BUSINESS BRIEFS
Fuel pipeline fix expected today
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Tesoro Corp. officials said they hoped to complete repairs today on a ruptured pipeline that spilled from 2,100 to 2,520 gallons of aviation fuel at the company's Kapolei refinery.
Monday's rupture was caused by a contractor, said Tesoro spokesman Nathan Hokama. The pipeline, which provides fuel to Honolulu International Airport, remained shut down while the damage was assessed. The shutdown was not expected to affect airport customers, which could be supplied via a barge if necessary, Hokama said.
"It's likely that the pipeline could be back in service by sometime tomorrow," he said.
The spill, which caused a temporary plant evacuation, was reported to authorities, Hokama said.
LOCAL COFFEE MUG FEATURED ON TV
A honu coffee mug that was designed by a local company is being featured in a new TV campaign ad for Folgers Gourmet Selections coffee.
The ad shows actress Chandra Wilson holding the honu mug designed by Lee Ceramics, which has a studio in Waialua on the North Shore. The studio is run by brother and sister R. Jeff Lee and Carol Lee.
Jeff Lee said Wilson selected the honu (turtle) mug after rejecting an array of mugs offered to her for the commercial shoot. Lee said the mug belonged to the owner of the home where the commercial was being filmed.
FRESH PAPAYA PRODUCTION UP
Hawai'i's July fresh papaya production rose 40 percent from the same month a year ago to an estimated 2.4 million pounds.
Year-to-date sales for the first seven months of 2007 rose 5 percent to 15.4 million pounds, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Warm summer weather continued in July, encouraging flowering and fruit set.
