Company pays Japanese workers back wages

Wedding planner Wave USA Inc. has paid eight employees $35,481 in back wages and damages following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

Honolulu Wage and Hour Division found the company, doing business as Ka Nalu Wedding, Blue Blue Flowers, hired eight Japanese nationals through a J-1 visa program. The employees were paid as little as $4 an hour instead of the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

Investigators also said the company failed to pay time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond 40 in one week to an additional 17 workers. Basic minimum wage laws generally apply to J-1 visa holders, "and we encourage those who are working and not being paid the minimum wage or overtime to contact the Wage Hour Division," said Terence Trotter, Honolulu District director. To reach the division call 808-541-1361.

Facebook plans to open Messenger to allow for third-party app functionality

SAN FRANCISCO » Facebook is trying to mold its Messenger app into a more versatile communications hub as smartphones create new ways for people to connect with friends and businesses beyond the walls of the company’s ubiquitous social network.

To pull it off, Facebook Inc. is opening Messenger so outside programmers can build features tailored for the service.

By the end of April, Messenger will also be adding the ability to display store receipts and shipping information to help consumers keep track of their interactions with merchants and other businesses.

Auto Lunch Bunch event to discuss Oahu racetrack

A new racetrack for Oahu will be the focus of the monthly Auto Lunch Bunch gathering at noon Wednesday at the Hawaii Yacht Club at 1739 Ala Moana Blvd.

Speaker Mike Kitchens, auto writer and photographer for Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser sister-publication Street Pulse, and former Oahu race track manager, will talk about the current pending legislation to fund a new racetrack on Oahu.

The Kars at the Kurb display for the monthly event will be themed "Mixed Plate."

New vehicles on display will be a 2015 Lexus RC sports sedan from Servco Lexus and a Volvo XC60 crossover from Volvo of Honolulu, while a super-custom 1949 Mercury coupe will represent vintage vehicles.

The lunch will be on the second floor of the Hawaii Yacht Club and costs $15, payable upon entry to the dining room. The fee includes tax, tip and unlimited self-serve iced tea.

Orders will be taken until 12:30 p.m., after which regular menu prices will be charged. Parking costs $1 per hour and is allowed between the 400- and 500-numbered rows of boats. Reservations are needed and can be made via Ed Kemper at 225-2965 or edracers@aol.com.

Ford-driven fundraiser to benefit Make-A-Wish

Ford Motor Co., Windward Ford of Hawaii and Papa John’s Pizza Hawaii will stage a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Hawaii this weekend with a goal of raising $6,000 for the nonprofit.

For every Ford test-drive at Windward Ford from Friday through Sunday, the dealership and Ford Motor Co. will make a $20 donation to Make-A-Wish Hawaii. The test-driver also will receive a certificate for a free, large one-topping pizza from Papa John’s Hawaii.

Ford Motor Co’s. Drive 4 UR Community program is a corporate effort to support nonprofit organizations and strengthen communities. Since it was established in 2012, the program has raised more than $1 million in markets where Ford dealerships do business.

"We are so grateful that Windward Ford has chosen us as their local charity of choice," Make-A-Wish Hawaii President and CEO Siana Austin Hunt said in a statement. "We are actively planning the wishes of 90 keiki in our islands who qualify for a once-in-a-lifetime wish, and we couldn’t make these wishes come true without the continued support of our community and local businesses."

Electric-powered Kia Soul coming to Hawaii in June

Kia Motors America has announced expanded distribution of the electric-powered Kia Soul to five new states including Hawaii.

Georgia will receive the Kia Soul EV in the second quarter, while Oregon, Washington, Texas and Hawaii should receive the vehicles in June.

The company cited growing electric vehicle demand in the states that have what it called a "robust" EV infrastructure.

Despite its U.S. home base in Georgia, with a manufacturing facility in West Point, the Soul EV was introduced late last year in California.

Additional markets will be announced in 2016.

On The Move

>> Bank of Hawaii has announced two new vice presidents:

— Geno J. Baruffi III as vice president in IT business application management. He is responsible for the directing, planning and execution of all IT activities assigned to his department, which covers human resources, finance and corporate security. Baruffi worked in the IT industry for 25 years, including previously serving as a program director for AXA Life Insurance/AXA Technology Japan as well as worked at Morgan Stanley Japan, Barclays Capital Japan and Citibank Japan.

— Reid Chung as vice president and private banking officer in private banking. He previously served as a financial adviser for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as well as worked at American Savings Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Central Pacific Bank.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: