Hilo construction company fined for wage violations
Hilo construction company fined for wage violations
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Wage and Standards Division last month fined a Hilo construction firm working on a University of Hawaii at Hilo sewer project for failing to pay prevailing wages.
The investigation into the complaint, filed in October, showed William C. Loeffler Construction Inc. paid 18 employees incorrect wages because of “misclassification,” a report from DLIR said. Covered transportation time by an employee was also paid at less than prevailing wage, the report said.
DLIR calculated prevailing wages for the workers to be about $43,500, but the company paid only $21,400, the report said. The remaining balance, plus $4,350 in penalties, resulted in a balance due of $26,444. The department is requiring Loeffler to submit weekly certified copies of payroll. Loeffler was submitting those reports, and UH-Hilo officials noticed the incorrect classifications and too-low pay for transport.
Nella Media Group garners multiple awards for three publications
Three of the Nella Media Group publications received regional ADDY, or “Pele,” Awards last month at the American Advertising Federation District 13 awards ceremony. In addition to the three gold, one silver and one bronze regional ADDY Awards, NMG received Best of Show in Design and a Special Judge’s Award for innov8 magazine.
With a focus on content for the modern traveler, ROOM+SERVICE, the in-room guest book for Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Castle Resorts & Hotels, Hotel Renew, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Waikiki Parc Hotel, Courtyard Waikiki Beach, Equus Hotel and Marina Tower Hotel, was awarded the gold ADDY in the Travel & Tourism – Book Design category.
The in-flight magazine for Hawaii regional airline go!, innov8, was awarded the gold ADDY in the Collateral Material – Publication Design Series category, and the silver ADDY in the Travel & Tourism – Magazine Design category.
FLUX Hawaii, a quarterly lifestyle magazine featuring the latest in local arts and culture, was awarded the gold ADDY in the Collateral Material – Publication Design Cover category and the bronze ADDY in Collateral Material – (Entire) Magazine Design category.
“We are honored to have once again received the top media and design awards in the state for our publications. As always, I am proud of our incredible team and all of their hard work and dedication,” said CEO Jason Cutinella. “While we continue to grow and move forward, we strive to remain humble and appreciate the partners who make our work possible.”
Franchise workshop to be held May 10
Have you ever wanted to know about owning a franchise or perhaps franchising your existing business? Attend the free Franchise Me! seminar from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday in the Bank of Hawaii Conference Room, located at 74-5447 Makala Boulevard in Kailua-Kona.
This seminar will be covering all the key points of the franchise business model. Topics will also include the diversity of franchising in more than 90 industries and debunk the myth it’s just about fast food and retail, the legal aspects you need to know before investing in a franchise, government oversight of the franchise industry, what you need to know if you want to franchise your business and your options for financing a franchise business.
Expert speakers include Scott F. March, a Kona-based attorney who focuses on small businesses, start-ups, franchising and trademarks and is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising; Kari Waldhaus, franchise owner of The Entrepreneur’s Source, a business and franchise coach, and 2013 SBA Minority Small Business Champion for Hawaii County; and Christie Crawford, vice president of Bank of Hawaii and West Hawaii business banking manager with more than 15 years experience working with small-business owners.
To register, email Christie.Crawford@boh.com or call 854-2175.
— Milestones —
Hawaii Forest and Trail celebrates 20 years
Rob and Cindy Pacheco have a passion for the natural world of Hawaii. The couple, who founded Hawaii Forest and Trail, one of the few tour companies allowed access to Big Isle private lands and wildlife refuges, are celebrating 20 years in business.
Founded in May 1993 by the Pachecos, Hawaii Forest & Trail is renowned for its knowledgeable and qualified guides with strong academic backgrounds in biology, geology, Hawaiian history and extensive natural field experience. The company began with a bird walk before expanding and eventually founding Kohala Zipline.
To celebrate the two-decade milestone, the company is launching a community program, E Hoomaluo, which means “Conserve Our Natural Resources.”
Hawaii Forest and Trail will partner with nonprofits Bishop Museum; North Kohala Community Resource Center; Nature Conservancy; Friends of Hakalau; Hawaii Wildlife Center; West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery; Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative; Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Kohala Center, Kohala Watershed Partnership and the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, which is affiliated with the San Diego Zoo, to take part in fundraising, tours, volunteer work days and other projects to benefit the community.
— Movers & shakers —
Piper promoted to credit administration director
Central Pacific Bank has promoted Heather Piper to senior vice president and director of credit administration. In her position, Piper will be responsible for developing, overseeing and administering the credit approval and credit risk management programs for the bank’s commercial loan portfolios. She manages credit administration, credit services, special credits, retail loan collections, loan recovery, other real estate-owned administration, and environmental risk.
Piper has been with Central Pacific Bank since 2004 and previously served as senior vice president and senior manager of special credits. Prior to joining Central Pacific Bank, Piper served as vice president at Bank of Hawaii.
Piper has a bachelor of arts degree in business and economics from Hawaii Pacific University. She is chair-elect of the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations.
By local sources