BLT Steak debuts at Trump

BLT Steak, the acclaimed steakhouse concept of chef and restaurateur Laurent Tourondel, is now open at the Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk.

Tourondel, named 2007 Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine, redefined the American steakhouse with the opening of BLT Steak in New York City in 2004.

BLT Steak offers prime cuts of beef and fresh seafood, along with side dishes and classic American desserts.

Atlantis offering whale cruises

Atlantis Navatek Cruises has launched its Whale Watch Lunch Cruise, which takes guests on a 2 1/2-hour voyage along the East Oahu coastline.

The 140-foot Navatek 1 seats 300 guests and offers upper and lower outdoor observation decks and two dining rooms. The cost is $69 for adults and $35 for children (2 to 12 years) and includes the lunch buffet and complimentary round-trip ground transportation from Waikiki. Online bookings receive a 10 percent discount. Prices do not include the harbor fee and general excise tax.

Visit http://www.atlantissubmarine.com.

Japanese factory output grows 2.6%

TOKYO » Japan's factory output grew the most in six months in November as a recovery in export demand from Asia boosted production of cars, flat-screen televisions and other goods in the world's second-biggest economy.

Factory output — a key barometer of Japan's economic health — was up 2.6 percent from October and logged its ninth consecutive month of growth, the government said yesterday.

“;A recovery in exports, especially in Asia, supported growth in industrial output,”; said Hideki Matsumura, senior economist at the Japan Research Institute.

ON THE MOVE

  The Organization of Women Leaders presented its leadership award to Judy Bishop. She is the owner and president of Bishop & Co., a staffing agency since 2005.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts announced the following promotions and appointments:

» James Odo to director of sales-Asia from assistant director of sales-Asia. His experience includes being a partner for a consulting company, senior sales manager for Aston Hotels and Resorts, assistant operations manager with Japan Amenity Travel doing business as Leisure Tours, and operations manager with ANA Hallo Tours.

» Karishma Chowfin to sales manager from contract sales manager. She has many years' experience in hotel sales and operations, including as sales manager at ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel and senior hotel assistant manager/assistant reception manager at the Kahala Hotel and Resort.

» First Public Relations Ltd. as general sales agent for the United Kingdom's market. The company handles marketing and public relations for numerous travel accounts, including the Port of Seattle and Washington State Tourism, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and Travel Manitoba.

» Aloha Consultant Co. as general sales agent for China's market.