Bank fires American Samoa workers

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa » Bank of Hawaii says it has fired four employees in American Samoa for “;inappropriate”; tax filings with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Bank of Hawaii District Manager Hobbs Lowson says the filings violated the bank's standards for employment, but he didn't elaborate.

Taxpayers in American Samoa file with the territorial government's Tax Office. But Tax Office Manager Melvin Joseph says some residents have used addresses in the U.S. to file with the IRS in order to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, for which American Samoa residents don't qualify.

Lowson would not comment on news reports that as many as four other bank employees accused of claiming the credit were allowed to resign. He says the bank has brought in off-island personnel to help staff local operations.

Business incubator receives funding

Hawaii will get $3 million in federal funding to start a small-business incubator run by the state's Foreign Trade Zone, according to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye's office.

The money will be used to renovate a portion of an existing warehouse on Pier 2 to create office and work space for businesses seeking entry into the international marketplace. The funding will come from a grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. Inouye's office said the funding should create more than 635 jobs while expanding business opportunities.

$40 room nights virtually gone

Ala Moana Hotel's $40-a-night promotion is essentially sold out.

The hotel began booking reservations for the deal yesterday, and only three sets of dates were available by the afternoon, according to a spokeswoman.

The deal marks the hotel's 40th anniversary. For 40 days—April 22 to May 31—40 rooms were offered nightly at $40 a night. Yesterday afternoon the only sets available were two for a three-night stay, and one for four nights.

The hotel still has a special $89 kamaaina rate through June 15.

Hawaii to get $703,100 in labor aid

Hawaii will receive $703,100 to implement re-employment and eligibility assessments for those collecting unemployment insurance, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Hawaii's cut is part of a nationwide $50 million in funding for 33 states and Washington, D.C. The funds will be used to conduct in-person assessments at One-Stop Career Centers. The assessments will include an eligibility review, development of a re-employment plan and referral to re-employment services or training.

Google's net below some estimates

Google Inc., owner of the world's most popular Internet search engine, reported a profit that missed some analysts' estimates, underscoring the cost of pursuing growth in new markets.

First-quarter net income rose 37 percent to $1.96 billion, or $6.06 a share, from $1.42 billion, or $4.49, a year earlier. Estimates compiled by Bloomberg were as high as $6.91. Revenue climbed 23 percent to $6.78 billion.

Hawaii's solar capacity sixth

Hawaii is sixth in the nation when it comes to solar electric capacity, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association.

California led in capacity, at 220 megawatts, followed by New Jersey, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and then Hawaii. Hawaii's current capacity is at 14 megawatts.

Overall U.S. solar electric capacity increased by 37 percent in 2009. This was driven by strong demand in residential and utility-scale markets. The solar industry added 17,000 new jobs last year, with a total of 46,000 in the industry.

ON THE MOVE

The University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union has announced the following promotions:

» Travis T. Bow to vice president of member support from security and systems manager.

» Bryan T. Anderson to vice president of member services from district sales manager for Beneficial Financial, a subsidiary of HSBC Bank.

>> Debra R. Wilson to member services manager from financial services liaison for UHFCU investment services.

Kona Community Hospital has appointed Dean Herzog to chief financial officer. He has more than 25 years' experience in the health care industry.