Economic data mixed

WASHINGTON » New government data offered a mixed picture of the economic recovery yesterday, as U.S. manufacturing activity grew in July at the fastest pace in nearly a year while the outlook for the housing market remained dim. Auto plants stayed open when they normally close for summer renovations, and businesses replaced worn-out equipment. That helped lift factory output 1.1 percent. But single-family home construction fell 4.2 percent.

Organ Donor Center changes name

The Organ Donor Center of Hawaii has moved into new offices and changed its name to Legacy of Life Hawaii.

"After significant reflection, research and long-term observation of community reactions to the name ‘Organ Donor Center of Hawaii,’ it has become apparent that the term ‘Legacy of Life Hawaii’ better describes our mission and our value to both donors and recipients," said Executive Director Steve Kula. "We feel it more accurately illustrates the very significant worth of this courageous act (donation) to potential donors and donor families, as well as to recipients."

Along with its new name, the organization has moved into new quarters in the Kuakini Physicians Tower, about a mile from its old location on Bethel Street in Chinatown.

New state Data Book is available

The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has released the 2009 edition of the State of Hawaii Data Book at its website, www.hawaii.gov/dbedt.

The Data Book covers a broad range of statistical information in areas such as population, education, labor, energy, business enterprises, government, tourism and transportation.

Among the facts included in the latest edition:

» From 2006 to 2008, the top language other than English spoken at home in Hawaii was Tagalog, with about 52,600 people speaking this language at home.

» On a typical day in Hawaii in 2009, there were 1,391,017 people in the state, including 165,082 visitors.

» In 2009 the median age of Hawaii’s felon population was 35.7 years as compared with 10 years earlier, when the median age was 33.7 years.

GM recalls 250,000 vehicles

WASHINGTON » General Motors Co. is recalling nearly 250,000 crossover vehicles worldwide to inspect second-row seat belts that could be damaged and not latch.

GM said yesterday the recall affects 2009-2010 models of the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.

Most of the 243,403 recalled vehicles are in the United States, but some are in Canada, Mexico and elsewhere.

The Detroit automaker said the seat-belt buckle could be damaged when the seat back is returned to an upright position. That could make the buckle appear to latch when it does not.

All-You-Can-Jet passes return

NEW YORK » JetBlue is bringing back its popular All-You-Can-Jet pass, which allows anyone to travel to an unlimited number of cities over a one-month period.

It’s a chance for the airline to fill empty seats during what is traditionally the slowest time of the year and hopefully, for JetBlue, to create the same wide-ranging social buzz it generated last year when it launched the promotion for the first time. And for consumers with wanderlust, stamina, $700 or, better yet, a combination of all three, it’s a continual ticket to any destination in the U.S. and Caribbean for 30 days.

The pass is valid for flights between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6, the company announced yesterday. There are two price tiers: an unlimited pass for $699 or a $499 pass that excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays.

Food costs boost wholesale prices

WASHINGTON » Wholesale prices rose last month for the first time since March on higher costs for food, autos, pickup trucks and pharmaceuticals.

The Labor Department said yesterday that the Producer Price Index, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, rose by 0.2 percent in July, after three months of declines.

On the Move

St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii has named Paul Chun as chief financial officer. He previously served as an interim controller for St. Francis Healthcare System while a consultant of Resources Global Professionals in its Honolulu office.

Territorial Bancorp has announced that Kirk W. Caldwell and Harold H. Ohama were elected to serve for three-year terms on the board of directors.

Duke’s Waikiki has promoted the following:

» Dylan Ching to general manager from assistant general manager. His experience includes working various positions at Leilani’s on the Beach, which is another T S Restaurant.
» Andrew Crocker to assistant general manager from assistant manager. He joined the company in 2002 and was a bar host.

The Corporate Council for the Environment has raised $220,000 for the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, which protects the native forests and near-shore waters of the main Hawaiian islands.