Biz Wrap: Appraisal Company for Sale

It’s been a busy week in business news around the island this week. We reported earlier today that the makers of Mehana and Hawaii Nui beer have filed for bankruptcy and are seeking a new owner of the popular beer brands.

There’s also been a lot of activity in the real estate world.

A long-time west Hawaii residential appraiser is selling her business due to retirement, and the DCCA is revamping its website to make it easier for condominium associations to register with the state’s Real Estate Branch.

Hawaiian Force, maker of custom Hawaiian prints, t-shirts, caps, and artwork has changed locations in downtown Hilo.

And Waimea-based Kohala Center recently named Valerie Ossipoff of Honolulu to its board of directors.

If you have a complaint about a business, you’re not alone. For the first time ever the FTC received more than two million complaints last year. Learn how to register a complaint if you’ve been a victim of identity theft or other consumer fraud.

Royal Pacific Appraisals for Sale

Terri Leuck, SRA, owner of Royal Pacific Appraisals, is retiring and putting her 38-year-old business on the market.

The Kona-based firm provides residential appraisals to homeowners and lenders throughout West Hawaii.

In a phone interview, Leuck said the sale includes the company’s contact list, as well as the established name and presence of the company.

Leuck, who is representing herself in the sale, believes the next owner will be either another Hawaii-based appraiser or someone who wants to move to Hawaii and take over the business.

Leuck said she is hoping for a quick sale within the next three months as she is moving to the mainland in time for the arrival of her newest grandchild.

“I would prefer to pass the torch while it is still burning,” said Leuck.

For more information, contact Terri Leuck, (808) 334-9550 or email [email protected].

DCCA Launches Biennial Condominium Association Registration with New Look

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is kicking off the 2013-2015 Condominium Association registration period with the introduction of a redesigned website and enhanced access.

Registration is available through May 31, 2013 via the upgraded website at https://aouo.ehawaii.gov.

More than 1,650 condominium associations are registered with the DCCA’s Real Estate Branch. Those associations cover more than 157,000 condominium units and their owners in Hawaii.

“We’re pleased to provide upgraded services for Hawaii’s condominium associations and managing companies,” DCCA Director Kealii S. Lopez said.

The website upgrade is part of the Abercrombie administration’s Information Technology Transformation Initiative, as set forth by the state Office of Information Management Technology.

Valerie Ossipoff Joins the Kohala Center’s Board of Directors

The Waimea-based Kohala Center recently named Valerie Ossipoff of Honolulu to its board of directors.

Ossipoff is the executive director and former president of the O‘ahu Choral Society.

“We are very pleased that Valerie has accepted our invitation to join The Center’s board,” said Roberta Fujimoto Chu, president of The Kohala Center’s board of directors.

“She brings with her important experience in nonprofit management, and her strong ties to cultural circles in Hawai‘i adds an important dimension to the board’s and the staff’s outreach efforts.”

Hawaiian Force Moves to New Location

Hawaiian Force, maker of custom Hawaiian prints, t-shirts, caps, and artwork, has changed locations in downtown Hilo.

The company, owned by artist Craig Neff and his wife Luana, sells original design t-shirts, mamaki tea they gather themselves, surf wear, lauhala fans, aloha shirts, and jewelry made of opihi and Ni‘ihau shells.

Hawaiian Force was previously located at 140 Kilauea Ave., the original location of Sig Zane Designs.

Its new location is 184 Kamehameha Ave. in between the Kress cinema building and the Salvation Army.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and is closed Sunday and Monday.

Top 10 Complaints Received by the FTC in 2012 

In 2012 the Federal Trade Commission received more than two million complaints about businesses across the country.

Of the two million complaints, 18% were related to identity theft.

Nationally, Hawaii ranked 48th for identity theft complaints with 658 complaints, and 22nd for fraud and other complaints with 5,973 complaints registered.

Here is a complete list of the top 10 complaint categories:

• Identity Theft – 369,132 complaints
• Debt collection – 199,721 complaints
• Banks and Lenders – 132,340 complaints
• Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales – 115,184 complaints
• Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries – 98,479 complaints
• Impostor Scams – 98,479 complaints
• Internet Services – 81,438 complaints
• Auto-Related Complaints – 78,062 complaints
• Telephone and Mobile Services – 76,783 complaints
• Credit Cards – 51,550 complaints

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the US and abroad.

If your business has an opening, closing, promotion, retirement, new product release, special event, award, new location, or expansion, please let us know. Email us at [email protected].