Hawaii firms get chance to export to China
Hawaii companies are being offered an opportunity to export their products to China.
Thirteen buyers representing Chinese retailers and importers are coming to Hawaii in November to look for products to sell during the Chinese New Year gift-giving season.
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said Wednesday the buyers will look for high-end products that could be sold individually or as gift baskets. They’re seeking food, beverage, beauty and vanity products, clothes, wood products and other gift items unique to Hawaii.
The buyers are coming to the islands as part of an agreement between DBEDT and the Beijing International Brand Management Center, an agency of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Companies interested in registering for the program should contact Milton Kwock at DBEDT at 587-2759 or email him at mkwock@dbedt.hawaii.gov by Sept. 15.
Good weather leads to more isle farm help
Ideal weather conditions are helping Hawaii farms maintain operations and employ more workers, according to a midyear survey.
The local field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service said Hawaii farms employed 7,000 workers based on a July 10-16 survey. That was up 13 percent from 6,200 workers in a similar survey last July, and was up 1 percent from 6,900 workers reported in a January survey.
The increase occurred in diversified agriculture. The number of workers in sugar cane and pineapple was unchanged.
The average wage paid to all hired workers was estimated at $14.91 per hour, up 50 cents from a year ago.
Honeywell to break ground on biofuel project
Chicago-based Honeywell UOP is scheduled to break ground next week on a demonstration project in Campbell Industrial Park that will produce various types of biofuel from local feedstocks such as macadamia nut shells and coffee bean husks.
The "integrated biorefinery project," funded in part with a $25 million federal grant, will use Honeywell UOP technology to produce products chemically identical to petroleum-based fuels such as gasoline and jet fuel, said Jim Rekoske, the company’s vice president for renewable energy & chemicals.
The plant, scheduled for completion late next year, is designed to demonstrate the refining process and isn’t intended to be a commercially viable venture, Rekoske said. The refinery will be on the grounds of the Tesoro refinery.
If the technology proves successful, Honeywell UOP will license it and sell it to companies like Tesoro that could scale it up for commercial production, he said.
Honeywell UOP already has used its technology on the mainland to produce biofuels from a variety of feedstocks such as animal fat and the camelina plant.
Poll: Views on economy, Obama role sour
WASHINGTON » Americans’ views on the economy and how President Barack Obama is handling it have dimmed this summer.
More people now believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows, and confidence in Obama’s handling of the economy has slipped from just a few months ago, notably among fellow Democrats.
The survey found that 86 percent of adults see the economy as "poor," up from 80 percent in June. About half — 49 percent — said it worsened just in the past month. Only 27 percent responded that way in the June survey.
Mortgage rates rise from decades lows
WASHINGTON » Fixed mortgage rates edged up this week from their lowest levels in decades. But few have been able to capitalize on them.
The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 4.22 percent, Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s up from 4.15 percent last week, the lowest level on records dating to 1971. The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 3.44 percent. Last week it fell to 3.36 percent,
Delta to purchase 100 Boeing planes
NEW YORK » Delta Air Lines on Thursday confirmed its plan to buy 100 Boeing 737 jets as part of a fleet upgrade, with delivery set for 2013 to 2018.
The order announced Thursday is valued at $8.5 billion at list prices, although airlines commonly get discounts. The newer planes offer perks for travelers including a roomier cabin, less engine noise and more room in overhead bins. But they also have huge benefits for airlines because they are more efficient, require less maintenance and burn less fuel.
The 737-900 extended-range aircraft from Boeing Co. have a single aisle and up to 180 seats when set up with economy and first class. They have the range to fly on any of Delta’s current domestic routes. The 737-900 is the newest of Boeing’s popular 737 model.
ON THE MOVE
Chaminade University has named Joseph M. Peters as its new dean for its Education Division. His experience includes work as director of the School of Education at Northern Marianas College as well as professor, associate dean, chairman and interim chairman at the University of West Florida and joint program reviewer at the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education/Florida Department of Education since 2005.
New York Life Insurance Co. has hired:
» Bryce Harken, previously a cargo agent at Worldwide Flight Services.
» Koshin Soga, previously a server at Gyu-Kaku Restaurant for five years.
Atlas Insurance’s "Backpack to School" two-week project has generated $2,500 and many school supplies, including backpacks, binders, composition books, folder paper, crayons, pencils, markers and rulers. Funds and school supplies went to Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School.
