Job search suggests Apple might add more isle stores

Apple may be adding two more stores in Hawaii.

An online job search by a friend of the Star-Advertiser revealed potential hiring locations in Aiea, on Oahu, and Puka­lani, on Maui. Apple’s website has added those two locations to its "Jobs at Apple" page. The site doesn’t list job openings in those locations yet, but it appears the computer giant is preparing to do so.

An Apple spokes­woman would only say, "We haven’t made any announcements about stores in those locations," and gave the same response when asked whether the results on the Apple website were possibly a glitch of some sort. The response remained the same despite additional alternate wordings of the question.

Aiea is home to Pearlridge Center, the second-largest mall in the state. Apple already has stores at Ala Moana Center (the state’s largest shopping center), Royal Hawaiian Center and Kahala Mall.

Given that Microsoft will soon open right across the concourse from the Ala Moana Center Apple store, Bill Gates’ real estate and retail execs might want to make a note of the possible new Apple locations (if they haven’t already).

JST DRV: A SAFETY CONTEST 4 TEENS

One Hawaii teen age 14 to 18 — or another from across the nation, for that matter — could win $1,000 and an expenses-paid mainland trip by creating a radio public service announcement.

The National Road Safety Foundation and National Student Safety Program wants teens to JST DRV (just drive) and not text, and wants their peers to tell them why.

The organizations are inviting teens to come up with an on-air message for their peers warning of the dangers of distracted driving — and they are significant.

People generally associate teen traffic deaths with impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs, but "that’s no longer true; it’s been replaced by distracted driving," said Hono­lulu’s Jan Meeker, NSSP youth coordinator.

A state Department of Education employee, she spoke to TheBuzz wearing her NSSP hat. She has been involved with the organization since the early 1990s, she said.

"Although crash rates from impaired driving have been going down, it’s now back up due to distraction," she said. "A quarter of all teens admit to texting behind the wheel, and the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes is those under the age of 20."

"To them, (texting) is second nature," Meeker said. Teens know alcohol makes them change, "but they’re so moved to communicate that they have no concept that they’re distracted. … They don’t see that the same thing is happening with them when they’re texting, and that’s the scary part."

The contest centers on a radio PSA. Judging will be done by the New York-based National Road Safety Foundation.

The winning teen will get the cash prize as well as a paid trip to Portland, Maine, where he or she will be recognized at the National Student Safety Program youth conference this summer.

For more information, see www.nrsf.org/teenlane/jstdrv.

PAIA ROCK & BREWS TO OPEN IN SUMMER

KISS co-founder Paul Stanley has joined co-founder and co-frontman Gene Simmons as a partner in the Rock & Brews restaurant venture and will be on hand for the grand opening in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, March 22 and 23. That means Sammy Hagar, the "Red Rocker" and alumnus of Van Halen (or Van Hagar, if you like), won’t be the only U.S. celebrity with a bar and restaurant in the vacation destination of the stars.

Meanwhile, Maui’s Rock & Brews in Paia is to open this summer. According to TheBuzz’s first report on the concept a year ago, Rock & Brews is planned as a dog-welcoming establishment.

When it opens on Maui, the pair perhaps nearly as well known for Simmons’ marketing savvy as for the band’s recordings will join other rockers who have set up drink-and-eateries in the isles, including Jimmy Buffett, Sammy Hagar and, most recently, Mick Fleetwood.

Mahalo to longtime radio personality Fil Slash for the use of "Van Hagar."

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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.