Go! Mokulele air traffic falls

Go! Mokulele’s passenger traffic fell 7.7 percent in June as the interisland carrier reduced the number of available seats.

The Hawaii operation of Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. said yesterday that it carried 61,962 passengers compared with 67,150 in the year-earlier period. Go! Mokulele’s load factor slipped 0.1 percentage point to 70.96 percent from 71.10 percent.

Available seat miles, each of which represents one seat flown one mile, declined 15.2 percent to 11.4 million from 13.4 million. Revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, dropped 15.4 percent to 8.1 million from 9.6 million.

HVCB team heads to Vancouver

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is leading a statewide sales team to Vancouver, British Columbia, to generate new business opportunities for the state.

More than 2,500 meeting professionals from around the world – of which 40 percent will be meeting planners – are expected to attend a four-day conference that begins Saturday.

Leading the HVCB sales team is Michael Murray, vice president of sales and marketing, and Adele Tasaka, senior director of accounts.

State agencies team up on e-permits

The Hawaii Department of Health has formed a partnership with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for the development of an electronic permitting system that will streamline the environmental permit process for clean energy projects and other regulated businesses.

As part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, DBEDT will provide $375,000 in federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist in the system development.

Mobi PCS adds Kauai cell site

Mobi PCS has upgraded its 3G voice and Hele Wireless Broadband networks on Kauai with the activation of a new cell site in Kalaheo.

The new site addition provides enhanced in-building and street coverage throughout the residential areas of Kalaheo, as well as along Kaumualii Highway toward Hanapepe and Lawai. It also improves coverage for the town’s Kukui o Lono Golf Course.

The company said it has activated eight new cell sites to date in 2010. New sites in Waikiki, Halawa Valley, Ewa Beach and at Yokohama Bay on Oahu; Waikapu on Maui; and Ocean View and Kau on the Big Island were previously announced.

Electric car equipment deadline near

The state is reminding businesses, nonprofit groups and government agencies that Monday is the deadline to apply for federal grants for the installation of commercial electric vehicle charging equipment.

A total of $3 million is available through the program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and administered by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. DBEDT said it expects to award from two to seven grants ranging from $30,000 to $2 million each.

For information on how to apply, go to hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy and click on "Hawaii EV Ready Rebate and Grant Program."

ON THE MOVE

Hawaii Human Resources has promoted Valentina Haberman to office manager/operations support. She was previously executive assistant to Matthew Delaney, HiHR chief executive officer and president.

Sopogy has elected Rose Tseng to its board of directors. She is currently chancellor emerita at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The Rotary Club of Ala Moana has elected the following new officers for 2010-2011: George Ing, president and head of the leadership team; Greg Concilla, president-elect; Richard Kagehiro, vice president/sergeant-at-arms; Kevin McCrary, secretary; and Candice Naito, treasurer. Board of directors: Dave Berry, Mary Ann Berry, Rich Courson, Ed Fong, Gwenette Higa, Sam Shenkus, Sam Ustare and Kristine Westmoreland.

Friends of Hawaii Charities has awarded $5,000 to ORI at Helemano Plantation in Wahiawa. The award will help ORI better serve seniors and the developmentally disabled on Oahu.