Island Air, American reach ticketing deal

Island Air and American Airlines said Wednesday they have agreed to do e-ticket sales and airport through check-in for each other’s customers. The new agreement allows the two airlines to sell each other’s seats and place all flight segments on a single ticket.

"The agreement provides customers access to a larger route system to enhance their travel options," Island Air said in a news release.

The agreement means boarding passes can be issued by either Island Air or American all the way through to the traveler’s destination without having to re-check in with the next carrier or transfer baggage at the connecting airport.

"We continue to improve Island Air, and with this interline agreement with American Airlines, we will expand our customer base and offer even more value," said Island Air CEO Paul Casey.

Halekulani observes 30th anniversary

The AAA Five-Diamond rated Halekulani hotel in Waikiki is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

The luxe hotel will mark the milestone in several ways including a private label, signature wine called "Celebrate," available for a limited time only. The wine is served at La Mer and at Orchids and is sold at the gift shop for $150 a bottle.

Halekulani Corp. also has completed an overhaul of the hotel’s website, creating a deeper browsing experience, and it plans digital and social initiatives through the coming year. Photography on the new website’s home page invites potential guests to "embrace" serenity, tranquility and several other one-word branding statements about the property.

The original Halekulani, before its rebirth 30 years ago, was adjacent to lodgings where "Charlie Chan" detective series author Earl Derr Biggers stayed when he was inspired to write the crime-fighting books, basing the main character on actual Honolulu Police Department Officer Chang Apana.

Fed split on signals for fresh rate increase

WASHINGTON » Federal Reserve officials had differing views in June on the best way to signal to financial markets when they might raise a key short-term interest rate. They were in broad agreement, however, that they will likely announce an end to their monthly bond-buying program in October.

Minutes of the Fed’s June 17-18 meeting released Wednesday showed officials split between those who wanted to communicate that the Fed remains concerned that inflation is rising too slowly and those who were worried that the economy might rebound faster than currently expected.

In the end, the Fed statement stuck to the current guidance that rates will likely remain low for a "considerable time" after the bond purchases end.

PC shipment slump bottoms out

NEW YORK » A two-year slump in personal computer sales ended in the second quarter, helped by improving demand in developed markets like North America and Europe.

PC sales have fallen in recent years, hurt by surging demand for tablets and other mobile devices. Tough economic conditions around the world have also disrupted sales. But quarterly figures released Wednesday by the research firms Gartner Inc. and International Data Corp. show the global slump is easing.

American Apparel to get $25M in financing

NEW YORK » American Apparel Inc. announced late Wednesday it had reached a deal with investment firm Standard General to receive an investment of up to $25 million to bolster the clothing chain’s finances. It will also mean a shake-up in the board.

The deal will help pay off a $10 million loan from investment firm Lion Capital, which made a formal demand for payment Monday. Lion Capital claimed that the chain defaulted under its credit agreement because it ousted its founder and CEO, Dov Charney.

As part of the shake-up of the board, five of its seven members including Charney will voluntarily step down.

Trio of top carriers bullish on prospects

Three of the biggest U.S. airlines are giving upbeat signals about their business as the peak summer travel season kicks into high gear.

American, United and Southwest indicated that a key revenue figure was higher than in the same period last year, and American also raised its forecast for profit margin in the second quarter.

Of the four biggest U.S. airline companies, only United lost money in the first quarter, and analysts expect all of them to be in the black for the April-to-June quarter.

ON THE MOVE

Turtle Bay Resort has announced:

» Adam Luchs as the resort’s event manager. He has more than six years of marketing, promoting and event coordination experience, including working for Surf n Sea in Haleiwa and the Hawaii Foodbank.

» Wendell Russell has been promoted to aloha ambassador manager on duty. He was previously a security officer and supervisor for the Aloha Ambassador Department at the resort since 2013.

Honolulu HomeLoans has promoted Ryan Nakagawa to assistant vice president loan manager. He will lead a team of loan officers to originate loans as well as continue to provide unmatched client service with people interested in refinancing their property or obtaining a home mortgage.