ABC-TV’s “Shark Tank,” the entrepreneur reality show, will be holding an open casting call at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom on June 6. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
“Shark Tank,” in its seventh season, features aspiring entrepreneur-contestants who pitch their business ideas to a panel of “shark” investors, who then choose whether to invest.
Entrepreneurs can make a one-minute pitch of their idea, product or business to a member of the show’s casting team during the open casting call. The interviews begin at 9 a.m.
To apply, complete the application at abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/applications.
Hawaii State FCU loans rise, profit falls
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union saw continued strong loan growth in the first quarter, but its net income dropped 54 percent.
The state’s second-largest credit union, with $1.43 billion in assets, reported Wednesday that it had $1.25 million in net income compared with $2.71 million in the year-earlier period.
Loans rose 18.6 percent to $669.1 million from $564.2 million.
Hawaii State FCU, which generates more loan volume than any credit union in the state, increased its membership to 91,103 members, a 7.8 percent increase from 85,234 in the year-earlier period. The credit union serves state, city and county employees as well as nonprofits and select businesses and their families across the state.
Since relaunching its mortgage loan program in 2014, Hawaii State FCU said it has funded nearly 500 mortgage loans with members borrowing nearly $170 million. Last quarter, the credit union funded 82 mortgage loans worth $29 million. That’s up 38 percent from 61 loans worth $21 million in the first quarter of 2015.
Assets rose 3.7 percent from $1.38 billion in the year-earlier quarter.
Hawaii State FCU also expanded its digital banking services in the first quarter with its mobile app suite surpassing 10,000 downloads. The credit union also launched its online account-opening service to members and introduced technology centers at its main and Pearlridge branches that are designed to assist members with incorporating new technologies into their daily banking activities.
President and CEO Andrew Rosen said the credit union will open a new branch this year in Hawaii Kai and undertake a major renovation at its Pearlridge branch.
McNuggets tested without additives
NEW YORK >> Like the indestructible Twinkie, Chicken McNuggets are practically a culinary punch line, a symbol of hyper-processed fast food with a list of ingredients that reads like a chemistry exam. But now McDonald’s wants to take at least some of the mystery substances out.
The world’s biggest hamburger chain says it is testing a version without artificial preservatives.
It’s the latest move by McDonald’s to try to catch up with changing tastes and turn around its business, which has lost customers in recent years.
The new McNugget recipe is “simpler,” and “parents can feel good” about it, the fast-food company said.
ON THE MOVE
Gloria Shishido is international director for Region 2 Toastmasters. She has been a member of District 49 Toastmasters for nearly two decades, and held various officer positions including area governor, district governor and conference chairwoman. Shishido earned the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM), the highest level of educational achievement in the Toastmasters International organization, several times. She will make an “official” appearance as well as give a speech, entitled “Leading Volunteers,” at the 2016 Spring Conference on May 14.
Keiko Suzuki has joined Locations, Hawaii’s largest locally owned real estate company. She previously worked for Shuko International Realty. Prior to joining the real estate industry, Suzuki worked in the insurance and accounting sectors in Japan.
