AT&T's isle investments up to $23.5M

AT&T has invested more than $23.5 million in the Hawaii network through the third quarter of 2009.

The company said yesterday that it has increased its 3G network capacity and speed and more than doubled backhaul capacity to cell cites across Hawaii.

“;AT&T is committed to providing our customers with the very best possible network experience, and our network is one of the key reasons why AT&T is the leading wireless provider in Hawaii,”; said Tammi Terrell, vice president and general manger for AT&T Hawaii.

Fisherman's Wharf site bid extended

The state Hawaii Community Development Authority has extended its deadline for bidders interested in the Fisherman's Wharf restaurant space until Jan. 15.

The bidding process has been delayed several times but was prolonged this time due to increased interest.

HCDA owns the Fisherman's Wharf building and the land beneath it at the edge of Kewalo Basin.

Nittaku Investments, the current tenant, runs the Living Room at the Wharf, offering a bar and lounge with live music.

More information on the lease agreement is available at http://www.hcdaweb.org.

The opening of sealed bids, originally scheduled for Monday, has now been postponed to Jan. 15 at HCDA's new Cooke Street office.

Cardax is awarded U.S. patents

Cardax Pharmaceuticals Inc. has been awarded two U.S. patents covering composition of matter for its lead compound and numerous related compounds.

Cardax, spun off from Hawaii Biotech in May 2006, is getting patents that cover both general and specific classes of pro-drugs derived from a group of natural product compounds called xanthophyll carotenoids.

The patents describe and protect numerous examples of these types of compounds, including the company's lead compound, CDX-085, which is being used for triglyceride reduction, metabolic syndrome and inflammatory liver disease.

Additional patents are pending globally for similar intellectual property rights.

Special Olympics gets $10,000 gift

The Schuler Foundation has donated $10,000 to Special Olympics Hawaii.

Special Olympics Hawaii provides year-round sports-training opportunities to hundreds of athletes from across the state at no cost to athletes or their families. The average cost to provide one athlete with sports training and competition is approximately $1,044 a year.

Bankoh makes holiday gifts

Bank of Hawaii said it would make a charitable donation totaling $50,000 to five organizations that help needy families in Hawaii and the West Pacific. The Salvation Army (Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division) will receive $25,000; Hawaii Foodbank, $10,000; and Maui Food Bank, Kauai Food Bank, and the Food Basket on Hawaii island, $5,000 each.

Instead of providing client holiday parties and gifts this year, the bank decided to make the $50,000 charitable donation to help needy families.

On the Move

» Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, has named the following promotions:
—Brian Hunnings as director of food and beverage from director of outlets. He was previously food and beverage director at Hotel Hana Maui and general manager in resort restaurants in the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui.
—James Pulver as director of front office from arrival manager. His experience includes holding various positions at the Sheraton Denver, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa and Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

» The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation has given St. Michael's School a grant of $10,000. The grant will be used to assist with the school's computer laboratory project.