Hawai'i's Better Business Bureau yesterday honored businesses, public charities, and individuals for their commitment "to fair, honest and ethical marketplace practices" at the 2010 BBB Torch Awards.

Awards were presented to three businesses and one public charity, as well as to two Honolulu newspaper consumer columnists.

"It's extremely rewarding for Hawai'i's BBB to recognize businesses, charities, and individuals for their dedication to running honest, ethical organizations," said Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer of Hawai'i's BBB.

"Consumers should be proud that companies like these put standards for ethics and integrity at the top of their priority lists," Kealoha said all of the finalists are "shining examples of BBB's vision of a trustworthy marketplace."

The 2010 BBB Torch Award recipients in each category are Lanakila Pacific, public charity; Loomis-ISC, small business; Lex Brodie's Tire Company, medium business; and Servco Pacific, large business.

Advertiser columnist Robbie Dingeman and June Watanabe, consumer columnist for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, received the BBB Ka Mea o Kako'o award. The award honors individuals who have significantly advanced marketplace trust by their demonstrated commitment to consumer advocacy, protection or education.

Established in 1945, the Hawai'i's BBB is a nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest marketplace behavior. The BBB provides objective advice, free business and charity reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust and offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses.