Proposals sought for insurance exchange

The state’s health insurance exchange, known as the Hawai‘i Health Connector, designed to provide residents access to affordable health insurance, is seeking proposals for the construction of its online marketplace.

The exchange is the first major piece of the federal health care reform and is being set up as a private nonprofit organization.

Interested companies can find the request for proposals online at www.hawaiihealthconnector.com.

Hoku Corp. formally delisted from NASDAQ

Financially troubled Hoku Corp. said Tuesday it has completed its voluntary delisting on the NASDAQ Global Market.

Hoku shares began trading Monday in the over-the-counter market. Hoku officials also said they have initiated the formal process to de-register with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will eliminate the company’s public reporting requirements.

Honolulu-based Hoku Corp. has suffered from financial difficulties at its Hoku Materials subsidiary that recently halted construction on a $700 million polysilicon plant in Idaho. The company has suffered from falling prices for polysilicon, one of the main components used in photovoltaic panels.

Hoku shares closed at 4 cents today, up 1 cent from Monday.

Another tough quarter for Goldman

NEW YORK » Another tough quarter and another reminder for Goldman Sachs that it’s not just its reputation that’s under attack.

The once-mighty investment bank’s revenue and earnings continue to decline even as it has resorted to massive job cuts and other steps to reduce costs in the past year.

On Tuesday the New York bank said net income in the April-through-June period fell 11 percent to $962 million, or $1.78 per share. That compares with $1.09 billion, or $1.85 per share, a year ago. The earnings were higher than the $1.17 per share that analysts expected.

Revenue fell 9 percent to $6.63 billion compared with the same period a year ago.

Consumer prices hold steady in June

WASHINGTON » Consumer prices were unchanged in June, held down by cheaper gas. Outside the volatile food and energy categories, inflation was mild.

Weak economic growth is limiting the ability of companies to raise prices. Tame inflation was underscored by a 0.2 percent drop in consumer prices for the April-June period as a whole.

Homebuilder confidence leaps 6 points

Confidence among U.S. homebuilders is swelling to a five-year high, with many now anticipating that sales of new homes will strengthen this year even as signs point to a slowing economy.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index surged six points this month to 35, the highest reading since March 2007, the trade association said Tuesday.

The index, which is based on responses from 318 builders, rose from a reading of 29 last month, marking the largest one-month gain in nearly a decade.

ON THE MOVE

Hospice Hawai‘i has hired Kanani Imai as its new marketing and development coordinator. She has 10 years of marketing experience, including developing marketing strategies for the Harris Agency and serving as a sales and marketing executive for KFVE-TV.

Jim Lundeen has been named vice president and general manager of the Nutrex Hawaii brand of nutritional supplements for its mainland operations. Lundeen’s résumé includes work at General Mills, Colgate and Dial. Lundeen will be based in Southern California.

Hawaii Pacific Teleport LP has named retired U.S. Army Maj. Darryl Stewart managing partner and vice president of government operations. Stewart has 26 years of telecommunications and commercial satellite experience.