More than 60 Hawaii companies just completed participating in the 2016 Tokyo International Gift Show. It was the fifth consecutive year that the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism organized a Hawaii Pavilion at the show, which was held Sept. 7-9 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

DBEDT recruited 62 Hawaii companies to fill 28 booths, which made up the Hawaii Pavilion. Last year’s gift show resulted in $5.4 million in export sales by Hawaii’s participating vendors. This year’s exhibitors are expected to top $13 million in export sales.

“Expansion of the state’s trade sector will diversify and grow our local economy,” DBEDT Director Luis Salaveria said. “Through (the show), Hawaii’s products are showcased around the world and have received international recognition for its quality and uniqueness.”

The Tokyo International Gift Show is the largest international trade show in Japan, drawing 200,000 buyers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to meet exhibitors at more than 4,500 booths spread out over the exhibition area.

Union to host medical marijuana seminar

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 480, representing Hawaii’s retail and grocery workers, is hosting a conference to certify and train people interested in the state’s medical marijuana industry.

The union, which also represents cannabis workers across the country, is partnering with experts from local dispensaries and Clover Leaf University, a state-certified (Colorado Department of Higher Education) educational institution focusing on the cannabis industry.

The conference will be held Oct. 20 at the Modern Honolulu Hotel in Waikiki. Registration is $249.

The conference will include courses on the state’s medical marijuana laws and regulations; job opportunities and industry staffing; dispensary and production facility operations; worker, patient and public safety information; growing and cultivation advice; and ancillary business models and investment opportunities.

For more information or to register online, go to cloverleafuniversity.com.

Walmart gives staff $725,000 in bonuses

Walmart recently awarded $725,000 in second-quarter cash bonuses, or an average of $259 per person, to 2,800 hourly associates in Hawaii.

The bonuses, which were based on stores’ performances from May through July of this year, are part of an overall incentive plan designed to reward associates whose stores have met their performance and customer service goals. Eligible associates can earn these bonuses four times a year.

Hawaii bonuses are a portion of more than $201 million in quarterly bonus pay earned by associates nationwide as 99 percent of stores met performance goals. More than 932,000 hourly associates received a second-quarter bonus, up from 880,000 associates in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and 687,000 associates in fiscal 2015.

First Insurance of Hawaii keeps A+ rating

First Insurance Co. of Hawaii has had its “A+” Financial Strength Rating reaffirmed by A.M. Best Co., the global credit rating agency dedicated to serving the financial service industry. FICOH’s A+ rating demonstrates strong operating results from its profitable underwriting performance as well as conservative reserving and strong capitalization.

First Insurance, founded on Aug. 11, 1911, is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer based in Hawaii with assets of $649.3 million, liabilities of $362.5 million and policyholders’ surplus of $286.8 million as of June 30.

Bank of Japan sets higher inflation goal

TOKYO >> Struggling to rejuvenate an ailing economy, Japan’s central bank has set a more ambitious goal for raising inflation and announced steps meant to raise the profitability of financial firms.

World stocks rose Wednesday after the decision by the Bank of Japan, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumping 1.9 percent.

The bank said it would seek to overshoot a 2 percent annual inflation target that it’s already failing to meet. By raising the inflation goal, it hopes to convince consumers and businesses that prices are heading up, coaxing them to spend more now and fuel faster economic growth.

Analysts expressed doubt that the new target would change the mindset of Japanese shoppers and businesses long used to a stagnant economy and flat or declining prices.

ON THE MOVE

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has appointed Sheila Gerbig-Hussey as general manager of the Royal Kahana Maui by Outrigger. She has 22 years of experience with Outrigger, including most recently as general manager as well as assistant general manager and owner liaison manager at the Outrigger Aina Nalu.

The Aloha Council Boy Scouts of America has hired Vanessa Kau as development assistant. Her responsibilities include working on marketing, development and large-scale fundraising events. Kau received her bachelor’s degree in merchandising from Colorado State University.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced that Jennifer Lee Busto has been designated a previews property specialist at the firm’s Honolulu office. Busto joined the company in 2008.

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