Business briefs

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Japanese firm now full owner

Meijiseimei Realty (USA) Inc. has acquired total ownership of Pacific Guardian Center, formerly Grosvenor Center.

The company, a unit of Japan's Meiji Life Insurance Co., yesterday completed a buyout of Kapi'olani Health Systems' 77 percent interest in the land under the downtown Honolulu office building for $24 million. It already owned the other 23 percent.

In October, Meijiseimei acquired the building's 50 percent leasehold interest it didn't already own. The transaction was with Grosvenor International (Hawai'i) Ltd., which developed the pair of 31-story glass towers in 1979 and 1982. The historic Dillingham Transportation Building and a fl-acre park were part of the deal.

Aston hoping to finish deal

Aston Hotels and Resorts said it has won a contract to manage the 719-room Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel starting in July, provided that a financing deal in progress is completed before then.

The property is in foreclosure by its lender, Hawaii Ventures LLC, and is expected to be acquired by that company June 30, Aston representatives said. The resort would then be renamed the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel and will undergo a $30 million renovation.

Schuman wins Olds honors

Schuman Carriage Motors Inc. has announced that it has achieved General Motors' "Mark of Excellence" status among Oldsmobile dealerships for having met or exceeded sales and customer service objectives in 2000.

Oldsmobile is a recent addition to the Schuman Carriage lineup, which also includes Buick, Cadillac and GMC.

The company's Subaru division reported its third consecutive year of record-breaking sales .