Seattle bank honors First Hawaiian

First Hawaiian Bank has been named the winner of Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle’s Community Spirit Award.

The award recognizes a member of the Seattle Bank cooperative that exemplifies the spirt of community partnership in creating affordable housing and economic development opportunities in the communities it serves.

Federal Home Loan Bank will give First Hawaiian the award later this year in Hawaii, as well as $5,000 to further its affordable-housing mission.

"Through its membership in the Seattle Bank and strong community partnerships, First Hawaiian has helped to provide nearly $37.9 million of grants and reduced-rate loans to support 1,150 affordable homes," Seattle Bank President and CEO Michael Wilson said Monday.

The funding has included $4.8 million of Seattle Bank Affordable Housing Program grants, $33 million of Community Investment Program/Economic Development Fund loans and $60,000 of Home$tart Program grants.

Federal Home Loan Bank is a member-owned cooperative serving 339 community financial institutions and provides its members with access to wholesale funding, which they can use to make home mortgages, small-business and other loans in their communities.

Building Industry event draws 7,767

The Building Industry Association of Hawaii’s Remodel It Right expo drew 7,767 people to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, BIA-Hawaii said Monday.

Attendance was up slightly from the 7,696 that attended the event last year, said Karen Naka­mura, BIA-Hawaii CEO.

"The top categories of interest were photovoltaics, kitchens and bathrooms, followed by windows, Energy Star appliances and green products that save people money with lower utility bills, rebates and tax credits," Naka­mura said in a news release. "Since approximately 60 percent of Oahu homes are more than 50 years old and could benefit from a remodeling proj­ect, we are very committed to this building industry consumer event."

Pali Momi Medical unveils CT scanner

The Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea said Monday it has put into use the first 320-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner in Hawaii. Pali Momi said the $1.96 million scanner is "the most advanced X-ray imaging machine in its class" and "the fastest, most advanced scanner in the state." Only 100 medical centers across the nation employ this new technology, Pali Momi said.

Dr. Gordon Ng, director of radiology for Pali Momi, said the scanner produces superior images, is quicker and has a lower radiation dose compared with other CT scanners.

"The 4,400-pound device can measure subtle changes in blood flow or minute blockages forming in blood vessels no bigger than the average width of a toothpick (1.5 millimeters) in the heart and brain," the medical center said.

HTA tourism conference to start Aug. 23

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will hold its eighth annual Hawaii Tourism Conference on Aug. 23-24 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. This year’s theme is "E Ku i ka Moku: Together We Will Succeed." The event will feature local and national visitor industry experts’ insight on tourism issues and trends.

The two-day agenda will include updates on tourism statistics and revised 2012 targets presented by David Uchi­yama, HTA vice president of brand management; and 2013 domestic and international marketing plans by regional marketing contractors, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Japan, Hawaii Tourism Asia, Hawaii Tourism Oceania and Hawaii Tourism Europe.

In addition, HTA has invited industry experts from throughout the islands and abroad to share their experience and insight on airlift, accommodations, cruise market, festival and events best practices, new media and cultural training through presentations and panel sessions.

Registration fees include educational sessions, breakfasts, lunch and reception. Early-bird rates are available until Friday at $175 per person and will increase to $190 per person starting Saturday. Group rates are available through Aug. 22 at $165 per person for companies registering three or more employees. Registration fees will increase to $190 per person from Saturday. To register for this event, go to www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/tourismconference.

BP sells U.S. refinery, Arco retail to Tesoro

LONDON » Oil company BP said Monday that it has agreed to sell its refinery in Carson, Calif., and other West Coast assets to Tesoro Corp.

Tesoro is paying $2.5 billion in cash for the refinery, pipelines, storage terminals, marine terminals and about 800 Arco-branded retail outlets in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada, the British company said. BP is also selling the Arco brand rights for Northern California, Oregon and Washington and will lease them back from Tesoro.

Google cuts 4,000 jobs

NEW YORK >> Google Inc. is making its largest round of layoffs ever as it announced plans to cut about 4,000 jobs, or 20 percent of Motorola Mobility’s employees, just three months after buying the struggling cellphone pioneer. The move signals that Google doesn’t intend to drag Motorola along as a money-losing venture.

On the Move

ABC Stores has promoted the following:
>> James Marquez to store manager of ABC Store No. 33, at 124 Kapa­hulu Ave. near the Hono­lulu Zoo.
>> Johnmark D. Mageo to store manager of its No. 49 store at 2070 Kalakaua Ave. in the Waikiki Gateway Hotel.
>> Kevin Pak to store manager of its No. 35 store at 2546 Lemon Road at the corner of Paoa­ka­lani Avenue and Lemon Road in Waikiki.  

Island Insurance Co. has appointed Alison Tani­gawa as advertising and media director. She has nearly 15 years of advertising and marketing experience, including as marketing manager for DTRIC insurance and in various positions with Team Vision, Sansora International and Milici Valenti Ng Pack.