WASHINGTON >> U.S. manufacturing expanded in April for the second straight month, suggesting that factories are adapting to a strong dollar and economic weakness overseas, according to a private survey.

The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its manufacturing index came in at 50.8 last month, down from March’s 51.8 reading but above the 50 threshold that signals growth. The March number had snapped a five-month losing streak for manufacturers.

Construction spending in U.S. up 0.3%

WASHINGTON >> U.S. construction spending advanced in March to its highest level in more than eight years. Gains in home building and nonresidential construction offset a drop in government projects. Construction spending rose 0.3 percent in March after a 1 percent gain in February, the Commerce Department said Monday. The back-to-back increases raised total spending to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.14 trillion, the highest level since October 2007.

On the Move

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has appointed Donna Scannell vice president of information technology operations and business information officer for the Hawaii region. She is responsible for the organization’s technology and innovation capabilities in Hawaii, including its Maui Health Systems transition. Scannell joined Kaiser in 2009 and previously worked in the organization’s Northern California region as an executive director of strategic planning and portfolio management.

Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Jeff Helfrick vice president of customer service. His responsibilities include airport operations such as passenger, ramp and contract services business as well as defining performance standards related to on-time departures and arrivals. Helfrick has more than 20 years of airport and airline operations experience, including serving as vice president of airport operations at Qantas Airways.