BUSINESS BRIEFS
Singer, engineer win 'O'o awards
Advertiser Staff
The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce has selected local entertainer "Aunty" Genoa Leilani Keawe and Clifford S. Jamile, former chief engineer of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, as recipients of the 2007 'O'o awards, which recognize Hawaiians who have made significant contributions to improve their communities and the status of Native Hawaiians.
Keawe, 88, has dedicated more than 60 years to promoting and perpetuating Hawaiian music. She performs Thursdays at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort's Moana Terrace.
Jamile graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1955 and became one of the first Native Hawaiian graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. As the head of the Board of Water Supply, Jamile mentored Native Hawaiian engineers and professionals.
The 'O'o awards ceremony and banquet is set for March 30 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. For details, visit www.nativehawaiian.cc/.
SOME CAN SUE IN HOUSING CASE
A federal judge said yesterday she'll likely rule that a local community activist group does not have standing to sue the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to block the sale of the Kukui Gardens apartment complex downtown.
But tenants of the 857-unit apartment complex will be able to pursue their suit against HUD under U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway's tentative ruling, said Gavin Thornton, attorney for tenants and the local community group Faith Action for Community Equity.
ALOHA TAKING SUIT TO FEDERAL COURT
Aloha Airlines said it will transfer its lawsuit against Mesa Air Group to federal court from state Circuit Court.
Aloha filed suit against Phoenix-based Mesa in Circuit Court in October, alleging that Mesa misused confidential information it received from Aloha to start interisland carrier go! The suit also alleged that Mesa was selling tickets below cost to drive Aloha out of business.
Mesa denied the allegations, saying lawsuits by Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines are attempts to eliminate competition.
Aloha spokesman Stu Glauberman said the charges in the federal court lawsuit are similar to those raised in the state court action. But the airline said it felt the federal courts was the more appropriate venue for the case.
