KHON hires Mori to report on traffic

Former state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tammy Mori will rejoin KHON-TV Jan. 31 to provide viewers of the "Wake Up 2day" morning news show traffic and road project information each weekday morning. She had previously provided a regular traffic alert for the show on behalf of the DOT, which she joined in 2008.

"I’m excited to continue bringing KHON2 viewers the most up-to-date road project and traffic information," said Mori in a statement. "Traffic in Hawaii is one of the most stressful things that all of us face in our everyday lives."

The station has obtained a new, computerized live-data traffic system with mapping, traffic-flow and incident data that Mori will use for her reports, which are to be aired in conjunction with reports from KSSK-FM 92.3/AM 590 radio traffic reporter Jason Yotsuda.

‘Off the Map’ second in key ratings

ABC TV’s "Off the Map" slipped a bit in the overall ratings in its second episode Wednesday night but the Hawaii-based drama about doctors in the jungle finished a close second in the show’s key target audience of adults 18-49, according to Nielsen ratings released by the network.

Overall, the CBS show "Blue Bloods," airing on a new night, won the hour with 12.3 million viewers. NBC’s "Law & Order: SVU" was second with 7 million viewers.

"Off the Map," which films most of its episodes on a farm in Whitmore Village, drew 5.8 million viewers. When it premiered last week, it drew 7.5 million viewers.

For its key adult audience, "Off the Map" attracted 2.1 percent of the total TV viewing audience and 6 percent of those who were watching TV Wednesday night.

Those numbers put the show behind "Law & Order: SVU" (2.3/7) but just ahead of "Blue Bloods" (2/7), ABC said.

Pacific Honolulu tower tops off

Vertical construction work on the 46-story Pacifica Honolulu condominium tower in Kakaako is done.

The developer, OliverMcMillan, plans a "topping off" ceremony tomorrow in observance of construction industry tradition.

About 80 percent of residences, or roughly 390 of 489 units in the building, have been sold. Prices for remaining one- and two-bedroom units start at $440,000. One business, Doraku Sushi, also is on board to occupy commercial space in the building, the developer announced.

The tower at 1009 Kapiolani Blvd. near McKinley High School is on pace to open in late fall.

Construction started four years ago on the tower formerly known as Moana Vista, but stopped in 2008 after the initial developer ran into financing and sales trouble. Work resumed last year after OliverMcMillan bought the property in a deal that averted a foreclosure auction. 

30-year mortgage rate rises to 4.74%

NEW YORK » The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose slightly this week, following increases in Treasury yields.

The average rate rose to 4.74 percent this week from 4.71 percent the previous week, Freddie Mac said yesterday. The average rate on the 15-year loan, a popular refinance option, slipped to 4.05 percent from 4.08 percent.

The 30-year loan rate reached a 40-year low of 4.17 percent in November, and the 15-year mortgage rate fell to 3.57 percent, the lowest level on records dating back to 1991.

The average rate on one-year adjustable-rate home loans rose to 3.25 percent from 3.23 percent.

ON THE MOVE

Jordan Segundo has been selected for a new position called "Fox VIP" at KHON2. His responsibilities include providing information on new Fox episodes and shows, relaying scoops of what’s happening with the stars on other shows and spreading the word about what’s "hot" in the entertainment scene. Segundo was Hawaii’s first "American Idol" contestant, where he was chosen as one of the top 32 finalists in the show’s second season.

RevoluSun has hired Julian Ritchey as an independent project developer. He will be responsible for working with commercial and residential customers to find the best financing options and solar systems to meet their needs. Ritchey has 30 years of customer service experience and was previously manager for Max’s Wine Dive in Houston.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced Gervin Lincoln as the newest Realtor-associate of its King Street office. He has spent more than 25 years in the retail industry, including serving as district manager at Borders and holding executive positions with Liberty House, Duty Free and Hilo Hattie.