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POSTED: Saturday, October 04, 2008

Hawaiian offers isle packages

Hawaiian Airlines yesterday said it will offer air-hotel vacation packages for travel to Hawaii from seven of its gateway cities on the mainland, starting at:

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Portland-Honolulu:	$544
Phoenix-Honolulu:	$570
Seattle-Honolulu:	$580
Oakland-Honolulu:	$625
San Jose-Honolulu:	$640
San Francisco-Honolulu:	$700
Sacramento-Honolulu:	$720

 

The prices include roundtrip airfare from the city of origin to Honolulu and a three-night stay in the three-star Aqua Palms hotel in Waikiki. Prices are per person and based on double occupancy.

The packages are available at www.hawaiianairlines.com until Oct. 31 for travel through Dec. 12.

 

Realtor sentenced for tax violations

Another realtor has been sentenced for failing to file general excise tax returns, the state Department of Taxation said yesterday. Monalisa Sabo pled guilty to six counts of willfully failing to file her returns for tax years 2000 through 2005. She was sentenced and granted a deferred acceptance of guilty plea with a one-year deferral.

Sabo was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $28,935, which is a free standing order, a fine of $12,000, and court fees. The deputy attorney general also requested that she be required to make minimum monthly payments toward her restitution and fine amounts given the current financial status of the economy.

Sabo earned over $723,000 in real estate commissions for the years 2000 through 2005 and did not file any returns to report the income she received.

 

New insurer option available

State Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt yesterday said SUA Insurance Company, a new commercial property and casualty insurance provider, is now available for Hawaii residents.

The coverage is tailored to select customer groups, which include general artisan contractors, roofing contractors, towing and recovery, trucking and transportation and workers' compensation.

SUA, based in Chicago, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Specialty Underwriters' Alliance Inc. SUA was formed in November 2004, after acquiring Potomac Insurance Company of Illinois.

 

Ward Centers shops hiring

Select Ward Centers merchants are hiring for the holidays. A job fair will be held on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ward Centers, which encompasses all of the retail centers, including Ward Gateway, Ward Warehouse, Ward Entertainment Center and Ward Centre.

On those days, merchants with a red mylar balloon at their front entrance will be accepting applications.

Among some of the merchants looking to hire are Big City Diner, Brew Moon, Cold Stone Creamery, Crazy Shirts Outlet, Hawaiian Moon, Honolulu Cookie Co., Island Soap & Candle Works, Mocha Java, Ross, Sedona, Sports Authority, The Place and Wahoo's Fish Taco.

 

Organic certification gets funds

Hawaii's organic farmers, livestock operators and produce handlers may apply for federal cost-sharing assistance for organic certification through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for the next year.

The department said earlier this week it has entered into two agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for organic farmers and organic produce handlers under the Agricultural Management Assistance Program.

Information about reimbursement for organic certification is available at http://www.hawaii.gov/hdoa.

 

Waste Management donates $2,500

Waste Management of Hawaii recently donated $2,500 to this year's Celebrate the ARTS! gala dinner hosted by the Hawaii Arts Alliance today at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki.

The contribution will help sponsor the attendance of 10 local art students from the Arts Excellence Schools at a concert featuring local performers.

Waste Management also recently announced a $10,000 sponsorship of the Nanakuli Intermediate and High School Robotics Club.

 

BIA-Hawaii to host Dan Boylan

The Building Industry Association of Hawaii will feature speaker Dan Boylan at its membership meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Honolulu Country Club. Non-member cost is $50.