Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Wednesday, September 9, 1998
Aquasearch expanding operation, production
Aquasearch Inc., a Kona-based producer of natural fish and animal feed additives, is expanding its production and says it will have a two-acre addition to its microalgae pond system finished before the end of this year.Aquasearch also said it has raised $3.2 million in new financing from private investors. The start-up company, which has yet to show a profit, said the investment allows it to stay at its Keahole Point facility. An earlier shares-for-land deal with C. Brewer & Co., through which Aquasearch was to expand to the Kau district of the Big Island, has been put on hold.
The expanded Kona operation will produce astaxanthin, a natural pigment that adds color to aquafarm-produced salmon, for the company's partner and main customer, Cultor Ltd. of Finland.
Isle bottled-water firm says 'Hello Kitty'
Hawaiian Natural Water Co., a Big Island bottler of fresh water from a well beneath the Mauna Loa volcano, has been licensed to use the Hello Kitty logo and characters created by Japan-based Sanrio Co.
Sanrio, which makes pencil cases, stationery, toys and a wide range of gift items, has spread the Hello Kitty brand widely since entering the U.S. market in 1976.
Marcus Bender, president of Hawaiian Natural Water, said joint marketing will help establish his company's Hawaiian Springs brand with young consumers and their parents.
Japan's top airlines ban smoking on all flights
TOKYO -- Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co., the nation's two top airlines, said they will ban smoking on all domestic and international flights, bringing them in line with most major airliners. JAL, Japan's largest airline, will ban smoking on its international flights starting April 1. It banned smoking on domestic flights Sept. 1. ANA, Japan's second-largest airline, will prohibit smoking on international flight from March 28, and on domestic flights from Oct. 1. The airlines said they will adopt the ban because many passengers prefer smoke-free environments.
Air Canada, pilots close to deal to end strike
QUEBEC CITY -- Air Canada and its 2,100 striking pilots were on the brink of reaching an agreement today that would end an eight-day work stoppage."We hope that the negotiations will go quickly. We are waiting," said Air Canada spokeswoman Nicole Couture-Simard. "We firmly hope to have an agreement today." The head of the pilots' union, Capt. Jean-Marc Belanger, also said he was confident the dispute, which centers on salaries, would be resolved today.
The Montreal-based airline cancelled all its flights, including two weekly flights to Hawaii.
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