LOS ANGELES >> “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is off to a Death Star-sized start at the box office. Disney says Friday that the eighth installment in the space franchise has earned an estimated $45 million from Thursday night showings.

It’s the second-highest Thursday night preview tally following the $57 million start for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which kicked off this modern trilogy in 2015.

“The Last Jedi” is expected to net around $200 million throughout the weekend, which would make it the fourth-biggest opening of all time.

Public urged to beware of investment schemes

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said the public needs to beware of illegal pyramid investment schemes.

A pyramid investment scheme is a program in which people invest in the right to offer the investment to others. What distinguishes these schemes from legitimate investments is that a pyramid concentrates mainly on the quick profits to be earned by recruiting others to invest.

To report an illegal pyramid scheme, call 586-2740 or toll free 1-877-HI-SCAMS, or email to seb@dcca.hawaii.gov.

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ON THE MOVE

AHL, formerly Architects Hawaii Ltd., one of Hawaii’s largest and oldest architectural firms, has announced a promotion as well as the hiring of two staff members:

>> Ina Wong was promoted to associate from senior designer. Wong has been with AHL since 2012; her recent projects include the Joint Traffic Management Center and Ka Makana Ali‘i mall.

>> Edward Anastas has joined the firm as a project architect. Anastas previously served as an associate and chief technology officer for Shubin Donaldson Architects in California.

>> Rosa Ashe is a new junior interior designer. Ashe previously served as an interior designer/space planner at Infinium Interiors in Honolulu.

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