BUSINESS BRIEFS
First Hawaiian income up
Advertiser Staff and News Services
First Hawaiian Bank reported net income of $45 million for the third quarter, up 24.6 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
For the first nine months of the year First Hawaiian's net income totaled $124.9 million, up 16.9 percent from a year earlier.
Assets grew to $11.3 billion as of Sept. 30, up 11.4 percent from a year earlier. Loans and leases increased 9.9 percent to $5.8 billion, while deposits rose 11.5 percent to $8.3 billion. Revenue for the third quarter was $134.2 million, up 11 percent.
14 FARM LOTS UP FOR LEASE
The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for leases on 14 lots ranging in size from 10 to 15 acres in the state's agricultural park system.
Twelve of the lots are in Pahoa on the Big Island, ranging from five to 25 acres. There is one lot available in Wai'anae and one in Kekaha, Kaua'i. Both are about 10 acres.
The leases are for 45 years.
Applicants must meet a list of qualifications, including be a U.S. citizen who has lived in Hawai'i for at least three years, or have been a permanent-status alien who has lived in Hawai'i for at least five years.
Applicants also must meet several criteria demonstrating farming knowledge.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 22. For more information, visit www.hawaii ag.org/hdoa/arm_agparks.htm or call 973-9476 (Honolulu); 974-4140 (Big Island); 274-3069 (Maui).
GM ANNOUNCES NEW DISCOUNTS
DETROIT — General Motors Corp. is back in the discount game, and U.S. rivals Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group could join in soon.
The world's largest automaker announced today it's offering "Red Tag" prices through Jan. 3 on most Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles from the 2005 and 2006 model years. Under the program, dealers will post fixed maximum prices on the vehicles.
Chrysler said the division has a new discount program in the works and could announce details later this week. Ford said it will consider its competitive position and decide whether to match GM's offer.
Most automakers offer discounts over the holidays, but GM announced its program several weeks earlier than usual.
