BUSINESS BRIEFS
Isle gas use, oil imports are down
Advertiser Staff
There is more evidence that Hawai'i's motorists are curbing their gasoline consumption in response to high prices at the pump.
Data released by the state yesterday showed gasoline consumption fell 7 percent during the first half of this year compared with the same period a year ago.
And imports of crude oil by the the state's refineries fell to 19.4 million barrels during the first six months of the year — a 15.4 percent drop from a year ago.
The data are included in the first Monthly Energy Trends report released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. To view the full report, visit: http://hawaii.gov/dbedt.
WALLY AMOS LAUNCHING 2ND SHOP
Wally Amos — who helped make chocolate-chip cookies famous — will launch his new Chip & Cookie shop in the Royal Hawaiian Center with a grand opening party from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 21.
"We always have free samples, but at the grand opening we'll have a special cookie tasting and you'll be able to compare all five varieties ... chocolate-chip, chocolate-chip with pecans or macadamia nuts, butterscotch-chip with pecans, and oatmeal raisin," Amos said.
Amos is active in national literacy programs and donates 10 percent of his profits to the Read it LOUD! Foundation. "Our goal is to get 5 million parents reading aloud to their children for 10 minutes a day over a three-year period," Amos said.
The new Chip & Cookies is on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center at 2201 Kalakaua Ave. The first Chip & Cookie is in Kailua at 609 Kailua Road.
THE SHACK EXPANDS TO WAIKIKI
The Shack, a familiar presence in Hawai'i Kai, Kailua and Mililani, has opened its first restaurant in Waikiki.
The Waikiki outlet, the largest of all the Shack restaurants at 9,000 square feet, is in the Waikiki Trade Center. The restaurant's decor includes 'ohi'a wood railings, lauhala and bamboo thatching, tiki torches and indoor waterfalls.
Michael Leslie, former executive chef at Roy's, will oversee the restaurant's culinary operations.
The Shack Waikiki is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with validated parking available at the Waikiki Trade Center.
GENERAL GROWTH WINS CONTRACT
General Growth Properties has won the management contract for Kings' Shops in the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island.
Chicago-based General Growth has handled leasing for the 75,000-square-foot retail center.
In addition to Kings' Shops, General Growth owns, manages or leases seven retail centers in Hawai'i, including Ala Moana Center.
Kings' Shops features a mix of luxury retailers, boutiques and restaurants.
ROTARY CLUB HONORS KONA BREWING
Kona Brewing Co. was named "Employer of the Year" by the Rotary Club of Kona.
The award was recently presented to Mattson Davis, Kona Brewing Co.'s president and chief executive officer.
Kona Brewing was recognized for its "strong commitment to the community," including sponsorship and participation in dozens of community events, the company said in a news release.
Kona Brewing has two restaurants in Hawai'i and distributes its beer in 22 states, Japan and China.
