Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business Briefs /2005/07/29/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

Deep SeaWater starts production in Kona

Deep SeaWater International Inc. of Kailua-Kona opened the first phase of its $4 million bottling facility yesterday on the Big Island.

The plant has the capacity to produce 50,000 bottles per day of the company's Kona Deep brand drinking water, which is produced from a source 3,000 feet underwater.

The company plans to sell the water in Japan immediately and in Hawaii and the mainland later this year. The water will be marketed in Japan by Ito-Yokado Ltd., which operates 181 supermarkets in Japan.

Central Pacific maintains dividend

Central Pacific Financial Corp. declared a third-quarter dividend of 19 cents a share payable Sept. 16 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 19.

The dividend, which is yielding 2 percent, remained at the same level it was at last quarter.

Exec blocked from joining Google

Google Inc.'s plan to open a research center in China was disrupted yesterday in Seattle, where a state judge temporarily blocked the company from hiring a former Microsoft Corp. executive to head the facility.

Judge Steven Gonzalez issued a temporary restraining order barring the former Microsoft vice president, Kai-Fu Lee, from working on competing projects at Mountain View, Calif.-based Google. Microsoft claims Lee was privy to confidential information about its strategy for China.

Japan jobless rate hits 7-year low

TOKYO » Japan's jobless rate fell to 4.2 percent in June, its lowest level in seven years, the government said today, indicating that the labor market is continuing to improve.

It was the lowest level since July 1998, when Japan's unemployment rate hit 4.1 percent, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Hopes are that steady improvements in the job market and resulting income growth will prompt Japanese consumers to spend more and strengthen Japan's nascent economic recovery -- which has been heavily dependent on exports.

[Hawaii Inc.]

Promotions

» Tiki's Grill & Bar has promoted Kaeo Gouveia to assistant general manager from floor manager. He will be responsible for increased operational involvement and strategic decision-making for the restaurant. He joined the company in September 2002.

» Brookfield Homes Hawaii has promoted David Murphy to development vice president. He will be responsible for administering the development of diverse resort real estate properties located within Hawaii. He previously served as the company development director.

» Stryker Weiner & Yokota has promoted Kris M. Tanahara to corporate and public affairs division vice president, Molly Sheehan to travel division senior account executive and Tracy Ching to corporate and public affairs division assistant executive.

» McNeil Wilson Communications Inc. has promoted Lea Okudara to assistant account executive of the corporate/public affairs division. She will be responsible for working with a variety of clients including the Polynesian Cultural Center, Coldwell Banker Properties and Vanpool Hawaii. She previously served as an account coordinator.

» Maui Prep Academy has promoted Jack Rizzo to head of school. He has served in a variety of administrative, faculty and coaching roles in his 24 year career. He replaces John Colson, who resigned and is moving back to the Big Island for personal reasons.