BUSINESS BRIEFS
150 employers will be at job fair
Advertiser Staff
More than 150 employers will be accepting applications and answering questions at the Job Quest job fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
Recruiters will represent local businesses, Mainland organizations, military branches and government agencies at the state's oldest and largest job fair. The event will give job seekers a chance to make initial contact, apply for positions and set up an interview.
With the state's low unemployment rate, many employers are having a tough time finding and retaining workers. The job fair gives job seekers and employers an opportunity to meet in one venue. Representatives from O'ahu WorkLinks will be on hand to provide job-search assistance information.
Job seekers are advised to bring copies of their resumes, dress professionally and research companies they may be interested in. More than 3,500 people attended the Job Quest job fair last September.
The event is sponsored by O'ahu WorkLinks, ALTRES Staffing, and Success Advertising. Admission is $3; $1 for students, military and seniors with ID. For information, see www.successhi.com.
HOKU SCIENTIFIC TO DISCUSS QUARTER
Hoku Scientific Inc., the Kapolei-based materials science company whose shares have increased fourfold in the past year, said it will discuss its latest quarterly performance on Jan. 22, when it holds a conference call for analysts and investors.
The company will release results for the quarter ended Dec. 31 after the close of markets that day. The conference call is scheduled for noon Hawai'i time and will be available at the www.hokuscientific.com Web site.
Hoku shares closed down 40 cents, or 3.3 percent, at $11.69 yesterday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Hoku shares hit a record high of $14.19 on Jan. 3 after the company announced that Idaho Power Co. will build a power substation for the Hoku's planned polysilicon plant in Pocatello.
CALAVO TAKES OVER ML&P MARKETING
Calavo Growers Inc., the Santa Paula, Calif.-based seller of fresher and processed-avocado, said its assumption of North American marketing and distribution of Maui Gold pineapples is expected to contribute $25 million to $30 million in revenue during its 2008 fiscal year.
The company also said the distribution deal with a Maui Land & Pineapple Co. unit complements its existing Hawaiian papaya business and "vaults the company into a position as the leading Mainland provider of tropical produce" grown in Hawai'i.
Calavo made the comments in a press release announcing its fourth-quarter results.
FIRM EXPANDS ID-THEFT PROGRAM
Island Insurance Co., the state's largest locally owned and managed property and casualty insurer, said it has expanded identity theft programs by adding preventive programs to its existing recovery service offerings.
The company said it's signed up to become the first carrier in the nation to offer a comprehensive "Life Stages" identity management program through its collaboration with Identity Theft 911, a Scottsdale, Ariz., company.
The new program available to Island Insurance homeowner policyholders includes programs that help parents prevent against misuse of a minor's personal information, assistance for military personnel, help guarding information during moves and proactive fraud alerts.
