Hawaiian Electric Co. said Monday it contributed $450,000 to Aloha United Way.

The funds came from employee and retiree pledges; bake sales and cookbook sales; T-shirt sales; an online auction; a golf tournament; and other activities held in 2015.

“Hawaiian Electric employees put their heart into this every year with the goal of helping individuals and families in our community who are less fortunate,” said Cindy Adams, president and chief executive officer of Aloha United Way. “Combined with the HEI Charitable Foundation’s corporate gift of $300,000, they put food on tables, help provide shelter to homeless, and support many other much needed programs and services.”

HECO has more than 2,100 employees on Oahu.

Disruptions from quakes hit Japan’s economy

TOKYO >> The twin earthquakes that struck southern Japan were having ripple effects far beyond the disaster zone Monday, forcing Toyota to suspend production at most of its factories across the country, and affecting other manufacturers as well. The quake damaged Honda’s motorcycle plant in Kumamoto, the largest city affected by the two quakes that hit late Thursday and early Saturday, killing at least 42 people. Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index tumbled more than 3 percent Monday in part on worries over quake repercussions as well as a spike in the yen and a drop in oil prices.

But the economic impact is not as large as the havoc wreaked by the 2011 quake and tsunami disasters, which slammed supply chains so badly that Japanese automakers’ production was halted even in the U.S. Disasters tend to hobble Japan’s mighty manufacturers because they are supported by small machine shops that provide components to bigger suppliers, which in turn supply bigger players.

U.S. homebuilders remain confident

U.S. homebuilders’ confidence held steady in April, reflecting an overall optimistic outlook in the market for new homes even as a gauge of current sales fell slightly.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Monday was unchanged at 58. It hasn’t budged in three months. Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales conditions as good, rather than poor. The index had been in the low 60s for eight months until February.

IBM shows progress in new businesses

IBM delivered a quarterly performance that shows the steady headway it is making in new businesses led by cloud computing and data-analysis software, like its Watson artificial intelligence technology.

But the company’s transformation remains a work in progress. The erosion of some of its hardware and software products continues to be a drag on growth and profits, overshadowing the gains in the new fields.

IBM on Monday reported a 21 percent decline in net profit from continuing operations, to $2.3 billion in the first quarter that ended March 31. Its operating earnings per share fell 19 percent, to $2.35 a share, though that was above the average estimate of Wall Street analysts of $2.09 a share, as complied by Thomson Reuters.

The company’s first-quarter revenue declined 5 percent to $18.7 billion. But that was ahead of analysts’ consensus forecast of $18.29 billion.

Carnival reverses course on Cubans

MIAMI >> Faced with protests, political pressure and a lawsuit, Carnival Corp. announced Monday it will allow Cuban-born passengers to book cruises to the island but will delay the trips if Cuba does not change its policy barring nationals from returning by sea. Carnival CEO Arnold Donald said that the cruise line is continuing negotiations with Cuba aimed at resolving the issue prior to a scheduled May 1 cruise by its Fathom brand from Miami to Cuba — the first such sail in more than 50 years. “We want everyone to be able to go to Cuba with us,” Donald said.

Nordstrom to cut from 350 to 400 jobs

NEW YORK >> Nordstrom Inc. says it will be cutting about 350 to 400 jobs as it looks to be more nimble at a time where shoppers are shifting their spending more online.

The upscale department store, based in Seattle, says the cuts will be primarily in its corporate center and regional support teams. The process should be completed by the end of its fiscal second quarter. The changes will mean $60 million in savings for the current fiscal year.

ON THE MOVE

PBS Hawaii has hired Linda Brock, a television and multimedia marketing executive, as its chief content officer. She was previously serving as a research director and local sales manager for Hawaii News Now. Brock also was a vice president of programming and communications at PBS from 2009-2011 and has worked at Honolulu commercial television stations and in the telecommunications industry in Asia.

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Servco Auto Parts Center has hired Kelsie Imai as its new distribution warehouse manager. She will oversee a staff of 37 team members who manage the inventory and timely delivery of Lexus, Subaru, Toyota and Scion parts while promoting an outstanding customer service experience to all customers. Imai was previously the store manager for OfficeDepot.

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Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has named Ku‘uipo Kumukahi the resort’s new manager of Hawaiian culture and community relations. She is a professional musicentertainer in Hawaii who has won several Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Kumukahi previously was confirmed by the state Senate to serve on the Hawaii Tourism Authority board of directors.

SHIP AHOY!

Tuesday’s ship arrivals and departures:

HONOLULU HARBOR