Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Monday, July 26, 1999
Hawaii Y2K events to get 'smart cards'
The Pathways Group Inc. has signed an agreement with the Hawaii Millennium Commission to provide "smart cards" for electronic commerce by local businesses and retailers.The cards are embedded with microprocessor chips that store and use information about the cardholder for centralized transaction processing and record keeping. The cards can be used for millennium events and can be combined with retail discounts and tour packages for visitors.
Pathways officials said they see a potential for 250,000 cards to be used at 3,800 locations throughout Hawaii. Pathways, based in Woodinville, Wash., set up a Hawaii office two years ago.
The company recently announced that it will establish a Web site for information on the Hawaii millennium celebration.
Smart cards will be available for purchase on the Web site.
Pepsi, Meadow Gold sign up 2 isle parks
Atlantis Adventures said it has signed promotional contracts with Meadow Gold Dairies and Pepsi Bottling Group making their products exclusive at the two attractions Atlantis manages, Sea-Life Park and Waimea Valley Adventure Park.Atlantis, which manages the parks for owner Attractions Hawaii and also runs its own tourist submarine business, will cut out other products at the parks' sales outlets in favor of Meadow Gold and Pepsi items and promote the brands in its park maps and leaflets and in its advertising.
Pepsi and Meadow Gold, in return, will help promote the parks.
GTE's profits rise 15% in quarter
IRVING, Texas -- GTE Corp., the local phone company set to be acquired by Bell Atlantic Corp., said second-quarter earnings rose 15 percent, matching analysts' estimates, on sales of data, Internet and wireless services.Net income rose to $776 million, or 79 cents a share, from $673 million, or 69 cents, in the year-earlier period. Sales increased 7 percent to $6.3 billion from $5.9 billion.
GTE is the parent of Hawaiian Tel.