BUSINESS BRIEFS
Kaiser official to leave position
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii said Chris Pablo, director of government and community affairs, will leave the health plan and hospital later this year because his position is being consolidated with another.
Pablo, a familiar face at the state Legislature, will remain with Kaiser through this year's legislative session. Pablo has been with Kaiser for 15 years and co-managed the public affairs department with Director of Corporate Relations Scott Nariyoshi. Pablo's position is being consolidated with Nariyoshi's in June.
HOKU SCIENTIFIC SEEKS DIRECTOR
Hoku Scientific Inc. said today that it has begun a search for a new independent director following the death of board member Lloyd Fujie last week.
Fujie's death means Hoku is not in compliance with Nasdaq rules that require exchange traded companies to have a majority of independent directors and an audit committee that consists of at least three independent members.
Nasdaq has given Hoku a timeframe to regain compliance. Under the timeframe Hoku has until either its next annual shareholders' meeting or Dec. 27. If the meeting is held before June 25, then Hoku must provide evidence of compliance no later than June 25.
PIPELINE, UH ENTER TECH DEAL
Honolulu-based Pipeline Communications and Technology Inc. recently signed a licensing and joint research agreement with the University of Hawai'i.
Under the deal, Pipeline will try to commercialize micro-scale thermal management technology for electronics such as computer processors.
ISLES A TOP DRAW FOR TRAVELERS
Honolulu and Kahului rank highly with travelers taking vacations this year placing within the top-10 travel agency bookings for U.S. destinations, according to a travel trends survey by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates.
Honolulu trailed only Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., in terms of popularity and was followed by Kahului, which was fourth in the top 10, the travel agency company said.
RETAILERS REPORT GOOD DECEMBER
MINNEAPOLIS — The nation's two biggest consumer electronics sellers, Best Buy and Circuit City, reported strong December sales yesterday, a bright spot in a month that was weak for many other retailers.
Best Buy Co., the largest U.S. consumer electronics retailer, said sales for December rose 7 percent at stores open at least 14 months, better than it had expected. It credited "high double-digit" increases in high-end televisions. Rival Circuit City Stores Inc. said sales grew 4.2 percent for the month at its stores open at least a year.
