Business / In Brief • Mar. 4, 2014

March 4, 2014

Hawaii seed industry spending downHONOLULU - Recent estimates show that spending by the seed research and development industry went down over the last two years but it remains Hawaii's top crop.Estimates by the National Agricultural Statistics Service show a 10 percent drop in spending by seed companies during the 2012-13 season. In the season that ended in June, the value of seed company spending statewide was at $213 million. In the 2011-12 season, that figure was at $238 million.The drop was the second consecutive annual reduction after a less than 1 percent dip from the 2010-11 ...

Bills to hike wage a blow to businesses

March 1, 2014

Numerous bills to increase Hawaii's minimum wage are continuing to be heard this legislative session. Based on the increases being proposed, businesses do not feel that lawmakers understand their realities and how the high increases will hurt job creation.Two measures are particularly offensive: The measure to increase the minimum wage by $2.75 per hour on Jan. 1, 2015, to $10 per hour, and a bill that seeks to tie an increase to the Honolulu Consumer Price Index.While the economy is picking up, many are still operating with fewer employees than before and are struggling to keep up with ...

Business / In Brief • Feb. 27, 2014

February 27, 2014

Kaiser offers free wireless Internet accessKaiser Permanente Hawaii is offering free wireless Internet access to members and guests in hospital rooms and waiting areas in all of its 20 facilities statewide, including Maui.By connecting through the "KaiserGuest" network, Kaiser Permanente members and guests can access Web-based email, surf the Web and stay connected with work, family and friends using a Wi-Fi enabled computer or mobile device.*****Airline ending Honolulu-Fukuoka serviceHONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines is canceling its daily flight to the Japanese city of Fukuoka, saying it ...

Business / In Brief • Feb. 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

Billionaire purchases $40M in housingHONOLULU - Property records indicate that Larry Ellison has been buying almost two dozen homes on Lanai for $40 million.The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that ever since the co-founder of Oracle Corp. acquired 98 percent of Lanai in 2012, a pair of his companies has been buying mostly luxury vacation homes and condominiums on the island.Ellison had already acquired 455 rental homes when he bought 98 percent of the island's 141 square miles, making him the biggest owner of housing on Lanai.It wasn't clear what the billionaire planned to do with the ...

Partnership to bring more craft beers to Hawaii

February 25, 2014

Maui Brewing Co. is partnering with Stone Brewing Co., based in San Diego, to create a craft beer distributor, Maui-Stone Craft Beverages, to bring more craft beers to Hawaii."The ultimate goal of this joint venture is to elevate craft beer awareness islandwide and bring more authentic craft beer to Hawaii," said a news release announcing the partnership earlier this month.Stone will begin shipping bottles and kegs to Maui from San Diego in refrigerated containers, hopefully in April, the news release said. The beer will be stored in a 16,000-square-foot distribution center with a ...

Business/In Brief • Feb. 22, 2014

February 22, 2014

Public relations group formingThe Public Relations Society of America's Hawaii Chapter is reviving its Maui Affinity Group and is seeking public relations, marketing and development professionals.The chapter's mission is to build value, understanding and the demand for public relations professionals in Hawaii.Membership is not required to participate in the professional development and networking programs.Those interested in getting involved should contact Christina Yumul by Thursday at christina@storieology.com to be included in the contact list for the groups' first program.