Job losses last year took a toll on Hawai'i's heavily unionized work force, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that said the number of union members in the Islands decreased by 13,000.

Despite the drop, Hawai'i still had the second-highest concentration of unionized workers, at 23.5 percent of wage and salary workers, behind New York at 25.2 percent. Alaska was third at 22.3 percent. The national rate was 12.3 percent.

Hawai'i was one of 21 states in which union membership rates declined. The rate rose in 24 states and was unchanged in five states.

HAWAIIAN SIGNS FOR ADDITIONAL AIRBUS JET

Hawaiian Airlines is accelerating plans to expand service in Asia and other markets with the purchase of an additional Airbus A330-200.

The latest announcement is for the purchase of an A330-200 to be delivered in the the second quarter of 2011, the company said in a news release. The plane is in addition to the nine that Hawaiian has commitments for through 2014.

The first three A330s to join Hawaiian's fleet will be leased, and are scheduled to arrive in April, May and November this year.

Separately, the Department of Transportation reported that Hawaiian Airlines was the nation's highest-ranked carrier in January for on-time performance, fewest cancellations and fewest misplaced bags.

VERIZON OPENS 'EVOLUTION' KAPOLEI STORE

Verizon Wireless has opened one of its new-concept "evolution" communications stores in Kapolei.

The store offers consumers hands-on interaction with wireless voice, data, music and video services. The store, which opened Friday, is at 4450 Kapolei Parkway, Building C.

It is among the first Verizon Wireless retail locations in the nation to apply for LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, Verizon said.

— Advertiser Staff