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Business/In Brief • Sept. 23, 2014

Federal grant for agriculture acceleratorKAILUA-KONA - The Kohala Center on the Big Island has received a $2 million federal grant to develop an agricultural business accelerator.The center will help farmers and food producers learn about business planning, financial strategies and marketing, West Hawaii Today reported.It will encourage farmers to branch out into making condiments, lotions, fiber, perfumes, organic salad mixes and specialty coffees.The grant also will allow the center to bring in the island's professional chefs to talk about products that are in high demand.U.S. Rep. ...

Business/In Brief • Sept. 20, 2014

Former credit union worker gets prisonHONOLULU - Federal prosecutors say a former credit union manager is being sentenced to 15 months in prison for embezzlement and making false entries in the credit union's books.U.S. District Court Judge Helen Gillmor on Thursday also ordered Dona Takushi to pay a $78,000 fine.Takushi worked for the credit union serving employees of Oahu Transit Services, which operates "TheBus."U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni says the 54-year-old obtained online access to the credit union's VISA payment system and falsely inputted credit card payments for herself and ...

Immigration reform, gridlock discussed with congressional candidates

This is the final installment of a three-part series on questions our Chamber of Maui Political Committee asked of candidates in races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House 2nd District. Immigration reform and gridlock in Washington, D.C., are the subjects covered in this article.Immigration ReformThe question was: Where do you stand on immigration reform?Responses included:* Supports open borders, noting that when people drive across state lines no one is checking for terrorists. Candidate said we should allow people in with a terrorism check and waiver of any welfare rights.* All for ...

After decades at Oracle’s helm, Ellison steps down

SAN FRANCISCO - Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who purchased most of Lanai in summer 2012, is stepping aside as CEO after 37 years at the helm of the business software maker, ending a colorful reign marked by his flamboyant behavior and outlandish wealth amassed while building one of the world's best-known technology companies.With the changing of the guard announced Thursday, Ellison will be handing over his job to his two top lieutenants, Safra Catz and Mark Hurd, who become co-CEOs.Ellison, 70, intends to still play an influential role at Oracle Corp. He is taking over as Oracle's ...

Farmers split on Hawaii coffee labeling proposal

KAILUA-KONA (AP) - Another attempt to enact Hawaii-grown coffee labeling laws for blends has Big Island farmers at odds.Hawaii County Councilwoman Brenda Ford wants labels to provide the amount of coffee that's contained in a blend.Currently, a blend has to contain 10 percent Hawaii-grown coffee to be labeled as such.Some farmers support changing labeling laws while others say it's not necessary. "It's consumer fraud to continue this 10- percent packaging," said coffee farmer Clare Wilson.Coffee farmer Gary Strawn said he sells only 100-percent Kona coffee but doesn't support the pair of ...

Business/In Brief • Sept. 18, 2014

N.Y. designer to present sample saleNew York-based jewelry and swimwear designer Tiffany Chou, a former Maui resident, will host her first sample sale on Maui from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27, at Seabury Hall, 480 Olinda Road in Makawao.Samples include swimwear from her 2014 collection and never before seen jewelry pieces from almost all of her collections.All jewelry and swimwear prices will be discounted at 50 percent off or more, according to a news release.People will be able to meet Chou, as well as enjoy complimentary mini boba drinks from Bubble Tea Express.Chou is a graduate of Seabury ...