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Business Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire services
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HAWAII
Hawaiian tops on-time rankings
Hawaiian Airlines was ranked as the No. 1 carrier for on-time performance in May by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the airline said yesterday.
Hawaiian had 88.9 percent of its flights arrive as scheduled during the month.
Sopogy starts building solar farm
Honolulu-based
Sopogy Inc. is breaking ground tomorrow on the Keahole Solar Power farm at the Big Island's Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii.
The Kona solar farm will be built in phases on six acres and will be the first of its kind to use Sopogy's new solar systems technology on a large scale. The proprietary technology uses reflectors and optics to harness solar energy to create heat, which produces electricity.
Pride of Aloha returns to Miami
Norwegian Sky, which had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawaii interisland cruises until last May, has returned to Miami to begin sailing Bahamas cruises.
The ship will begin its new schedule on Monday. It went through a two-month wet dock in Freeport, Bahamas, and added a casino and freestyle guest enhancements in preparation for its new market.
Central Pacific launches service
Central Pacific Bank has started a new online banking service that allows customers to open an account online at
www.centralpacificbank.com.
Customers can open and electronically fund an account without visiting a branch using a database identity verification system through the bank.
Three types of accounts qualify: Totally Free Checking, Interest Checking and Personal Savings.
NATION
AirTran Airways to cut 480 jobs
ATLANTA » Discount carrier
AirTran Airways is cutting 480 jobs, or more than 5 percent of its work force, amid difficult financial times due largely to soaring fuel prices, a company executive said yesterday.
The Orlando, Fla.-based airline told employees that 180 pilot jobs and 300 flight attendant jobs will be eliminated effective Sept. 6; flights also will be reduced in September.
BUSINESS PULSE
