BUSINESS BRIEFS
Real estate agent sentenced to jail
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Michelle Matusek has become the first real estate agent to be sentenced to jail in Hawai'i for state criminal tax violations, the state Tax Department said.
Matusek, who also is known as Michelle Matusek Boucher, pled guilty to multiple tax violations last month. She was granted a deferred acceptance of guilty plea and given a 60-day jail term, 45 days of which will be suspended if she remains in compliance with terms and conditions of her deferral, the state said.
It said Matusek is being placed under house arrest with a home electronic monitoring device and will be allowed out of her home for up to three hours a week. She also must perform 250 hours of community service work.
"The sentence sends a clear message that a tax crime is a violation of law and can result in incarceration and other punishments," the department said.
GAS PRICE DROPS 13 CENTS IN A MONTH
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Honolulu has dropped 13 cents during the past month, according to a news release issued yesterday by AAA Hawaii.
The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas dipped by three cents during the past week, to $4.32, the AAA said. Only Alaska was higher at $4.39 a gallon.
The average price in Honolulu is $4.22 per gallon.
As of yesterday, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $4.36 in Hilo and $4.63 in Wailuku, according to AAA.
Nationally the average price of a gallon of gas has dropped 11 cents during the past month to $3.68 a gallon.
HAWAII OPERA THEATRE APPLAUDED
Hawaii Opera Theatre was awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the second year in a row,
The designation is awarded to charities that demonstrate "an outstanding ability to efficiently manage funds and increase finances," according to a news release from HOT.
As America's top nonprofit evaluator, Charity Navigator appraises more than 5,000 charities nationwide.
Hawaii Opera Theatre had the highest point ratings out of all evaluated opera companies in the country, according to the news release.
"Receiving a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the last two years is an honor," said Karen Tiller, HOT's Executive Director. "It ensures the public that donations are being used efficiently and are serving a great cause,"
HOT's 4-star financial review is available on Charity Navigator's Web site: www.charitynavigator.org.
ECONOMY HIGH ON LIST OF MAUI PANEL
The challenges facing Hawai'i's visitor industry and the impact on Maui's economy will be the topic of the Governor's Maui Community Advisory Council meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Cameron Center Auditorium in Wailuku.
This month's meeting will feature state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert.
The Maui Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the governor of important issues on Maui, public priorities and recommendations for state boards and commissions.
The members of the Governor's Maui Community Advisory Council are: Madge Schaefer (chair), Kalei Sombelon (vice chair), Kathryn Ghean, John Henry, Barbara-Ann Keller, Carl Lindquist, Lori Ululani Sablas, Shan Steinmark and Gail K. Takeuchi.
For more information on neighbor island community advisory councils on the Web, visit the www.hawaii.gov/gov.
