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Hawaiian Air to offer entertainment systems

Hawaiian Airlines is buying 1,500 personal entertainment systems to offer to passengers on its trans-Pacific flights, with a launch scheduled for next month.

The digEplayer system, developed by Washington-based APS Inc., allows customers to pick from movies, music videos, television shows and music tracks.

The battery-powered units fit on a seat-back tray or in a passenger's lap, and will be available for $10 in coach and free in first class.

During a two-month test run, the units sold out on every flight, Hawaiian said.

Catholic Charities reorganizes

Catholic Charities Hawaii said it has consolidated three of its affiliate community services agencies into the parent organization to improve efficiency, effective July 1.

The affected agencies are Catholic Charities' community and immigrant services, family services and elderly services programs. Catholic Charities CEO Jerry Rauckhorst will lead the integration and a new executive management team that includes four new vice presidents.

Learn to prevent identity theft

Government and business officials will speak tomorrow on how companies can prevent identity theft at a program titled "Benefits for the Bottom Line: Identity Theft."

The event will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Pacific Club. The cost is $15 for members of the Better Business Bureau and $20 for the public. For more information, call 536-6956, ext. 320.

Japan's growth to beat forecast, bank says

Japan's central bank said yesterday that the nation's economy would grow faster than the bank had previously forecast, amid signs that consumer spending continues to build.

Although the Bank of Japan provided no specific target, the bank said the economy's performance would exceed the estimates made in April, when the median forecast by central bankers put growth at 3.1 percent for the fiscal year ending next March.

The report by the central bank was in line with the views of private economists, many of whom have raised their forecasts after a surprisingly robust first quarter. Gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 6.1 percent for the quarter ended in March as consumer demand -- the missing element from Japan's recovery -- picked up, augmenting already strong exports and business investment.

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[Hawaii Inc.]

NEW JOBS

>> Castle Resorts & Hotels has appointed Sharon McAuliffe as director of e-commerce. She will be responsible for managing and coordinating sales and marketing initiatives for all electronic distribution channels. She previously served as the Pacific Valley Investors Hotel Group director of e.Distribution.

>> Waikoloa Beach Resort has named Kevin Ginoza as head golf professional at the championship Waikoloa Kings' Course. Ginoza has been assistant golf professional at the Waikoloa Beach & Golf Resort since 1999, teaching group clinics and private lessons.

>> Firefly has hired two new employees. Rae Alejado has been hired as a project manager. She manages Web development projects for Ala Moana Center, Alexander & Baldwin, Iolani School and Matson Navigation Co. Previously, Alejado was an account coordinator at Destination Marketing Hawaii. Maria "Mia" McKeehan has been hired as a project coordinator. She is responsible for assisting project managers and managing the Contemporary Museum account. McKeehan was formerly an operations manager at Mobile Auto Experts.

>> Olomana Marketing has hired two graphic designers. Vorawut "Wally" Chaiprakorb formerly served as Ogilvy & Mather art director. Paul Segawa recently served as Hawaii Medical Service Association art director.