Saturday, May 19th 2012 2:46 AM Chamorro Standard Time
Volume 9 No. 26 May 7, 2012 - May 21, 2012
Mary's a winner
Mary P. Torre, president of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association and president of MARQ Consulting Services, was named 2012 First Hawaiian Bank Guam Business Magazine Businesswoman of the Year at the 2012 Businesswoman of the Year gala April 28 at the Aurora Resort & Spa. (From left) Maureen N. Maratita, publisher, Guam Business Magazine; Laura-Lynn V. Dacanay, senior vice president and Guam and Northern Mariana Islands region manager, First Hawaiian Bank; Torre; and Lt. Gov. Raymond S. Tenorio. (Justin Green)
Guam News
NEWS FLASH! - Chloé boutique in Tumon Sands renovated
Chloé boutique in Tumon Sands renovated
Airport looks at concessions to expand revenue
The amount of money coming in to the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority Guam, has been in decline the last couple of years, but the airport authority is confident that steady increases in concession and operating revenues will drive future growth.
Boonsri Plaza gets facelift
Larry D. Weller, owner of American Painting, stands in front of Boonsri Plaza in Upper Tumon.
Chaney Brooks Guam back to TRI
TAMUNING, Guam - Uncertainty and delays related to Guam's military buildup have led the principals at Chaney Brooks Guam LLC to once again do business as TRI Executive Realty.
Chenega acquires management contract as Andersen security contractor files Chapter 11
GREENBELT, Md. - TW & Co. Inc., the contractor that provides security at Andersen Air Force Base along with the White House and a number of other federal facilities, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Corporate Giving
A check in the amount of $19,348 was collected by the 2012 First Hawaiian Bank and Guam Business Magazine Businesswoman of the Year program for undergraduate scholarships for students who attend the University of Guam, Guam Community College, and the Northern Marianas College.
Group steams ahead with support for the Chicago in Guam
The Guam and Saipan chambers of commerce have armed forces committees to support island relationships with the military.
Guam Strike task order awarded
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Department of Defense announced April 20 that it has awarded Niking Corp. of Hawaii a $6.74 million contract for a firm-fixed-price task order under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract for design and construction of the Guam Strike Clear Water Rinse Facility at Andersen Air Force Base.
Improvements wrapping up at UOG
The University of Guam has made considerable investment in campus-wide improvements since 2011.
JGPO delivers progress report to Guam
The Joint Guam Program Office held a briefing at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex at Adelup on May 2. A similar briefing had been held that morning with members of the 31st Guam Legislature.
Johnstone Supply Guam
"We started as an appliance parts store in early 2002 as a Marcone Parts Today outlet. We applied for membership in the Johnstone Supply Cooperative in late 2003 and we were accepted in early 2004," said Roy P. Duenas, president and chief executive officer of Johnstone Supply Guam.
Main Street renovating, expanding wholesale operations
The Main Street Delicatessen & Bakery in Hagatna is undergoing some minor renovations and is looking at some operational changes in the near future.
MWD to carry new U.S. Foods fryer product lines
Market Wholesale Distributors will begin carrying and distributing two new product lines early in June geared toward complementing the fryer menus at hotels and restaurants.
NMC prepping for apprenticeship program
GUALO RAI, Saipan - More than125 potential apprentices have expressed interest in the Northern Marianas College Apprenticeship Program.
OBITUARY - ROBERT D. SMITH
Robert D. "Bob" Smith passed away on April 16 in Ocala, Fla. Smith was the owner and founder of Smithco, a hotel and restaurant supply company that did business on Guam. Smith was born on April 18, 1929 and he was the son of the late Wilbur and Pauline Smith.
PIC undergoing 'major renovation'
The Pacific Islands Club Guam is getting a facelift as part of a continued "major renovation" of the Tumon hotel.
Security Title to relocate to newly renovated Tamuning facility
Security Title, Inc. will soon be moving into its new home in Tamuning; the business will relocate from its 6,600-square-foot office space in the Orleans Pacific Plaza to its renovated and redesigned office next to the old Hong Kong Restaurant building.
Shieh clinic offers 4D ultrasound
Dr. Thomas Shieh, obstetrician and gynecologist, has acquired General Electric's latest 4D ultrasound technology featuring advanced signal processing, which produces clear three-dimensional images and a live-action view of the baby in the womb.
Shimizu serious about beautification work
When her husband asked her to act as co-chairwoman of Guam's Islandwide Beautification Task Force, Naoko G. Shimizu, the head of the Shimizu & Associates law firm, not only accepted but has approached the job with the intention of making an impact in both the short term and the long term.
Tamuning building owner cited for permit violation
The Guam Department of Public Works has issued a notice of violation to the owner of a recently renovated building in Tamuning for alleged breach of terms and conditions under the building permit.
Torre named 2012 Businesswoman of the Year
Mary P. Torre, president of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association and of Marq Consulting Services, was named the 2012 First Hawaiian Bank Guam Business Magazine Businesswoman of the Year at the seventh annual award gala on April 28 at the Aurora Resort & Spa. Hundreds of people attended the gala.
Tourism month again in the NMI
GUALO RAI, Saipan - Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed a proclamation designating May as Tourism Month on April 26 at the governor's conference room on Capitol Hill.
Rolling out the red carpet Tour business up and running in Russia market
While the Russian visitor industry is a fledgling market for Guam, one business has developed a variety of tour offerings for the market and is already anticipating repeat business. The company sees the market possibly growing to as many 50,000 Russian visitors a year.
Editorial
Kudos to the beautification task force
We salute the work of the Islandwide Beautification Task Force. Under the leadership of attorney Naoko Shimizu, the task force - which, though mandated by law, has no budget - has applied commonsense strategies to a longstanding problem.
- SW Trivision Healthy
Headline Story
Rolling out the red carpet Tour business up and running in Russia market
While the Russian visitor industry is a fledgling market for Guam, one business has developed a variety of tour offerings for the market and is already anticipating repeat business. The company sees the market possibly growing to as many 50,000 Russian visitors a year.
Regional News
Chinese navy ships raise concerns in Japan
TOKYO - Beijing has been accused of applying "gun-boat diplomacy" to its territorial disputes with Japan after three Chinese warships passed through the Osumi Strait, between southern Kyushu and the island of Tanegashima.
Llaneta to open Remax in the RP
Renie A. "Rey" Llaneta, manager of the Western Pacific region for Chugach Alaska Corp. told the Journal that while he will remain with Chugach, he has some additional plans to branch out on another enterprise.
Marshalls looking at competition in telecom services
MAJURO, Marshall Islands - The Marshall Islands government is taking a serious look at opening its telecommunications sector to competition, with the financial support of the World Bank as an incentive.
New Guam Air Force head named
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Defense announced April 20 that Air Force Col. Steven D. Garland, who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, will assume the post of commanding officer of the 36th Wing, Pacific Air Forces at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
Pacific Bank rolls out loans to Marshall Islands
MAJURO, Marshall Islands - The Pacific Islands Development Bank rolls out its first loans in the Marshall Islands during May, following a second Marshall Islands payment that moves the country half way to the $1 million membership price tag.
PHL kickstarts tourism campaign with ads on CNN
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, on April 30, launched a series of TV ads on CNN in a bid to increase its market share in the global tourism pie.
Small business task order awarded for Andersen project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Defense announced April 26 that it has awarded P&S Construction Inc. of North Chelmsford, Mass., a $9.53 million firm-fixed-price task order under a previously awarded small-business multiple award construction contract for the design and construction of a conventional munitions maintenance facility at Andersen Air Force Base.
Two Northwest Field contracts awarded
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Defense announced April 27 that it has awarded two task orders for work at the Northwest Field area of Andersen Air Force Base.
United continues to eye charters; improvements coming on 777s
Business class travelers on the United Airlines route can expect to see improvements in the coming months, said James Mueller, vice president of Atlantic and Pacific sales for United Airlines.
Opinion
Obamacare at Supreme Court, but more regulations issued
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on March 26, 27, and 28 on the Patient Protection and Affordable care Act also known as ACA, and often referenced as Obamacare. The court's initial vote and assignment of briefs occurred on March 29, and it is expected that a decision will be rendered by the end of June.
Deep in the shallows
Allow me to begin with a disclaimer - I come to praise the Internet, not to bury it. Indeed, it is already buried under terabytes of Obama birth certificate rumors, porn and LOLcat memes.
Briefcase
Banks release first quarter earning reports
HAGATNA, Guam - Several banks released their first quarter earnings in April. First Hawaiian Bank reported on April 22 a net income of $53.5 million
Navy awards AMI HVAC maintenance, service contracts at Southwest bases
HARMON, Guam - The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest has awarded Advance Management, Inc. a preventive maintenance task order of $385,166 for services on specified heating.
United Continental reports first quarter 2012 losses
CHICAGO - United Continental Holdings, Inc. issued its first quarter 2012 results April 26, reporting a first-quarter 2012 net loss of $286 million or $0.87 loss per share, excluding $162 million of net special charges consisting primarily of integration-related costs.
Federal grand jury indicts HubTec on fraud charges
HAGATNA, Guam - The Office of the United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced April 25 that a federal grand jury has indicted HubTec International Corp.
Proposed House bill to cut Medicaid funding for the territories
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton has introduced a bill that would repeal a provision of the Affordable Care Act that provided for $6.3 billion in additional funding for Medicaid in the territories from fiscal year 2011 through fiscal year 2019.
Guam Chamber to hold 8th Annual Business Expo & Outreach event
HAGATNA, Guam - The Guam Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Focus and Development Committee has announced its 8th annual Small Business Expo & Outreach event will be held on June 28 at the Guam Marriott Resort & Spa's Chamorro Ballroom.
DPW completes Route 6A Embankment Restoration project
TAMUNING, Guam - The Department of Public Works announced April 25 the completion of the Murray Road Embankment Restoration project.
Guam Ancestral Land Commission relocates to ITC building
TAMUNING, Guam - The Guam Ancestral Land Commission moved April 19 from its office in Tiyan to the Department Land Management offices in the ITC building in Tamuning.
