Yogurt firm will pay consumers

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. » The Dannon Co. said yesterday it will reimburse consumers for up to $100 of Activia and DanActive yogurt purchases and change its marketing and labeling to settle a class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in 2008, alleges Dannon overstated the yogurt's health benefits. The company claims the products can strengthen the body's defenses or regulate digestion because of bacteria they contain.

As part of the settlement Dannon will set up a fund of up to $35 million to reimburse qualified consumers who purchased Activia or DanActive yogurt.

Once the settlement is approved, consumers can get information at http://www.DannonSettlement.com.

Starwood touts travel to isles

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii said its associates are meeting with dozens of travel planners and partners, media writers, broadcasters and bloggers this month in Chicago and New York City to increase fall and winter travel to the chain's 11 island hotels and resorts. The company is offering Waikiki room rates for as little as $160 a night.

State captive insurance chief named

George W. Sumner III has been named administrator of the Captive Insurance Branch of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and deputy insurance commissioner, effective Oct. 1.

Sumner previously was a vice president of the Bank of Hawaii and leader of its Captive Insurance team.

The bank's captive accounts rose to 90 with assets and deposits of $830 million in 2009 from 36, with $136 million in assets and deposits in 2000.

Hawaii is the fifth-largest captive insurance domicile in the world, based on captives' combined capital assets of more than $7 billion.

Online business documents increase

More than 700,000 business registration documents can now be purchased and immediately downloaded online from the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Business Registration Division at hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html.

At the time the online service was initiated last spring, some 100,000 documents were immediately available, while delivery of remaining documents took one to three business days.

The added documents now available, with private information redacted, include articles of incorporation, annual filings, partnership and limited liability company formation documents, foreign statements of qualification and more.

Hawaii National Bank expands

Hawaii National Bank will open a new branch on Monday at 1311 Kapiolani Blvd., in a building that will be renamed the Hawaii National Bank Building. It replaces the Beretania Street branch.

The occasion will be celebrated with giveaways and special offers for new and existing customers.

It is the second branch the bank has opened this quarter after the grand opening of a new branch in Kihei, Maui, in July.

The Kapiolani branch will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays until 6 p.m.

The Kapiolani branch opening comes two days after the 49th anniversary of the bank's founding on Sept. 19, 1960.

In My Closet to debut at Pearlridge

In My Closet, which currently has one boutique at Kahala Mall, will open a second location at Pearlridge Center on Sept. 30.

The women's boutique, owned by Jina Watanabe and Chong Yamamoto, will occupy 511 square feet at Pearlridge Uptown, offering women's fashions and accessories.

A champagne reception will be held on opening day in celebration of the new store. Customers receive a free gift with all purchases while supplies last.

ON THE MOVE

Doug Davis Realty has hired Charene Davis and Aloha Staged Homes as the in-house home stager. She founded Aloha Staged Homes in 2004 and has 25 years experience in real estate marketing and interior design.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced the 2009 Honolulu Forever Young awards: Andrew D. Friedlander, Danny Kaleikini, Walter S. Kirimitsu, Sister Alicia Damien Lau, Lawrence S. Okinaga and Oz Stender.

Metropolitan Honolulu Rotary Foundation has announced its board of directors for 2009/2010: Tom Anusewicz, president; Gloria Chang, secretary; and other members Teddi Anderson, Dan Colin, Don Dawson, Ken Gilbert, Ivan Ketterman, Lee Mansfield, Peter Matsumoto, Debi Merwick, Bob Stott, Cori Weston, Lora Williams and Tina Yap.