Business

Business/In Brief • Dec. 10, 2014

Maui station reports lowest diesel pricePacific Biodiesel's Hobron fueling station has the state's lowest diesel price, $3.79 per gallon, the company announced.The fuel is "B20," a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. Its price has fallen because of the lower worldwide price of petroleum, Pacific Biodiesel said.Biodiesel is safe for all diesel engines and is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as both a fuel and a fuel additive, according to the company.The alternative fuel is produced at the state-of-the-art, Big Island Biodiesel, a Pacific ...

Wailea Blue pro shop relocates

Business/In Brief • Dec. 6, 2014

Truvia maker settles suit for $6.1 millionHONOLULU - The maker of Truvia Natural Sweetener will pay $6.1 million to settle a class-action lawsuit initiated by a Hawaii woman.Kailua-Kona resident Denise Howerton was the first to sue Cargill, which manufactures the product sold nationwide. Her lawsuit filed last year said the company made misleading statements about Truvia being a natural sweetener.According to the lawsuit, Truvia is marketed as a natural sugar substitute primarily made from the stevia plant. But the plant makes up only 1 percent of Truvia, the suit said.Howerton and the ...

Holiday shopping shifts emerging

Early reports of Thanksgiving through Black Friday shopping are in and the results are mixed.A CNET article titled "Did Thanksgiving and Black Friday online sales soar or slip?" notes that data from IBM show strong growth in online sales, but the National Retail Federation says shoppers spent less money online and in stores.IBM's 2014 Black Friday Report notes that Thanksgiving Day online sales rose 14.3 percent over 2013 and that Black Friday increased 9.5 percent from last year. However, the average orders for both Thanksgiving ($125.25, down 1.8 percent from 2013) and Black Friday ...

Business/In Brief • Dec. 2, 2014

Kmart opens 'Fresh Grocery' departmentKmart in Kahului recently opened its "Fresh Grocery" department, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, produce, meats and baked goods.The Kahului Kmart is one of the first Kmart stores to offer the new Fresh Grocery department, according to a company news release.Store hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.***Landmark Papaikou store plans to closeHILO - A landmark Papaikou store with ties to the community over more than nine decades is shuttering its doors.Pinky's, which stands out for its melon, blue and hot pink color scheme, as well as its ...

Businesses and community offer much to be thankful for

This season of Thanksgiving, we at the Maui Chamber of Commerce are thankful for all businesses for creating jobs, contributing to our community's and county's economic health, establishing infrastructure, supporting nonprofits, improving education, demonstrating leadership, being ambassadors of aloha and providing products and services to meet needs and improve people's lives.Living on an island, it is important to remember that we are reliant on one another for the well-being of our community and must come together to address the common good. We are extremely thankful for the amazing ...