Ohana Pacific Bank expanding services

Ohana Pacific Bank said Wednesday its first branch in the Kalihi area is on track to open in the fourth quarter and that the bank plans to introduce a mobile banking application later this year to go along with its remote deposit capture that already is in place.

The 7-year-old bank also said that Donald B. S. Kang, president and CEO of Pomare Ltd dba Hilo Hattie; Rex K.C. Kim of the law firm that bears his name; and Roy Y. Morihara, retired managing partner of Grant Thornton LLP, were re-elected Tuesday to three-year terms on the bank’s board of directors.

Ohana Pacific, which opened on June 1, 2006, targeting the Korean-American community and small- and mid-size businesses, said it plans to strengthen its lending and marketing team to more effectively expand its niche market.

The bank, which had $103.5 million in assets at the end of the second quarter, last month reported that its earnings during the April-June period more than quadrupled as assets and deposits both jumped at least 10 percent from a year ago. The bank’s net income last quarter was $260,951, including a $75,000 tax credit, compared with $61,665 a year ago when there was no such credit.

HPU offering free marketing help

Students in Hawaii Pacific University’s graduate-level Small Business Consulting 6230 class will be working with three Hawaii companies this coming semester to bring fresh ideas to their marketing programs.

"Students will work in teams to analyze a company’s current marketing efforts," said course instructor Bob Sigall, who is also the Rearview Mirror columnist in the Star-Advertiser. "They will design market research strategies for the company, then suggest ways to increase that company’s marketing program’s effectiveness."

The students may redesign promotional materials and advertising pieces, write new slogans, design PR strategies, or suggest new niches and how to go after them. They’ll look at pricing, sales, location, customer service, packaging, distribution, direct mail and other marketing tactics.

Companies looking to participate in the program can contact course instructor Bob Sigall at Sigall@yahoo.com.

Tesoro Hawaii leak repair delays startup

Tesoro Corp.’s Kapolei refinery, the larger of two in Hawaii, is repairing a crude unit leak discovered while the plant was restarting, a person with direct knowledge of work said. Crews are expected to finish repairs and resume startup in about eight to 10 days, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.

The 94,000-barrel-a-day refinery had begun circulating oil last week after finishing a maintenance turnaround, a person familiar with the work said Aug. 22.

Tesoro halted operations there in April as it searched for a buyer, and Par Petroleum Corp. agreed in June to buy the complex upon its successful restart. Tesoro expects to close the sale in the third quarter of 2013, the company said.

Chevron Corp.’s 57,000-barrel-a-day Kapolei complex is the only other oil refinery in Hawaii.

Island Air and XTERRA teaming up

Island Air has become the official interisland carrier for the XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii.

The airline will be a featured partner of the XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon at the Kapalua Resort on Maui in October and the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship at Kualoa on Oahu in December. These events attract approximately 10,000 registrants, participants, friends, family and spectators who come from Hawaii, 40 other states and more than 30 countries.

"The XTERRA World Tour spans the globe and we are proud to partner with their two most prestigious events that comprise the XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii," Island Air CEO Paul Casey said.

Kauai utility seeks to cut energy bill 10%

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board of directors approved Tuesday the utility’s 2013-2025 Strategic Plan.

After considering feedback from members, the board reduced the number of goals and actions from 19 in the first draft to 11 in the final document, according to a news release from the utility.

Goals outlined in the plan include reducing the average residential energy bill by at least 10 percent over the next 10 years even as petroleum fuel prices are forecast to rise 35 percent. The utility also is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2023. That would eliminate about 52,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

In addition, KIUC is looking to continue holding operating budgets at or below the inflation rate, something KIUC has done since 2010, while maintaining system reliability.

ON THE MOVE

IQ PR has hired Anisah Ahakuelo as an account supervisor. Her experience includes being lead advocate of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Luxury Collection brand and leading strategic branding and employee-engagement programs for The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection resort.

Merv Yoshimoto has been named president of Obun Hawaii by aio. He was previously with the budget and procurement sections of the state Department of HumanServices for 11 years.

Central Pacific Bank has promoted Lisa Nihei to vice president and online eChannel manager. She had been AVP andonline eChannel manager, and online banking manager. Before joining CPB, Nihei served as an assistant Internet marketing manager at Bank of Hawaii.

Secure DNA, an information technology security firm, has promoted Ryan Talabis to lead researcher and vice president of information security. He joined Secure DNA in 2006 and has more than 13 years of experience in network security and data analysis.

SHIFTING GEARS

Bumatai to headline Auto Lunch Bunch

Comedian, TV host and gearhead Andy Bumatai will be the featured speaker at the Auto Lunch Bunch gathering at noon on Tuesday at 1599 Ala Moana Blvd.

Bumatai will discuss the two shows he has airing currently on KFVE-TV, titled "In the Car" and "Toolin’ Around."

The Kars at the Kurb display’s theme is "Keep on Truckin’" and will include Norm Slaustas’ 1956 Chevrolet Cameo truck, one of only 5,200 manufactured, as well as a 2014 Chevy Silverado double-cab with Ecotec V-8 engine, courtesy of Cutter Chevrolet.

The cost is $14.25 in cash and covers the meal, drink and tip. RSVP to billmaloney15@aol.com or call Ed Kemper at 225-2965.

Driver safety begins with the right fit

A trio of organizations will stage an event for motorists over age 50 to make sure they fit properly in their vehicles and help ensure safety.

AAA Hawaii, AARP and the Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii will host CarFit Hawaii to show older drivers how aging may change the way they fit in their vehicles, which could affect their driving.

The CarFit program features certified technicians including occupational therapists, senior living specialists, traffic safety educators and others. The program is designed to give older drivers quick and comprehensive checks of how well they fit in their vehicles to maximize safe-driving ability.

Technicians check for 12 aspects of "CarFit," such as clear line-of-sight over the steering wheel, spacing between the driver’s chest and the steering wheel, and easy access to controls and brake pedals.

The appointment-required event runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14 at Kaimuki High School.

For reservations call Jackie Boland at 545-6003.

Toyota Hawaii hosts photo contest

Social media users can win $50 gas cards from Toyota Hawaii by participating in the company’s snap-and-share photo contest.

The "#WinWithToyotaHI" contest invites football fans to check with Toyota Hawaii via Facebook, Twitter or the Aloha Stadium Jumbotron for the theme of each round of the contest, take a picture reflecting the theme and post the photo to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using the contest hashtag.

Pictures must be posted during the game to be eligible. Winners will be chosen at random, and each week’s winner will be announced on the Monday after each of the six home games.

Winning photos will be posted at WinWithToyotaHI.com.