Pacific Business News

Hawaii firms part of $500M Guam contract - Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Two Hawaii companies were among six contractors selected for the Guam Small Business Multiple Award Navy contract worth a potential $500 million.

Hawaii’s jobless rate edges upward - Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 6.9 percent in January, up just a notch from the 6.8 percent the month before, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hawaii stocks see mixed results - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Shares of Kahului-based Maui Land & Pineapple Co. (NYSE: MLP) fell just 1.53 percent to $5.15 per share at the close of the market Wednesday, despite news that the company lost $123.3 million, or $15.33 per share, in 2009 after shutting down its pineapple business. (MLP) (ALEX) (BOH) (HE) (CPF)

4 HTA board members up for reappointment - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle is asking state senators to reappoint four members to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors.

Hawaii takes step toward electronic filing - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The State of Hawaii is launching online recording of financing statements, the first step towards an electronic filing system for real estate transactions.

Foreclosure auction set for Maui resort - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui will be sold at a foreclosure auction April 29.

Ron Boyer acting director of Hawaii DCCA - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed Ron Boyer as acting director of Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Hawaii hotels 66.5% full in January - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Hawaii hotel occupancy grew 3.4 percentage points to 66.5 percent in January — the fourth occupancy increase in the past five months.

Sheraton Keauhou to renovate rooms - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The Big Island’s Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa on Tuesday announced renovation plans.

Most Hawaii stocks see gains Tuesday - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Shares of Maui Land & Pineapple Co. (NYSE: MLP) climbed 8.96 percent to $5.23 Tuesday, hours before the company announced that it lost $123.3 million, or $15.33 per share, in 2009, after shutting down its pineapple business due to mounting losses. (MLP) (ALEX) (CPF) (HE) (BOH)

International Business News

China supplies Sri Lanka with infrastructure funds - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Sri Lanka will soon build a second international airport on the south of the island, with much of the money coming from China.

British Airways crews to follow through with strike threat - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
There has been no agreement reached between British Airways and the Unite union.

Toyota still in US top three - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The US sales of Toyota vehicles declined nearly 9 percent in February.

Chrysler decides on Fiat chief - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The Chrysler Group in the US has named a new executive to head the reintroduction of the Fiat brand to the local market.

Northern Rock reports lower losses - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The Northern Rock bank in the UK has announced good progress throughout 2009 as it prepares to be sold.

Direct flights to Hawaii resume from Orange County - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California has been given permission to once again run flights to and from the Hawaiian islands.

Russian caviar lovers have a new blend - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
A Russian company has gone to Argentina to increase its supply of caviar.

Chile earthquake cost insurers up to $7 bn - Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Last month's magnitude-8.8 earthquake in Chile cost insurance companies between 2.92 billion euros ($4 billion) and 5.15 billion euros ($7 billion), an insurance firm said.

Gulf company to build in Indonesia - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Gulf company, Emaar Properties, has announced it will restart discussions with the Indonesian government on a project that was postponed during the economic crisis.

Vietnam's stelae declared Unesco World Heritage Site - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has declared the 82 stelae of the Temple of Literature in Vietnam as a World Heritage Site, Prensa Latina reported.

Skin transplant raises hope for vitiligo patients - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Doctors at Henry Ford Hospital have shown that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective for treating vitiligo.

Stress broadens men's 'mating' tastes - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The mating business just got more complex: A new study has found that when stressed, men get drawn to a wider range of women.

Owen told his England career is not over - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has been told that his England career is not over, despite being ruled out of the World Cup with injury.

Nasdaq bubble remembered ten years on - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
It is ten years since the dotcom bubble burst.

Chinese car company to have plant in US - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
The Los Angeles Business Journal has reported that Chinese car maker BYD may build an assembly plant in Los Angeles County.