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Business/In Brief • Apr. 11, 2014

OluKai will outfit lifeguards with free footwear in LahainaMaui lifeguards will be receiving free OluKai high-performance footwear at Island Sole on Front Street from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today.Partnering with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, OluKai will be outfitting Hawaii lifeguards with one of four designs - Kia'i Trainer II, which retails for $120; Kamiki, $110; Kia'i, $70; and Holomua, $90.The Holomua, an adjustable three-point sandal, was tested by the lifeguard association.The giveaways got underway Wednesday at Adventure Sports Maui; there also was a session at Hi-Tech. Other ...

Business/In Brief • Apr. 10, 2014

Children's oral health gets poor gradeHONOLULU - Hawaii has more dentists per capita than any state except Massachusetts but children here have among the worst rates of tooth decay in the country.The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday data from Delta Dental Plans Association found the percentage of Hawaii children who had one or more cavities in the past three years was at 48 percent.One of the reasons for that is Hawaii's water supply is not fluoridated, except on military bases.The state Health Department hopes to launch a pilot program to provide dental sealant to children in ...

Business/In Brief • Apr. 5, 2014

Nominations sought for awardNominations are being sought for the 2014 Maui Matsuri Business Award.The criteria for selection includes the basis of the business' participation in the Maui Matsuri and support of the mission of the festival, which is to preserve and perpetuate the Japanese culture on Maui.Nominations forms may be found online at www.mauimatsuri.com or by calling committee Chairwoman Jennifer Sumida at 346-3002.The deadline for submissions is April 25.For more information about the 14th Maui Matsuri, call the festival hotline at 283-9999.*****Bank issues safer credit ...

Lawmakers ignoring potential harm of minimum-wage hike

The state Legislature seems determined to hike the minimum wage to over $10.10 in the next several years despite deep concern by the business sector and economic reports that indicate it would create more harm than good.Lawmakers appear to be redefining the "minimum wage" as a "living wage," which it was never meant to be. It is merely a starting point for unskilled labor, an "entry" or "training" wage, which is why the majority of workers make far more than the minimum wage now and why increasing the minimum wage is not our answer to reducing poverty.Many reports indicate it will have ...

Business/In Brief • Apr. 4, 2014

Retailer for action sports to come to Queen Ka'ahumanuZumiez, a national retailer for action sports-related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories, will be opening at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center this fall, according to an announcement Monday.The retailer, which operates 552 stores worldwide, appeals to young men and women who are into skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, motorcross and BMX biking, the announcement said."Zumiez is a great complement to our expanding family of name-brand retailers," Queen Ka'ahumanu Center Marketing Manager Todd Vines said. "We have a natural audience ...

Business/In Brief • Apr. 2, 2014

Financial literacy fair on Oahu this weekHONOLULU - Government agencies and nonprofit organizations will help people better understand how to manage their money at a financial literacy fair in downtown Honolulu this week.Topics include preparing for home ownership, checking credit reports, planning for retirement, investing and paying taxes.A representative from the federal regulator of commodities and futures will be there to help raise awareness about financial fraud.Hawaii Commissioner of Securities Tung Chan says the exhibitors are trusted nonprofits and government agencies dedicated ...