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Waipahu job fair coming up soon

An alliance of groups is teaming up to stage the Employment Opportunities Expo '04, a job fair to be held at Waipahu's Filipino Community Center next Thursday.

The event's organizers, which include the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Filipino Community Center and Western Union, said they decided to hold the job fair after witnessing the strong turnout at the recent WorkForce 2004 fair at the Blaisdell Center.

The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. and is open to the public. Representatives of more than 50 companies will be present, including Altres, Burger King, Computer Training Academy and United Laundry.

Kea Lani buyer to issue stock

Host Marriott Corp. will issue up to 25 million shares of common stock to help pay for its $355 million purchase of the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui resort in Wailea.

The company said the share sale will raise approximately $305 million. It did not say where the remaining funds would come from. The purchase of the resort is expected to close in August.

The acquisition was announced earlier this week by Host Marriott, the nation's largest hotel owner with 111 properties operated primarily under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, and Four Seasons brands.

The seller, Toronto-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc., will retain its long-term management contract for the 450-suite luxury resort.

Verizon broadens DSL reach

Verizon Online said it has expanded the reach of its DSL Internet access service to new areas of Hawaii and now offers a higher connection speed for new sign-ups.

The company has modified its network to make the DSL service available in Royal Kunia, Keahi and Kaaawa on Oahu; Papaikou, Naalehu, Kawaihae and Volcano on the Big Island; Kekaha on Kauai; and Kaunakakai on Molokai.

The modifications also will increase Verizon Hawaii's reach within communities where the service already had been available.

Parade of Homes sponsors named

The Building Industry Association of Hawaii has named top-level sponsors for the BIA Parade of Homes on Oct. 2, 3, 9 and 10.

First Hawaiian Bank and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin are platinum sponsors. American Savings Bank has been recognized as the gold sponsor. Silver sponsors include HECO, INspirations, Takano Nakamura Landscaping Inc.; HonBlue and Local Union 1186.

For more information or to obtain a sponsorship commitment form, visit www.paradeofhomeshawaii.com or www.bia-hawaii.com.

HVCB offers maps for meetings

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has introduced interactive online maps for meeting planners to use in researching and scheduling meetings.

Planners can visit meethawaii.com to find maps that will allow them to find hotels with meeting facilities statewide. The maps also will allow planners to determine which hotels offer the best amenities.

HCDA director to talk at planners meeting

Daniel Dinell, executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, will speak on new developments in the Kakaako master plan at next Thursday's meeting of the Hawaii Society of Corporate Planners.

HCDA wants to transform Kakaako, once known for its auto shops and nightclubs, into a contemporary urban village offering recreational, cultural and educational facilities.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. Lunch begins at noon. Cost for the luncheon is $26 for HSCP members and $31 for guests. For more information, call 537-2356 or go to www.halfspot.org.

Daiei may write off pension fund

Daiei Inc., Japan's third-largest retailer, said its pension fund may be written off in its struggle to return to profit.

"If business doesn't improve, we may not have enough money set aside for future payments of retirement allowances," said Mitsuru Sano, a company spokesman. The company's pension fund was short about $899 million at the end of March. About 43,600 workers are subscribed to the fund.

"The move may help us make progress in the three-year restructuring plan," Sano said. "Details are still undecided."