Pacific Lightnet changes its name

Pacific Lightnet is changing its name to Wavecom Solutions, effective today.

The launch will coincide with Wavecom Solutions' intent to move into the managed-services space, in addition to continuing as a competitive local exchange carrier.

“;It is more than just a name change or brand change,”; Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Amen said. “;It's a significant evolution for our company in the way we address our customers' needs and the additional value we will deliver to them. We're a company committed to providing a premier customer experience, and providing them flexible communications solutions.”;

Wavecom Solutions has made 11 additional hires with backgrounds in delivering and selling managed services.

Simon Fiddian also was brought on board as chief technology officer. Fiddian previously served at Telstra and BT, and has a wide knowledge of VOIP and cloud-based services.

Wavecom Solutions is also working with the Office de Postes et Telecommunications, which is laying an undersea cable between the Big Island and Tahiti.

Wavecom Solutions says a key goal in 2010 is to attract more big-name carriers to do business in Hawaii.

UOP gets $25M for Hawaii project

UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, has been selected for a $25 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a demonstration project in Hawaii.

The demonstration plant, to be built at the Tesoro Corp. refinery in Kapolei, will convert cellulosic biomass into green transportation fuels. It is expected to start up in 2014.

“;We are excited to utilize our existing assets and expertise in this innovative project to convert sustainable biomass feedstocks to next-generation fuels,”; said Bruce Smith, Tesoro's chairman, president and CEO. “;This is an important effort in finding new and competitive sources of oil that will meet the changing fuel needs of our customers.”;

S&P lowers California's debt rating

SACRAMENTO, Calif. >>  A major credit-rating agency lowered California's debt rating yesterday, putting pressure on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to start tackling the state's $20 billion deficit. Standard & Poor's lowered its rating on California's $64 billion general obligation debt one step, from “;A”; to “;A-.”; The agency also dropped $9.4 billion in lease-revenue bonds three notches, from “;A-”; to “;BBB-.”;

California already had the lowest general obligation rating of any state.

Wilhelm named top union builder

Lance Wilhelm, vice president of Kiewit Cos. in Hawaii, received the 2010 Outstanding Union Builder award from the Hawaii Carpenters Union at a reception hosted by the Pacific Resource Partnership. The honor is given annually to a contractor who has made exceptional contributions to union construction and labor-management relations in Hawaii.

Last year, Kiewit was awarded the design-built contract for the first phase of Honolulu's Rail Transit project.

ON THE MOVE

Eve Colton In recently opened her company In Concierge Services. She has serviced corporate accounts in Hawaii for 26 years and was previously an annual giving program manager/member event manager for the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Don McDowell was awarded the certified payroll professional accreditation. He is a client payroll administrator for Aloha Payroll Services.

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