BUSINESS BRIEFS
Business conference in La'ie
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Brigham Young University-Hawai'i and the Polynesian Cultural Center are co-sponsoring the second annual International Business Conference, Nov. 6 to 10 at the campus in La'ie.
The event will feature dozens of business executives, entrepreneurs and guest speakers, with former Dell Inc. CEO Kevin Rollins delivering the keynote address. For more information, visit http://cito.byuh.edu/international-business-conf/.
AUGUST CEMENT SHIPMENTS DOWN
Hawai'i's Portland cement shipments fell 18.5 percent in August to 36,495 metric tons, according to data from Bloomberg News Service.
Cement is the basic ingredient in concrete, mortar and stucco, and shipments are an indicator of construction activity in each state.
The decline in shipments here compared with a 7.7 percent drop nationally.
MAUI LAND & PINE CANNERY AUCTION
Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. on Tuesday will auction off cannery production line equipment, can-making machinery and other materials from its now shuttered pineapple canning operation.
The company closed down the business in June, saying it will focus on fresh fruit and juice. The move ended more than 100 years of pineapple canning in Hawai'i, as the local industry fell victim to cheaper foreign imports.
The bidding will be conducted at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului and over the Internet by San Francisco-based Rabin Worldwide. Rabin said more than 600 items will be up for auction and can be viewed at www.rabin.com.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration will hold a workshop on programs available to veterans from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 15 at the O'ahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St.
The workshop will cover the latest SBA financing for startups and existing businesses, including the Patriot Express Initiative. Federal contracting officers also will discuss opportunities in federal procurement for veterans and disabled veterans.
Also on hand for the workshop will be SBA specialists, SBA lenders, business assistance providers and federal contracting officers. The event is free, but advance registration is required.
For information, call Kim Hite at 541-2990, ext. 212, or Mary Dale at 541-2990, ext. 211. Information also is available at www.sba.gov/hi.
AIG CELEBRATES NEW KAHULUI OFFICE
AIG Hawaii tomorrow will open an office in the Kahului Wal-Mart on Maui.
Customers will be able to get quotes for automobile insurance, make premium payments and have their policies serviced. Information on homeowner's and personal umbrella insurance will also be available.
The office will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. AIG Hawaii also has branch locations in the Wal-Marts in Mililani, Hilo, Kona and Royal Kunia.
As part of the opening celebration, AIG Hawaii will distribute balloons and popcorn to Wal-Mart shoppers. Shoppers also will be eligible for prize giveaways.
