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Judge approves settlement in explosion

HONOLULU (AP) - A federal judge has approved a settlement between the families of five men who died in a 2011 fireworks explosion and fire at a Waikele storage bunker and one company they sued.The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports Ford Island Ventures held the master lease to the Navy's former munitions bunker complex.Ford Island in early October proposed a $1.5 million settlement. Its approval by U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard L. Puglisi removes Ford Island Ventures from ongoing litigation.The families are pursuing claims against VSE Corp. and subcontractors Blanchard and Associates Inc. ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 1, 2014

History, culture promoted to touristsHONOLULU - Tourism officials are looking at ways to get visitors to look beyond the beach by promoting Hawaii's history and culture.The Historic Hawaii Foundation and the Hawaii Tourism Authority are promoting the islands' history and culture to get travelers to return and also bring in first-timers who aren't interested in the beach.A Friday forum on heritage tourism is aimed at ways to preserve Hawaii's unique sense of place while providing a visitor experience that goes beyond traditional leisure branding, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser ...

This election is too important to miss

Every election is important, but Tuesday's general election is critical for a number of reasons.First, there are several hotly contested races that can shake things up at the county and state levels, including the governor's race and several County Council races. Then, there is the extremely harmful ballot initiative that, if enacted, will be devastating to our economy, create massive job loss, hurt our agricultural industry and cost all residents more.If ever there was a time for residents to come out and vote, this is it. We hope to see the numbers of voters soar this year and that you ...

Hamai Appliance captures top retail business award for Maui

Longtime Maui business Hamai Appliance has captured the Retail Business of the Year Award for Maui in the Retail Merchants of Hawaii Ho'okela Awards, which were presented Thursday at the Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu."The Ho'okela Awards are like the Emmys of the retail industry in Hawaii," said Sheri Sakamoto, president of the retail merchants. "Ho'okela recognizes and honors the great work of not only the nominees but the state's entire retail industry."Hamai Appliance was one of three Maui County finalists, which included Second Wind and Ka'anapali Golf Courses. Hamai was nominated by ...

Ballot question: Listen to the facts, not the propaganda

The Maui Chamber of Commerce has been actively researching the genetically modified organisms issue and asks the public to do the same. We believe education is key to understanding and extremely important as we head toward a November ballot vote.While the anti-GMO movement is making a variety of claims about potential harm, we have not seen the scientific basis for those claims. Experts note that the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the British Royal Society have repeatedly reviewed and affirmed the safety of GE crops ...

Business / In Brief • Oct. 22, 2014

Maui company using biodiesel for vesselsAqua Adventures Maui has switched to biodiesel for its vessels, Pacific Biodiesel announced.The company that has been producing biodiesel in Hawaii since 1996 used to deliver fuel to boats in Maalaea Harbor many years ago, but greater on-road demand on the company's limited production made it hard to keep up with boat companies' needs, the news release said.Aqua Adventures had been using biodiesel previously and is the first boat company to fuel with Pacific Biodiesel under a new permit."Now that we have the larger capacity and advanced technology ...