CTAHR names Kurisu outstanding alumnus
A commitment to local products has won Derek Kurisu the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year honor from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).As executive vice president of perishable operations at the Big Island's KTA Super Stores, Ku- risu created a private label with more than 285 items, representing 80 business partnerships.
Through the Mountain Apple Brand, Kurisu has helped get new Hawaii products to market.
"My vision is to have products from Hawaii available throughout the world," he said. "You see a Mexican food section in the supermarket, the Oriental section; why not a section with Hawaii products?"
Kurisu earned a bachelor's in agriculture from CTAHR in 1974. He has been with KTA for 33 years. In addition to his work at the grocery chain, he produces two cable television programs -- "Living in Paradise" and "Seniors Living in Paradise" -- and frequently speaks to community groups.
"I was a C student," he said, "but we have been able to accomplish so much by working together. I want students to see that when I talk to them."
Kurisu will be honored at the CTAHR Awards Banquet at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Hale Koa Hotel. Call 956-6997 for ticket information.
Nation's retailers posted solid gains in March
NEW YORK >> Consumers inspired by the arrival of spring and an improving economy gave department stores and some clothing retailers another try during March, lifting sales for many of the nation's biggest retailers. Still, retailers, who reported their monthly sales figures today said an expected boost from the Easter holiday was muted by unseasonably cool weather and shoppers' continued reluctance to splurge.Some analysts said they were heartened by a slight improvement for some major department store operators including Saks Inc., Macy's owner Federated Department Stores Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. Mall-based apparel retailer Limited Inc. posted gains that exceeded Wall Street estimates.
Department stores and many apparel chains have suffered for months, losing market share to discounters such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target.
"The story line is still there. Discounters are still the dominant force," said Michael P. Nie- mira, vice president of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd. "But the business among certain department stores is looking better."
Herbalife to be bought by 2 venture capital firms
LOS ANGELES >> Herbalife has agreed to be acquired by two venture capital firms for approximately $685 million, the nutritional products company said late yesterday.The private venture capital firms Whitney & Co., of Stamford, Conn., and Golden Gate Capital Inc., of San Francisco, have entered into a merger pact that calls for holders of Class A and B stock to receive $19.50 per share in cash, which is a premium of about 26.7 percent for Class A holders and about 35.4 percent for Class B holders.
The merger, which will take Herbalife private, comes two years after the death of Herbalife founder Mark Hughes left the company adrift. Herbalife sells various nutritional products in 54 countries through a network of 100,000 distributors. In 2001, the company had gross revenues of $1.7 billion.
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Taking Notice
2001 Ilima Award Winners
The International Association of Business Communicators presented the following Awards of Excellence last night:
>> Writing -- Opinion/Bylined article: "Mom and Me"
Jason Kimura, The Queens Medical Center>> Publication/Design -- Newspaper, newsletter, tabloid, megapaper: "Health Connection," The Queens Medical Center
>> Publication Design - Three-plus color publication, "17th World Congress Psychosomatic Medicine," Kennedy & Preiss Graphic Design
>> Photography/Illustration -- Hand-drawn illustration, "It's All in Your Head," Garry Ono & Jonathan Tanji, Island Scene (HMSA)
>> Photography/Illustration -- Computer-generated illustration or enhanced photo, "After-School Special," Kennedy & Preiss Graphic Design
>> External Publication -- One or two color publication, magazine, Mua Magazine, Edward Kalama Jr., Kamehameha Schools
>> External Publication -- Three or more color magazine, Island Scene Magazine, Bill Harby, Island Scene (HMSA)
>> Special Print Communication -- Internal/external annual report (one or two colors), "Alexander & Baldwin Foundation 2000 Review of Giving," Linda M. Howe, Alexander & Baldwin
>> Special Print Communication -- Other: calendar, poster, invitation etc. (three-plus) colors, "2002 Tide Calendar," Glenn K.Y. Hong, Hawaii Tug & Barge / Young Brothers, Ltd.
>> Communication Program -- External one-time program, "Distinguished Citizen of the Year," Brian Blevins, Verizon Hawaii
>> Communication Program -- External ongoing program, "The Saint Louis Man" The Limtiaco Company / Mana Means, Inc.
>> Communication Program -- External one-time program, "Star-Bulletin Staff Communication," Barbara Hastings, Hastings & Pleadwell
>> Communication program -- Internal ongoing program, "Na Lima Kokua O St. Francis," St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii
>> Marketing Communication -- Television commercial, "Goodwill TV - Janelle," Alan Tang, Olomana Marketing LLC