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POSTED: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Frank Kiger retiring from HC&S

A top food products executive, who helped develop Kauai Coffee and Maui Brand Sugar and bring them to international attention, is retiring from the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., a division of Alexander & Baldwin.

Frank E. Kiger, who spent 33 years serving A&B's agricultural interests, will retire Monday. Kiger began his career at A&B as an electrician at McBryde Sugar Co. and rose through the management ranks to his current position as vice president at HC&S and general manager of Maui Brand.

“;Frank has made significant contributions to both of A&B's food product operations, and we acknowledge with gratitude his years of selfless effort on behalf of these companies and all of their employees,”; said Stanley M. Kuriyama, A&B president.

Frozen yogurt coming to Market City

Tropic Rush, a new self-serve frozen yogurt store billing itself as eco-friendly is slated to open Friday at Market City Shopping Center.

Nik Nikolaidis and Terri Lo Bring, owners of the T&N Computer Recycling Services, are opening the 1,140-square-foot shop in the former Robeks space.

A grand-opening special of buy one yogurt, get half off the second, will be held Friday through Sunday.

Tropic Rush says its interior is eco-friendly, featuring a mosaic wall made from recycled glass, a bench made from old mahogany church doors and checkout counter made from recycled resin lined with seaweed and backed with energy-efficient lighting. Tropic Rush also offers recycled napkins and biodegradable cups and napkins.

Ohana to run Diamond Head Hotel

Ohana Beach Rentals Hawaii has been chosen to operate the Diamond Head Beach Hotel & Residences.

The agreement represents the company's first multiunit hotel contact with on-site operations, management and marketing services.

“;Ohana Beach Rentals Hawaii is excited to add the Diamond Head Beach Hotel & Residences to its management portfolio of exclusive Oahu luxury vacation rental properties,”; said Warren Daniel, the company's founder and president.

Mexico wants swine flu-wary tourists

MEXICO CITY » If the rich, famous and pretty are returning to Mexico's beaches now that officials say the swine flu epidemic is waning, won't everyone else?

That's the message of a $90 million campaign aimed at luring tourists scared off by the outbreak, which has killed at least 86 people worldwide.

The government-funded campaign will feature ads with opera singer Placido Domingo, champion golfer Lorena Ochoa and other national heroes. President Felipe Calderon said yesterday that Mexico will also invite international celebrities to visit, but he didn't name them.

Tourism is Mexico's third-largest source of legal foreign income. But swine flu fears have stemmed the flow of visitors and pushed hotel occupancy to a record low.

BYUH team makes SIFE expo's top 12

The Brigham Young University-Hawaii Students in Free Enterprise, or SIFE, team earned a top-12 spot in the 2009 SIFE National Exposition in Philadelphia this month. It is the highest the school has placed in 12 years of competition.

The 22 students and 12 advisers and consultants engaged in several projects, including one to build a business plan for the widow of photographer Jon Mozo to keep his photography business going.

On the move

» Central Pacific Bank has hired David W. Hudson as senior vice president and division manager—community banking. He has more than 25 years' experience in the financial industry, including senior vice president of the retail banking division at American Savings Bank and various positions at Bank of America in Hawaii and California.

» Native 92.5, Maui's island music station, has announced Kawika “;KawikaVeeka”; Duey as the station's program director and morning man; Shawna “;Miss Loke”; De La Nux takes on midday drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Derick Sebastian will do the afternoons; and Jerry “;Pito”; Javier will be Weekend Warrior. Tony “;Tony P”; Pang also will be featured on the weekends.