HAWAII

Liu investigation moves forward

The state attorney general has referred an investigation of Hawaii's business director to the Honolulu city prosecutor to determine if a criminal violation was committed in the awarding of a high-tech investment contract in 2007.

The controversy involves a contract to manage the state's Hydrogen Investment Fund, which the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and its director Ted Liu failed to award to the highest bidder at the time. Liu granted the contract to the third-ranked H2 Energy LLC, rather than top-ranked Kolohala Holdings LLP.

The issue was the subject of recent investigation by a committee of the state Senate, which pushed that the attorney general to appoint to an independent counsel for review.

The Hydrogen Investment Capital Special Fund was created in 2006 to provide seed capital for venture capital investments in private sector and federal projects in research, development, testing and implementation of the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program.

SBA awards deadline approaches

The U.S. Small Business Administration is still seeking nominations for next year's small business person of the year.

Hawaii's 2009 SBA Small Business Award winners will be recognized at the 22nd-annual SBA small business awards luncheon, presented by the Hawaii Women's Business Center at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki on April 24.

Detailed information on qualifications and eligibility for the different award categories can be found at http://www.sba.gov/hi . Completed nominations for the awards are due Nov. 14 at the Hawaii District Office in Honolulu. Nomination forms are available online at http://www.hawaii-sbdc.org or http://www.hwbc.org.

For more information, call Jane Sawyer at 541-2990, ext. 205, or send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Aquaculture sales rise 19 percent

Hawaii-grown aquaculture totaled $25.3 million in 2007, an increase of 19 percent from a year ago, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

Algae sales accounted for 43 percent of the value at $10.9 million. Finfish sales, valued at $4.5 million, comprised 18 percent of the total.

The ornamental category was pegged at $2.4 million, or 10 percent of the total. The 'other' category, which includes seed stock and brood stock, accounted for 27 percent, or $6.8 million.

Hawaii County continued to lead the State in aquaculture sales with $20.2 million, or 80 percent of the value.

Mobi opens two kiosks on Oahu

Mobi PCS opened kiosks at Ala Moana Center and Windward Mall this week dedicated to the company's Hele Wireless Broadband service.

The Ala Moana Center kiosk is located on the mall level near the Apple store, while the Windward Mall kiosk is located in Center Court on the ground level. The kiosks will be open during regular mall hours at both centers.

Mobi PCS phone sales are already available at both Ala Moana Center and Windward Mall through dealers.

For a limited time, customers can receive Hele for $20 a month for the first three months of service.

Political materials are recyclable

Waste Management of Hawaii is reminding local residents that most political signs placed in yards and on fencing are recyclable, as are official voter guides and other materials and mailings received about the election.

Signs and placards made out of paper, cardboard, or plastic are all recyclable. The metal stakes and stands are also recyclable, although they must be separated from the sign before being placed in the recycling cart. Most banners are not recyclable and belong in the trash if they cannot be re-used.

State DCCA announces fee cuts

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Business Registration Division is extending its fee cuts for securities and franchise filing fees for another year. The fee cuts will result in an estimated total savings of more than $1.4 million dollars for Hawaii businesses.

The filings fees will be discounted by 25 percent from the statutory fees for applications and renewals for securities dealers and their salespeople, investment advisers and their representatives, the initial notice filing and renewal fees for investment company securities, and the application, amendment and renewal fees for franchise filings.

The fees will automatically readjust to the statutory fees on Nov. 1, 2009. The fee reduction will bring operational revenues more in line with the operational cost of the division.