Conference to feature Walmart executive
Shakacon, the state’s largest information technology security conference, will run today through Friday at Blaisdell Center.
The annual conference starts with two days of training sessions followed by a series of speech sessions. The conference will feature 16 speakers this year, including Robert Goldberg, Walmart’s vice president of Global IT.
The conference also will benefit Hawaiian Hope, a local technology nonprofit that recycles computers and provides tech training to those in need.
For more information, visit www.shakacon.org.
United’s 787 troubles
Mechanical glitches that caused three United Airlines flights to be cut short in the past week might have gotten little notice except for one detail: All the planes were Boeing 787s.
The 787 Dreamliner faces more scrutiny than normal because it was grounded for three months by concern about overheating lithium-ion batteries.
Hawaii fails again in manufacturing study
Hawaii received a failing grade in a study comparing the competitiveness of manufacturing sectors among the 50 states.
The 2013 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card released Monday by Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research gave Hawaii an "F" for a fifth consecutive year. The study used eight criteria ranging from worker benefit costs to global reach to come up with the grades.
"Hawaii is not a strong manufacturing state, and continues to struggle against geography to build that sector," CBER director Michael Hicks said in a news release.
Hawaii was one of five states to get an "F" in the report. The others were Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico and New York.
Cyanotech reports gain in quarter’s sales
Kona-based health product maker Cyanotech Corp. reported a 15 percent gain in fourth-quarter net sales, to $6.9 million from $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The company produces spirulina and makes astaxanthin products. It said its Nutrex Hawaii business was up 14 percent, that its mainland business was up 73 percent, its online sales were up 90 percent and its international business was up 203 percent, all in the fourth quarter.
Net sales for the year were up 12 percent over 2012, at $27.6 million from $24.6 million, with gross profit at $10.96 million, representing gross profit margin of 40 percent, the same as a year ago.
Cyanotech trades on the Nasdaq under the CYAN symbol.
Fire damage repaired, Indigo reopens
Indigo, damaged by a fire in March, has reopened for lunch and dinner, owner and chef Glenn Chiu said Monday.
Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.
In a statement, Chiu asked for customers’ patience as chefs Robert McGee and Dave Cruz refine the menu.
The next phase of the newly reopened operation will include so-called "pop-ups," with menus prepared by guest chefs.
A three-alarm fire in March caused in about $100,000 in damage to the building at 1121 Nuuanu Ave.
Hawaii Public Radio to change lineup
Two new shows will air on Hawaii Public Radio’s HPR-2 stations beginning Monday to replace "Talk of the Nation," which NPR is canceling.
"The Takeaway" will air from 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Hosted by John Hockenberry, the show will focus on news and analysis and is a co-production of Public Radio International and WNYC-FM 93.9/AM 820 in New York City, in collaboration with The and WGBH television and radio in Boston.
"Tell Me More" will air from 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays and is hosted by Michel Martin.
"Science Friday" will continue to air from 9 to 11 a.m. Fridays.
Suntory IPO expected to raise $3.96 billion
Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. is set to raise as much as $3.96 billion in Japan’s biggest initial public offering this year after pricing near the low end of its range as volatile markets curbed demand.
The Tokyo-based soft-drink unit of Suntory Holdings Ltd. is a household name in Japan. It sells brands such as Orangina soda and plans to use the IPO proceeds to make acquisitions and strengthen operations.
A closely held Japanese whiskey and beer maker, parent Suntory Holdings has focused overseas acquisitions on nonalcoholic beverages over the past five years and has set up a department within the listing unit to explore deals. The alcohol unit will remain unlisted.
Japanese rivals Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. and Kirin Holdings Co. have also sought growth overseas as a declining population damps domestic demand. Suntory had a 20 percent market share in Japan’s nonalcoholic drink market in 2012, the second biggest after Coca-Cola Co.’s 28 percent.
On the Move
Blue Pacific Management, owner and operator of Jack in the Box and Jamba Juice franchises in Hawaii, has announced the following hires:
>> Kerilyn Kwock as human resources coordinator. She was previously at the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach.
>> Lance Shibata as an accountant. He was previously working at Hawaii First, a community association management firm.
>> Marvin Edra as a technician in the IT department. Previously a team leader at Jamba in Pearlridge, he studied electronics at Heald College.
>> Nicole Tonaki as payroll and benefits specialist. She was previously working as an HR/office leader for Sears.
>> Remee Agbayani as accounts payable clerk on the accounting team.
