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Los Angeles-Hawaii holiday cruise canceled

A holiday year-end cruise to Hawaii from Los Angeles was abruptly canceled because of a bankruptcy dispute involving the cruise ship's Greek owner.

The Olympia Explorer was to have departed California Monday for the islands en route through Ensenada, Mexico, but was ordered to stay in Los Angeles by a Dec. 17 court order to keep the ship from leaving U.S. waters.

The ship was to have arrived in Kona Saturday, continuing to Kahului, Maui; Honolulu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Hilo on New Year's Day, then head back to Los Angeles, according to its shipping agent Waldron Steamship Co.

Royal World Cruises Inc. filed Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy in Hawaii last week to hold off lenders claiming more than $100 million in unpaid loans and interest. The ship, which was in Hawaii at the time, returned to California after being allowed to leave.

Plans for the ship are on hold pending discussions between the owners and lenders, and further action by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu, according to a statement from Greece-based parent company Royal Olympic Cruise Lines Inc. A sister ship has been held in the Virgin Islands and is expected to return to Florida with passengers on Jan. 2.

Farm families head to Waikiki

The American Farm Bureau Federation will hold its 85th annual meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center Jan. 11-14, bringing more than 6,600 delegates, $21.1 million in visitor spending and $1.75 million in tax revenue.

The farm bureau federation represents farm and ranch families and seeks economic opportunity and social advancement. Retired Gen. Tommy Franks will address attendees Jan. 12.

Hopaco moving to Central Oahu

Hopaco Business Office Solutions is moving from two locations into one and gaining a roommate.

From its nearly 60,000 square feet on Paa Street in Mapunapuna and its Kalihi location, it will move into more than 71,000 square feet in Waipio's Gentry Business Park.

Its roommate will be OfficeMax Inc., as the two now share a parent company in Boise Office Solutions, a division of Boise Cascade Corp.

Despite the increase in leased square footage, the integration will save the company money, according to Hawaii General Manager Rudy Mayo, though he did not divulge a figure.

"Because of all this integration we're also expecting growth from the Hawaii market," he said.

The Waipio space is being renovated with the movers due in April.

"This is a high-tech move," Mayo said. "Our logistics people from the mainland have done this 17 times in the last three years."

The Mapunapuna warehouse will move in one weekend, the Kalihi facility arrives the next, "and we expect to be live and operational by April 10."

Colliers Monroe Friedlander, which brokered the new lease, will be subleasing Hopaco's 46,000-square-foot Mapunapuna location.

Baywest buys California property

Baywest Equities, a private investment company based in Honolulu and San Francisco, has purchased a 164,188-square-foot industrial property in Valencia, Calif.

The company is an affiliate of Baywest Investment Co. LLC, which has completed a number of hotel and condominium renovations in Hawaii including the 93-room Bamboo in Waikiki and the Royal Palm at Waipio. It is the fifth acquisition for the company, which has purchased more than $50 million properties in California this year.

CPF maintains dividend

Central Pacific Financial Corp., holding company of Central Pacific Bank, announced yesterday that stockholders will receive a cash dividend of 16 cents per share.

The dividend, which has been maintained at the same rate for four straight quarters, will be paid on Jan. 30 to shareholders of record Dec. 31.

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[Hawaii Inc.]

New Jobs

>> Alexander Hamilton Stuart has joined Martin & Macarthur as chief operating officer and distribution division manager. He directs the company's full-service operation, supplying woodworkers, picture framers and retail stores. He previously owned and operated a consulting firm for offshore investors and has participated in several start-up technology enterprises in Silicon Valley. 

>> Gregg Lundberg has been named general manager of Starwood Vacation Ownership's first Hawaii timeshare property, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. He will oversee all resort operations and was previously Starwood's director of project management Hawaii.

>> University of Hawaii Foundation has hired Kevin Takamori as associate vice president of alumni relations. He will be responsible for guiding the university's efforts to provide an alumni relations program that generates goodwill and support. He previously served as acting director of continuing education at Harvard Alumni Association.

>> PacificBasin Communications has appointed Donnie K. Trujillo as HONOLULU Magazine account executive. He previously served three years as account executive of Hawaii Business Magazine.