Waikiki towers OK’d

The City Council paves the way for the first new Waikiki shoreline tower in decades by approving Kyo-Ya’s $700 million redevelopment plan to build a new 26-story tower on Waikiki Beach where the Diamond Head wing of the Moana Surfrider now stands. The Council also approves a new 33-story Pikake tower on the site of the Princess Kaiulani property and agrees to the renovation of the existing 29-story Ainahau tower. » Full story

Hawaiian Air debuts Japanese site

Hawaiian Airlines has introduced a Japanese-language website, www.HawaiianAirlines.co.jp, as the carrier prepares for the Nov. 17 launch from Honolulu of its nonstop daily service to Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport.

Tickets will go on sale as soon as Hawaiian receives approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The new website offers many of the features of the English-language version, including the booking engine for all destinations that Hawaiian serves. HawaiianMiles frequent-flier membership enrollment on the Japanese website will be offered in the weeks ahead, the company said.

Other highlights of the new website are travel guide information about each of the islands, registration for e-mail updates regarding specials and service from Haneda, and itineraries in Japanese after tickets are purchased.

Agricultural leaders sought for awards

The Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii is seeking nominations for its Heroes of Agriculture, Food and Environment Awards. The awards will be presented at the 2010 Hawaii Agriculture Conference, Sept. 23-24 at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina.

Awards will be given in seven categories: Hawaii’s oldest commercial farm; young family member or members taking over a farm operation; an employee or team that supports the owner and helps keep the farm in "top shape"; a farm entrepreneur who does business with excellence; a food business or school that does business with excellence; an environmental supporter who does their work with excellence; and a government, nonprofit or individual supporter of agriculture, food or the environment.

Nomination applications are due by Aug. 31 and are available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/XNMW8ZL.

American charging for seats in front

NEW YORK » American Airlines has found another fee.

The Fort Worth, Texas, airline said yesterday it is now charging between $19 and $39 for "Express Seats" — those spots in the first few rows of coach that include bulkhead seats.

The carrier, which is operated by parent AMR Corp., is following in the footsteps of several other airlines that already charge for special seats. UAL Corp.’s United Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit and AirTran all have some seats that cost extra.

The seats on American can be bought only at airport kiosks between 24 hours and 50 minutes before the flight for travel within the United States.

Target net up, but forecast cautious

NEW YORK » Target Corp. is counting on driving customers into its stores in the coming months with two weapons: a 5 percent discount for its store credit-card holders and an emphasis on food.

Even with those enticements, the company offered a conservative sales outlook as a slowing economy weighs down its expectations.

The cautious view comes as Target reported a 14.3 percent increase in net income as improved business in its credit-card division, cost-cutting and strong demand for its stylish fashions, which carry fat profit margins, overcame disappointing sales.

Target’s net income was $679 million, or 92 cents a share, in the period ended July 31. That compares with $4594 million, or 79 cents a share, a year ago.

But revenue came in below expectations at $15.53 billion, up 3.1 percent. Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 1.7 percent.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected 92 cents per share on revenue of $15.62 billion.