HAWAII

HCC receives $327 million grant

Honolulu Community College said yesterday it has received an in-kind software gift with a commercial value of $327 million from Texas-based Siemens. The gift will also be shared with the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training.

The gift will provide HCC, and potentially other programs and schools in Hawaii, with the latest training and education in product life cycle management (PLM) software. Siemens PLM software automates the process of managing the life cycle of a product to help companies streamline their processes and make better management decisions.

“;In Hawaii, there are a broad range of activities and industries that can benefit from the PLM software, including defense, medicine, aviation, and construction,”; Siemens said in a statement. “;This particular grant will provide Honolulu CC and PCATT with the resources to offer the latest training and education to these industries and companies, as well as students throughout the University of Hawaii System.”;

Industrial vacancy rate stable

Honolulu's industrial vacancy rate was 4 percent at the end of the third quarter, unchanged from the preceding quarter, as the economy continues its rapid slowdown, according to the latest report by Colliers International.

Honolulu's industrial vacancy was half the U.S. average of 8.7 percent, with lease warehouse space remaining in short supply, the report said.

The city's vacancy was boosted by the addition of two large industrial condominium projects - Kapolei Spectrum and Waipio Business Center. However, warehouse space in Honolulu's urban core is not immediately available.

Oahu's average asking industrial rental rate leveled off from the end of 2007 at $1.28 a square foot per month. Rental rates are expected to remain steady for the near term.

Pet store to hold grand opening

55 Pawsh Place, a full-line pet store, will be celebrating its grand opening on Saturday and Sunday.

The celebration will feature savings of 10 percent off all products, as well as educational events, dog adoptions and prizes.

The events will kick off on Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Hawaii Dog Foundation's adoption event.

Sunday's events will feature two free educational sessions, product samples, giveaways and prizes starting at 1:00 p.m. with prizes every hour, snacks for pet-parents and free samples for dogs and cats.

55 Pawsh Place is located in the Halekuai Shopping Center in Kapolei, and store hours are from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 674-2055.