BUSINESS BRIEFS
Hawaiian Telcom's CFO resigns
Advertiser Staff
Hawaiian Telcom Chief Financial Officer Paul Sunu has resigned effective Thursday after nearly 10 months with the company.
Robert Reich, the company's vice president and controller, will serve as interim CFO and assistant controller. John Duncan, who had worked in the company's finance department, will become vice president and controller.
Sunu joined Hawaiian Telcom May 14, 2007.
"The company benefited greatly from Paul's talents and experience and we will miss him greatly," said Steve Cooper, chief executive officer.
Cooper, one of the nation's top turnaround experts, was brought in last month to run Hawaiian Telcom, which has been suffering from financial losses and customer service complaints.
HONOLULU CPA FIRM CHANGES NAME
Nishihama & Kishida CPAs Inc., one of Hawai'i's largest locally owned CPA firms, has changed its name to N&K CPAs Inc.
"We felt a new name and new logo would better reflect our new culture, the expanded services we now offer and the growth of the firm," said Alton K. Miyashiro, N&K CPAs Inc. managing principal.
The company has grown to more than 60 employees since starting out in 1973 with a staff of nine. The Downtown firm has been recognized for the past three years in the Best Places to Work search by Hawaii Business magazine.
WILLOWS TO MANAGE LUANA HILLS
The Willows Restaurant will take over food and beverage operations of Luana Hills Country Club starting today.
In addition to day-to-day operations, The Willows will oversee two private rooms, outdoor events and weddings, and the Sunday brunch. Off-site catering also will be available.
Dwayne Ancog will stay on as the executive chef.
SMALL-BUSINESS WORKSHOP ON MAUI
A workshop to help small businesses sell their goods or services to the federal government will be held March 12 on Maui.
The event is sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Boeing Co. and Maui Economic Development Board. The workshop runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in the MEDB's Pacific Disaster Center Training Room, 1305 North Holopono St. in Kihei.
The cost is $30, which includes workshop materials, lunch and refreshments. For information and to register online, visit http://www.hightechmaui.com/fedgov08/overview.cfm, or call 808-875-2313.
REGULAR GAS UP 23% FROM YEAR AGO
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Hawai'i is 23 percent higher than it was a year ago, according to data from the American Automobile Association.
The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report Web site shows Hawai'i's statewide average rose to $3.54 from $2.87 a year earlier.
The national average increased at a faster pace during the year, rising to $3.16 from $2.41, a 31 percent increase.
DOLLAR AT 3-YEAR LOW AGAINST YEN
The dollar fell to a three-year low against the yen yesterday.
The dollar dropped to 103.96 yen, marking the first time it traded below 104 yen since March 2005.
A stronger yen is generally good for local hotels and other businesses that cater to Japanese tourists. A stronger yen boosts the purchasing power of Japanese tourists when they convert their currency into U.S. dollars.
