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Permits expire on iconic Coco Palms

LIHUE (AP) - The iconic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua remains a visual blight on Kauai's busiest corridor two decades after being damaged by Hurricane Iniki, and now efforts to redevelop the property may be more difficult because permits have expired.County Planning Director Michael Dahilig is asking the Planning Commission to revoke various permits issued to the property's owner, Coco Palms LLC Ventures, the Garden Island reported.The permits, which expired Friday, would have allowed the Coco Palms' reconstruction project to include 200 multifamily dwellings and 48 hotel units.Mayor ...

Business / In Brief • Jan. 30, 2013

Airline loses $3.4 million in 4th quarterHONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines lost $3.4 million in the fourth quarter after recording nearly $12 million in interest expenses and nearly $9 million in losses on fuel derivatives, the Honolulu company said Tuesday.The airline's parent, Hawaiian Holdings Inc., said revenue totaled nearly $493 million during the three months that ended Dec. 31.The loss compared with a profit of $20.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley said the results were disappointing after a year of growth and improving financial results."The sharp ...

Hawaiian reaches deal with pilots on new planes

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaiian Airlines says it has reached a deal with its pilots union to operate new Airbus planes as part of a plan for expanded routes between the West Coast and the islands.The airline said Monday its pilots have ratified an agreement between the company and the Air Line Pilots Association.Hawaiian says it is working on a similar agreement with the union representing flight attendants.The deals come as the airline makes plans to add 16 new A321neo jets between 2017 and 2020. The single-aisle planes each seat about 190 passengers.The Honolulu-based airline plans to add ...

Utility applies to grow geothermal power

HONOLULU (AP) - The Big Island's electric utility is asking the Public Utilities Commission for permission to generate more geothermal energy for sale to customers.Hawaii Electric Light Co. wants to add up to 50 megawatts of geothermal power to help lower electricity costs for customers. The price of the energy won't be tied to the cost of oil.Hawaii Electric Light President Jay Ignacio on Friday said the move is a significant next step toward adding more renewable energy and lowering costs for customers.He says the company must addresses environmental and cultural concerns from the ...

Abercrombie aims to raise minimum wage

HONOLULU (AP) - Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75.During the State of the State address Tuesday, the Democrat said he hopes the $1.50 increase will go into effect next year."If you take off the ideological blinders you'll see that raising the minimum wage is an advantageous step in increasing retail activity and pumping dollars back into the economy," he said in a news conference after the address.The governor said Hawaii hasn't increased its minimum wage in six years and there are 19 states with higher minimum wages than Hawaii. Also, the ...

Business / In Brief • Jan. 22, 2013

Hawaii cuts general assistance paymentsHONOLULU - The State of Hawaii is cutting financial assistance payments it provides to more than 5,500 people.The Department of Human Services says it must cut the per-person General Assistance benefit to keep the program in budget as more people enroll.Starting Feb. 1, monthly payments will decrease to $298. The state currently gives each beneficiary $319 per month.The program provides cash benefits for clothing, shelter, food and other essentials. Recipients may be adults between the ages of 18 through 64, without minor dependents.Beneficiaries ...