American Savings forms new unit

American Savings Bank has formed a new mortgage lending division, American Savings Home Loans.

Jon Whittington has been hired to lead the group as president, while Allison Yasui will serve as senior vice president of operations. Whittington has 17 years of experience in the mortgage industry, and most recently served as executive vice president, retail division manager, at Central Pacific HomeLoans Inc.

HVCB making sales pitch in Chicago

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will pitch the state as a destination at “;The Motivation Show,”; the world's largest incentive exhibition, in Chicago from Tuesday to Thursday.

More than 70 sales executives from Hawaii are participating in the statewide effort led by HVCB president and Chief Executive Officer John Monahan, as well as representatives of the Hawai'i Convention Center and all four major isle visitors' bureaus.

HVCB is setting up a Hawaii Pavilion at the trade show to highlight the music, food, beverages and sights of the isles. Special events include a Mai Tai Hour sponsored by Maui Jim and a drawing for two round-trip tickets to Hawaii, courtesy of United Airlines.

Fisherman's Wharf bid to be reissued

The state Hawaii Community Development Authority has canceled a lease bid for the Fisherman's Wharf site at Kewalo Basin.

HCDA, which owns the land and building, canceled the bid earlier this week, but will reissue another one after making some clarifications, according to Executive Director Anthony Ching. The restaurant, owned by Nittaku Investment, is currently being operated as the Living Room at the Wharf, offering a bar and lounge with live music.

Dentists to bring 24,000 to Oahu

The Hawai'i Convention Center is hosting the American Dental Association's 150th annual session from Wednesday to Oct. 4.

The meeting is expected to draw an international attendance of 24,000, resulting in statewide spending of more than $113 million and tax revenue of nearly $11 million. The center's hotel partners are expected to book nearly 193,000 rooms. ADA last held its meeting in Hawaii in 1999, which brought an attendance of 30,000.

Chili's Grill & Bar to help St. Jude's

Profits generated at Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants during lunch and dinner service on Monday will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Each September, the 1,400-unit restaurant chain holds its “;Create-a-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer”; event. The goal is to raise $50 million for St. Jude's in 10 years.

ON THE MOVE

  Pacific Office Properties, an affiliate of the Shidler Group, has appointed Diane Riley to manager of lease administration. She has extensive administration experience with General Growth's seven regional shopping centers in Hawaii as well as with the PRM Realty Group in Honolulu.

Properties of the Pacific has hired Sonia S. Shigehara as a real estate agent. She has been in the real estate industry since 1999.

Peter Vincent Architects has promoted Arnie Valero to quality control/technical manager from senior project architect. He has more than 20 years' experience in project management.