January residential electricity rates will fall slightly on O'ahu, but rise on Maui, the Big Island and Kaua'i, the utilities said.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said the typical 600-kilowatt-hour bill for O'ahu residential customers will dip to $145, from $145.09 in December.

The effective rate for electricity in Honolulu is declining to 22.66 cents per kilowatt hour, from 22.67 cents last month.

Elsewhere in the state:

• Maui customers will see their rates rise to 28.10 cents, from 26.20 cents in December. The typical Maui bill will be $176.64.

• Big Island residential rates will increase to 33.16 cents, from 31.37 cents that was charged per kilowatt hour last month.

The typical bill will be $210.07.

• Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative's January rate is rising to 34.84 cents, from 34.60 cents charged last month.

Hawaiian Electric noted the rate for O'ahu is still below the 32.5 cents per kilowatt hour paid in September 2008, when the effects of record-high oil prices were being felt. Hawai'i's statewide average for electricity is the highest in the nation.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES BEST AT BEING ON TIME

Hawaiian Airlines had the nation's best record in November when it came to flights arriving on time, or within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival times.

The Honolulu-based carrier completed 93.3 percent of its flights on time, compared with the 88.6 percent average for the 19 largest U.S. airlines.

Hawaiian also was second-best in mishandled baggage during the month and No. 3 in least consumer complaints, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation report.

HAWAI'I NO. 17 IN ONLINE JOB DATA REPORT

The unemployed population in Hawai'i in November was more than triple the number of online advertisements for job vacancies, according to a new report.

The Conference Board's latest online job data report shows Hawai'i's ratio of unemployed to ads was 3.27 during the month.

That was better than the national average of 4.54 unemployed people for every online help-wanted ad during the month; Hawai'i ranked 17th best among states.

The report from the Conference Board also reflects higher unemployment on the Neighbor Islands in that Honolulu's supply-to-demand rate is much lower than the overall statewide ratio.

The report said Honolulu had 2.18 unemployed people for every advertisement. That was sixth-best among 52 metropolitan areas studied.

ENERGY FOCUS OF BRIEFING AT CAPITOL

The Hawai'i Energy Policy Forum will provide a briefing on the state of energy in the Islands today at the state Capitol auditorium, followed by an opportunity to meet with leaders in the industry.

The briefing will begin at 10 a.m. and feature presentations by experts and principal players in the industry, including state Energy Administrator Ted Peck.

The presentations are scheduled to last until 11:15 a.m. and will be followed by a "Meet the Energy Experts" session on the fourth-flour concourse of the Capitol building.

Representatives from renewable energy sectors along with government representatives will be able to meet and discuss how the state is approaching clean energy.

More information is available at www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu.

NEW HECO GUIDES OFFER WAYS TO SAVE

Hawaiian Electric Co. has published two guides to help small businesses and commercial kitchens save money on their power bills.

The company said its "Ways to Save at Work" offers workplace tips. HECO said the guide is written in a straightforward manner and is intended to help small businesses that want to shave their electricity bills but don't have time to do research.

The utility also has produced "Power to Save for Small Business" to help firms that want to launch energy conservation programs. It includes estimated costs to operate common equipment and appliances.

The guides are available at Hawaiian Electric's Web site, www.heco.com.

They also can be picked up at service desks at 900 Richards St. and 820 Ward Ave., or by calling 543-7511.

In addition, HECO said the guides are available at the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program, the Hawaii Women's Business Center and Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network offices.

4-HOUR BIOFUEL TEST A SUCCESS, FIRM SAYS

Independent power producer Kalaeloa Partners LP said it successfully ran its cogeneration plant with biofuel derived from palm oil during a four-hour test.

The firm said it ran its twin combustion turbines at a full load for about four hours and that it was able to change over from its normal fuel of diesel and fuel oil without performance problems.

Kalaeloa Partners, which sells its electrical output to Hawaiian Electric Co., said biofuel use improves emission levels and offers flexibility as HECO moves toward more renewable energy generation.