BUSINESS BRIEFS
License renewal thriving online
Advertiser News Services
The number of Hawai'i engineers, architects and surveyors who renewed their licenses online this year nearly tripled compared with two years ago, according to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Vocational Licensing Division.
The agency said 94 percent of professionals in those categories used the online service during the last renewal cycle from March 6 through April 30, up from 37 percent in 2004.
Professional licenses in a range of other categories can be renewed by visiting www.ehawaii.gov/pvlrenew.
KAILUA TO GET NEW RESTAURANT
Kaneohe Ranch and California Pizza Kitchen Inc. said yesterday that they are planning a California Pizza/ASAP restaurant at the Kailua Town Center, between Pier 1 and Coldstone Creamery in the new Kainalu Plaza.
The restaurant will seat about 80 people, more than half in an outdoor area. The company plans to begin construction in June, with opening tentatively set for November.
California Pizza Kitchen currently has three locations on O'ahu — at Ala Moana Center, Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center.
SEGWAY PLANS EXPANSION HERE
Bedford, N.H.-based Segway Inc., manufacturer of the Segway Human Transporter, said yesterday that it plans to expand its nationwide network of independent Segway authorized dealerships by at least 25 percent in 2006, including expansion on O'ahu Maui, Kaua'i, and the Big Island. Segway Inc. currently has just one Hawai'i dealership in Honolulu.
HOUSING STARTS DECLINE 7.4 PERCENT
Housing starts nationwide dropped 7.4 percent in April, the Commerce Department said yesterday. It was the third straight monthly decline, and builders broke ground for the fewest homes in 17 months.
Building permits were off 5.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.984 million units.
