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Outrigger using Viata's system

Honolulu reservations software company Viata has secured a key client as Outrigger Hotels & Enterprises this week began live use of Viata's EzRez reservations management system.

Outrigger will use EzRez to automate and centralize its interactions with customers, travel agents and wholesalers seeking access to rooms at the chain's 45 properties.

Outrigger is Viata's largest client since the startup company rolled out its products last year, said Viata marketing manager Laura Davis. Other clients include Hawaiian Vacations, Pleasant Island Holidays, Hawaiian VIP Tours and Creative Holidays.

Kona's ESI Inc. in Japan venture

Environmental Science International Inc., a small business based in Kailua on the Big Island, and several Japanese investors have formed a Japanese corporation to perform environmental consulting and remediation work in Asia.

All of the Japan-based staff and operations of ESI will be merged into the new entity, Environmental Science Corp., which will be run by Ohki Construction Co., Japan's 20th largest construction firm and a partner in the deal.

Environmental Science will market environmental consulting services to Japanese corporations, government and municipal agencies, and international firms in Japan.

Ernest Shih, president of ESI, said the deal gives ESI a 20 percent stake in the new company.

Shih said expanding into Japan's growing environmental consulting business was difficult without a major Japanese company as a partner. ESI was formerly a part of Brewer Environmental Services, but was sold off last year to Shih, a former Brewer executive, as part of a larger liquidation of Brewer assets.