Business Briefs

New car carriers boost Servco fleet

Servco Automotive has expanded its car-carrier fleet to five, with the arrival of two new car carriers, the first to be imported to Oahu since 1990.

The new, clean-burning diesel trucks and the trailers were blessed July 5 and put into service last week. The carriers can carry nine vehicles each and weigh approximately 98,000 pounds when loaded.

Each trailer operates on a 24-volt, high-output hydraulic motor enabling transport decks to move up and down faster while also enabling the operator to work from one set of controls. Older trailers require multiple sets of controls.

Older trailers require operators to climb up and down between the upper and lower decks for loading, whereas the new trailers are loaded mostly from the ground.

Isle resident wins ‘Wild Guide’ contest

Honolulu wildlife educator Stephanie Arne has won a national online contest to become the new Wild Guide for the reboot of "Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom."

Arne and Charles Lee, also of Hono­lulu, were among 12 semifinalists competing for the $10,000 prize and chance to host the online version of a TV show many Americans consider a television classic. Arne and her video submission won through online voting.

"The Wild Kingdom Wild Guide process has been mind-blowing," Arne said in a statement. "I’ve realized that so many of my life experiences have prepared me for the role of Wild Guide. I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me get to this point. I was made to teach people about wildlife and show how they can help protect the planet that we share. I’m ready!"

The online show will be what producers call a high-impact, mini-episode version of the classic "Wild Kingdom" program, redefined for today’s audiences.

Arne has coordinated and led outreach programs for the Hono­lulu Zoological Society, reaching some 7,000 children each year. She also has conducted marine biology snorkeling tours in Australia and directed youth adventure camps in Japan, according to the Mutual of Omaha announcement.

Flores to feed needy to mark immigration

L&L Drive-Inn co-founder Eddie Flores will serve lunch to 50 needy families Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of his immigration to the United States. Flores was 16 years old when he arrived aboard the SS President Cleveland in 1963. He has since become a prominent restaurateur and business leader in Hawaii, and has led the mainland and international expansion of L&L Drive-Inn, known outside of Hawaii as L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. The company is re-branding all of its restaurants to the new nomenclature.

To express thanks to the community, Flores will treat 50 needy families to lunch at the Kee­au­moku Street restaurant, in Walmart. The families will be picked by the Institute for Human Services, which is marking 35 years of public service in Hawaii. The families also will receive gift packages courtesy of Walmart, Pepsi, Love’s Bakery and L&L.

Billabong halts trading over sale plans

Billabong International Ltd., the surfwear company that’s lost 76 percent of its market value over the past year, halted trading of its shares, citing developments in refinancing and asset-sale plans. The company will keep the shares suspended until the start of trade Thursday, unless it makes another statement before then, it said Monday.

Sycamore Partners Management and Altamont Capital Partners, which had been in separate talks to buy Billabong, started refinancing and asset-sale discussions with the Gold Coast, Australia-based retailer last month.

IPhone death probed

Apple Inc. said it will “fully investigate and cooperate with authorities” after media reports that a woman in China died after using an iPhone that was being recharged.

A 23-year-old flight attendant died July 12 after picking up her iPhone 5 to answer a call. The phone was bought in December.
 

ON THE MOVE

Bank of Hawaii has promoted:

» Sandra S.H. Hira­oka to vice president from assistant vice president in the Corporate Compliance Department.

» Damien F. Lorentz to vice president and executive loan officer from executive loan officer at the Kahala Residential Loan Center.

» Michael L. Miller to vice president and residential lending sales operations manager. Miller joined the bank as an assistant vice president and residential lending sales operations manager in 2010.

The Honolulu Japa­nese Chamber of Commerce has elected the following officers for fiscal year 2013-2014: Gordon Kagawa, chairman of the board; Wayne Ishi­hara, president; Candice Naito, chairwoman-elect; Roy Ame­miya Jr., Dave Erdman, Mark Ibara, Terry Noyama, Mela­nie Oka­zaki, Tyler Toki­oka, Eric Tsu­gawa and Jon Tsu­ka­moto, vice chairmen; and Scott Higa, immediate past chairman.