Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Mac nut lawsuits to join forces
An attorney for Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co. said he plans to file a motion in Hilo Circuit Court on Tuesday asking to consolidate the company's lawsuit with a similar antitrust suit to stop a merger between the state's top two macadamia nut processors.Jerold Matayoshi, who represents the state's third-largest nut processor, said Hamakua is seeking a preliminary injunction against the merger. The company argues that allowing the deal between Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. and MacFarms of Hawaii LLC could force Hamakua out of business.
Hamakua sued on Aug. 23, following a previous suit by ML Macadamia Orchards LP and other nut growers. ML Macadamia also is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the deal.
The transaction is being investigated by the state Attorney General's Office.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14 to see if the case can go forward.
If the case can proceed, Mauna Loa and MacFarms have agreed not to close on the deal until 72 hours after Sept. 14 to give the growers and Hamakua time to file a temporary restraining order until a hearing is held on a preliminary injunction.
Island Air can carry oxygen
Island Air has received approval from federal aviation officials to carry medical oxygen, the airline said yesterday.Passengers who need the oxygen on Island Air can request the service with a 48-hour advance notice, effective immediately, the airline said in a news release.
The Federal Aviation Administration gave the approval on Thursday, said Neil Takekawa, president of Island Air.
Some Molokai residents who require oxygen for medical treatment had worried that Hawaiian Airlines' withdrawal would put them at risk when traveling to Honolulu for treatment.
Hawaiian, which had been the only other carrier in Hawaii certified to carry oxygen tanks, cited low passenger levels in deciding to cut the once daily flight that stopped in Molokai and Lanai. The last flight to those islands was Aug. 15.
Hilo Hattie opening in San Diego
Hilo Hattie said it plans to open its fourth mainland store, a 5,000-square-foot shop in San Diego, by next spring.The new location will be near the San Diego ConventionCenter and 3,000 hotel rooms in the city's Gaslamp Quarter. The company recently closed stores in Nashville, Tenn., Tempe, Ariz., and Miami.
Castle picks up Kauai property
Castle Resorts & Hotels said it will take over management, sales and marketing of the oceanfront Kaha Lani Resort on Kauai on Oct. 1, bringing the company's Kauai properties to six and its total statewide count to 19.
