Tesoro restarts refinery after power failure

Tesoro Corp. began restarting some of its refinery process units on Wednesday at its 95,000 barrel-a-day Hawaii plant after a power loss Tuesday forced workers to shut all units. The remaining units should be up and running by Friday, Tesoro Hawaii spokesman Nathan Hokama said Wednesday. He said the shutdown is not expected to affect the islands’ fuel supply. The power was disrupted due to a failure in an electrical substation, said Mike Marcy, a Martinez, Calif.-based Tesoro spokesman.

APEC offers high school essay contest

The APEC Hawaii Host Committee, in partnership with the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Hawaii Department of Education, is offering an essay contest for students in grades 9 through 12 to take part in the Nov. 7-13 APEC Leaders’ Week. The contest aims to develop a deeper understanding of Hawaii on an international level and to produce youth participation in APEC. Five winners will be selected and provided exclusive access to the APEC CEO Summit for a chance to hear President Barack Obama address attendees.

The contest asks applicants to submit an essay of up to 750 words answering the question "Why is sustainability important to you, Hawaii and APEC?" Students should focus on Hawaii’s economic future and the role that sustainability plays in balancing the needs of Hawaii’s growing economy while protecting its environment and resources in a socially responsible way. The students also should articulate the importance of sustainability and how sustainable practices will lead to an improved quality of life now and in the future.

Five essays will be selected by a committee based on the level of reader engagement and interest, content, organization and mechanics, and style. Winning student authors also will receive an Apple iPad and have their essays placed on the APEC Hawaii Host Committee website. Winners residing on the neighbor islands will be provided with airfare and ground transportation to the APEC CEO Summit.

Students interested in applying can contact:

HAIS: Ryan Masa at ryan@hais.org or call 973-1533

DOE: Rosanna Fukuda at rosanna_fukuda@notes.k12.hi.us or call 203-5539

Essays, and all subsequent documents, much be submitted by Sept. 16. Winning entries will be announced Oct. 3.

Airlines to reap $1.3B fare windfall

U.S. airlines led by United Continental Holdings Inc. may pocket $1.3 billion in higher fares tied to the Federal Aviation Administration’s partial shutdown as Congress deadlocks on the agency’s funding.

The FAA already has been unable to collect $28.6 million a day in aviation taxes since midnight on July 22. Missed receipts may climb by $1 billion if the matter remains unresolved until lawmakers reconvene in September, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said. President Barack Obama urged congressional leaders Wednesday to reach a resolution this week.

The largest U.S. carriers, including United, Delta Air Lines Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co., stand to reap that much new revenue after raising fares to mirror the suspended taxes and keeping the difference, said Rick Seaney, CEO of Dallas-based ticket researcher FareCompare.com.

"This is manna from heaven, and a real windfall for the airlines," Seaney said. "I don’t expect them to drop the fare increases. Why would they? Total ticket prices are the same and it doesn’t seem to be hurting bookings."

Report finds service industry languishing

WASHINGTON » Service businesses such as restaurants, hotels and financial companies experienced their weakest growth in 17 months in July.

The report Wednesday from the Institute for Supply Management confirms other data that show the economy is struggling two years after the recession officially ended.

The trade group of purchasing executives said its index for services companies fell to 52.7, from 53.3 in June. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion. The ISM index covers 90 percent of the work force. It reached a five-year high of 59.7 in February, but has fallen since then.

Budweiser rolls out redesigned can

ST. LOUIS » Budweiser is getting a new look as its parent company tries to revive weak sales in the United States.

Anheuser Busch unveiled a bolder, sleeker design for its cans Wednesday that puts a heavy emphasis on the "bow tie" design it has made a focus in recent marketing.

It’s the 12th redesign since Anheuser-Busch began offering Budweiser in cans in 1936.

ON THE MOVE

The Oahu Visitors Bureau has hired Kainoa Daines as director of sales. His responsibilities include travel trade curriculum development, global sales initiatives and assisting with marketing efforts.

Heide & Cook executive vice president and chief financial officer Dexter Kekua has retired after 16 years. He has spent more than 35 years in the finance profession.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii has named Gregg Lundberg general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali. Lundberg has been in the hospitality industry for 24 years.

North Hawaii Community Hospital has named Jason Paret chief financial officer. He was formerly a chief financial officer for Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has promoted Michael Yamane to chief of operations from engineering manager. He will be responsible for transmission and distribution, engineering, production, legislative and regulatory affairs and safety.

The General Services Administration has appointed Ruth F. Cox regional administrator of GSA’s Pacific Rim Region. She will oversee acquisition and management operations in Hawaii, Arizona, California and Nevada.

Tony Group creates festival atmosphere for open house Saturday in Waipio

Tony Group Autoplex in Waipio will unveil the 2012 Volkswagen Passat during its "Taste of Tony" open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Hoku Zuttermeister and other local entertainers have been hired to perform while six Oahu restaurants will offer food, and other businesses including T-Mobile, T&T Perfect Nails and Help-U-Sell will have booths set up for shoppers.

Restaurants include Chili’s Grill & Bar, Fat Boy’s, Popeye’s, DK Smoked Ribs, Taco Del Mar and Big City Diner.

The festival-like event was arranged to attract customers to the dealership for the Passat unveiling.