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Hawaii customers
take big bite out of
Apple’s Mac mini

THE line snaked long and patient outside the doors. Was it outside a new and happening nightspot with scowling bouncers assessing the worthiness of the queued up hopefuls? No.

The line was outside the Apple Store at Ala Moana Center on Saturday, with people waiting for an 8:30 a.m. opening.

The first person in line arrived at 2:30 a.m., according to a store worker who declined to be identified.

The occasion was the retail roll out of the Mac mini desktop computer and software packages called iLife and iWork. The Mac mini, with a basic model starting at $499, was sold out in about an hour at the Ala Moana store, according to the store worker.

Store officials are not allowed to be quoted and the company doesn't comment on sales, according to Apple spokesman Fletcher Cook.

Computer industry publications are practically gushing about the mini for its easy installation and use and quiet operation, among other aspects.

The machine requires separate purchase of a display, keyboard and mouse.

Another red-hot Apple product is the iPod Shuffle, a tiny data-storage device that starts at $99 for a capacity of 120 songs, and is flying off store shelves.

Aside from the Apple Store, there are six other Hawaii retailers that sell the company's products, including four on Oahu and one each on Maui and Kauai. The products can be purchased via the Apple Web site, which estimates that free shipment will take two to four weeks, depending on the order.

The company also doesn't talk about when shipments will arrive at stores, Cook said.

Hitching businesses

Food-and-beverage industry marketing company Market Advantage has merged with wedding coordination business Finishing Touch, a business marriage seemingly made in heaven.

It started with a classified ad in which Market Advantage President Justin Yoshino sought a marketing assistant. Sandra Htwe (pronounced "tway") answered the ad and Yoshino knew she was the right candidate, especially once she mentioned her fledgling company Finishing Touch.

Yoshino's company has planned several events in its nearly eight years, including a wrap party for the Bruce Willis movie "Tears of the Sun" and nightclub event "Feng Shui Lounge." He also has put together weddings, such as one on the Big Island where he arranged a golf tournament for the guys and a brunch and spa-day bridal shower for the ladies.

"Now with Sandra, it's going to take off and move forward with her expertise," Yoshino said.

Finishing Touch is now a division of Market Advantage. Each will benefit from a partnership with Hawaii-based travel agency Business & Leisure Holidays Inc. The companies shared a booth at a recent wedding trade show in Washington state to tap Hawaii's growing wedding and honeymoon visitor market.

"We will help them promote their honeymoon packages to all these exotic places, Tahiti, New Zealand," Yoshino said, while the travel agency will promote its partners' services.