Hawaii businesses optimistic for 2012

Business leaders across the isles said jobs, revenue and profits declined at their companies this year before improving, leading to optimism from most of them about the coming year, according to the Business Outlook and Sentiment Survey released Wednesday by Hawaii Business and QMark Research.

As much as 34 percent of the 400 randomly surveyed business leaders predicted that the overall economy would improve in 2012, while 24 percent of them said that they expected declines. Other companies said the economy would remain the same. Their answers put the BOSS performance index, which is based on changes in jobs, gross revenue and profit, at its highest level since the second quarter of 2008.

Still, many businesses, construction companies in particular, said they were still suffering, and 31 percent of them had been hurt by rising oil costs. As a result, 41 percent of all businesses surveyed reported profit losses. However, 40 percent of Hawaii’s largest employers reported higher profits.

More than a third of the businesses that were surveyed planned cost-cutting measures, but most of those surveyed did not plan to make big spending changes.

The survey was conducted April 12-20 by telephone.

In each case, QMark spoke with the company’s owner, CEO or other senior executive.

HTA taps Sala for cultural position

Aaron J. Sala has been selected to serve on the Hawaii Tourism Authority board as its Hawaiian culture practices expert.

"His extensive background in studying Hawaiian music, history and culture will support us in continuing to build and nurture our ties to the community," said Mike McCartney, HTA president and chief executive.

Sala is an accomplished Hawaiian recording artist and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he obtained his master’s degree in ethnomusicology, and also has taught courses in Hawaiian studies and music.

A recipient of a Na Hoku Hanohano award in 2006 for most promising artist, he also has served as choral arranger for the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest.

Sala will serve on an interim basis to replace Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, who has served on the HTA board since 2004.

Free home information fair offered

The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center is partnering with housing agencies to create a "one-stop shop" of resources for those interested in purchasing their first home or preventing foreclosure.

A free Homebuyer and Homeowner Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at BIA Hawaii, 94-487 Akoki St. in Waipahu. It will feature informational booths staffed by lenders, Realtors, nonprofit, government agencies and housing developers.

Workshops held at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. will address homebuying basics, getting a mortgage or foreclosure prevention.

This event is sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the Building Industry Association, Title Guaranty, the Ho­nolulu Board of Realtors and Cox Radio. Additional support was provided by Alu Like, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the City and County of Honolulu and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information, visit www.hihomebuyerfair.org.

ON THE MOVE

Aloha District 49 Toastmasters announced the following at their Spring Conference on May 21, 2011:

>> Howard Dicus was awarded the 2011 Communication and Leadership Award. Each year Aloha District 49 Toastmasters honors a person with an award for excellence in communications and leadership.

>> Cain Kamano won the International Speech Contest. He will be competing at the Regional Contest in Las Vegas.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced Robin D. Nelson as its newest Realtor associate for its Windward Oahu office. She was previously working for ERA Signature Homes.  

McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has awarded $25,000 in scholarships to the top 10 student employees in the state of Hawaii. Each student will receive a $2,500 scholarship toward the college of their choice. Students are: Danielle Ferguson, Kalaheo High School senior; Kimberly Kishimoto, Honokaa High School senior; Malie Koehler, Christian Liberty Academy senior; Jessica Mina, James Campbell High School senior; Erin Momono, Mililani High School senior; Kent Richie Pardillio, James Campbell High School senior; Cherry-Anne Parubrub, Henry Perrine Baldwin High School senior; Jonathan Ranchez, Maui High School senior; B-Jay Utrera, Maui High School senior; and Quinton Wong, Kaiser High School senior.