‘Off the Map’ outdraws predecessor

“Off the Map” might not have won the ratings war Wednesday night, but for the 11th time in the last dozen broadcasts, it outdrew the ABC show that ran in that time slot last year.

The Hawaii-based series attracted 4.2 million viewers compared with 4 million viewers a year ago when the network aired “Ugly Betty,” according to Nielsen ratings information released yesterday by the network. Last week the drama about doctors working in a remote jungle drew 4.5 million viewers.

The CBS drama “CBS’ Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” drew 9.3 million viewers Wednesday, followed by the NBC series “Law & Order: SVU” with 8.3 million viewers.

Among adults 18-49, “Off the Map” attracted 1.3 percent of the total TV viewing audience and 4 percent of those who were watching.

“Off the Map,” which is shot in a ravine in Whitmore Village and at Kua­loa Ranch, airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on KITV.

Isle partnership lands military pact

DCK-ECC Pacific LLC, a Hono­lulu partnership, won a $128 million contract Monday to provide architectural and engineering serv­ices for all phases of the U.S. Army Pacific Command and Control Facility at Fort Shafter.

Work will be performed at Schofield Barracks and is estimated to be completed by March 2014.  

The firm was one of 16 bidders through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Hono­lulu.

30-year mortgage rate rises to 4.86%

NEW YORK >> Fixed mortgage rates rose slightly this week, but the average rate on the 30-year loan remained below 5 percent.

Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 4.86 percent from 4.81 percent the previous week. It hit a 40-year low of 4.17 percent in November.    

The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage increased to 4.09 percent from 4.04 percent. It reached 3.57 percent in November, the lowest level on rec­ords dating to 1991.

The average rate on one-year adjustable-rate home loans increased to 3.26 percent from 3.21 percent. Two weeks ago the rate hit 3.17 percent, the lowest level in rec­ords starting in 1984.  

Jobless benefit applications decline

WASHINGTON >> Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that layoffs are dropping and companies might be stepping up hiring.

The Labor Department said yesterday that the number of people seeking benefits dipped by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000 for the week that ended Saturday. That’s the second decline in three weeks. Applications near 375,000 or below are consistent with a sustained increase in hiring. Applications peaked at 659,000 during the recession.

Corn crop not likely to ease inflation

ST. LOUIS >> The government predicts U.S. farmers will increase this year’s corn crop, but it won’t likely be enough to stem the rise in food prices.

Farmers intend to plant 92.2 million acres of corn this spring, 5 percent more than last year, the Agriculture Department estimated yesterday. That would be the second-biggest corn crop since 1944, after a rec­ord-setting planting in 2007. Yet the additional supply isn’t expected to keep up with growing global demand.

On the move

Mobi PCS has hired Robert A. “Rob” Kim to manage its new store at Kame­ha­meha Shopping Center. His responsibilities include training, hiring and management of store staff as well as merchandising, sales performance and product inventory. 

ProService Hawaii has appointed: 
>> Jordan Conley as chief technology officer. He was vice president of technology for CoAdvantage Holdings in Orlando, Fla. 
>> Jayson Miller as chief operating officer. He was previously vice president of operations for CoAdvantage.

Hawaii Pacific University has named Wayne Fernandez  its new associate director of security and safety. He has 29 years experience in the Hono­lulu Police Department and obtained the rank of lieutenant.

The DTRIC Insurance Group has announced the following changes: 
>> Ron Toyofuku will be shifting to the role of executive chairman from president and chief executive officer.
>> Ernest “Ernie” Fukeda Jr. to president and chief executive officer from chief operating officer.