Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Thursday, April 5, 2001
Aloha Airlines second in U.S. on-time flights
After four months leading the nation's airlines in on-time performance, Aloha Airlines slipped into second place in February, according to the monthly Air Travel Consumer Report, issued this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation.But it was a very close second, with 79.5 percent of Aloha's flights arriving on time compared to 80.1 percent scored by February winner Continental Airlines. Since it started voluntarily reporting its figures late last year, Aloha was in the top position for October (90.5 percent), November (89.3 percent), December (91.9 percent) and January (93.9 percent).
Aloha's slip in February was part of a national decline in on-time performance, mostly due to bad weather, spokesman Tom Yoneyama said. Flights were delayed all over the country and there was a domino effect that also touched Aloha, he said.
Aloha flies interisland and Hawaii-California routes. The worst on-time performance among the 10 major carriers that are required to report was Alaska Airlines, getting to its destinations in February on time only 62.1 percent of the time.
Maui rental apartments complex up for sale
A San Diego company has put the 288-unit Maui Park rental apartments in Lahaina back on the market after converting the six-building complex from a Comfort Inn last year.Del Mar Pacific Inc. has hired real estate firm Colliers Monroe Friedlander to market the property as an opportunity for conversion to individually owned condominiums. The complex, located across from Honokowai Beach Park, is currently more than 95 percent leased and should sell in the range of $30 million to $40 million, according to Colliers.
Purchases by check on the rise in Hawaii
Purchases made by check from Hawaii's retailers rose 5.5 percent in March compared with the same period last year, according to a monthly tally of purchases made by check.Hawaii's increase led the nation, followed by a 5.4 increase in New Orleans and a 4.5 percent boost in the Carolinas, according to Houston-based TeleCheck Services Inc., a widely used check acceptance company.
TeleCheck's survey is based on same-store retail sales. Checks make up one-third of retail spending, the company said.
Longs Drug holder Ariel Capital cuts stake
WASHINGTON >> Longs Drug Stores Corp.'s second-largest shareholder, Ariel Capital Management Inc., cut its stake in the drugstore chain to 11.5 percent from 12.6 percent, according to a regulatory filing.Chicago-based Ariel reported holding about 4.3 million shares, down from 4.7 million listed in a filing dated March 28. Ariel's holdings have fallen by almost 1.3 million shares since the investor first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last September to report a 14.9 percent stake, comprising 5.6 million shares.
Longs Drug, based in Walnut Creek, Calif., owns stores in the western U.S., including Hawaii.
Asia looks to surviving economic fallout
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia >> Surviving the U.S. financial downturn and new weakness in Japan is expected to top the agenda at a weekend meeting of Asian economic chiefs.The Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference begins Saturday. Issues such as applying International Monetary Fund conditions to currency swaps, the specter of an Asian Monetary Fund, and the effects of bilateral trade agreements will also be discussed.