Partnership finalizes deal for GST's Hawaii assets

A Japanese trading giant has completed its acquisition of the Hawaii assets of GST Telecommunications Inc., including its fiber optic cable linking all six of the major islands. The new owner is Pacific LightNet Inc., a new Hawaii company formed by a subsidiary of Tomen Corp. in Japan and NextNet Investments.

Tomen put the deal together in March, 10 months after Vancouver, Wash.-based GST filed for bankruptcy after setting up its Hawaii network. Pacific LightNet said it will focus on providing voice and data services throughout Hawaii. The new company acquired 3,000 telephone customers in Hawaii and 14,000 Internet accounts that had been with GST Hawaii OnLine, a major Hawaii Internet service provider. It took until now to get regulatory approvals needed, the companies said.

Nonprofit impact is focus of Honolulu symposium

Representatives from nonprofits will speak at a symposium tomorrow entitled "Update: What we know so far: Impact on nonprofit services and community giving after Sept. 11."

The panel will address three areas of concern in the nonprofit community: Current observations and forecasts from different sectors of the nonprofit sector, corporate support of nonprofits and creative strategies for fund raising.

The session runs 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Theater.

The free presentation will be followed by an open symposium to allow input from those who attend, as well as a $15 pupu and drink reception. Space can be reserved by calling 589-2407 or e-mail, cathy@marketingsolutionshi.com