Best Buy gathers 119 tons of old gadgets
Best Buy’s two stores on Oahu collected 238,000 pounds of unwanted consumer electronics last year as part of a companywide effort to keep electronic waste out of landfills.
Across the country, Best Buy outlets recycled nearly 500 million pounds of electronics and appliances in 2011, according to a news release from the company. Hawaii was on par with states like Idaho (238,000 pounds), South Dakota (232,000 pounds) and Delaware (251,000 pounds).
Best Buy’s stores in Iwilei and Aiea will accept up to three of the following items per day: CRT televisions up to 32 inches, flat-screen TVs up to 60 inches, peripherals, DVD players, home and car audio systems, cellphones, MP3 players, cables, desktop and laptop computers, fans and vacuums.
Items not accepted include console TVs of any size, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dishwashers, washers and dryers, ranges and microwaves, and disassembled TVs and monitors.
For more information, go to www.bestbuy.com/recycling.
New Whole Foods sports EV charging spot
Shopping for organic and natural foods while refueling an electric car is now possible in Kailua at the new Whole Foods Market that opened Wednesday.
Customers can charge their EVs for free on a first-come, first-served basis with a charging station at a parking stall near the store’s entrance.
Honolulu-based Volta Technologies, which owns the charging station, covers the cost of electricity with revenue generated from advertisers who pay to sponsor the units.
Volta said it will unveil a second charging station nearby at Longs Drugs in a few weeks. The company also has two charging stations at Pearlridge and two at Kahala Mall.
Residents sought for advisory panel on IRS
The Internal Revenue Service is looking for volunteers from Hawaii to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.
To be a member of the TAP, you must be a U.S. citizen, current with your federal tax obligations, able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year and able to pass an FBI criminal background check. New TAP members will serve a three-year term starting in December 2012.
Applications for the TAP will be accepted through April 27 online at www.improveirs.org. For additional information, call toll-free 888-912-1227.
Watchdog group targets biased lenders
Lenders who discriminate on the basis of certain demographics when dealing with auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, student loans and more are now in the cross hairs of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The watchdog declared war Wednesday against unfair lending practices that price out, reject or otherwise put certain consumers at a disadvantage.
Even lenders who don’t intend to be biased but whose policies end up cutting off certain portions of the population — known as disparate impact — will be taken down, bureau officials said.
Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, companies may not base lending decisions on factors such as race, religion, gender and more.
EBay stock rises on robust 1Q net income
NEW YORK » EBay’s first-quarter net income grew 20 percent thanks to higher revenue from its PayPal business and brisk sales at its e-commerce websites. The results beat Wall Street’s expectations and investors sent the company’s stock higher in after-hours trading.
EBay Inc. said Wednesday that it earned $570 million, or 44 cents per share, in the January-March period. That’s up from $476 million, or 36 cents per share, a year ago.
Adjusted earnings of 55 cents per share beat Wall Street’s estimates by 3 cents.
U.S., overseas sales boost Yum Brands
LOUISVILLE, Ky. » The owner of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC chains says its first-quarter net income rose 73 percent as rebounding U.S. sales were coupled with a continued strong performance overseas.
Yum Brands Inc.’s revenue increased 13 percent to $2.74 billion in the period.
Operating profit in Yum’s China operation rose 14 percent, adjusted for currency fluctuations. In the U.S., operating profit surged 27 percent as all three chains reported sales gains at established stores.
ON THE MOVE
Travaasa Destinations has appointed Danny Mynar to general manager of Travaasa Hana, the AAA Four Diamond hotel on Maui. He was previously an assistant general manager at Travaasa Hana.
The Hawai‘i Health Information Exchange has hired Jeffrey Loo as project director of the Hawai‘i Pacific Regional Extension Center. He has more than 30 years of experience in information technology consulting.
Central Pacific Bank has appointed the following employees to HomeLoan consultants of the Central Pacific HomeLoan Division on Maui:
» Carolann Guy has more than 25 years of mortgage loan experience and was previously a mortgage loan officer for Bank of America.
» Ann Sakamoto was previously a senior residential loan officer for Bank of Hawaii.
Hi‘olani Care Center at Kahala Nui has promoted Christine Caguioa to director of nursing. She has more than 18 years of nursing experience and has been with Kahala Nui for six years in various positions.
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has named Harris Nakamoto as director of labor accounts. He has 30 years of local health care management and operations experience.