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UH Cancer Center gets $3.58M gift
An anonymous donor gave the University of Hawaii Cancer Center $3.58 million for mesothelioma research, the university said Thursday.
The gift was the second largest for the cancer center.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that line the chest and abdominal cavities. Exposure to airborne asbestos or erionite particles increases one’s risk of developing mesothelioma.
Dr. Michele Carbone, director of the UH Cancer Center, Dr. Haining Yang and Dr. Giovanni Gaudino have made a series of recent breakthroughs that will lead to new ways to prevent and treat the disease, the university said.
Hawaii to get drug settlement cash
Hawaii will receive $583,328 as part of a $40.75 million settlement between pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and 37 states and the District of Columbia over the distribution of prescription drugs manufactured at a Puerto Rico facility, the state Office of Consumer Protection said Thursday.
The Hawaii share will go into a special fund for consumer protection.
The settlement is in response to claims by the states that drugs produced by GSK subsidiary SB Pharmco Puerto Rico were not sterilized and therefore adulterated. Other claims alleged the products contained dosages different from what was indicated on the packaging.
SB Pharmco is no longer in business, and the drugs it produced between 2001 and 2004 have already been taken off the shelves or have expired. They include Kytril, used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy; Bactroban, an antibiotic ointment used to treat skin infections; Paxil CR, a controlled-release formulation of the antidepressant drug Paxil; and Avandamet, a combination type 2 diabetes drug.
KCC to train APEC volunteers
Kapiolani Community College will train volunteers and general industry work force ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting this fall.
The APEC Host Committee selected KCC to provide the training ahead of the conference that will bring heads of state from the 21 largest economies in the Asia-Pacific region to Hawaii on Nov. 12-13.
"Volunteers attending the training sessions will be briefed on APEC and the APEC countries, as well as on hospitality, customer service and Hawaiian culture," the host committee said in a news release Thursday. KCC will also train liaison officers, drivers and employees at Honolulu Airport.
APEC is expected to attract approximately 20,000 officials, business leaders and news media.
HELCO seeks geothermal data
Hawaii Electric Light Co. is seeking information to determine the best way to pursue geothermal power development on Hawaii island.
In a request for information issued Wednesday, the utility is seeking input from stakeholders, including potential geothermal developers and interested landowners, on next steps that take into account the renewable energy goals and clean energy policy of Hawaii within the state’s community, cultural, historical and environmental context.
The RFI is available at GeothermalRFI.heco.com. Questions or comments may be submitted via the email listed there, and answers useful to all stakeholders will be posted on the site. Responses to the RFI are requested by Aug. 31.
ON THE MOVE
Ameriprise Financial has hired David C. Livingston as a financial adviser at the Ala Moana Pacific Center. He has more than 10 years of experience as a financial adviser and was named in Honolulu Magazine as one of Hawaii’s highest-ranking 2011 wealth managers in overall customer satisfaction.
Marukai Corp. has raised $153,572 for the Aloha for Japan effort. Proceeds were raised over a two-month period starting with the company’s initial donation of $10,000 and continued with the cooperation of vendors, customers, employees and the community through soliciting donations at all Marukai locations and its annual Taste of Marukai benefit on April 7.
Fairmont Kea Lani executive chef Tylun Pang has donated 100 percent of his “What Maui Likes to Eat” cookbook profits to the Maui Culinary Academy. Proceeds from the cookbook will benefit the Culinary Enrichment Fund, which supports students in attending culinary competitions, workshops and seminars, purchase of equipment and professional development for faculty.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has named Colin Hazama as senior executive sous-chef at Sheraton Waikiki. He was previously chef de cuisine at Kauai Grill Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the St. Regis Princeville Resort, and his experience includes RumFire at Sheraton Waikiki, Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel and Resort, Alan Wong’s Restaurant and Roy’s Restaurant.
