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Advertiser Staff

Book full of data on Islands

The State of Hawai'i Data Book 2002, a comprehensive source of social, economic and political statistics about the Islands, is available online at www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/db02.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism's 35th edition contains information to help businesses, organizations and individuals in marketing, identifying trends and conducting analyses.

The book covers everything from military spending — every $1 billion spent by the military here creates 24,650 jobs — to cable television — there were 380,000 subscribers last year, up 4.4 percent from 2000.

Firetide chief stepping down

Firetide Inc. announced yesterday that chief executive Tareq Hoque is resigning his post, but he will remain on its board of directors.

Hoque said the wireless computer networking company needed to increase its presence in California as it grows.

"This would require me to spend much more time in California, which would be an unacceptable hardship on my family and me," he said.

Honolulu-based Firetide said it plans to continue to operate in Hawai'i.

Hoque will help select his replacement. Ron Higgins, a Firetide investor and board member, will lead the company in the interim.