BUSINESS BRIEFS
Solar-powered sweets in works
Advertiser Staff
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Hawaiian Host Chocolate Candies can now boast solar-powered sweets.
That's because the company is using electricity generated by photovoltaic panels at its Honolulu chocolate-making factory and its macadamia nut processing plant in Kona.
The company, which specializes in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, contracted Energy Industries LLC to install two photovoltaic systems that can generate a total of 200 kilowatts of renewable electricity from sunlight.
Hawaiian Host expects the move will also reduce its annual electricity consumption by 340,000-kilowatt hours and save $95,000 each year on its electric bills. The company entered into net energy metering agreements with the Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Hawaiian Electric Light Co. on the Big Island to feed into the electricity grids any excess power generated by the systems.
MESA, MOKULELE TO END CODE-SHARE
The parent of go! airline today said it will end its code-share agreement with Mokulele Airlines about a month earlier than scheduled.Mesa Air Group said the code-share with Mokulele, dubbed go!Express, will cease tomorrow. The code-share, which covers flights serving smaller interisland routes, was supposed to end April 28.
The move comes after Indianapolis-based Republic Airways last week took a 50 percent stake in Mokulele and replaced CEO Bill Boyer.
Mesa said passengers will be accommodated on flights operated by Hawaii Island Air Inc., a new code-share agreement between go! and Island Air.
FIRST HAWAIIAN AFFILIATE WINS AWARD
First Hawaiian Bank's investment affiliate, Banc- West Investment Services, has been recognized with the 2008 Award of Excellence by the Bank Insurance and Securities Association.The BISA is the nation's largest trade association serving investment and insurance programs.
"BWIS continuously works with customers to develop strategies for retirement planning. The program helps our clients achieve their objectives through consistent performance, growth and excellence in customer service," said Don Horner, chairman and chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank. "This award provides added confidence for our clients knowing that they are working with one of the best investment programs in the nation."
The annual BISA award recognizes a bank's insurance, securities or combined program that best exemplifies excellence in implementing and con- ducting best practices in the industry. BancWest Investment Services was selected by the BISA board of directors from among dozens of other peer programs from across the U.S.
ALAMO TO RUN MOLOKA'I CONCESSION
Alamo said it has won the bid to run the car rental concession at the Moloka'i airport.Alamo will take over the concession June 1, filling a void that will be created by the departures of Budget and Dollar on May 31.
"Rates will include special kama'aina and corporate programs along with retail pricing," said Paul Kopel, Alamo's vice president and general manager for Hawai'i.
"In addition, we intend to hire locally to staff our growing operations. This is a great opportunity to work with residents and become an integral part of the island community we serve."
