Posted on: Monday, October 13, 2003
Business notebook
Advertiser Staff
• BLAISE J. NOTO, former publicity executive for Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures, has formed a Maui-based entertainment marketing, publicity and special events company, BLAISE NOTO & ASSOCIATES LLC. He created the advertising campaigns for such movies as "Titanic," "Braveheart" and "Forrest Gump."
The Kihei firm will specialize in entertainment, film, television and other kinds of arts and culture-related events. The firm also will handle management and public relations for artists and performers.
A former executive vice president of publicity and promotions for Paramount and Columbia, Noto has also held key positions with Warner Brothers, United Artists, Orion Pictures and others. Among the 27-year industry veteran's credits are such productions as the "Spider-Man," "Mission Impossible," "Star Trek," "Terminator," "Charlie's Angels," "Rocky," "Wayne's World" and "Godfather" movies.
• The Miracle Mouse, a computer peripheral worn on the head, allowing hands-free computer control for the disabled, is among the recipients of the national 2003 da Vinci Awards. The invention was developed by Maui Innovative Peripherals Inc. of Kihei, Maui.
The awards are sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and The Engineering Society of Detroit to recognize people, organizations and companies that use engineering, construction and technical design innovation that exceeds legally mandated disability requirements.
The "handless" mouse comes complete as a "plug-and-play" system, including software, advanced on-screen keyboard (with word prediction/completion) and shortcut program launch buttons to ease computer use for the disabled. Da Vinci Awards are given in several categories, including assistive technology and research; facilities; and vehicular mobility.
• Like to wala'au? The newly-formed SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION OF HAWAI'I, an affiliate of the National Speakers Association, is open to all professional speakers, or those who wish to become one. Information: Clive Buchanan, president, 293-2198.
• Deadline for applications for the annual Straub Foundation 2003 Guy Champion and John C. Milnor Professional Activities Award is Wednesday. The annual recognition, named to honor the father and son Straub physicians, is presented annually to a Hawai'i health professional for outstanding voluntary professional activity. Nominations for the current award should cover the period from July 2002 to June 2003. 524-6755.
• MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB INTERNATIONAL, Marriott's vacation ownership division, has opened a sales information center on Maui to acquaint buyers with vacation ownership opportunities at its Hawai'i properties: Maui Ocean Club; Ko Olina Beach Club on O'ahu; and Kaua'i Beach Club and Waiohai Beach Club, Kaua'i. The Maui sales information center is open 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 824 Front St., Lahaina. Appointments: (808) 667-1940.
• For the sixth consecutive year, the HAWAI'I CONVENTION CENTER, managed by SMG, has received the Prime Site Award from Facilities and Destinations magazine. Described as "a striking facility" by the magazine, the convention center's technological amenities i including fiber-optic cabling, multi-lingual translation stations, satellite and microwave broadcast capability and video conferencing i have consistently been key factors in the the center's selection. The awards are voted on by leaders in the meetings and conventions industry, including promoters, booking agents and event planners. Voting is based on convenience of location, facility attractiveness and maintenance, professionalism of staff, food and beverage functions, and technological capabilities.
