BUSINESS BRIEFS
Isle jobless claims still near bottom
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Hawai'i's buoyant job market kept it near the bottom of states in claims filed for unemployment insurance.
Hawai'i residents filed 1,100 initial claims for the week ending March 1, up 300 from the same week last year. Hawai'i's claims represented 0.3 percent of the total workforce, tying the state for third lowest in the country on a percentage basis.
Hawai'i's unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in December, tying it with Nebraska and Utah for the second lowest jobless rate in the country.
ELLIS GROUP GETS GREEN AWARD
The Environmental Protection Agency has named CB Richard Ellis Group as a 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year for "outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."
One Main Plaza at 2200 Main St. in Wailuku, Maui, managed by CBRE, became the first office building on Maui to receive the EPA Energy Star Award in November 2007.
"In Hawai'i, this ongoing effort by CB Richard Ellis working with our clients can significantly lead to better energy efficiency and cost savings because we manage over 7.9 million square feet of commercial real estate in the state," said Nestor Longboy, the director of operations in CBRE Asset Services Division.
In May 2007, CBRE announced a commitment to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2010. In addition, CBRE is assisting its clients with energy efficiency programs at the 1.7 billion square feet of building space it manages around the world.
BBB TO HONOR OUTSTANDING FIRMS
Hawai'i's Better Business Bureau will honor outstanding businesses at the 2008 Torch Awards April 17.
The award, sponsored by the Hawaii Medical Service Association, recognizes local businesses, charities and individuals "for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest and ethical marketplace practices."
The winners will be named at the luncheon set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Judge Thomas K. Kaulukukui Jr. is the event's keynote speaker.
ATA ISLE FLIGHTS WON'T BE AFFECTED
ATA Airlines said its decision to leave Chicago's Midway Airport starting next month will not affect its scheduled flights to Hawai'i from Oakland, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Citing high fuel prices, the company said yesterday it will stop its domestic flights out of Midway on April 14 and its international flights to Mexico on June 7.
ATA emerged from federal bankruptcy protection in 2006 and is now a subsidiary of Global Aero Logistics Inc.
RENEWABLE-ENERGY GRANTS AVAILABLE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting Hawai'i farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants for renewable-energy projects.
Funds can be used to purchase and install solar, wind and other renewable-energy systems. Funds also can be used to make energy-efficiency improvements.
The first round of grant-only applications must be submitted no later than April 15. The second round must be submitted no earlier than April 16 and no later than June 16. Applications for loan guarantees, as well as those for loan/grant combinations, must be submitted by June 16.
For more information, call the USDA's Rural Development division in Hilo, 808-933-8313.
