Hawaiian and ANA form cargo pact

Hawaiian Airlines and All Nippon Airways said yesterday they will begin a cargo code-sharing agreement between Honolulu and Tokyo beginning tomorrow. Under the agreement, ANA will place its code on Hawaiian’s Haneda-Honolulu service, which began on Nov. 17. ANA began service from Haneda International Airport to Honolulu on Oct. 31. The new code-share covers cargo shipped directly from Haneda to Honolulu. The airlines also hope to tap the market for freight between local cities throughout Japan and other Asian cities, and American cities beyond Honolulu.

Navy receives fuel-cell vehicle

The Navy has taken delivery of one of the state’s first GM fuel cell vehicles as part of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative.

General Motors and 11 partner companies, agencies and universities in Hawaii announced a commitment Dec. 8 to promote the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the state. GM said it would bring in 20 of its hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox SUVs by the end of the year as part of the program. The goal of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative is to install as many as 25 hydrogen fueling stations in the state by 2015.

The Gas Co., which will supply the hydrogen for the fleet of Chevrolet Equinox SUVs, is moving ahead with its plans to install the first nonmilitary hydrogen fueling station at its Kamakee Street facility in Kakaako. The Equinox and other hydrogen-powered vehicles use fuel cells rather than internal combustion engines as their motor.

Sopogy to build solar unit in China

Honolulu-based Sopogy Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company to build a 200-megawatt concentrated solar power system in China. Sopogy plans to team up with Yu Hao Long Corp. to build the power plant for the China National Utility. The MOU also formalized a plan to demonstrate the combined system in Hawaii during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next year in Honolulu. Sopogy’s concentrated solar power technology will be paired with Yu Hao Long’s patented Stirling generators to produce renewable energy. Heat produced by the system will be captured in thermal energy storage tanks that will provide firm and reliable energy during the day into the evening peak hours, said Darren Kimura, Sopogy president and chief executive officer.

Facebook CEO scoping out China

BEIJING » Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg toured the offices of Baidu Inc., China’s top search engine, yesterday during a visit that has sparked speculation the social networking magnate is looking for business opportunities in the world’s largest Internet market. Facebook is blocked on the mainland, but Zuckerberg has expressed a business interest in China and has studied Mandarin.

Toyota to pay $32.4M in extra fines

WASHINGTON » Toyota Motor Corp. has agreed to pay the government a record $32.4 million in additional fines to settle an investigation into its handling of two recalls at the heart of its safety crisis, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press. The civil penalties will settle investigations into how Toyota dealt with recalls over accelerator pedals that could get trapped in floor mats and steering relay rods that could break and lead to drivers losing control. The person spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of a formal announcement.

The latest settlement, on top of a $16.4 million fine Toyota paid earlier in a related investigation, brings the total penalties levied on the company to $48.8 million.

On the Move

The Oahu Concierge magazine has named Yumi Kumamaru Faulhaber Concierge of the Year. She has worked for Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel since May 2005.

The Honolulu Board of Realtors has announced Mary Flood as the 2010 Realtor of the Year as well as the Aloha Aina Realtor award recipient. She is vice president of sales and marketing for D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes and has been in the real estate industry for more than 30 years.

Island Insurance employees have collected and delivered more than 700 pounds of supplies and food for the Institute for Human Services. The agency is the only 24-hour walk-in emergency shelter on Oahu that operates two facilities to help men, women and children with emergency food, shelter, supportive case management, housing placement and employment support.

Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union has donated $20,000 to Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network. The funds are raised to provide care for Hawaii’s children and often assist children who are uninsured or underinsured. All money raised in Hawaii stays in Hawaii to help our community.