By local and wire sources
SBA extends deadline for state nominations
The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to submit nominations for Hawaii’s Small Business Awards for 2007 until Nov. 21 because of scheduling changes for National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. The annual awards program recognizes the outstanding contributions of Hawaii’s small business owners, entrepreneurs and advocates to the state’s economy.
With a track record of more than 20 years, the SBA’s awards continue to be one of the most competitive and comprehensive business awards in the state. These awards honor the accomplishments of the small business community in 10 categories, including: SBA Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter, Minority Business Champion, Veteran Small Business, Financial Services Champion, Family Owned Small Business, SBA Young Entrepreneur, Women in Business Champion, Small Business Journalist and Home Based Business Champion.
Any individual or organization may submit nominations for the 2007 SBA Small Business Awards. Completed forms must be received by the Hawaii District Office at 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 2-235, Honolulu no later than 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21. For more information or to get the nomination forms, in print or digital format, call Jane Sawyer at (808) 541-2973 or send an e-mail request to jane.sawyer@sba.gov.
Real Estate Commission offers workshop Nov. 28
The Real Estate Commission is conducting a renewal workshop for real estate licenses, especially brokerage firms, to receive assistance with renewal applications through self-help sessions. Staff will discuss the renewal process, the applications and red-flag areas with attendees. The workshop will begin promptly and will continue until there is no more demand.
The workshop also includes a Specialist of the Day to answer condo and other real estate questions not related to licensing renewals.
The Kailua-Kona workshop is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Kona Board of Realtors, 74-5620 Palani Court, No. 106.
Completed applications with payment checks will be accepted at the workshop. No cash payments will be accepted.
There are other scheduled workshops, which are not included above that have been arranged with brokerage offices or other organizations.
This material can be made available for individuals with special needs. Call the Executive Officer at 586-2643 to submit a request.
TOKYO
PlayStation 3 debut greeted by long lines
Sony’s PlayStation 3 made its highly anticipated debut to long lines in Japan today, marking the first launch of what’s expected to quickly become a global sellout.
Throngs of people lined up for several hours around Bic Camera, an electronics retailer in downtown Tokyo, to get their hands on one of the video game consoles. It sold out even before the store opened at 7 a.m., and would-be buyers were turned away from the store.
Plagued with production problems, Sony Corp. has managed to ready only 100,000 PlayStation 3 machines in time for its debut in Japan. When it goes on sale in the United States on Friday, some 400,000 PS3 consoles will be available there. The sales date has been pushed back in Europe until March.
By local and wire sources