BUSINESS BRIEFS
Hawaii Biotech gets $2M financing
Advertiser Staff
'Aiea-based Hawaii Biotech recently received $2.1 million in investments that will be used to finance clinical trials of West Nile vaccine and development of the company's dengue and seasonal flu programs.
Investors, who received a new series of preferred stock, include Hawai'i investors and Chopin Opus One. Chopin Opus is a major shareholder in Brisbane, Australia-based Avantogen Ltd., which owns 48 percent of Hawaii Biotech.
Hawaii Biotech is still awaiting approval for an application filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct human clinical trials for a West Nile virus vaccine.
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause life-threatening illness in humans, horses and birds. No cases have been reported in the state so far.
HAWAIIAN TEL TV BID DELAYED AGAIN
A state deadline to decide whether Hawai'i's major telephone company can offer television services has been delayed until Dec. 31.
The prior deadline was yesterday. Hawaiian Telcom requested the extension — its 14th.
Hawaiian Telcom is seeking a cable franchise license from the state, which would give the company the right to offer video service in Honolulu over its phone lines. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is reviewing the company's application.
Hawaiian Telcom has said it plans to launch the Internet-based television service in the first half of 2008. The service would compete with Oceanic Time Warner Cable.
The two already compete for telephone customers. Oceanic in 2005 began offering telephone service to customers over its cable network.
OPENING ON WATER RESOURCE BOARD
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is looking for people interested in water resources to serve as a member of the state Commission on Water Resource Management for a new four-year term beginning July 1, 2008.
Nominations, along with resumes, must be submitted no later than Dec. 14, 2007 to the Nominating Committee, Commission on Water Resource Management, P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809.
All names submitted to the nominating committee will be kept confidential.
The Commission on Water Resource Management is composed of seven members who have jurisdiction and final authority on matters relating to implementation and administration of the State Water Code.
HOW TO MAKE IT A GREEN CHRISTMAS
The Green Market Gift Fair offers holiday shoppers environmentally friendly gift and green-living ideas.
Shoppers can buy a gift certificate that pays for a school garden lesson at one of Hawai'i's public schools. Also, native plants will be for sale, as well as items like reusable grocery totes and biodegradable party supplies.
There will be demonstrations throughout the day, such as how to make rain barrel catchments for your garden and green cleaning supplies for your home.
The fair is set for 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave.
Participating groups include The Green House, Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, Slow Food O'ahu, Hawai'i HI-5¢ Program, MA'O Organic Farm, Just Add Water CSA, Habitat for Humanity and Hoa'aina o Makaha.
