop, and a UPS store.
Cheeseburger Beachwalk, a restaurant owned by Cheeseburger Restaurants, is also expected to replace Holokai Grill, which closed on the second floor in May.
Cheeseburger Beachwalk, the third on Oahu for the restaurant chain, is slated to open by Oct. 29.
Hoana Medical completes audits
Hoana Medical, Inc., a Honolulu-based health-care company, said yesterday it has completed regulatory audits to expand its LifeBed system into Canada and Japan. LifeBed invisibly tracks a patient's basic vital signs without any connection to the patient.
The CAN ISO and GMP marks are often found on the product or packaging and are required by most health-care organizations in these two countries to certify that a product conforms to Canadian and Japanese health, safety and environmental quality standards.
NATION
30-year mortgages dip
WASHINGTON » Rates on 30-year mortgages dropped sharply again this week, falling to the lowest level in seven months, as rates continue to decline following the government's dramatic takeover of mortgage giants
Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac.
Freddie Mac reported yesterday that its nationwide survey found 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages declined to 5.78 percent this week, down from 5.93 percent last week. It was the fifth consecutive weekly decline.
Rates on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 5.35 percent, down from 5.54 percent last week.
One-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 5.03 percent, down from 5.21 percent last week.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
Promotions / new hires
» Sacred Hearts Academy has named
Janice Nillias Knapp as director of development. She replaces Celeste O'Brien, who relocated to Ore. Knapp has 10 years of management experience in the nonprofit sector including the American Liver Foundation, Red Cross and Nature Conservancy.
» Starwood Hotels & Resorts has named Corey Campbell as human resources training manager at the Royal Hawaiian. His previous jobs include assistant outlet manager at RumFire, guest services manager at Sheraton Waikiki and Akita prefecture advisor for the Akita Board of Education in Japan.
» The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce has named Judith Steinman as executive officer. Her experience includes director of The Science Group of law firm McCarter & English, team leader of the Ohana Quake Outreach Program and serving on the boards of the North Hilo Community Council and the Laupahoehoe Train Museum.
» Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has promoted Carlos A. Torres to director of catering and convention services from assistant director of catering and convention services. He has more than 10 years of hospitality experience including the Westin Diplomat Resort in South Fla. and the Grand Wailea Resort.
» East-West Center named Jonathan Henick diplomat-in residence and visiting research fellow for a one-year post. His experience includes public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, senior political officer at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, adviser to the U.S. Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh and Iraq desk officer at the U.S. Department of State.
» Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel has announced the following promotions and new hire:
* Eric Fleckles to chief information officer from technology director.
* Ellen Tsang to director of information technology from assistant director of information technology.
* Kim Manning as director of information lifecycle management.
Board elections
» North Hawaii Community Hospital has announced its new Board Nominating Committee: Dr. Ron Ahloy, Dr. John Dawson, Dr. Christian Gulbrand-sen, Susan Hunt, Warren Lee, Phil Reilly, Pat Rice and Sharon Sakai. The committee is comprised of three current board members and five non-board community members who will recruit, interview and present a slate of 12 board candidates whose terms will commence January 1, 2009 or sooner.
BUSINESS PULSE