Business briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Two on staff buy Lahaina restaurant

The office manager and executive chef of the Kobe Japanese Steak House in Lahaina, Maui, will buy the restaurant In July and continue operations under the Kobe name. The new owners plan to rehire all 49 employees.

"July is one of our busiest months," said office manager Martha Haleakala, the soon-to-be owner. "We're pretty optimistic that things will remain good for Maui."

Kobe Japanese Steak House operates a second restaurant in Waikiki.

Verizon, union agree on contract

Verizon Hawaii and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1357, reached a tentative agreement on a five-year work contract that provides for a 20 percent general wage increase over five years.

The contract covers about 1,500 Verizon employees throughout the state.

Local 1357 leadership plans to present the tentative agreement to the union membership for ratification during the next several weeks. Ratification requires a simple majority of those voting.

Once ratified, the new contract would go into effect Aug. 25.