Dealership to pay discrimination fine

A Maui-based car dealership is being forced to pay $32,500 to a job applicant for alleged disability discrimination.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission yesterday announced the settlement with Valley Isle Motors. The dealership allegedly took back a job offer for a salesperson after a urine test revealed the applicant was taking prescribed medication. The company perceived the applicant as too disabled to do the job, despite normal medical test results and medical authorization that said otherwise, the EEOC said.

According to a federal court-approved consent decree, Valley Isle also must implement internal policy, procedures and training to safeguard against discrimination.

Economy growing slowly, Fed says

WASHINGTON » The economy has continued its slow growth, but harsh snowstorms crimped activity along the East Coast last month, according to a Federal Reserve report.

The Fed's Beige Book survey, released yesterday, showed that the nation's recovery is managing to plod ahead, though not at a strong enough pace to persuade companies to ramp up hiring. The Fed said “;economic conditions continued to expand ... although severe snowstorms in early February held back activity”; in some places.

International sales lift Costco net

PORTLAND, Ore. » Strong overseas sales growth and increased gasoline prices boosted Costco Wholesale Corp.'s revenue in the second quarter, helping send the warehouse club operator's profit up 25 percent.

Costco reported yesterday that it earned $299 million versus a profit of $239 million a year earlier. Costco has weathered the down economy better than many retailers as its shoppers come in for deals on everyday items. The company's membership revenue grew nearly 9 percent. Its total quarterly revenue grew 11 percent to $18.74 billion.

Some fixed Toyotas bring complaints

WASHINGTON » Some Toyota owners say they're still having trouble with unintended acceleration after their recalled cars were repaired, and the Transportation Department said yesterday it is looking into their complaints.

The complaints raise new questions about whether Toyota's remedy will solve the problem. David Strickland, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said in a statement the agency is reaching out to consumers about the complaints “;to get to the bottom of the problem and to make sure Toyota is doing everything possible to make its vehicles safe.”;

Greece floats $6.5B austerity plan

ATHENS, Greece » With creditors demanding solutions to the Greek debt crisis and the financial world increasingly on edge, Athens yesterday froze pensions, cut civil service salaries and slapped new taxes on everything from cigarettes and alcohol to fuel and precious gems with a $6.5 billion austerity plan. Greek unions were outraged—and the country's embattled premier, who had likened the situation to a “;state of war,”; is headed to Germany and France seeking more definite expressions of support.

On the Move

» Richard Quiamzon, manager of McDonald's of Ewa Beach, has received the Ray Kroc Award, presented each year to the country's top-performing McDonald's restaurant managers.

There were 141 managers—about 1 percent of the managers at the company's 14,000 U.S. restaurants—chosen for the award, which comes with a cash prize, a Ray Kroc trophy and pin, and a trip to company headquarters in Chicago for an awards gala on March 16.

The award was named after the restaurant chain's founder and was established in 1999 to honor the company's best restaurants, whose hard work exemplifies Kroc's vision of excellence.

» Housing Solutions has promoted Gaye Johnston to director of operations from director of finance. She has a decade of experience with the company and is a certified public accountant.

» The Kakaako Improvement Association has announced the following lineup for its 2010 board of directors: Robert Oda, president; Donna Farrell, vice president; and Ashumi Lee, secretary/treasurer. Board members are: James Frierson, Beverly Harbin, Mark Higa, Jay Jean, Jay Kadowaki, Paul Kimura, Greg Meier, Dexter Okada and Glenn Takeuchi. Sherry Goya is executive director.