BUSINESS BRIEFS
Video explains extra excise tax
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Business and individuals needing help understanding the state's new 0.5 percent O'ahu excise tax surcharge can click into a 26-minute informational video on the state Tax Department's Web site, www.hawaii.gov/tax.
The program provides basic information on the tax that's added to the 4 percent general excise tax and is being used to pay for O'ahu's new mass transit system.
The video includes information on how businesses can fill out forms.
MESA AIR GROUP STOCK DROPS 10%
Mesa Air Group stock fell 10 percent yesterday after an airline industry analyst downgraded the company's stock because of higher maintenance costs.
Mesa, which owns local interisland carrier go!, closed at $7.20 on on the Nasdaq stock market, down 80 cents from Monday's close.
Calyon Securities Ray Neidl lowered his rating for Mesa to "neutral" from "add," saying Mesa is under heavy pressure over its United Airlines contract performance following flight cancellations beyond its control.
Neidl also said Mesa's fleet is demanding higher maintenance costs.
PLANNING KALIHI REVITALIZATION
The city will sponsor an economic summit on revitalizing Kalihi, from 4 to 7 p.m. April 26 at the Farrington High School auditorium.
City economic development director Ann Chung, said the event aims to bring residents, businesses, community leaders, private organizations and the city together "to come up with practical, concrete ideas to make Kalihi a better place to live, work and raise families."
A wide range of participants have been invited, from the Kalihi Business Association and Kamehameha Schools to the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.
