Kauai real estate companies merge

Hanalei North Shore Properties and Hawaii Life Real Estate Services LLC are joining forces in a merger of two Kauai real estate companies.

Following the merger, Hawaii Life will have more than $150 million in real estate listings, making it one of the top real estate companies on the island. The vacation rental division of Hanalei North Shore Properties will continue its operations as it has for the past 30 years, located in the Princeville Shopping Center.

“;Our success is built upon years of trust, service and enduring relationships with our clients and ohana here on Kauai,”; said Roberta Haas, the former principal broker at Hanalei North Shore, which will be rebranded.

“;Hawaii Life is such an innovative and progressive company. It's like blending the old school with the new school.”;

Matt Beall, principal broker at Hawaii Life Real Estate Services, said he was “;excited about our future together.”;

Nominees for Realtor awards sought

The Honolulu Board of Realtors is accepting nominations for the 2009 annual Aloha 'Aina Realtor Awards Program.

The Aloha 'Aina Realtor Award is presented to 10 Realtors who are known for strong ethics, exceptional service and follow-up with their clients.

“;Our members are working with clients every day to help them become homeowners, so we encourage the public to help commend their favorite real estate agent for fostering excellence in the industry and recognizing the accomplishments and productivity of Realtors in Hawaii by nominating them for the Aloha 'Aina Realtor Awards Program,”; said Sandra “;Sam”; Bangerter, HBR president.

Nominations will be taken through Sept. 25.

To download nomination forms, visit the Honolulu Board of Realtors' Web site at http://www.HiCentral.com/AlohaAina.

For questions or more information, call 732-3000 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Wells Fargo sued over equity lines

NEW YORK » The banking unit of Wells Fargo & Co. is facing a lawsuit claiming it illegally reduced the size of customers' home equity lines of credit.

The suit, filed in Illinois, claims Wells Fargo failed to accurately assess the value of customers' houses before deciding to cut the size of their credit lines. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo is being accused of using unreliable computer models that wrongly valued home prices too low to justify cutting the size of customers' loans.

Michael Hickman, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of himself and is seeking class-action status for it, claims Wells Fargo also did not provide proper notice that the bank was reducing the size of the credit lines.

Interisland carriers offer $34 fares

Mokulele, Hawaiian and go! airlines are offering $34 one-way fares for travel through Sept. 30 that must be purchased by 11:59 tonight. The fares, normally available for as low as $43, must be purchased online and will cost $5 more if purchased by telephone. Fares may not be available on all flights.

ON THE MOVE

  Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union has promoted concierge Shanese Kaneshiro to assistant branch manager at the Waimalu branch. She also was named employee of the year in 2007.

Heide & Cook has hired Richard Lorenzotti as technical services engineer. He previously was a project manager at Dorvin D. Leis Co. Inc., as well as project manager at Alakai Mechanical Corp. and various construction and engineering firms across New York.

In+Form Design has promoted John K. Gaddis and hired Nozomi Yoneta to associate architect.

The new Altera Real Estate affiliate is Judy Kalbrener, who also is the broker/owner of Altera Real Estate's only office in Honolulu.