HAWAII

Pacific Beach Hotel hearing starts

A National Labor Relations Board hearing regarding union complaints against the owner of Pacific Beach Hotel began yesterday in Honolulu. The board agreed in September to hold the hearing.

The ILWU Local 142 has filed numerous charges with the board dating back to January 2007 on behalf of Pacific Beach Hotel workers against owner HTH Corp. The board has consolidated all of those charges.

The union and hotel have been part of a lengthy labor dispute over its right to represent workers at Pacific Beach, and the hearing is likely to stretch over several months. A final board ruling could be issued in late 2009.

Parker Ranch names new CFO

Parker Ranch Inc. President and CEO Chris Kanazawa said yesterday that William Maris will be joining the company effective Nov. 10 as its chief financial officer. Maris was most recently the CFO at Cyanotech Corp.

Maris' responsibilities will include directing the accounting, finance and tax compliance functions for all Parker Ranch entities. Among his other duties, Maris will work with the senior management team to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies.

Isle bankruptcy filings jump 62.8%

Bankruptcy filings in Hawaii last month jumped 62.8 percent from the year earlier as residents struggle to make ends meet while the economy slows.

Data from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu shows there were 197 personal and business filings in October. Most were for personal bankruptcies.

Nationally, personal and business bankruptcies rose 13 percent last month to 108,595.

Kokua Kalihi Valley receives grant

Kokua Kalihi Valley has been given a grant of $5,000 by First Hawaiian Bank, according to Don Horner, the bank's president and chief executive. The grant will support the publication of the booklet, “;Housing Operations for Seniors on Oahu 2008.”; The booklet will serve as a tool for anyone taking care of the elderly.

Serving the residents of Kalihi Valley, Kokua Kalihi Valley is a nonprofit corporation that provides health, social, educational and elderly services. For more information, visit http://kkv.net or call 848-0976.

In 2007, First Hawaiian Bank contributed $3.5 million to more than 350 nonprofit organizations. The foundation funds educational opportunities, access to health care, services for children and youth, human service needs and the arts.

Property assessment goes online

Oahu property owners will now have the opportunity to receive their real property assessment notices by e-mail.

The City and County of Honolulu said, effective immediately, property owners may elect to register online to receive their real property assessment notices by e-mail.

Beginning Dec. 15, eligible homeowners will be able to file their home exemption claims online for the 2010-2011 tax year and beyond. Property owners will also be able to file an appeal online to the Board of Review for the 2009-2010 tax year, from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15.

Additional information is available by visiting www.realpropertyhonolulu.com or by calling 768-3799. Questions may also be sent by e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

[ Taking Notice ]

Promotions / New Hires

» Nordic PCL Construction Inc. announces the promotion of Josh Stinson to manager of its new Special Projects Division, which consists of an estimating and job operations team that will pursue projects ranging from service work to new buildings and renovations. Stinson has 12 years of construction management experience.

» Pacific Air Cargo and its Aloha Contract Services Division announces the following promotions:

* Tanja Janfruechte as corporate vice president. She will be headquartered in the Los Angeles International Airport.

* Thomas Ingram as vice president of operations. He has been with the company for eight years.

* Kevin Molale as Honolulu station manager from assistant station manager.

His additional responsibilities include quality control for Aloha Contract Services.

* Paul Kalani Mioi as operations manager, who will assume increased duties as the new purchasing manager for Aloha Cargo Services.

* Christopher Carbonel as Aloha Contract Services ramp manager at Maui Airport. He formerly was a ramp leader and member of Aloha Airlines' pushback crew.