BUSINESS BRIEFS
Deadline Friday for O'o awards
Advertiser Staff
Friday is the deadline for nominations for the annual O'o awards presented by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce.
Inaugurated in 1976, the O'o Awards recognize Hawaiians who have made significant contributions to improve their communities and the status of Native Hawaiians.
For more information, call 540-4637 or visit www.native hawaiian.cc.
LIHU'E-KONA FLIGHT OFFERED
Island Air will launch a new daily roundtrip flight between Kaua'i and the Big Island beginning Sept. 5.
The new direct flight linking Lihu'e and Kona is the first any airline has offered between the two destinations in more than 10 years, Island Air said.
"Our goal is to continue to invest in the community by making traveling between the islands easier, and this new route provides a convenient nonstop option for our customers," said Les Murashige, Island Air chief operating officer.
HOME LOAN PROGRAM WIDENS
A Seattle-based bank has expanded a reduced-cost home loan program in Hawai'i by extending participation to employees of private companies and county governments.
HomeStreet Bank's Hometown Home Loan Program offers discounted closing costs and fees on the bank's full range of loan products.
The 12-year-old program previously had been limited to members of AFL-CIO-affiliated unions, but now is available to municipalities and private employers. There is no cost to employers, which promote the program that the bank said can save up to $2,500 in loan fees.
Aloha Petroleum, which employs 350, is the first local employer to sign up. About 220 Hawai'i customers have used the program since 1999.
