BUSINESS BRIEFS
Isles said to be losing jobs to China
Advertiser Staff
A study by a liberal Washington-based think tank estimates that the growing U.S. trade deficit with China resulted in the loss of 4,100 jobs in Hawai'i from 2001 through 2007.
The jobs were lost in a range of sectors, particularly the hotel and restaurant industries, according to the report released by the Economic Policy Institute.
The report broke out numbers on estimated job losses for each state, including Hawai'i. Nationally 2.3 million jobs were lost from 2001 through 2007, according to the report.
The report was cited by the Alliance for American Manufacturing in maintaining that U.S. companies and their workers have been negatively affected by the increased trade with China since that country's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001.
"Our flawed trade relationship with China is destroying good jobs in Hawai'i," said Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance.
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA SHOPS PLANNED
Thomas Metzger and Larry Harris, veterans of the hospitality and food service industries, have purchased the exclusive rights to open Little Caesars pizza shops in Hawai'i and plan to open up to 15 locations over the next five years.
The partners opened their first store at 99-080 Kauhale St. in 'Aiea and in September will open at 94-450 Mokuola St. in Waipahu.
SURFING GOAT DAIRY COMMENDED
Maui's Surfing Goat Dairy said it is the first Hawai'i-based company to receive Humane Farm Animal Care's Certified Humane Raised and Handled label.
The Kula-based dairy said the certification recognizes that it meets standards of humane care and treatment of its farm animals. HFAC board member and Hawai'i resident Mae Mendelson will present the certification at a ceremony today.
"To receive certification, farm animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas, and sufficient space to support natural behaviors," according to a news release from the dairy.
The dairy, owned by Thomas and Eva Maria Kafsack, produces a variety of cheeses and soaps from goat milk.
KAPALUA FARMS LAUNCHES RETAIL SALES
Kapalua Farms, a division of Maui Land and Pineapple Co., said it has begun sales to the public, including landscaping trees and native species such as koa and kukui.
The nursery, which also sells dryland shrubs such as the 'a'ali'i and landscaping plants, is set on 150 acres near the Kapalua Resort and is the center of the company's organic agriculture research and innovation program.
The Kapalua Farms operation also produces Maui Gold Organic pineapples, produce, herbs, free-range eggs and compost.
The organically managed farm supplies resort restaurants and the neighboring West Maui community with natural products grown without chemical fertilizers or insecticides.
$5.78M IRAQ CONTRACT FOR JOINT TECH
Joint Tech Services Inc., a Kailua-based company, has been awarded a $5.78 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense for the Iraqi Defense Network.
The contract represents a six-month extension for the network, with work performed in Iraq expected to be completed by the end of January 2009.
