Island Air has added flights to Kahului and Kona for Labor Day weekend.
On Saturday the carrier will offer three additional round trips between Honolulu and Kahului and one additional round trip between Honolulu and Kona. Island Air previously added seasonal flights to Kahului and Kona to meet increased demand for summer travel.
With the latest additions, Island Air will offer the following flights during Labor Day weekend:
>> Nine round trips between Honolulu and Kahului on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
>> Six round trips between Honolulu and Kona on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
>> Six round trips daily between Honolulu and Lihue
U.S. bank earnings up 1.4% in quarter
WASHINGTON >> U.S. banks’ earnings in the April-June period rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier as growth in lending fueled interest income.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported that U.S. banks earned $43.6 billion in the second quarter, up from $43 billion a year earlier. It marks a record profit for the industry. Earnings were tempered somewhat by the impact of low oil prices on energy companies.
Home prices in U.S. rise at slow pace
WASHINGTON >> U.S. home prices rose modestly in June, pushed up by strong sales and a limited supply of available properties.
The Standard & Poor’s CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, increased 5.1 percent in June compared with a year ago. That’s down from a 5.3 percent annual gain in May and is the slowest year-over-year pace since August 2015. (Honolulu is not included in the index.)
Nationwide prices are increasing more quickly than incomes as buyers compete for the dwindling supply of available homes. That reflects an ongoing imbalance in the housing market that could stifle sales in the coming months.
Consumer confidence hits 11-month high
WASHINGTON >> U.S. consumer confidence rose in August to its highest level in 11 months, suggesting economic growth could pick up in the second half of the year.
The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 101.1, up from 96.7 in July. It was the highest level for confidence since the index hit 102.6 in September. The gain reflected consumers’ brighter views about the current economic situation and their expectations.
Potash, Agrium admit to merger talks
NEW YORK >> Fertilizer makers Potash Corp. and Agrium say they are in talks to combine into one company.
The Canadian companies gave no financial details about a possible deal and say there’s no guarantee that a merger will happen. Both companies sell fertilizers and other agricultural products around the world. Potash is based in Saskatoon. Agrium is headquartered in Calgary.
Seattle weighs new rules for workers
SEATTLE >> Seattle leaders have proposed new rules for retail and food-service businesses with hourly employees, including requiring them to schedule shifts two weeks in advance and compensate workers for some last-minute changes.
Seattle was among the first to phase in a $15 hourly minimum wage, mandate sick leave for many companies and offer paid parental leave for city workers.
Now leaders are targeting erratic schedules they say make it difficult for people to juggle child care, school or other jobs or to count on stable income.
ON THE MOVE
The National YMCA Hall of Fame inducted Robert Masuda during an official induction ceremony at the General Assembly of YMCAs in Kansas City, Mo., in July. Masuda has devoted 50 years of his career to YMCA, including serving as president and CEO of the YMCA of Honolulu; executive director of the International Division, YMCA of the USA; and director of YMCA of the USA’s International Office for China and the Pacific.
Kokua Hospitality has announced that Charles Young has been selected as general manager of Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach. Young has more than 20 years of hospitality experience and an extensive portfolio in hospitality management. He has overseen large-scale properties in places such as Hawaii, Florida and Australia.