State rebate continued for electric vehicles

The state has extended the $4,500 rebate for electric vehicle purchases for an additional two months through the end of March.

Officials from the state Energy Office said the deadline was changed to March 31 from Jan. 31 in anticipation of increased consumer demand for electric vehicles this year. The state added $150,000 to the program to pay for the extension.

The rebate, which also includes up to $500 for a charging station, began in January 2011 with $1.4 million in funds. As of Jan. 23 the state had approved rebates for 318 vehicles and 210 chargers. The fund balance was $153,999 on that date.

"The state of Hawaii is definitely becoming a national leader when it comes to the acceptance of vehicles that are 100 percent electric," said Mark Glick, administrator for the Energy Office.

Pasha matches Matson’s fuel fee increase

Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, which transports vehicles between Hono­lulu and San Diego, said Monday it will increase its fuel surcharge 5 percentage points to 41.5 percent from 36.5 percent, effective Feb. 26.

The move mirrors a similar increase that was announced Friday by Matson Navigation Co. for its Hawaii-mainland routes. Matson boosted its surcharge to 45.5 percent from 40.5 percent.

Horizon Lines Inc. has not yet announced any fuel surcharge increase, but typically follows Matson.

Saturday turnout boosts home show’s gate

The Building Industry Association’s Home Building & Remodeling Show, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, drew 22,884 people, up 0.1 percent from the 2010 show, the association said.

Attendance was the third largest in the 18-year history of the event, the association said. Saturday had record attendance of 13,218, offsetting decreases on Friday and Sunday, the association said.

Tesoro’s Kapolei refinery emits toxic gas

Tesoro Corp. released 1,200 pounds of sulfur dioxide at its Kapolei refinery on Saturday because of a "process unit shutdown," according to a filing with the U.S. National Response Center.

U.S. refineries must notify the response center if they release hazardous substances in excess of levels set by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund.

Americans’ earnings inch up 0.5 percent

WASHINGTON » Income of Americans rose in December by 0.5 percent, the most in nine months, a hopeful sign for the economy after a year of weak wage gains.

Consumers didn’t spend any more last month than they had in November, saving their additional income instead.

Economists noted that income rose last month largely because of strong hiring.

The economy added 200,000 jobs in December. More jobs mean more income available to spend.

The best hope for the economy is further job gains. On Friday the government is expected to report another solid month of hiring for January.

For all of 2011, income barely rose.

WTO finds China unduly restricts exports

The World Trade Organization ruled Monday that China unfairly limited exports of nine raw materials to protect domestic manufacturers.

A WTO appeals body rejected China’s appeal of an earlier ruling in July that concluded the Asian economic powerhouse had violated international trade rules.

The appeals body largely sided with the United States, European Union and Mexico, which had taken issue with Chinese restrictions on its exports of nine materials used widely in the steel, aluminum and chemical industries.

The ruling affects China’s exports of certain forms of bauxite, coke, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon carbide, silicon metal, yellow phosphorous and zinc. The WTO appeals body says China must now "bring its export duty and export quota measures into conformity with its WTO obligations."

Starbucks-Tata plans coffee shops in India

MUMBAI, India » Starbucks aims to open 50 outlets in India by year’s end through a 50-50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, the companies said Monday.

Tata Starbucks Ltd., as their venture is known, hopes to capitalize on the rising aspirations and fattening wallets of many Indians, who are eager to partake of the global latte life.

The first outlet will open in Mumbai or New Delhi by September.

Japan sees industrial gains

TOKYO >> Japan’s industrial production rebounded 4 percent in December from November, and household spending increased for a second month, suggesting the economy is gaining some steam after last year’s tsunami disaster. Output of automobiles, cellphones and semiconductors drove the gains after production fell 2.7 percent in November, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said today.

ON THE MOVE

Whole Foods Market has announced the following:

>> Tim Talkington has been appointed store team leader of the Kailua store, scheduled to open in the spring. He was previously a store team leader of the company’s Kahului store and has 15 years of retail experience.

>> Nathan Bulicek has been named associate store team leader of the Kailua store. He has been with the company for eight years in a variety of positions, including as a grocery team member, customer service associate team leader, receiving supervisor, grocery associate team leader and career development associate store team leader.

>> Robin Burton as associate store team leader for Whole Foods Market’s Kahala store since 2010. She joined Whole Foods Market in 2008 and was previously a career development associate store team leader at the store in Boulder County, Colo.