Business/In Brief • Oct. 25, 2013

October 25, 2013

HONOLULU - Ewa Beach could get an oceanfront hotel or a time-share complex under a real estate developer's plans for Hoakalei Resort.Haseko Inc. has filed for zoning changes that would increase the area zoned for resort use by 8 acres to 46 acres.Haseko is also asking for zoning modifications more suitable for paddleboard and kayak rentals than for a fuel pier and boat repair facilities, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday.The changes come as Haseko pursues its plan to build a lagoon in the area and not a 600-slip marina as initially intended.Haseko outlined the zoning changes ...

Hawaiian Electric proposes photovoltaic energy project

October 25, 2013

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaiian Electric Co. is asking the state Public Utilities Commission to approve Hawaii's largest photovoltaic energy project.The utility has proposed the solar plant for 50 acres of undeveloped land next to its Kahe Generating Station, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.The 15-megawatt project would be the first photovoltaic facility owned and operated by the utility, which selected SolarCity Corp. to construct it. The commission must sign off on the choice."This is a unique opportunity that benefits our customers because it allows us to quickly develop more low-cost ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 24, 2013

October 24, 2013

Hawaiian seeks a Kona-Haneda flightHONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines says it's applying to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the right to fly nonstop between Kailua-Kona and Tokyo's Haneda airport.The airline said Tuesday it's seeking operating slots at Haneda that American Airlines will be giving up later this year. It's proposing a daily flight using Airbus A330 planes.American said last week it would stop flying its route linking Haneda and New York's John F. Kennedy airport.Hawaiian will have competition for the slots. United Airlines announced Friday it will apply for the ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 23, 2013

October 23, 2013

HILO - Three bids have been submitted for the bankrupt Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hilo, but only two of them meet qualifications.Bankruptcy trustee David Farmer said a federal bankruptcy judge will consider a motion to sell the hotel Nov. 6, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday.The top qualifying bid will be up for consideration at the hearing, but Farmer said other bids also will be accepted. This will give other potential buyers a chance to make a better offer."Everybody sees the cards," he said.Farmer said he couldn't discuss who submitted the bids and how much is being offered ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 22, 2013

October 22, 2013

Maui innovators to make presentationsA new program, the Maui Innovation Series, which features short presentations by island innovators in an intimate setting designed to encourage dialogue and networking, will begin Oct. 29.The event hosted by the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Program in collaboration with Cafe Carmen will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the cafe at the Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei.Presenters will include Michael Snyder, founder and president of Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Network.Presenters will be given about 15 minutes to share, information with the group. A ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 19, 2013

October 19, 2013

FBI arrests man for welfare fraudHONOLULU - Federal agents have arrested a Honolulu man on charges he defrauded the government of more than $200,000 in welfare cash payments, food stamps, housing assistance and student loans.And affidavit filed in federal court Thursday said Vaughn Sherwood collected these benefits from 1988 through 1999 and from 2004 until now.But it says the 66-year-old Waikiki resident inherited more than $230,000 from his father in 1998 and $130,000 from his mother in 2006. Investigators say Sherwood owns a sailboat and a Mercedes Benz S420 car.The FBI says Sherwood ...