BUSINESS BRIEFS
Tesoro repairs by mid-December
Advertiser Staff
Tesoro Corp. said its Kapolei refinery will be at full capacity by mid-December, after a storm on Nov. 4 disrupted power supplies and damaged a gasoline-producing unit.
"It looks like mid-December to have all the repairs done," spokeswoman Natalie Silva said in an interview yesterday. The San Antonio-based refiner said a "severe storm" shut power to the refinery.
By Nov. 8, all units were running except the continuous reformer unit. Production of all petroleum products was reduced to 70,000 to 80,000 barrels a day from 95,000 barrels. Tesoro, which operates one of two refineries in Hawai'i, is the largest refiner in the U.S. West.
MACADAMIA ORCHARDS POSTS LOSS
Hilo-based ML Macadamia Orchards L.P. yesterday said it lost $436,000, or 6 cents a share, in the third quarter, versus a profit of $85,000, or a penny a share, in the year-ago period. Third-quarter revenues fell 49 percent to $2.8 million compared with the year-ago quarter.
The company said lower earnings were the result of a smaller harvest, lower nut prices and transaction costs related to the possible acquisition of Mac Farms of Hawaii assets.
NEW YOUNG BROTHERS BARGE READY
Young Brothers' newest interisland barge, the Ho'omaka Hou, will begin service tomorrow with a voyage from Honolulu Harbor to Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua'i.
The Ho'omaka Hou, first of four new barges being purchased by Young Brothers, is part of a $186 million investment announced last year by the state's largest interisland cargo company.
The 340-foot-long barge can carry up to 40 percent more than Young Brothers Ltd.'s current primary barge size. In addition to providing more room for cargo, it will significantly enhance service time by minimizing the need for tandem towing (two barges at a time). Single towing of larger barges expedites cargo shipments and delivery. The new barge will operate at a speed of 9 nautical miles per hour.
HECO TO SHARE WIND ENERGY DATA
Hawaiian Electric Co. said it plans to share its research on wind conditions and bird activities in Kahuku with interested wind energy developers.
HECO said it is willing to offer the data free to encourage renewable energy development in Hawai'i. The information includes wind data collected at different Kahuku sites in the 1980s and in 2007, along with an avian radar study.
"While it is unusual for a package of valuable data to be offered for free, we want to do all we can to help encourage more renewable energy in Hawai'i," said Karl Stahlkopf, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of energy solutions and chief technology officer.
BAE SYSTEMS WINS NAVY CONTRACT
BAE Systems won a four-year, $25.8 million contract to provide support for the operation and maintenance of the Navy communications facilities on O'ahu and elsewhere in Hawai'i.
The contract is with the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific.
"BAE Systems is excited about this win as it allows us to continue our partnership with NCTAMS PAC and the communications community, providing a valuable service to the Department of Defense and the Pacific Fleet," said Doug Belair, president of BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services.
