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Matson decreases Hawaii shipping fuel surcharge

HONOLULU (AP) - The largest shipping company that carries goods to Hawaii from the U.S. Mainland is decreasing its fuel surcharge by 3.5 percentage points.Matson Navigation Co. says effective Sunday the surcharge will go from 40 percent to 36.5 percent for Hawaii service.The company's last fuel surcharge adjustment was a decrease of 3.5 percentage points in May.The company says the latest downward adjustment represents for most customers a reduction in shipping costs ranging from $80 to $140 per container.Matson will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the surcharge accordingly.

The Chamber View: House Bill 634 still lives!

House Bill 634 HD1 SD1 that requires those who purchase a business with 100 or more employees in Hawaii to keep all existing nonmanagement employees still lives. The Maui Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill, along with: Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Molokai Chamber of Commerce, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, General Contractors Association, Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 23, 2013

Paul Casey to take helm of Island AirHONOLULU - A former Hawaiian Airlines president will become the new CEO of the interisland carrier recently purchased by billionaire Larry Ellison.Paul Casey will take the helm of Island Air on May 1.Island Air Director Paul Marinelli said in a news release Monday Casey will be instrumental to the growth of the airline as it adds aircraft and expands service.Marinelli says Les Murashige will continue as Island Air's president and be responsible for day-to-day operations. He will report to Casey.Casey was Hawaiian Airlines' CEO from 1997 to 2002. He ...

The Chamber View: Replace apathy with action to stop bills that harm businesses

The biggest plague on businesses is the regulatory burdens our state continues to heap on them, the weight and cost of which makes Hawaii one of the worst states in the nation to do business in. And it gets worse each year with more laws.It begins with draft legislation that does not adequately consider the impact on businesses and the economy, and that elected officials move forward for political reasons without understanding the potential negative harm it could cause.While we live in a nation where we are innocent until proven guilty, state legislation routinely assumes that businesses ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 17, 2013

Dicus to be speaker at potluckTo celebrate the end of tax season, Maui Business Brainstormers and Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce are hosting a potluck dinner featuring music, entertainment and guest speakers - including Hawaii News Now's Howard Dicus.The "Monster Meet-up" party will go from 5 to 9 p.m. April 27 at Maui Dragon Fruit Farm in Lahaina.Dicus will be coming from Oahu to serve as the keynote speaker. Writer and radio personality Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez will serve as master of ceremonies. Blackburn-Rodriguez is a former host of the "Maui Breakfast Club" radio ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 13, 2013

'Queen K WiFi' network up and runningQueen Ka'ahumanu Center has begun offering free Wi-Fi Internet access to its patrons, according to an announcement."Maui is mobile," said Todd Vines, marketing manager for the center. "We're always creating ways to make the shopping experience more engaging. For us, offering the convenience of free Wi-Fi is a natural evolution."Any wireless-enabled laptop or mobile device can access the Internet via the center's "Queen K WiFi" network. Users of the service will have access to exclusive offers and promotions, the announcement said.*****Ex-insurance ...