BUSINESS BRIEFS
Firm closes deal on 18 gas stations
Aloha Petroleum said yesterday it has closed on its acquisition of 18 Mahalo gas stations on O'ahu.
The purchase, from Trustreet Properties Inc., was finalized on Sept. 27. The acquisition includes purchase of half-interest in a fuel storage terminal, the other half of which was already owned by Aloha Petroleum.
Aloha Petroleum President Bob Maynard said most of the stations will take on the Aloha brand name, and all stations will receive a thorough make-over. Most of the convenience stores will take Aloha's own Island Mini-Mart brand, with seven of them remaining under the 7-Eleven brand.
HAWAIIAN KEEPS ON-TIME TITLE
For the second month in a row Hawaiian Airlines in August was rated the nation's best airline for on-time performance, fewest flights canceled, and baggage handling.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said 97.4 percent of Hawaiian's flights arrived on time in August, well above the industry average of 75.2 percent. It marked the 22nd straight month that Hawaiian led in punctuality.
SAMOA WAGE RATES INCREASED
The U.S. Department of Labor yesterday announced mandatory minimum wage rate increases for American Samoa. The rate increases will apply to all government employees and several of the covered private sector industries.
The new hourly rates for various industries will be implemented in two phases effective Oct. 18, 2005, and Oct. 1, 2006. The new rates for the two phases are as follows: government, $2.84 and $2.91; ship maintenance, $3.42 and $3.51; hotel Industry, $2.93 and $3; travel services, $3.39 and $3.48; and miscellaneous activities, $2.63 and $2.70.
ECONOMY PANEL HAS WEB SITE
The Economic Momentum Commission has launched a Web site (www.emc-hawaii .com) to allow the public to follow the commission's work and submit ideas.
The goal of the Commission, originally announced by Gov. Linda Lingle, is to generate ideas to ensure Hawaii's economic vitality over the long term. The EMC, chaired by First Hawaiian Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Don Horner, is comprised of 30 private sector leaders and public officials.
