McClain resigns from ML Mac board

David McClain, the outgoing president of the University of Hawaii, has resigned from the board of the managing partner of Big Island-based ML Macadamia Orchards LP, the state's largest grower of macadamia nuts.

McClain has served as a director of the managing partner, ML Resources Inc., since September 2000 and has chaired and served on the audit, governance, nominating and compensation committees.

Upon leaving UH at the end of July, he will be out of state on a professional-improvement leave, returning to the faculty of the university's Shidler College of Business in August 2010.

HTA boosts short-term marketing

The Hawaii Tourism Authority board has authorized $3.4 million in additional spending on short-term marketing opportunities in the Japan, North America and Oceania markets to boost the visitor count through the end of the year, said David Uchiyama, vice president of tourism marketing.

The detailed plan will capitalize on the mid-month visit of the Japanese emperor and seek to spur rebookings of travel that was canceled due to H1N1 virus fears.

Also at its two-day meeting on Maui, HTA Chairman Kelvin Bloom and Vice Chairwoman Sharon Weiner were re-elected to their posts.

“;During these challenging times, Kelvin and Sharon's experience and demonstrated leadership will help us move forward as we look for ways to address the issues that currently face Hawaii's visitor industry,”; Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer, said yesterday.

Bloom is the president of Aston Hotels & Resorts and Weiner is the vice president of global communications and government relations for DFS Group Ltd.

Magazine touts Ala Moana fireworks

The July Fourth fireworks show at Ala Moana Center has been named among the 10 best by Travel + Leisure magazine, which included a slide show of still pictures of its favorite displays.

In order, the slide show describes pyrotechnic shows in Boston; Washington, D.C.; Lake Tahoe; New York City; Philadelphia; New Orleans; Mount Rushmore, S.D.; Addison, Texas; Oahu; and Falmouth, Mass.

The magazine reports that most of the 50,000 people who watch it annually view it “;from perches in Waikiki and Honolulu, several miles away.”;

Advertiser parent to cut up to 2,000

Gannett Co., the parent company of the Honolulu Advertiser, will cut 1,000 to 2,000 more jobs to stem losses in advertising revenue, according to the Associated Press and other news organizations, citing an unidentified company official.

The impact on Hawaii employees is unknown, as Advertiser officials could not be reached and union officials representing Hawaii employees had not received notification.

Since February the paper has laid off more than 130 employees, most recently more than a dozen pressmen in May, citing the weak economy.

Star-Bulletin parent company Oahu Publications Inc. has laid off 50 employees this year, including union members who have since agreed to a wage freeze.

On the move

» Leiala Whattoff, vice president of training for Hawaii-originated Roy's Restaurants, was honored as one of “;Clicquot's Women of Business 2009.”; She was one of seven women honored based on strong business leadership, motivational ability, dynamism, innovation, charisma and a genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable growth.

» The board of directors of Enterprise Honolulu has promoted Pono Shim to president from vice president. He was with Enterprise Honolulu for a year and previously owned and operated Concierge Services in the Ward Theatre lobby.