Choice Hotels enters isle market via Equus

The family-owned, 10-story, 67-room Equus Hotel in Waikiki has been added to the Choice Hotels International Inc. stable of brands.

Choice Hotels did not purchase the hotel, but rather has franchised it as part of its upscale Ascend Hotel Collection, a network of some 116 boutique, historic or otherwise unique independent hotels that offer guests a one-of-a-kind local experience.

The Equus, at 1696 Ala Moana Blvd., bears an equestrian theme throughout, as its owners, the Dailey family, also own the Hawaii Polo Club on the North Shore. During polo season, hotel guests receive two complimentary tickets to polo matches there.

Maryland-based Choice Hotels franchises more than 6,300 hotels containing more than 500,000 rooms. It operates under several brand names, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend and Ascend Hotel Collection.

FedEx to raise ground, home delivery rates

NEW YORK >> FedEx will raise its FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery rates in January in addition to raising express shipping rates.

The Memphis, Tenn., company says ground and home delivery rates will increase by an average of 4.9 percent Jan. 6. FedEx SmartPost rates will also change. Details of new surcharges and rates will be posted to the company’s website today.

In September, FedEx Corp. said it would raise FedEx Express shipping rates by 3.9 percent on average. That change will also take effect Jan. 6.

FedEx Corp. shares fell 49 cents to $138.22 on Thursday.

Caesars sees threat from online betting

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. >> The world’s largest casino company is cautioning investors that Internet gambling might hurt, rather than help, its brick-and-mortar casinos.

Caesars Entertainment, which owns four of Atlantic City’s 12 casinos, wrote in a filing with securities regulators late Wednesday that online gambling could reduce patrons’ visits to its casinos in New Jersey and Nevada, and harm the company’s bottom line.

In a report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Caesars wrote that Internet gambling will compete with the company’s business in Nevada, where online poker is offered, and New Jersey, where all casino games are now available online.

Qantas Airways to ax 1,000 jobs

SYDNEY >> Qantas Airways said Thursday it will slash 1,000 jobs and suffer half-year losses of at least $225 million, increasing the likelihood that regulators will throw the flag carrier a lifeline by easing restrictions on foreign ownership.

Lower demand, a strong Australian dollar and steep fuel costs have put pressure on the airline, which warned that conditions are expected to remain volatile next year.

"The challenges we now face are immense, but we will overcome them," CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement. "The Australian international market is the toughest anywhere in the world."

Toyota to reveal Camry update in 2 weeks

DETROIT >> In about two weeks Toyota will describe plans to update America’s top-selling car, the Camry midsize sedan.

The company will make the car’s front end more crash-resistant so it can pass a new test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Bill Fay, head of the Toyota division in the U.S., said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press.

But it was unclear whether Toyota would alter the Camry’s styling, which critics have said looks bland compared with the competition. Fay hinted that any style changes would be minimal.

ON THE MOVE

Prudential Locations announced two agents have rejoined the firm:

>> Ali Ban previously worked at iProperties Hawaii as well as Hilton Hotels Corp., KALOTV and Maui Divers Jewelry.

>>Malia Siu was previously working at Abe Lee Realty as well as at Eighteen Properties where she served as vice president.

The Hawai’i HealthInformation Exchange has hired:

>> Dr. Natalie Pagoria as a business analyst for clinical work flow. Pagoria earned her medical degree from the Loyola UniversityStritch School of Medicine and completed her surgical internship at the Queen’s Medical Center, Straub Hospital and Kuakini Medical Center.

>>Michael Furoyama as an information technology interface analyst. He previously served as a software developer in the IT department of Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii.

SHIP AHOY!

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