Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business Briefs /2005/06/21/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

California lender opens Hawaii office

A mortgage company based in Sacramento, Calif., has opened an office in Honolulu and named veteran isle businessman Charles Degala to lead the 50 full- and part-time loan officers and processors it hopes to have on staff by the end of this month.

Owned by California businessmen Robert Do and Quinn Dang, Global One Lending LCC was founded in 2001 and has more than 4,000 loan officers at its branches in California. It also has branches in Virginia and Nevada.

Degala yesterday said the company obtained its Hawaii license in April and started doing business in May, though it started hiring and training its agents in September. Its offices in Honolulu are at 1132 Bishop St., suite 200.

Degala joined Global One after three years as a loan manager for Summit Lending of Hawaii, where he supervised the retail division. He also has worked in executive positions for various tourism-related companies, including Atlantis Adventures/Navatek, Koolau Golf Club/Koolau Ballrooms, Sea Life Park and several hotels. Degala also works for Tihati Productions as a singer and emcee.

Canadian firm buys isle contractor

Local contractor U.S. Pacific Construction Inc. is being acquired by Canadian construction firm Ledcor Group, the companies said yesterday.

The new firm, Ledcor-U.S. Pacific Construction LLC, will be led by U.S. Pacific chief William Deuchar, and Ledcor's Jimmy Byrd, who will be based on the mainland.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

U.S. Pacific was founded in 1990 as a construction and management-services firm. Privately held Ledcor is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and specializes in building, civil, industrial and technical services.

Nevada allows drugs from Canada

CARSON CITY, Nev. » Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed a bill that helps consumers buy prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies, adding Nevada to the list of states in open revolt against the Bush administration's drug importation policies.

Nevada will begin inspecting and licensing Canadian pharmacies, which will then be listed on a state-run Web site.

Eight states and the District of Columbia operate similar programs.

The measure was backed by Assembly Democrats, who said the Web site will give Nevadans access to cheaper prescriptions and allow them to express their opposition to the federal ban on importing drugs from foreign countries for personal use.

The Bush administration opposes prescription drug imports, and federal regulators warn they cannot guarantee the safety of drugs from outside U.S. borders.

Guinn, who signed the bill late Friday, did not issue a statement and was not immediately available for comment.

[Hawaii Inc.]

Bank of Hawaii names several vice presidents

» Bank of Hawaii has appointed the following vice presidents: Toni M. Demos has been promoted to the bank's business loan approval and portfolio management department senior loan officer and vice president. Marla V. Garmire has been hired as the promotion and events department manager and vice president. Shane C.K. Kaopua has been promoted to bank vice president. Steve W. Tupper has been promoted to the bank's project management office project manager and vice president.

» First Hawaiian Bank has promoted Steven D. Comes to Ewa Beach branch manager. He joined the company in 1993. Kim A.K. Huber has been promoted to private banking officer. She joined the company in 1980. Jason K. Gomes has been appointed data security officer. He joined the company in 2003. Brett J. Prior has been appointed Bishop Street Capital Management assistant vice president and senior equity analyst.

» Communications Pacific has promoted five key staff members. Barbara Heckathorn and Cindy McMillan have both been promoted to vice president, Jennifer Bowers has been promoted to director, Cyndee Hata has been promoted to advertising division production manager and Henry Kuo has been promoted to the interactive division's creative director.