DeBartolo buys Aqua Waikiki Pearl hotel
The developer of a planned regional shopping center in Kapolei has bought a Waikiki hotel.
Florida-based DeBartolo Development LLC, which plans to develop the Ka Makana Alii mall on 67 acres leased from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, announced Thursday that it bought the 132-room Aqua Waikiki Pearl.
Formerly known as the Honolulu Prince Hotel, the Waikiki Pearl at 415 Nahua St. between Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard completed a $5 million renovation in 2009 under previous owner Ramsfield Hospitality Finance, based in New York.
DeBartolo said its first hotel acquisition in Hawaii enhances its commitment to the local community.
Construction of Ka Makana is expected to start early next year.
Owner’s bankruptcy shutters restaurant
A Bishop Street Italian restaurant, Cafe Che Pasta, has closed, after the Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation filing by owner Marc B. Cohen on June 27.
CCC Restaurant Inc., the restaurant’s parent company, was established in 1985 by Cohen, who earned a Ph.D. in ancient Chinese philosophy but turned his attention to serving Italian and Mediterranean food.
The restaurant was a haven for local artists, whose work was featured in always-changing displays on its walls. A recent exhibit featured the work of watercolor artist Sheri Rolf.
Cohen could not be reached for comment.
Cohen listed assets of roughly $9,000 and estimated debts of more than $591,000.
Hawaiian adds Oakland-Honolulu flights
Hawaiian Airlines is expanding service between Oakland, Calif., and the islands early next year.
The airline said Thursday it will increase flights to daily service, from four times a week, between Oakland and Honolulu beginning Jan. 5. Additional flights on the route may be available in December, depending on aircraft availability, the airline added.
Hawaiian also will offer seasonal service between Oakland and Kauai three times a week and between Oakland and Kona four times a week. The 10-week neighbor island service will start June 14 and run through Aug. 15, adding a total of 18,200 seats.
The airline said its daily service between Oakland and Kahului will continue with slightly adjusted times beginning in January.
Bank offers more travel rewards with card
First Hawaiian Bank is introducing a new travel rewards credit card that gives cardholders accelerated earnings, upgraded travel benefits and the flexibility to book seats on virtually any airline.
The new Priority DestinationsSM World Elite MasterCard allows consumers to earn up to five times Priority MilesSM per dollar spent on travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises. Cardholders will receive a 10 percent Priority Bonus each time they redeem Priority Miles for travel. Priority Miles also can be given to another Priority Destinations account holder.
The $50 annual fee is waived for the first year.
For more information, go to www.fhbdestinations.com.
Isle energy firm gets $5M biofuels grant
A Hawaii energy company owned by three of the largest landowners in the state has been awarded a $5 million federal grant to develop systems to produce and process biofuels.
The U.S. Department of Energy said Thursday that the award for Hawaii BioEnergy is part of $22 million in investments in projects to develop cheaper algae fuels and make biofuels easier to distribute. Besides Hawaii, grants were awarded in California, Ohio and New Mexico.
The department says Hawaii BioEnergy will use its grant to develop an open pond system to produce algal oil.
Hawaii BioEnergy is owned by Kamehameha Schools, Grove Farm Co. and Maui Land & Pineapple Co., which combined own more than 10 percent of the land in Hawaii.
Sales of smaller cars rise significantly
DETROIT » Pickup trucks led the charge in July, but strong sales of small cars show that demand for new vehicles is broad and not slowing down.
Car sales grew in the first six months of this year but not at the blistering pace of trucks and SUVs. Through June, full-size pickups were up 22.5 percent over the year before, while cars were up 5 percent.
But in July, sales of smaller cars took off. General Motors said its car sales jumped 24 percent, including a 42 percent increase in subcompact and small-car sales. Honda Civic sales were up 30 percent to 32,416, their best July in 13 years.
ON THE MOVE
Nicole Byun has been promoted to executive vice president and chief credit officer at Ohana Pacific Bank. She will be responsible for expanding lending activities with local businesses and local residents. Byun previously served as senior credit administrator at the bank.
Maui Medical Group has announced the appointment of Dr. Ellecia Cook to its dermatology department. She was previously a chief dermatology resident at Largo Medical Center in Largo, Fla. Cook specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases of the hair, skin and nails from infants to seniors and is proficient in Moh’s micrographic surgery for skin cancers, dermatologic surgical procedures and cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation.
