Woman faces investment scam charges
A Honolulu woman is facing fraud charges for posing as an investment banker and soliciting investors through social media, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Tuesday.
In one scheme, Keiko Kawamura allegedly sought investors for her self-described hedge fund and posted on Twitter some screen shots of brokerage account statements suggesting she was personally obtaining incredible investment returns that were not hers. Kawamura spent the money on living expenses and luxury trips, the SEC said.
In another instance, Kawamura attracted investors to her subscription service for investment advice. She told subscribers about her decade of experience and that she had 800 percent returns in her personal brokerage account.
"As alleged in our case, Kawamura used social media to ensnare investors and raise money to support her lifestyle," said Michele Wein Layne, director of the SEC’s Los Angeles Regional Office.
Hawaiian to add flight to American Samoa
Hawaiian Airlines said Tuesday it will boost service to American Samoa this summer in response to increased demand for travel between Pago Pago and Honolulu.
A third weekly flight will be added on Wednesdays beginning June 18 and will run for four weeks until July 16. The Pago Pago service currently operates on Mondays and Fridays using a 264-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Labor Department expands online services
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has expanded its online services to employers and employees participating in its unemployment appeals process.
The new Web-based paperless appeals system allows all parties to receive hearing notices, submit requests to reschedule a hearing date, monitor the status of an appeal and receive their decisions via electronic notification. The service is available Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Employers also can file weekly reports electronically that previously had to be filed in person.
The new services represent an expansion of previously available online services. Employers have had the ability to file payments and access account information online, while employees were able to file and report unemployment claims. For more information go to labor.hawaii.gov.
ON THE MOVE
Anthology Marketing Group has announced another appointment:
» Cheryl Prather is vice president of account service. She is a seven-year executive with Anthology.
Central Pacific Bank has named Nichole Shimamoto senior vice president and director of compliance. She was previously vice president, associate general counsel and BSA compliance officer for Finance Factors.
Bishop Museum has promoted Paddy Kauhane to senior vice president and chief financial officer from director of accounting and assistant treasurer. She joined the museum in February 2013 and has also served as controller for the Life Foundation.
Nella Media Group has named Mike Wiley group publisher. He has 15 years of sales management experience including director of major and national accounts for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, key accounts director for the Honolulu Advertiser and retail advertising manager for Anchorage Daily News.
