Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Wednesday, June 4, 1997
Schuler Homes Inc. has won preliminary approval from a City Council committee for an exemption to the city's affordable housing requirements at its Pualani by the Sea development in Maili. Schuler gets early OK
to market homes to allThe Council's Zoning Committee agreed yesterday to allow Schuler to market the remaining 20 homes to people who have incomes higher than levels set by the federal government. Schuler was required to sell 58 of the 85 Pualani homes under affordable housing requirements, but hasn't been able to move the remaining 20 units despite heavy advertising, promotions and lowering prices to $199,000, below what it cost to build each home.
One problem has been that lower-income prospective buyers often don't qualify for financing, Schuler President Harry Goth told the committee.
American International Cargo is expanding its service in the Pacific. Air cargo business
expands Pacific serviceThe company already flies cargo freighter service between Los Angeles and Hawaii and said yesterday that on June 12 it also will begin weekly service between Honolulu and Christmas Island, Kiribati. The flight will continue on to Pago Pago, American Samoa and Apia, Western Samoa.
The Phoenix, Ariz.-based company says cargo will be flown on a B-727 freighter and believes the expanded service will give more opportunities to South Pacific exporters.
"This decision is a result of consultation with Samoan exporters, especially fishermen, who have large catches and have a need for reliable transportation to market their product," said Beti Ward, company chief executive officer.
Hawaii's first French Festival is expected to draw at least 6,000 additional tourists from Asia and the mainland this fall, says Gov. Ben Cayetano. State, businesses
plan French FestivalThe festival, which is set for Oct. 4-12 and is being planned as an annual event, marks a significant step in the efforts between the state, and retail and travel industries to increase tourism, he said yesterday.
Planned activities for the festival include fashion shows, art exhibits and wine tastings.
The state estimates the festival will bring in $17 million in sales and $1 million in taxes, Cayetano said. Various businesses are investing over $3 million in the event, he said.