BUSINESS BRIEFS
Hoku Scientific to discuss earnings
Advertiser staff
Hoku Scientific Inc., the Kapolei-based clean energy company, has scheduled a quarterly conference call for 11 a.m. Oct. 23 during which it will discuss financial results for the three-month period ending Sept. 30.
Hoku said the call will follow the release of its earnings after markets close in New York that day. People interested in the call with analysts and investors may listen to a webcast that will be accessible through Hoku's Web site. A replay will be available on the site.
During the quarter Hoku announced several new contracts for a polysilicon plant it is building in Idaho as well as new photovoltaic installation contracts in Hawai'i.
MOBI PCS DEPLOYS 25 NEW CELL SITES
Mobi PCS said it has deployed 25 new cell sites on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, Moloka'i and the Big Island since the start of the year.
The wireless telephone carrier said it had installed the sites to expand coverage on Moloka'i and enhance service so there are fewer dropped calls and clearer in-building and outdoor reception.
The company said its customers make almost 2 million calls daily on its network. It said it averages a dropped-call rate of 1.5 percent statewide.
BOYD GAMING SHARES DOWNGRADED
Shares of Boyd Gaming, the Nevada company whose Las Vegas casino and hotels are popular with Hawai'i residents, were downgraded at Susquehanna Financial. The rating was changed to "neutral" from "positive."
The downgrade came after a report last week that Las Vegas strip casino gambling revenue had declined for an eighth straight month. The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported gambling proceeds on the strip fell 7.4 percent in August to $494 million.
It also reported that revenue for all casinos in Nevada fell 8.1 percent in August from a year earlier, Bloomberg News said.
Proceeds from Clark County, which includes downtown Las Vegas and the strip, fell 9.4 percent.
HORIZON LINES TO RELEASE RESULTS
Horizon Lines Inc., the No. 2 carrier of ocean cargo between the Mainland and Hawai'i, said it will release third quarter results before the open of markets on Oct. 24.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based company has scheduled a conference call for investors and analysts that day at 5 a.m. Hawai'i time. The call and a replay of it will be accessible through the company's Web site. Horizon executives will discuss the company third-quarter developments and financial results.
STIFEL NICOLAUS COVERS BANK OF HAWAII
Bank of Hawaii Corp., the No. 2 local bank by assets, is among the banks being covered by Stifel Nicolaus financial analysts in an expansion of coverage. The firm began coverage of Bank of Hawaii with a "hold" rating, according to www.Briefing.com.
Stifel Nicolaus also initiated coverage of Washington Federal and Westamerica Bancorporation with hold ratings.
HOANA MEDICAL TO PRESENT FINDINGS
Hoana Medical, a Honolulu-based medical device maker, said its Chief Strategic Officer T. Heather Herdman will present the findings of a clinical study of its vigilance technology at the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress later this month.
Herdman will present the findings of "Nurses' Role in Early Recognition," and discuss the company's LifeBed Patient Vigilance System that helps provide an alert network while invisibly tracking a patient's basic vital signs and bed exit attempts.
