‘The River’ debut grabs second in ratings
Even with its spooky toy dolls, cockeyed camera angles and invisible monster, ABC’s widely promoted new thriller, "The River," produced modest viewer numbers for its two-hour premiere Tuesday night, according to Nielsen ratings numbers released by the network.
"The River" averaged 7.59 million viewers over the course of its two-episode debut: 8.35 million viewers for the pilot that ran in the first hour and 6.83 million viewers for the episode that aired in the next hour.
Those numbers were good enough to rank it in second place each hour behind dramas on CBS.
It performed well among adults 18-49 in what will be its normal time slot — 9 p.m.-10 p.m. in Hawaii. "The River" ranked first with its audience share by claiming 2.3 percent of the total viewing audience and 6 percent of those watching TV at the time.
The series is set in the Amazon but uses Hawaii, specifically Kahana Valley, as a backdrop for the jungle. After the pilot was shot in Puerto Rico, the show moved here last summer and the remaining seven episodes of its first season were shot in Hawaii.
The plot involves the search for a missing TV host-explorer who vanishes in a part of the Amazon where black magic, evil spirits and zombies rule the jungle.
American Savings gives $204,000 to charities
American Savings Bank raised $204,000 through its new annual employee giving program named Kahiau, which, in Hawaiian, means to give from the heart without the expectation of anything in return.
The participating organizations in the first Kahiau campaign, which ran from Nov. 15 through Dec. 9, were Child & Family Services, Hawaii 3R’s, Partners in Development, Junior Achievement of Hawaii, Kapiolani Health Foundation, Aloha United Way, Maui United Way, Hawaii Island United Way, Kauai United Way and the Friendly Isle United Fund.
"Kahiau is the perfect description of the spirit of generosity and caring for our communities that I have seen consistently demonstrated in the actions of so many of our teammates since my first day here," said Rich Wacker, CEO of American Savings.
The bank, which is owned by Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., combined employee contributions during the 31⁄2-week period with matching funds from the HEI Charitable Foundation.
Barnwell loses $282,000 as revenue falls
Barnwell Industries Inc. swung to a loss of $282,000 in its fiscal first quarter from a profit of $1.1 million a year ago when the company received the last of 10 scheduled option payments for a Hawaii island development project.
The Honolulu-based company, which derives the majority of its revenue from its oil and gas exploration operations in Alberta, Canada, said Wednesday that operating results also declined due to a 9 percent decrease in natural gas prices.
That was partially offset by a 30 percent increase in net oil production and a 22 percent gain in oil prices.
Barnwell had a loss of 3 cents a share for the period ended Dec. 31 compared with income of 13 cents a share a year ago.
Revenue fell 24.9 percent to $8.5 million from $11.3 million.
The quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010 included a payment of $2.7 million related to the development rights within Hualalai Resort at Kaupulehu in North Kona and $600,000 in percentage of sales payments.
No such payments were received in the most recent quarter.
Barnwell’s stock slipped 14 cents to $2.70 on the American Stock Exchange. The financial results were released before the market opened.
Sprint posts deeper loss on iPhone costs
NEW YORK » Sprint dug deep into its pockets in the latest quarter to put iPhones in the hands of its customers.
The perennially money-losing company on Wednesday posted its largest loss in three years.
Sprint, once known for the worst customer service in the industry, has made progress on turning its fortunes around in the last few years.
But the No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier has still found it difficult to compete with larger rivals AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, both of which sell the iPhone.
So Sprint jumped for the chance to sell the iPhone starting in October, giving Apple Inc. a $15.5 billion commitment to buy phones over four years.
But the cost was steep: Sprint estimated that the phone launch widened its quarterly loss by $630 million, or $350 per phone activated. It buys the phones from Apple for about $600, then subsidizes them to sell them for $99 or $199.
ON THE MOVE
Marriott International has named Paul Toner general manager of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina on Oahu. He was previously a senior vice president and chief operating officer of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality as well as a senior executive with Marriott International in Hawaii.
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced that Christopher Wu Jr. has joined its Leeward office. He was previously a Realtor associate with Realty Group.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has appointed Nate Hardesty as its director of sales and marketing. He has more than 10 years of experience with the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts brand and was previously director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.
The Kona Coffee Farmers Association has elected the following officers: Cecelia Smith, president; Mary Lou Moss, vice president; Tom Butler, secretary; and Christy Carrico, treasurer. Other board members are: Colehour Bondera, Bruce Corker, Louise Hanna, Paul Uster and Clare Wilson.
