BUSINESS BRIEFS
Cattle inventory down 1 percent
Advertiser Staff
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The inventory of cattle and calves on Hawai'i ranches was estimated at 150,000 head in January, down 2,000 head, or 1 percent, from January 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The annual report estimated that the number of cows and heifers that have calved was 86,000 head, up 1 percent from January 2007.
Beef cows made up 56 percent of the total herd at 84,400 head, up 2 percent from a year ago. Milk cows totaled 1,600, down 30 percent from the previous January.
Pacific Dairy in Wai'anae closed during 2008, leaving the state with just two in operation at the end of the year. Two dairies also closed during 2007.
3 SHOPS COMING TO WINDWARD MALL
Windward Mall said it expects to welcome three new tenants to the Kane'ohe shopping center in late summer.The planned additions are specialty apparel retailer Aeropostale, Wetzel's Pretzels and party supply store Let's Party Hawaii, a division of Price Busters.
Aeropostale and Wetzel's Pretzels also are planning to open in May at Ala Moana Center, which is run by the company that also manages Windward Mall, General Growth Properties Inc.
HECO'S ALM HAS MORE DUTIES
Hawaiian Electric Co. has expanded the duties of Executive Vice President Robbie Alm as part of a reorganization aimed at sharpening the company's focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.In addition to public affairs, which Alm currently oversees, he will head up planning for the company's "smart grid" initiatives, implementation of demand response and other customer energy-efficiency programs, and planning for the integration of major increments of intermittent energy from proposed wind farms in Maui County, as well as other renewable energy sources.
"We have a responsibility to help shape a clean energy future for the communities we serve," said Dick Rosenblum, Hawaiian Electric president and chief executive officer. "It's important that we have the right organization to help us execute and deliver on our commitments under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative."
MATSON ADDS NEW PORT IN CHINA
Matson Navigation Co. plans to add a new port in China to its ocean cargo transportation service in May.The company said it will expand service to the southern China port of Xiamen to complement service it began in 2006 to the central China ports in Ningbo and Shanghai.
Matson, the California-based subsidiary of Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc., said the new stop will expand business and also better utilize vessels by calling on Xiamen before Ningbo after departing Guam.
SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR ON MARCH 18
The Small Business Administration will hold a free workshop March 18 for small business owners looking for ways to grow during the economic downturn.Information will be provided on the SBA's 504 loan program, which can be used to finance the purchase of land, build or renovate facilities, for the acquisition of major equipment or to expand existing facilities.
The loan is appealing to many small businesses because of the low down payment, the long term repayment schedule and its ability to help small businesses grow into a much larger enterprise. The program has helped local companies such as Menehune Water, Suisan Company Ltd., Ace Auto Glass and Old Lahaina Luau expand their businesses.
The workshop will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Kapolei Hale. Advance registration is required. For more information, call Jerry Hirata at 541-2990, ext. 210, or e-mail him at jerry.hirata@sba.gov. Online registration is also available at www.sba.gov/hi.
