BUSINESS BRIEFS
Fewer farm workers, higher wages
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Hawai'i's farm workforce totaled 6,200 during July, down 2 percent from the same month a year earlier, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
There were 1,150 pineapple and sugarcane workers employed during the month, down 4 percent from a year earlier.
The average wage paid to all hired workers during the July 6-12 survey week was estimated at $13.33 an hour, up 4 percent from the same period last year. The combined average wage for field and livestock workers was estimated at $11.21 an hour, up 3 percent from a year earlier.
ENTERPRISE OPENS NEW AIRPORT OFFICE
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has opened a new rental office at Honolulu International Airport.
"Enterprise shares our dedication to superior customer service," said Brian Sekiguchi, the state's deputy director of airports. "We are excited to see Enterprise strengthen its ongoing commitment to both its customers and the Honolulu International Airport with the opening of this new on-site office."
The new facility will have a 12,000-gallon gasoline tank. A blessing is scheduled for Sept. 4.
Enterprise overall has expanded from one airport location in 1995 to 242 today.
HOUSING AUTHORITY HIRES AMERESCO
Hawai'i Public Housing Authority has selected Ameresco Pacific Energy to provide energy services and energy-related capital improvements at its 67 federal sites throughout the state.
The services and improvements will be designed to reduce energy and water use as well as related costs, the HPHA said in a news release.
Potential savings are conservatively estimated at $40 million to $80 million cumulatively over the next 20 years if all recommended energy projects are implemented.
"The potential for energy and cost savings under this comprehensive program is enormous," said David J. Anderson, executive vice president of Ameresco Pacific Energy.
"Hawai'i has one of the larger housing authorities in the country, therefore it is in the state's best interest to explore the benefits of implementing an aggressive energy conservation plan. We applaud the state's efforts and are proud to be a part of the team."
Many housing authorities across the U.S. have implemented similar energy savings contracts, which are supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
SCAM FAKES AMERICAN SAVINGS CALL
American Savings Bank is warning customers about a scam involving automated telephone messages falsely identified as coming from the bank.
The recorded message informs recipients either that their American Savings Bank credit card was deactivated or that they have been approved for a new American Savings Bank credit card.
The message tells recipients to provide their card number and personal identification number.
It also asks for their card's expiration date and the three-digit code printed on the back of the card.
The bank urges anyone who receives the call to hang up immediately.
The bank says it doesn't contact its customers with automated calls, and never solicits personal account information by phone or e-mail.
American Savings Bank has $5.7 billion in assets and nearly 60 branches statewide.
