Outrigger Enterprises Group is re-branding its midtier, off-beach leisure brand.
The company is changing its Ohana Hotels and Resorts brand, which was created in 1999, to Ohana Hotels by Outrigger.
“The transition to Ohana Hotels by Outrigger allows our guests to more easily recognize the brand as part of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts portfolio and associate this with our global focus on providing unique, culturally authentic vacation experiences,” said Sean Dee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Outrigger Enterprises Group. “We are confident this endorsement will provide benefits for both our guests and travel partners.”
The company expects that the Ohana brand will gain increased accessibility and visibility through Outrigger’s many traditional and online marketing channels. The two Ohana properties in Waikiki will now be called Ohana Waikiki East by Outrigger and Ohana Waikiki Malia by Outrigger.
L.L. Bean’s sales flat as retailers struggle
FREEPORT, Maine >> Outdoors specialty retailer L.L. Bean on Friday reported flat sales in 2015, which was a tough year for the retail industry, officials said Friday.
Revenue hit $1.6 billion for the company’s fiscal year that ended Feb. 28, CEO Steve Smith told workers in a memo. The disappointing news that the company missed its growth goals came after five consecutive years of sales growth. Smith said the company “performed well given a challenging retail environment.”
Ex-Porsche execs acquitted over VW bid
BERLIN >> A German court Friday acquitted former Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking and his ex-finance chief of charges of market manipulation connected to the sports car maker’s failed attempt to buy Volkswagen.
Prosecutors had accused Wiedeking and his chief financial officer, Holger Haerter, of making misleading statements about the company’s intentions before it moved in 2008 to build up its stake in much larger Volkswagen AG. The takeover attempt continued until May 2009.
Both men had rejected the charges. Prosecutors had sought prison sentences of 2-1/2 years for Wiedeking and two years and three months for Haerter.
FIFA finally lands World Cup sponsor
ZURICH >> FIFA signed its first World Cup sponsor in more than two scandal-hit years Friday, agreeing to a four-tournament deal with a Chinese conglomerate that has links to Sepp Blatter.
FIFA said the deal with property and cinema giant Wanda Group runs through the 2030 World Cup — the next time that China could host the tournament. The value of the top-tier partnership was not disclosed, but is likely to top hundreds of millions of dollars.
The firm’s Wanda Sports Holding subsidiary is led by Blatter’s nephew Philippe Blatter. Sepp Blatter was forced out as FIFA president by a corruption crisis.
Meat vending machines debut in Paris
PARIS >> Parisian’s beloved baguette is already available 24 hours a day, and now residents can access their first meat vending machine.
The gleaming red machine set up on the lively Rue de Charonne in eastern Paris seems a bit incongruous. But that didn’t stop the owners of one nearby shop from setting up their project, selling vacuum-packed meat from the refrigerated machine. It caters to customers who want to shop when the store is closed, as most shops are closed on Sunday in France.
While baguette dispensers have enjoyed success across France over the past five years, the meat vending machine business remains in its early stages.
On the Move
Porter McGuire Kiakona & Chow has announced that Michael G. Kozak is the firm’s senior associate attorney. He has 13 years of experience, including having served as a senior associate at Case, Lombardi & Pettit.
Central Pacific Bank has promoted Scott Nojiri to vice president and commercial real estate officer. He has over 10 years’ experience in the financial industry, including having served as assistant vice president and commercial real estate officer for CPB.
The Honolulu Museum of Art has announced that Jeffrey L. Davis is the museum’s new director of special events. He was previously with the San Francisco Symphony.
