The new facilities add 12,500 square feet of office space for new import-export companies. That brings the total office space available at the trade zone to nearly 30,000 square feet. In addition, more than 5,000 square feet of new temperature-controlled warehouse space was added.

"These Foreign Trade Zone improvements offer a 'one-stop' international trade center where an importer or exporter can get a variety of information, access to import-export services and use of facilities," Lingle said.

Kailua businesswoman to head American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

Brenda Foster, who runs a international consulting firm and serves on the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration Advisory Board, has been named president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai.

Foster is scheduled to leave Hawai'i Sept. 2 to assume the new post. The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, which has been growing at a rate of 30 percent year over the past 10 years, is on track to surpass Tokyo this year as the largest American Chamber in Asia.

Foster is president and chief executive officer of ULU Group Ltd., a Kailua-based consulting firm that works with American companies doing business in Asia, primarily China. Foster served in the administration of former Governor Ben Cayetano as executive advisor for international and national affairs.

State freezes assets of unaccredited pharmacy college

The state yesterday obtained a temporary freeze on the assets of an unaccredited private pharmacy college in West O'ahu.

The state wanted to make sure that the assets of the Hawaii College of Pharmacy which opened last fall in Kapolei were preserved, said Steve Levins, executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection.

"Ultimately the freezing of the assets may assist us in our efforts to recover tuition moneys for the students," Levins said.

The freeze is part of a temporary restraining order that also bars the college from disposing of any of its records.

Last month, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs filed a lawsuit against the college, alleging unfair and deceptive business practices.

Horton, Campbell Estate to help build Kapolei school

Homebuilder D.R. Horton and Campbell Estate are contributing land and money to help the Department of Education build an elementary school in Kapolei.

The two will donate 12 acres of land, valued at $1.2 million. In addition, Horton will contribute $1.6 million toward the construction of school facilities and another $1 million or more worth of improvements to the site before it is turned over to the DOE. The school is expected to open in 2009, subject to legislative funding.

Seminar on 'idea generation techniques' set for Friday

The Honolulu Chapter of Creativity and Innovation is co-hosting seminar on "idea generation techniques" from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Manoa Innovation Center.

There is a registration fee. For more information, call 781-9264, or send an e-mail to galbieri@gmail.com. The Manoa Innovation Center serves as an incubator for new and early-stage technology companies.