Attorney: Makena Resort, Maui Prince Hotel not closing

September 20th, 2009 Judge: HI man accused in fire must quit smokingWAILUKU, Hawaii — A Maui judge has ordered a 19-year-old man who pleaded no contest to starting a restaurant fire with a flicked cigarette to stop smoking for a year. Makaio Bachman-Majamay of Makawao was originally charged with third-degree arson for allegedly igniting the shake roof of the Wei Wei Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Pukalani in July 2008.

September 15th, 2009 A look at Atlantic City's casino labor situationWHAT: Two unions — Local 54 of UNITE-HERE, representing 15,000 room cleaners, beverage servers and other workers at all 11 Atlantic City casinos, and the United Auto Workers, which represents about 3,000 dealers, technicians and other workers at four casinos — are bargaining with the gambling houses. WHAT'S AT STAKE: Local 54 is seeking a new two- or three-year contract and is farther along in talks than the UAW, which is seeking first-ever dealer contracts with the Tropicana Casino and Resort, Bally's Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino.

September 1st, 2009 Maui Prince Hotel closing, 380 lose jobsHONOLULU — The operators of the 310-room Maui Prince Hotel — which is being foreclosed upon — said the resort and neighboring golf courses will close in two weeks. Prince Resorts Hawaii President Donn Takahashi said Monday 380 employees will lose their jobs when the resort is shut down on Sept.

August 12th, 2009 Felicia fizzles to tropical depressionHONOLULU — After a week of hoopla, a once furious Felicia finally staggered into the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday, exhausted from its passage across the Pacific Ocean. The storm that once boasted Category 4 hurricane force winds of more than 140 mph was downgraded to a tropical depression Tuesday morning with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

August 11th, 2009 Felicia downgraded to tropical depressionHONOLULU — Felicia was downgraded to a tropical depression Tuesday morning as it approached Hawaii with maximum sustained winds of about 35 mph, but a flash flood watch and a high surf warning remained in effect, forecasters said. The former hurricane was expected to weaken more in the next two days.

August 10th, 2009 L.A. landmark Hotel Bel-Air closing for makeoverLOS ANGELES —The Hotel Bel-Air, which has served Hollywood stars since the 1940s, is closing for a glamorous makeover. Hotel spokeswoman Alisha Mahon says the Los Angeles landmark will close at the end of September for a two-year upgrade that includes building villas and spa facilities.

July 21st, 2009 Saudi prince's Kingdom Hldg Q2 profits drop 83 pctDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The investment company headed by a Saudi billionaire with a major Citibank stake says its profit tumbled 83 percent in the second quarter because of stock market losses and a slump at its hotel businesses. Kingdom Holding Co., chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, said in a statement posted Tuesday on the Saudi stock market Web site that its earnings between April and June dropped to 92.1 million riyals ($24.6 million), from 534.7 million riyals during the same period a year earlier.

July 9th, 2009 Iconic Waikiki hotel closesHONOLULU — The Y-shaped Ilikai hotel that has graced the Waikiki skyline for nearly five decades and hosted everyone from U.S. presidents to Elvis Presley is closing.

July 8th, 2009 Closing arguments end in Ala. drug pricing lawsuitMONTGOMERY, Ala.

July 8th, 2009 Bidder in Hilo Hattie bankruptcy case bows outHONOLULU — Maui Divers Jewelry has withdrawn its $1 million offer to buy Hilo Hattie out of bankruptcy. The announcement came Tuesday after Maui Divers entered into an agreement to remain the sole jewelry concessionaire at Hilo Hattie's seven island stores.

July 7th, 2009 Hawaii hotel occupancy drops to record lowHONOLULU — Despite steep discounting and unprecedented incentives, hotel occupancy in Hawaii continues to slide to new lows because of the slowed global economy, especially on the Big Island where only half of rooms were booked in May, according to a report released Monday. Hotel occupancy fell 6.9 percentage points to 62 percent in May, marking the worst May on record since Honolulu-based Hospitality Advisors LLC began its monthly survey in 1987.

July 2nd, 2009 Global Hyatt changes name to Hyatt HotelsCHICAGO — Global Hyatt Corp., the privately held hotel and resort company, said Thursday it has changed its name to Hyatt Hotels Corp. The renamed Hyatt Hotels is the parent of companies that own, operate, manage and franchise hotels, resorts and timeshare properties.

May 29th, 2009 NYC readies for 1st official visit by Prince HarryNEW YORK — Prince Harry plans to mark his first official visit to the United States with a stop at the World Trade Center site. At midday Friday, the 24-year-old prince will meet with relatives of four people who died in the 9/11 attacks.

May 8th, 2009 Marriott vs. W.Va. firm for Greenbrier controlCHARLESTON, W.Va.

April 26th, 2009 Aerosmith to settle lawsuit with Maui performanceWAILUKU, Hawaii — Free tickets to see Aerosmith in Hawaii? Dream on, unless you happen to be one of 8,300 people left in the cold when the band canceled a sold-out concert in 2007. Aerosmith has agreed to perform on Maui to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by fans who alleged the band pulled out of the show in favor of a larger concert in Chicago and a more lucrative private performance for Toyota dealers on Oahu.