FHB will give $100,000 for Filipino relief
First Hawaiian Bank is donating $100,000 toward the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. A donation of $50,000 will be made to the American Red Cross and another $50,000 will go to the Filipino Community Center in Hawaii, according to Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian president and chief executive officer.
"The magnitude of the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan to both the Philippines and its people is staggering and we wish to extend our prayers and heartfelt support at this time," Harrison said. "This donation also recognizes the significant contributions our Filipino communities have made in Hawaii and Guam. Many of our own employees have family members and loved ones in the Philippines affected by this disaster."
To assist its personal account customers who are interested in sending support directly to families and friends, the bank will waive wire transfer fees to the Philippines through Dec. 31.
The Filipino Community Center is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that provides social, economic and education services for the Filipino community and promotes and preserves the cultural traditions of the Philippines.
Experts to talk at Hawaii Healthcare Summit
National and state health care experts will convene Tuesday in Honolulu for the Hawaii Healthcare Summit to discuss health care reform under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
The full-day conference, sponsored by the Hawaii Healthcare Project, will present the state’s plan for health care transformation and provide the latest information on the Hawaii Health Connector, the state’s online insurance marketplace designed to match low-income residents with subsidized health insurance.
The conference at Hilton Hawaiian Village will include more than 40 experts on Medicaid, health information technology, patient-centered medical homes and employee wellness programs.
Registration and breakfast will start at 7:15 a.m. and the event will last until 6:45 p.m. Rates range from $150 to $225. For information, go to www.hawaiihealthcareproject.org.
Macy’s upbeat about holiday season
NEW YORK » Macy’s is seeing signs that a merry holiday shopping season could be in store. The department store chain on Wednesday reported a quarterly profit that handily beat Wall Street expectations, with the company citing rejiggered advertising and promotions for helping reverse a slip in sales in the previous quarter.
In a conference call with analysts, Chief Financial Officer Karen Hoguet noted that traditional gift categories such as fine jewelry, cashmere and housewares were trending well. She also noted positive trends for cold weather items such as coats, boots and sweaters.
The holiday shopping season is a make-or-break time for retailers because it can account for as much as 40 percent of annual revenue. For the quarter ended Nov. 2, Macy’s earned $177 million, or 47 cents a share. That compares with $145 million, or 36 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 3 percent to $6.28 billion.
Japanese official vows to target mob loans
TOKYO » Japan’s finance minister pledged to crack down on lenders that fail to sever links with organized crime as lawmakers grilled him Wednesday over mob loans by banks and other financial institutions.
Revelations that credit companies, banks and insurers failed to comply with laws against doing business with gangs and their associates has been an embarrassment for Japan, which has helped lead international efforts to prevent terrorism financing and other illicit transactions.
Financial dealings by yakuza, as Japanese gangs are known here, have drawn renewed scrutiny after Mizuho Financial Group, the country’s second biggest bank, admitted it failed to act after uncovering mob loans by a consumer credit affiliate.
Samsung says it owes Apple $52 million
SAN JOSE, Calif. » How much does Samsung Electronics owe Apple for copying vital features of the iPhone and iPad? Apple says $380 million. Samsung counters with $52 million.
It’s possible a jury presiding over a patent trial in a San Jose courtroom will find somewhere in between.
The first day of testimony in the trial got underway Wednesday. At issue are 13 Samsung devices another jury decided infringed Apple patents for technology that allows scrolling and the "bounce-back" function at the end of documents, among other inventions.
That previous jury awarded Apple $1.05 billion after determining 26 Samsung products had infringed six Apple patents. But a judge found the jury miscalculated $400 million in damages for 13 products and ordered a new trial to determine the proper amount.
Show supports Toys for Tots
The Aloha Mustang & Shelby Club of Hawaii will stage a Toys for Tots Show and Shine toy donation collection and car show from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 24.
All car clubs and independents are invited to participate, and individuals are invited to drop by and donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
Last year’s event collected more than 1,300 toys that were given to underprivileged children by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Contact Steve Onoue for more information at 389-8640 or sonoue@hawaii.rr.com.
Photo contest seeks UH logo
The University of Hawaii logo is the theme for this weekend’s #WinWithToyotaHI photo contest.
Centered on UH Warriors home games, the photo contest invites participants to post a photo reflecting the theme at any time during game day for a chance to win a $100 gas card.
Anyone can enter by posting a themed image to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using the contest hashtag. All entries also will be posted at WinWithToyotaHI.com.
The winner will be chosen the Monday after the game.
Kids invited to draw dream car
Toyota Hawaii is inviting artists ages 15 and younger to enter the 2014 Dream Car Art Contest to win a trip to Japan for the Toyota Motor Corp. world competition.
Three design themes suggested by the corporation include: conservation/environmentally friendly vehicles, automobiles that promote world peace, or concept cars that encourage helping others.
Official entry forms and rules are available at all Toyota dealerships statewide and at ToyotaHawaii.com. Teachers also are eligible to receive one of five $250 gift cards for art supplies.
Original, hand-drawn entries will be accepted through Jan. 31 and can be submitted to any Toyota dealer statewide or mailed to Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, P.O. Box 2788, Honolulu, HI 96803-2788.
Eligible artwork will be entered into the People’s Choice Competition, which will accept votes via the Toyota Hawaii Facebook page from Feb. 17 to March 9. Among the prizes being offered, the winners in each of three age-based divisions will receive an iPad Mini while second- and third-place winners will receive $100.
GM stock nears 3-year high
DETROIT >> Shares of General Motors rose to their highest level in almost three years Wednesday after analysts applauded news that the company could be free of U.S. government ownership by the end of the year.
The Treasury Department, in a monthly report to Congress, said Tuesday that it sold $1.2 billion worth of GM stock in October. The report didn’t say how many shares were sold, but it’s likely that the government’s stake in the company is now less than 4 percent.
Shares rose more than 5 percent to $38.53 late in the afternoon. That was the highest intraday price since the stock reached $39.48 on Jan. 3, 2011, shortly after GM’s post-bankruptcy return to the stock market with an initial public offering. At the close, the stock pulled back slightly to $38.44, still up 4.9 percent for the day.
Trading volume topped 43 million shares by the close, more than double the normal daily sales.
ON THE MOVE
Hawaii National Bank has promoted and appointed the following employees:
>> Amy Tsuchiya to assistant manager at the bank’s Hilo Branch. She joined the bank in 2011 as a management trainee.
>> Gunjan Doshi to assistant vice president and loan officer. Doshi has extensive banking experience and will assist with business development in the Downtown, Kakaako, Ala Moana and Kalihi districts.
Marcus Judge has been appointed director of instruction at Ko Olina Golf Club. Judge, one of two PGA-certified Teaching Professionals in Hawaii, will oversee the Ko Olina Golf Academy, the club’s award-winning golf instruction program. Judge spent the past 11 years at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, Calif.
