BUSINESS BRIEFS
Warning issued on beef patties
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The state Health Department has issued a warning to consumers not to eat "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties" purchased from Sam's Club since August because the product may be contaminated with E.coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium.
There are no confirmed reports of illness in Hawai'i associated with the recalled product, the Health Department news release said.
The product is packaged in a six-pound box with the case code number of 7703100 and a best-if-used-by dates of 02/05/08, 02/06/08 or 02/13/08.
E.coli O157:H7 can cause bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps and dehydration. It can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome which could cause kidney failure and death.
Consumers with questions about the recall are asked to call the Cargill Meat Solutions food safety hotline at 866-567-7899.
BUSINESSMAN JAILED IN TAX CASE
Sung Ho Park, owner and president of Makiki Trading Center Inc., was sentenced to 15 days in jail in connection with a misdemeanor tax case.
The state Tax Department said State Judge Faye Koyanagi sentenced the businessman to jail for failing to comply with a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea agreed to in May 2006. Under that agreement, Park pled guilty to failing to file his corporation's general excise tax returns for 1999 to 2003.
The state said conditions of his deferred plea included his paying a fine of $10,000 for the corporation, a $1,000 personal fine as president of the company and restitution of $137,842.
Park's probation was revoked when he neglected the court order and after several hearings and continuances.
The tax department said it was the first criminal tax case in which a taxpayer's deferred acceptance of a guilty plea had been reversed. Park is to start his jail sentence today.
CANOE DONATED TO VOYAGING SOCIETY
Baccarat Wailea Resort & Residences has donated an outrigger canoe to members of the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society on Maui.
The canoe, carved by master carver Randy Bumatai, will be used to demonstrate traditional carving techniques and expose participants in the society's programs to traditional lashing techniques and short excursions within the waters around Maui.
Society founder Kimokeo Kapahulehua said: "The generous donation of this valuable resource to the HOCVS has brought life back to the wa'a. It has been reconnected to its source and will become a valuable component of our educational programs."
The ceremony last month followed the traditional ritual, ending with the launching of the canoe.
DEATH REGISTRY SYSTEM WINS AWARD
The Hawai'i Department of Health's Electronic Death Registration System recently received the Digital Government Achievement Award at the 12th annual Best of the Web Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev.
Hawai'i's death-registration system was recognized in the government-to-government category by the National Center for Digital Government. This annual awards program recognizes the most innovative, user-friendly state and local government portals and data systems.
Funded by a grant from the Social Security Administration, the EDRS is an Internet-based system that enables users of the system to electronically register and certify deaths with the Department of Health.
