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Clearing up misconceptions about the chamber

It is always wonderful to meet with new people and share different beliefs. It broadens your thinking, spurs new ideas and can remind you of something you have been meaning to work on. Such is the case for me this week.In briefly introducing the Maui Chamber of Commerce to a new group of individuals, I learned that there are lingering myths about the organization and realized it might be helpful to shed light on these to avoid incorrect perceptions.So, let's bust three myths right now.Myth No. 1: Dues in the Maui Chamber of Commerce are expensive (with some thinking the dues started at ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 15, 2013

44-month sentence for Ponzi schemeHONOLULU - A man who operated a Ponzi scheme on Kauai has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.Peter Heckmann was sentenced Thursday to 44 months in federal detention. He must also pay about $1.6 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud.A Honolulu grand jury indicted Heckmann on wire fraud charges five years ago. Prosecutors say he fled to Bali, where he was operating a recording studio and record label.The FBI launched a social media campaign to generate interest in an international manhunt. He surrendered at the airport ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 14, 2013

HTA hires manager for Japan marketingHONOLULU - Hawaii's tourism agency has hired a brand manager to oversee marketing efforts for the state's largest international market, Japan.The Hawaii Tourism Authority announced Tuesday it has hired Miki Wakai as a tourism brand manager. She'll work with contractor Hawaii Tourism Japan.HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney says Wakai's experience will be valuable as the agency looks at innovative ways to grow the market and reach 2 million Japanese visitors by 2016.Prior to joining HTA, Wakai worked at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club, overseeing the ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 13, 2013

Hawaiian Telcom profits drop in 3QHONOLULU - Telephone and Internet provider Hawaiian Telcom says its third-quarter profit dropped by more than half to $2.1 million, in part because of costs to upgrade its broadband network.The Honolulu-based company said Tuesday its earned 18 cents per share, compared with 52 cents per share, or $5.6 million, during the same quarter a year earlier.Hawaiian Telcom said it had a $2 million increase in depreciation and amortization costs because of investments made in its broadband network and assets from its purchase of local carrier Wavecom Solutions.The ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 9, 2013

Renovation planned for Waikiki hotelHONOLULU - A major Waikiki hotel will close Aug. 1 for a redevelopment projected to cost $500 million.The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani renovation and expansion is expected to be the highest reinvestment ever on a single Waikiki property, and the latest hotel slated for a multimillion dollar fix-up, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.It tops the announced $400 million redevelopment at International Market Place and a $100 million reinvestment at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa.The owner of Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Kyo-ya Hotels & ...

Launiupoko acreage: Do we want to buy it or not?

Time is quickly ticking down on a long negotiated land deal where Maui County could acquire 186 acres in Launiupoko for $13 million to create much needed open space for Maui.The original price of this land was $16 million and Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration negotiated it down to $13 million. At question now, as the County Council takes up the matter, is the valuation of the current appraisal. Unfortunately, this questioning comes at a time when decisions have to be made as the deal is set to expire Dec. 31, and the landowner has confirmed multiple times that no further time extension ...