BUSINESS BRIEFS
Mera Pharmaceuticals exec resigns
Advertiser Staff
Mera Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Kailua, Kona-based company, said in a regulatory filing that Daniel BeHarry, a division president and director, had resigned to pursue other interests as of July 23. BeHarry had served as the company's chief executive officer until Gregory Kowal took over in January 2006.
Mera said Michael Corcoran, founder of Gull Rock Services and National Data Solutions LLC, had been appointed to the board of directors. Russell Yamamoto, president of RMY Construction Inc., also has been appointed to the board.
Mera said BeHarry's departure wasn't caused because of a disagreement with the company or any matter related to its operations.
TEAM AIDS LAID-OFF ADVERTISER STAFF
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has activated a "Rapid Response Team" to assist the 54 Honolulu Advertiser employees who will be laid off by the company next month. The department will be available to meet with affected employees at 10 a.m. Monday at The Advertiser building on Kapi'olani Boulevard. For information, contact the labor department at 586-8844.
HAWAIIAN AIR WARNS AGAINST E-MAIL
Hawaiian Airlines is warning about a fraudulent e-mail being circulated that appears to come from the carrier and carries a virus. The airline sent out a warning to members of its frequent-flier program yesterday saying the e-mail is labeled "Your airline ticket" and appears to be a notice of a new ticketing service. It informs the recipient that a new account has been opened in their name.
Hawaiian said an attachment to the e-mail looks like an electronic ticket but contains a virus. It is advising people to not open the attachment and to delete the e-mail from their inbox.
MAUI CREDIT UNIONS PLAN MERGER
Lahaina Federal Credit Union plans to become a part of Maui's second largest credit union.
The merger between Lahaina Federal and the 68-year-old Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union has been approved by Lahaina Federal's board of directors and the National Credit Union Administration, which oversees all federally insured credit unions. But the deal still requires the approval of Lahaina's members.
Lahaina Federal Credit Union has assets of $6 million and 2,200 members. Valley Isle, the surviving entity, has assets of $83 million and a 9,200 membership base.
REAL ESTATE GROUP TO HOST MEETING
The International Real Estate Federation said it will host an international congress in Waikiki during October, with its Americas and Asia-Pacific regions meeting jointly for the first time in the organization's 60-year history.
The meeting Oct. 23 to 25 at the Sheraton Waikiki will feature leading real-estate experts as speakers as well as educational seminars and study tours of innovative and sustainable Hawai'i projects.
FESTIVAL EXPECTS CROWD OF 35,000
The Made in Hawaii Festival said it expects to draw more than 35,000 attendees to its Aug. 15 to 17 event at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center's Exhibition Hall and Arena.
The showcase for locally made products expects to feature more than 420 exhibitor booths and is presented by First Hawaiian Bank.
