30-year mortgage rate declines to 3.55 percent
WASHINGTON >> Average rates on fixed mortgages changed little this week and remained slightly above record lows reached earlier this year. The low rates have aided a modest housing recovery.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on the 30-year loan slipped to 3.55 percent, down from 3.59 percent last week. Six weeks ago the rate fell to 3.49 percent, the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.
The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinancing option, was unchanged at 2.86 percent. That’s above the record low of 2.80 percent reached six weeks ago.
Cheap mortgages have lifted home sales this year. Sales of newly built and previously occupied homes are well above last year’s levels.
Hawaiian Air’s passenger count up 12.6%
Hawaiian Airlines’ passenger traffic jumped 12.6 percent in August from a year ago after more flights were added.
The state’s largest carrier said Thursday it transported 877,362 people compared with 779,097 in August 2011. However, its load factor, or the percentage of seats filled, fell 1.7 percentage points to 84.3 percent from 86 percent.
Revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, increased 24.3 percent to 1.2 million from 933,023. Available seat miles, or one seat transported one mile, rose 26.8 percent to 1.4 million from 1.1 million.
PCC completes Hawaii Village makeover
The Polynesian Cultural Center has completed a six-month renovation of its Hawaii Village, which is scheduled to reopen next month.
The village has been redesigned to reflect the concept of ahupuaa, a land division used by ancient Hawaiians, usually extending from the uplands to the sea, according to a news release from the center.
The main features of the village include a "lo‘i kalo," an irrigated terrace used to grow taro, and a "loko ia," a fishpond.
"These additions highlight the Hawaiians’ mastery of water usage and demonstrate how early Hawaiians were one with the aina and led a sustainable lifestyle," said Raymond Mokiao, Hawaii Village manager. "The Hawaiians understood that respect for the land and effective management of natural resources were vital to a thriving, long-lasting society."
Court ruling favors union hotel workers
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling that favors workers who have been involved in a decade-long labor dispute at the Pacific Beach Hotel.
On Thursday the 9th Circuit upheld a second interim injunction against HTH Corp., which operates the Pacific Beach Hotel, and enforced a 2011 ruling from the National Labor Relations Board, which had sought to remedy unfair labor practices. The appeals court found that NLRB was likely to succeed on its claims against HTH and that injunctive relief was necessary to prevent workers from suffering "irreparable harm."
This latest ruling follows an earlier decision by a three-member NLRB panel that HTH Corp. had discriminated against employees and that it bargained in bad faith with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 142, which first filed a petition for recognition in 2002.
Fundraiser will aid Aloha Medical Mission
Aloha Medical Mission will benefit from a fundraiser that takes place 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Vanguard Lofts at JN Exotics at 720 Kapiolani Blvd.
American Savings Bank and Dr. Jorge Camara, noted ophthalmologist and concert pianist, are hosting the fundraiser, which will include auction items donated by Hildgund, Mont Blanc, Piano Planet and JN Exotics. Camara’s second CD, titled "Vital Signs," also will be for sale, with all proceeds to be donated to Aloha Medical Mission.
Camara and the University of Hawaii String Quartet will perform tunes from the CD during the event, at which entertainer Carole Kai will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
Aloha Medical Mission provides free medical and dental care to underserved people of Hawaii and Southeast Asia.
Hawaii to get AT&T upgrade by year’s end
AT&T will roll out 4G LTE service in Hawaii by the end of the year, continuing an upgrade that began on the mainland in 2011. AT&T and other carriers offer 4G speeds in the islands; however, 4G LTE technology is the newest, fastest technology and is up to 10 times faster than 3G.
The company did not provide further details as to areas where the service would first become available, or a timetable for rollout to the neighbor islands.
The 4G LTE technology was first made available in the islands via Verizon Wireless.
Allegiant contest allows Hawaii entries
The Allegiant "Vote for Vacation" contest will allow entries from Hawaii residents, officials said.
Allegiant responded Wednesday a day after numerous Tuesday queries from TheBuzz.
"Prior to our entry into (Honolulu), our contests did exclude Hawaii residents, and it seems we neglected to correct (that)," said Jessica Wheeler, Allegiant public relations manager. "Hawaii residents are welcome to enter," she said.
The contest, launched this week, has so-called campaign buses going to 77 mainland cities to gather "Vote for Vacation" entries from people who choose an Allegiant destination. In each city, one person will win a round trip for two. The grand prize is free flights on Allegiant for four years.
TheBuzz on Wednesday reported that the contest did not allow entries from Hawaii based on official contest rules published online as of Tuesday.
On the Move
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced that Lisa L. Ching has joined the firm’s Leeward office. She was previously working at Prudential Locations.
Accuity LLP has promoted two employees to management positions:
>> Sean Nakamura is a certified public accountant and works with clients in government, insurance and not-for-profit industries.
>> Daniel Lee is also a certified public accountant and works with clients in construction, not-for-profit and insurance industries.
Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed Frank Lonardo to director of sales for Turtle Bay Resort. His experience includes serving as hotel sales task force manager for multiple luxury properties on the West and East coasts of the United States.
Keller Williams Realty has announced the following new agents:
>> Robyn A. Schaefer was previously at Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.
>> Mary B. Choi was previously with Keller Williams in Atlanta.
>> Joleen Dias was previously at Island Style Realty Inc.
>> Janel Romero was previously licensed at Island Style Realty.
>> Trenton K. Wailehua’s experience includes serving in the accounting and tax preparation industry.
