Hydraulic malfunction turns Hawaiian flight back to Seattle
A Hawaiian Airlines flight to Maui abruptly returned to Seattle on Tuesday because of a malfunctioning hydraulic system, according to airline spokesman Keoni Wagner.
Hawaiian Flight 29, with 203 passengers aboard, had a “low quantity indication from one of (three) hydraulic systems,” he said. The flight was less than halfway to Maui.
“Back on the ground they changed a pump,” Wagner said.
“It’s not that unusual but I wouldn’t say it’s common,” he said of returning flights. “If there’s ever any indication of a potential problem, we’ll turn flights around, and we’ll always err on the side of safety.”
Hawaiian issued a $100 travel credit to all passengers and was scheduled to reach the islands at 9 p.m., about eight hours after its original arrival time.
Rising auto sales, home prices help buoy U.S. economy
WASHINGTON >> The U.S. economy is looking more resilient in part due to encouraging signs for the two most expensive purchases most Americans make: cars and homes.
Cheap loans and a bounty of fuel-efficient models enticed people to buy new vehicles at a brisk pace last month. The nation also saw another year-over-year surge in home prices in August, a sign that the housing industry is making a sustained comeback.
Both trends reflect rising confidence in the economy.
Trade group predicts decline in holiday sales growth
NEW YORK >> Americans are expected to spend more during what’s traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, but they’re not exactly ready to “shop till they drop” as they have in the past two years.
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said Tuesday that it expects sales during the winter holiday shopping period in November and December to rise 4.1 percent from a year ago. That’s more than a percentage point lower than the growth in each of the past two years, and the smallest increase since 2009 when sales were up just 0.3 percent.
The projections are an important for retailers that rely on the last two months of the year for up to 40 percent of annual sales. The estimates also offer insight into consumer spending, which accounts for up to 70 percent of economic activity.
U.S. judge lifts sales ban on Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet
SAN JOSE, Calif. >> A federal judge has lifted a ban on sales of Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer.
U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ruled Monday the South Korean tech giant is now free to start selling the product in U.S. stores.
The judge had previously banned U.S. sales of the tablet pending the resolution of a sweeping patent trial between Apple Inc. and Samsung over vital technology used in smartphones and tablet computers.
LinkedIn links up with panel of ‘influencers’
SAN FRANCISCO » LinkedIn is adding more expert advice to its website and making it easier for its users to find their pearls of wisdom.
The online professional networking service hopes the proffered tips and advice will help it extend its clout beyond the help-wanted market.
The new feature added Tuesday will encourage LinkedIn’s more than 175 million members to sign up to follow the musings of "influencers" — a 150-person panel that includes President Barack Obama, business moguls, Internet bloggers, self-help gurus and entrepreneurs.
ON THE MOVE
Bennet Group Strategic Communications has announced the following:
» Su Shin has been hired as senior vice president. She has 17 years of experience in journalism, comprehensive strategic communications and executive management, including as vice president of strategic alliances at Waimana Enterprises and chief communications officer at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.
» Monica Salter has been promoted to director from senior account manager. Her experience includes work as a public relations director for Hotel Lanai, communications manager for XTERRA’S international trail run series and assistant marketing director for the University of Hawaii athletic department.
PBR Hawaii has promoted Michael Shibata to associate from project manager. He joined the company in 2006, and his projects have included environmental impact statements for the University of Hawaii-West Oahu and various discretionary land use approvals for Brigham Young University-Hawaii and the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head.
