Three hotels and two restaurants in Hawai'i have received five-diamond ratings from AAA, the highest and most prestigious rating given by the organization.

La Mer in the Halekulani Hotel was awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award for the 20th consecutive year, while Chef Mavro earned its second award.

The Four Seasons Resort in Wailea repeated for the 19th time, while the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai was awarded its 12th Five Diamond rating. The Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua received its 14th Five Diamond Award.

AAA evaluates 58,000 hotels and restaurants annually in coming up with the ratings. Less than 0.3 percent of establishments that are reviewed earn the top award and a listing in the 2010 AAA TourBook guides.

SOME POWER RATES RISING, OTHERS FALLING

November residential electricity rates will fall on O'ahu and the Big Island, and rise on Maui and Kaua'i, as utilities adjust rates given fluctuating fuel prices.

Hawaiian Electric Co. said the typical 600-kilowatt-hour bill for O'ahu residential customers will fall to $145.46 from $147.64 in October. The effective rate for electricity in Honolulu is declining to 22.7 cents per kilowatt hour from 23.10 cents charged last month.

Hawaiian Electric noted the rate for O'ahu is still below its peak of 32.5 cents per kilowatt hour, or $202.13 per month, paid in September 2008, when the effects of record-high oil prices were being felt.

Elsewhere in the state:

• Maui customers will see their rates rise to 26.54 cents from 26.29 cents in October. The typical Maui bill will be $167.29.

• Big Island residential rates will decline to 31.62 cents from the 32.54 cents that was charged per kilowatt hour last month. The typical bill will be $200.77.

• Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative's November rate is rising slightly to 32.74, from the 32.07 cents charged last month.

Most of Hawai'i's electricity is produced using petroleum products such as fuel oil or diesel oil. Each month, electricity costs vary because of adjustments for fuel costs.

There typically is a lag when petroleum prices increase because utilities must first use up inventory bought at lower prices.

HEATH CARE BILL TO COST SMALL BUSINESSES

A health care reform bill to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives would hurt Hawai'i's small businesses, according to Melissa Pavlicek, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business.

Pavlicek said small businesses would face increased costs. The bill also taxes jobs and eliminates health care options.

"Instead of making health insurance more accessible and affordable for small business, H.R. 3962 imposes more costs through its expensive employer mandates, punitive payroll taxes and a new government-run program," Pavlicek said in a statement.