‘Off the Map’ viewership jumps

The “Off the Map” doctors worked hard to keep their prime-time patient alive Wednesday night and turned in their strongest audience in three weeks, according to Nielsen ratings information released yesterday by ABC.

The drama, which is filmed in Hawaii, drew 4.5 million viewers Wednesday. Last week it drew 4.2 million, and the week before that, 4.3 million.

NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” and the new CBS drama “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” each drew 8.8 million viewers Wednesday night, according to the Nielsen ratings.

Among adults 18-49 this week, “Off the Map” attracted

1.5 percent of the total TV viewing audience and 4 percent of those who were watching.

Closing sales begin at 2 more Borders

Store-closing sales have begun at the Borders stores in Kahu­lui and at Waikele Center on Oahu, the third and fourth in Hawaii targeted for closure in Borders’ ongoing bankruptcy case.

Authorized by the U.S. bankruptcy court, the sales offer 20 percent to 40 percent off all merchandise, with limited exceptions. The stores will honor Borders gift cards, and Borders Rewards programs continue as usual.

Sales are already under way at the Kailua-Kona and Lihue Borders stores, slated to close by the end of next month, whereas the Maui and Waikele stores are to close by late May.

Safeway opens new isle store in Hilo

Hawaii’s newest Safeway store opens to the public in Hilo today at 381 Maka­ala St. in the Maka­ala Center, on land leased from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The 61,000-square-foot store employs more than 200 people and will be open from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

It marked its opening yesterday afternoon with a private blessing by Kahu Sheldon Lacsina. Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Ala­paki Naha­le-a will be in attendance at the blessing as will Steve Burd, chairman, president and CEO of California-based Safeway Inc. The company also will host a VIP event this evening. The Safeway Foundation will present a $10,000 donation to the Hilo community, specifically to Wai­akea­wa­ena Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island and Bay Clinic Inc.

Mustang Madness set for Sunday

The 19th annual Mustang Madness All-Ford Show rolls out from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mike McKenna’s Windward Ford at 725 Kailua Road and will feature Fords from around the island.

Owners who have registered to display their vehicles will participate in the “Rumble” and “Tower of Power” contests, involving the sounds produced inside and outside the vehicles, according to publicity chairman Don Johnston.

Sponsored by the car dealership and the Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii as a benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii, attendance is free. Food, crafts and goods from a range of vendors will be available.

Mobi PCS to open ninth Oahu store

Mobi PCS will open its ninth retail store on Oahu tomorrow in the Kame­ha­meha Shopping Center. The 1,800-square-foot location is adjacent to Blockbuster Video. It will also house Mobi’s first dedicated sales training facility.

Wireless-industry veteran Rob Kim has joined Mobi to manage the Kame­ha­meha Shopping Center store. Mobi said it has hired four new employees because of the expansion. The company employs approximately 110 people.

Store hours for the new location will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

ON THE MOVE

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the 2011 winners of the SBA Small Business Awards:

>> Small-business person of the year for Hawaii: Bowers + Kubota Consulting Inc.

>> Top small-business owners: Blake Kolona, president of Kolona Painting and General Construction, took Oahu’s top award; Michael McKinney, president, and Christopher Kaiser, vice president of Pacific Quest Corp., took Hilo’s award; Rob and Lois Silverman, owners of Rob’s Good Times Grill, won Kauai’s award; and Mariah Brown and Les Tomita, Restaurant Destinations, dba Da Kitchen, won Maui’s 2010 small-business person of the year.

>> The entrepreneurial success award: State of Hawaii, Robert M. Fuji­moto, chairman of HPM Building Supply in Hilo.

>> The family-owned small-business award — State of Hawaii, Alan Okami, vice president, representing KoAloha, dba KoAloha Ukulele in Hono­lulu; Maui County, Curtis Taka­oka, second-generation owner of Tasty Crust; Hawaii County, Orville “Puhi” and Melynda Dant of Fair Wind; Oahu County, Kane­maru Dental Group, including Jared T., Lester N. and Gordon N. Kane­maru.

Dr. Anna Leongard has been promoted to chief medical officer for St. Francis Healthcare System’s pre- and post-acute care programs from co-medical director of St. Francis Hospice, a position she has held since November 2009. Before coming to Hawaii in 2009, she was founder and president of Successful Caring Inc.

Correction: The new Safeway store in Hilo opened today and held a blessing yesterday. An earlier version of the story contained incorrect time elements.