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[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

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IN HAWAII

Aston Hotels slated to be rebranded

Aston Hotels & Resorts, one of Hawaii's oldest hotel companies, is being rebranded to ResortQuest Hawaii by its Memphis, Tenn.-based parent company.

Beth Aleridge, director of communications for ResortQuest, confirmed the rebranding.

"Aston has been such an important name in Hawaii. We are very proud of our past and very excited about the future," Aleridge said, adding that more details will be announced during a news conference next month.

ResortQuest International, the largest U.S. manager of vacation rental properties, acquired Aston in 1998 from its then principal owner Andre S. Tatibouet. Tatibouet sold the business to ResortQuest for nearly $30 million plus 1.7 million shares of ResortQuest stock. ResortQuest's parent is Gaylord Entertainment Co.

Aston is Hawaii's second-largest privately owned hotel operator, after Outrigger Hotels & Resorts. It was founded in 1967 by the Tatibouet family, which had been in the hotel business in Hawaii since opening a small Waikiki hotel in 1948.

Aston manages 28 properties in Hawaii, including the Aston Waikiki Beach Tower, a resort condominium property that has one of the highest average rates in the state; the Aston Kannapali Shores on Maui; the Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, which has been recognized as one of the top 500 resorts in the world; and the Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai.

PepsiCo's profit up 13 percent

NEW YORK » Soft drink and snack food maker PepsiCo Inc. yesterday reported a 13 percent rise in second-quarter earnings, driven by strength in China and other developing markets as well as strong domestic sales of cereal and pasta in its Quaker Foods business.

The company, which also owns Frito-Lay snacks, said it would bolster investment in its North American beverage business and overseas in order to revive sluggish soda sales. The increased spending on new products comes as PepsiCo and archrival Coca-Cola Co. each grapple with declining soda sales.

PepsiCo, the world's No. 2 soft drink maker, reported second-quarter profit of $1.19 billion, or 70 cents per share, for the 12 weeks ended June 11, up from $1.06 billion, or 61 cents, in the year-ago period.

Judge denies new trial for Ebbers

NEW YORK » A federal judge has denied a bid by former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers for a new trial, paving the way for him to be sentenced today in the record $11 billion fraud.

Ebbers had argued the judge or prosecutors should have granted immunity to three witnesses that Ebbers contends could have helped clear him of charges related to the fraud.

His lawyers also said prosecutors unfairly prejudiced jurors by suggesting in their closing statement that there was evidence outside the trial record that proved government witnesses were telling the truth.

Ebbers' lawyers had sought the testimony of the three witnesses -- former WorldCom executives -- Ron Beaumont, Ron Lomenzo and Stephanie Scott -- but each invoked their Fifth Amendment right and did not testify.

NATION

Shareholders approve P&G's Gillette purchase

CINCINNATI » After strong shows of shareholder support yesterday, Procter & Gamble Co. and Gillette Co. now face regulatory hurdles as they prepare to blend their giant consumer products operations.

Shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly approved P&G's acquisition of Gillette that would form the world's largest consumer products company, with such brands as P&G's Pampers and Gillette's line of razors. In announcements at separate special meetings, the companies said 96 percent of the shares that were voted favored the merger.

Quattrone lawyer seeks overturn of conviction

NEW YORK » A lawyer for former star investment banker Frank Quattrone asked a federal appeals court yesterday to toss out his conviction, citing unfair and confusing instructions given to the jury.

Quattrone, one of the biggest Wall Street names of the dot-com boom, was found guilty last year of obstructing a federal stock investigation by endorsing an e-mail to his colleagues encouraging them to destroy files. His lawyer, Mark Pomerantz, told the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that trial judge Richard Owen gave unfairly broad instructions to the jury.

Trump breaks ground on Vegas hotel-condo

LAS VEGAS » Donald Trump broke ground yesterday on a 64-story luxury hotel-condominium designed to be the tallest residential building on the Las Vegas Strip, and promised a second identical tower nearby.

Trump said condos, priced from $600,000 to $6 million, sold out within a week.

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[ HAWAII INC. ]

New Jobs

» Hilo Hattie has hired John Tapper as general manager. He most recently worked for Pacific Direct Connect.

» Marriott International Hawaiian Islands Hotels & Resorts has appointed Ruth Uy associate director of travel industry sales. She will be responsible for helping oversee all leisure sales activities and opportunities with contracted travel industry partners within North America and Europe. She previously served as an Aston Hotels & Resorts sales and distribution senior director.

» McNeil Wilson Communications has appointed Sumithra Balraj travel tourism senior account executive. She previously served as public relations manager for the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. She has 15 years of public relations experience in the hospitality industry.

» Aston ResortQuest Hawaii has appointed Carol Edmondson Waikoloa Colony Villas general manager. She will be responsible for overseeing the management of the property and guest services. She has 28 years of hospitality experience in Hawaii.

» Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has appointed Stephen Hinck restaurant and banquet operations director. He will be responsible for all food and beverage operations. He has more than 20 years of hotel catering and restaurant operations experience.