Business Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire services
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FAST FACTS HAWAII
HAWAII
Ashley consumers to get refunds
More than three dozen customers still owed money by Ashley Furniture Home Store, which closed suddenly in November, apparently will be receiving full restitution soon.
The state Office of Consumer Protection said yesterday that more than 100 customers were owed merchandise that they had paid for when the Waikele store closed without warning, and most later received a refund, either through chargebacks to their credit-card accounts or from the local Ashley distributor following a liquidation sale.
But about three dozen customers still are owed a refund, and now, an office spokesman said, an agreement has been reached with the corporate headquarters of Ashley Furniture Industries in Wisconsin to make sure that happens.
The office said that Hawaii customers who paid for merchandise that was not delivered will receive a full refund in the mail within a week.
Anyone with questions about the refunds can call the consumer-protection agency at 586-2636.
Isle airlines offer $25 fares
Mesa Air Group's go!,
Hawaiian Airlines and
Aloha Airlines all announced a $25 one-way online fare special yesterday that goes into effect today.
Consumers have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to buy tickets for travel today through Sept. 30, excluding holiday blackout dates of Aug. 31, Sept. 2 and Sept. 3. The fare applies to flights to or from Honolulu and does not include applicable fees and taxes.
No overnight stay or round-trip purchase is required for the fares.
Four Seasons completes expansion
Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay has completed its new, $10 million oceanview ballroom and terrace, Hale Halawai, on time and on budget.
Construction of the 13,582-square-foot facility started in July 2006 and finished earlier this month.
Intended for incentive, corporate and social events, it features 7,690 square feet indoors and 5,892 square feet of terrace space, and can accommodate 500 guests for dinner and 600 for receptions.
Hale Halawai was designed by Pacific Asia Design Group and constructed by general contractor Charles Pankow Builders Ltd. Its construction was in addition to recent renovations at the resort that totaled $50 million.
Owned by Castle & Cooke LLC and managed by Four Seasons, the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay has 215 guest rooms and 21 suites, and sits above the beach of Hulopo'e Bay, with views of Maui and Kahoolawe.
NATION
The whole OK
Yesterday, Judge Paul L. Friedman of U.S. District Court in Washington refused the Federal Trade Commission's request to block the merger of the Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets. Above, Jose Fortis stocked eggplants in a Whole Foods store in New York last month.
BRIEF CASE
Lucrative technology. Hewlett-Packard Co. continues to cash in on ravenous demand for personal computers and lucrative printer ink, with third-quarter sales and profit that easily beat Wall Street's expectations.
Darden buyout. Darden Restaurants Inc., which operates the Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurant chains, said yesterday it agreed to buy Rare Hospitality Inc. for about $1.19 billion.
Profit drop. Fannie Mae, the largest U.S. buyer and guarantor of home mortgages, reported yesterday that its profit dropped 36 percent in 2006 and said it expects higher delinquencies and credit losses this year from the turbulence in the mortgage market.
BUSINESS PULSE