TheBuzz
TheBuzz
BANK OF THE ORIENT opened for its first day of business in brand new high-tech digs in a very old building yesterday. Bishop Street bank
moves forward and
back in timeThe new Bishop Street branch is on the ground floor of the historic Dillingham Transportation building, which is technically part of Pacific Guardian Center.
The 4,544-square-foot space, which includes a mezzanine, was fitted with a computer system upgrade before the move, according to bank spokeswoman Carolyn Tanaka. She said bank officials decided that installing a new computer system infrastructure in a new space would be more efficient than retrofitting its home in the Davies Pacific Center space formerly occupied by its predecessor, Bank of Honolulu. That branch closed Tuesday.
Bank of the Orient took over Bank of Honolulu in October after the state commissioner of financial institutions ordered Bank of Honolulu closed.
Tanaka said the upgrade was part of the bank's commitment to provide Hawaii customers with the latest products and services.
Bank of the Orient closed Kaneohe and Kapiolani branches. The two branches it operates are its newly relocated Bishop Street branch and another in the Manoa Marketplace. Its old downtown branch was at 841 Bishop St.
Brian's next bout
Hawaii pro boxer Brian Viloria and his now-healed right hand left home for Los Angeles yesterday with prospects for a Hawaii-based sponsorship agreement.Manager Gary Gittelsohn said he is reviewing a proposal from a company which provides Internet access and e-commerce as well as Web hosting and design services.
The company "would like to use Brian as a spokesperson," he said, and it was possible the parties could "work out a sponsorship arrangement for signage on clothing."
Gittelsohn wouldn't identify the company, as the talks are preliminary -- but said he was about to reconnect with them after a just-concluded business trip.
Everlast, a company name synonymous with boxing accoutrement, "is an established sponsor providing (Brian's) clothing and equipment, and has expressed an interest in broadening the relationship," Gittelsohn said.
Asked if there might be a Hawaiian- or aloha print theme to Viloria's ring-wear, Gittelsohn said, "They've offered that -- they have a designer that will customize these outfits for fighters."
In his pro-debut in Honolulu in March, the "New Hawaiian Punch" wore green and gold as an homage to his amateur boxing club, from whence legendary Hawaii boxer Jesus Salud also came up the boxing ranks.
Viloria takes on a yet-to-be-announced opponent Sept. 28 in San Francisco, in a fight to be aired on ESPN.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com