Google lists Lahaina as Hawaii’s 2014 eCity
Google has named Lahaina the 2014 eCity for Hawaii.
The annual awards recognize the strongest online business communities in all 50 states.
This year’s winners range from Homer, Alaska, to Cheyenne, Wyo.
"This award is a solid indication of how progressive and tech-savvy our business community in Lahaina has become," Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa said in a news release.
"I am very proud of the West-side businesses whose online presence contributes to our county’s economy by garnering national and international exposure. Technology is key to our sustainability, and these Maui businesses have demonstrated their resourcefulness in utilizing e-commerce to reach a global audience," he added.
Public-radio pledge drive sets record
Hawaii Public Radio’s extended fall pledge drive ended Thursday morning with a record $1,039,131 raised, some $7,131 higher than the original goal of $1,032,000.
The scheduled 10-day pledge drive that began Oct. 1 ended temporarily Oct. 10 with a record shortfall of nearly $232,000.
Station officials decided to launch a minicampaign Wednesday to raise the remaining money needed to fund the two stations’ operations for the next six months.
During the slightly more than 11-day drive, the stations gained 514 new donor-members.
"We are extraordinarily humbled by the outpouring of support from the community," Michael Titterton, HPR president and general manager, said in a statement. "Their gifts in all amounts and their many well wishes told us they want Hawaii Public Radio to stay around."
Famous Footwear to open fifth isle store
National shoe retailer Famous Footwear will open its first Kailua-Kona store in Lanihau Marketplace, according to The Beall Corp.
The shoe store will move, likely before the end of the year, into the 7,400-square-foot space formerly occupied by Bank of Hawaii in the center anchored by Sack N Save and Longs Drugs.
Alexander & Baldwin Inc. owns the 88,3000-square-foot center, which also includes L&L Drive Inn, Baskin-Robbins and Oshima Surf & Skate in its tenant mix.
Average 30-year mortgage rate at 3.97%
Average U.S. mortgage rates tumbled this week. The 30-year loan hit its lowest level since June 2013 as Treasury bond yields marked new lows amid concern over global economic weakness.
It was the fourth straight week of declines for mortgage rates, making it more affordable to borrow to buy a home.
Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday that the nationwide average for a 30-year loan dipped to 3.97 percent from 4.12 percent last week.
The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, fell to 3.18 percent from 3.30 percent.
Mortgage rates often follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The 10-year note traded at 2.13 percent Wednesday, down from 2.34 percent a week earlier. It traded at 2.11 percent Thursday morning. Bond yields rise when bond prices fall.
Treasury yields have dropped sharply on expectations that the world’s economic sluggishness could force the Federal Reserve to delay interest rate increases.
ON THE MOVE
The Kohala Coast Resort Association has appointed Stephanie Donoho administrative director. Donoho was previously a tourism specialist for the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development.
RevoluSun has promoted Elana Kopelevich to marketing director. She joined the company as a marketing manager in 2012. Prior to RevoluSun, Kopelevich was a communications/intranet analyst for HawkTree International in Honolulu as well as a marketing manager for ReR USA in Denver.
