‘Hawaii Five-0’ adds viewers but is still No. 2 in ratings
“Hawaii Five-0” picked up viewers Monday night, rebounding slightly over last week’s series low, according to Nielsen ratings released Tuesday by CBS.
“Five-0” drew 7.96 million viewers to finish second for the hour behind ABC’s “Castle,” which drew 10.07 million viewers. NBC’s futuristic drama “Revolution” finished in third with 7.1 million viewers.
Among adults 18-49, “Five-0” also gained slightly over last week, attracting 2.1 percent of the total viewing audience and 6 percent of those watching TV at the time, CBS said.
In contrast, “Castle” drew smaller numbers in that demographic, attracting 1.9 percent of the total viewing audience and 5 percent of those watching TV at the time. — Mike Gordon
Safeway to open store in Ewa Beach
Safeway will open its 20th Hawaii store Friday in Ewa Beach. It will be the anchor tenant for Laulani Village Shopping Center, developed by Safeway affiliate Property Development Centers. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based grocery chain will host a grand-opening celebration and VIP event Thursday, when the Safeway Foundation will donate $2,500 each to Keoneula Elementary School and Ewa Weed & Seed. The store at 91-1119 Keaunui Drive is the 14th Safeway on Oahu.
Maui County cuts bond financing costs
Maui County was able to significantly reduce its financing costs with the recent sale of $70.2 million in general obligation bonds at a record-low interest rate.
The bonds will carry an interest rate of 2.18 percent, the lowest ever paid by Maui County. Citigroup Global Markets outbid 12 other investment banks Oct. 30 for the bonds, which were rated "AA+" by Fitch Ratings.
An identically rated bond issue by the City and County of Honolulu last month was priced with an interest rate of 3.20 percent. The "AA+" rating is one notch below Fitch’s top rating of "AAA."
The Maui bonds will be used to fund $46 million in county projects, while the balance will be used to refinance existing debt, according to the Maui mayor’s office.
"These firms looked at Maui County’s financial stability and economic strength, and they liked what they saw," Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said. "They know that investing in Maui is a good investment, and this competitive bid for our bonds proves that," he said.
Fitch noted several positive economic indicators in its assessment of Maui’s credit-worthiness. "Maui’s economy has shown signs of recovery, with improvements to unemployment, building permits, number of visits, hotel occupancies, and room rates," according to the ratings service.
Kapiolani Health Foundation gets $50,000
Central Pacific Bank Foundation presented $50,000 Tuesday to Kapiolani Health Foundation in support of the medical foundation’s Campaign for Hawaii’s Children.
The campaign seeks to raise $30 million to fund the first phase of a 15-year master plan to rebuild Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
The health foundation has raised $20.6 million toward its $30 million goal, representing a slice of the $160 million total project cost for the nonprofit hospital.
Luxury jewelry chain offers retail on Oahu
Baron & Leeds Fine Jewelers, best known for upscale jewelry stores in resort retail shops on the neighbor islands, is opening its corporate office in Honolulu to the retail environment to expand its market reach to local professionals and kamaaina who might prefer to shop in an exclusive setting.
The office is on the seventh floor of the Topa Financial Center on the corner of Bishop Street and Nimitz Highway. It will be open for jewelry and watch sales on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A&B Foundation donates playground gear
School playground equipment valued at more than $10,000 is being delivered to elementary schools on Maui and Kauai this week, courtesy of a grant from the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation.
The equipment, which includes more than 600 balls and several hundred hula hoops, jump ropes, boundary markers and numerous other items, will be used in the Fun 5 program for elementary school children participating in the Department of Education’s A+ after-school program.
Fun 5 is a physical activity and nutrition program managed by Kaho‘omiki, a Hawaii-based private nonprofit organization. After-school providers that implement the program within A+ on Maui include the DOE, Maui Family YMCA and Kama‘aina Kids. More than 3,000 children in 20 elementary schools on Maui are Fun 5 participants.
Maui elementary schools receiving equipment include Makawao Elementary, Kahului Elementary, Lihikai Elementary, Paia Elementary, Waihee Elementary, Haiku Elementary, Pomaikai Elementary, Pukalani Elementary and Wailuku Elementary. Kauai schools are Koloa Elementary, Wilcox Elementary, Kalaheo Elementary and Eleele Elementary.
Pop-a-Lock receives Towman Ace Award
The Honolulu office of the Pop-a-Lock locksmith company has received the 2012 Towman Ace Award, given out by American Towman Magazine.
A representative from the Honolulu office will be presented with the award Sunday during the American Towman Exposition at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The award is given for excellence in meeting estimated time of arrival, expressed customer satisfaction and overall professionalism.
On the Move
The law firm of Imanaka Asato has hired the following attorneys:
>> Steven K.S. Chung’s experience includes being a civil litigator, and he has represented clients in corporate, environmental, lending, consumer credit, commercial construction, landlord-tenant and real estate matters.
>> Chanelle M.C. Fujimoto is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses on consumer credit, lending, business, landlord-tenant and real estate matters.
>> Debra M. Pruitt’s experience includes working as a legal assistant and law clerk in commercial litigation and handling matters in the areas of corporate, landlord-tenant, lending, environmental and real estate law.
