Burger King revamps coffee

CHICAGO » Burger King plans to launch a massive new coffee line as it tries to overhaul its breakfast menu and boost its slumping business.

The nation's No. 2 burger chain will add Starbucks Corp.'s Seattle's Best Coffee to all its U.S. restaurants in a phased roll-out that begins this summer, executives said yesterday.

Under the effort, more than 7,000 Burger King restaurants will begin selling the coffee along with iced varieties. While prices will be set by franchise owners—who operate 90 percent of the chain's locations—the brew's suggested prices range from $1 to $2.79.

Drinks will be sold all day.

HTA gives $600K to cultural programs

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has awarded a combined $600,000 to 27 programs that perpetuate Hawaiian culture through its Kukulu Ola—Living Hawaiian Culture Program. The programs selected address the goal of the authority's Hawaiian Culture Strategic Plan.

Among the programs are the Arizona Memorial Museum Association (exhibit fabrication and installation at the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum & Visitor Center) and the Bishop Museum's E Ku Ana ka Paia and Mala Kalo projects.

The HTA selected 27 community-based projects last week to receive funding through its Natural Resources Program, which began in 2002 in response to a legislative mandate that directs the authority to provide at least $1 million annually to assist projects and programs that support efforts to manage, improve and protect Hawaii's natural environment and areas frequented by visitors.

One of those projects is an effort by the Nature Conservancy to restore near-shore fisheries and coral reefs at Kaupulehu on Hawaii island.

Nurses union links with AFL-CIO unit

The Hawaii Nurses Association has announced its affiliation with the Office and Professional Employees International Union, after it cut ties with United American Nurses.

The association recently withdrew from United American Nurses after a contentious internal dispute last year. HNA President Joan Craft said OPEIU was chosen after interviewing other AFL-CIO affiliates.

The HNA board of directors voted unanimously last month to affiliate with OPEIU.

The OPEIU was chartered in 1945 and is among the larger unions of the AFL-CIO.

HNA was founded in 1917 and is the largest union representing private-sector nurses and health care workers in Hawaii.

Steve Case to head resort club board

AOL co-founder Steve Case has become chairman of Exclusive Resorts' board of directors.

Exclusive Resorts is a leading luxury destination club. Case, whose cousin is former congressman and congressional candidate Ed Case, has served on Exclusive's board since 2003.

He will be increasing his personal involvement in the club's strategic planning. Exclusive Resorts has more than 3,000 members and a real estate portfolio at more than $1 billion.

Fitch upgrades Kauai County bonds

Fitch Ratings has assigned an AA- rating to Kauai County's $120 million in general obligation bonds, expected to go on sale March 3.

The rating outlook is stable, according to Fitch. The upgrade from A+ reflects the county's sustained financial growth in revenue, liquidity and unreserved general fund balances, despite exposure to a weakened economy and rising unemployment.

Fitch noted that the county is carrying out spending control and revenue enhancement strategies for fiscal 2011, which should protect its general fund balances.

ON THE MOVE

The Obama administration named Chris J. Kanazawa to serve as the Hawaii/Western Pacific state director for the USDA Rural Development Agency.

He has held several top executive positions in real estate and agriculture industries, including president of the real estate division of Amfac/JMB Hawaii, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Properties and president and CEO of Parker Ranch.

Belt Collins Hawaii has announced the following promotions:

» Richard S. Abe to chief engineer from principal engineer.

He is an Army Corps of Engineers veteran as well as a former Belt Collins employee.

» Alan Y. Fujimori to vice president from principal planner/landscape architect.

His experience includes specializing in community planning, urban design and landscape architecture focusing on projects in Hawaii and Southeast Asia.

» Trina H. Onuma to vice president from senior project manager.

She has been with the company for 23 years and has experience in site work for large resort areas, roadways and transportation systems, golf course infrastructure and water supply, storage and distribution systems.