HAWAII

Mandara Spa to open on Big Island

Steiner Leisure Ltd. said yesterday that its luxury resort spa division, Mandara Spa, will operate a luxury spa at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island.

The term of the agreement is five years, with an option to renew for an additional five-year term at Mandara's option. Steiner Leisure will be required to invest up to $200,000 in connection with the build-out of the spa, which is currently under construction. It is expected to open in March.

The 3,000-square-foot luxury facility will feature massage, facials and other spa services.

First Hawaiian partners with Orbitz

First Hawaiian Bank yesterday announced a new partnership with online travel company Orbitz that enhances its Priority Rewards card program for its more than 100,000 credit and debit card customers.

Features include: Air travel rewards redemption through Orbitz, up to 1 percent cash back on all purchases, and the ability to “;gift”; or transfer CashPoints to other card members.

For more information visit www.fhbrewards.com or call (800) 868-2856.

NATION

Former UH student to chair Citigroup

NEW YORK » Citigroup Inc. says board member Richard Parsons - the former CEO of Time Warner - will soon be taking over as chairman. Parsons is a former University of Hawaii student.

Parsons succeeds Win Bischoff, who became chairman in December 2007. Bischoff is not putting himself up for re-election at the board's annual meeting this spring, and will retire later this year, Citigroup says.

Also yesterday, Citigroup's top three executives said they have passed up bonuses, as the banking giant works to return to profitability after five straight quarters of losses.

Chief Executive Vikram Pandit, Chairman Win Bischoff and Chief Financial Officer Gary Crittenden have declined incentive and retention awards that were offered to members of the bank's executive committee, Citigroup said in a filing yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

AMR and UAL post wider losses

American Airlines parent AMR Corp. and United Airlines parent UAL Corp. reported wider fourth-quarter losses and said they will cut more flights because of slowing demand for air travel.

American, the second-largest U.S. airline, and No. 3 United trimmed capacity last year as jet-fuel costs soared and have continued to scale back as the recession curbs travel.

AMR's net loss was $340 million, or $1.22 a share. UAL's net loss was $1.3 billion, or $9.91 a share, after incorrectly betting that jet-fuel prices would rise.

UAL's loss widened from $53 million, or 47 cents a share, a year earlier.

New Internet service hits Pacific

Broadband Internet and telephone service is now available to vessels and jets crossing the Pacific Ocean with the recent rollout of the mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service from KVH Industries Inc.

The new coverage area includes Hawaii, Alaska, the west coasts of Canada and the U.S., and extends into Asia. Vessels and planes have access to uninterrupted Ku-band Internet and voice services from the Asian coast eastward throughout North America and the Caribbean, across the North Atlantic, and through Mediterranean waters.

Maps illustrating coverage are available at http://kvh.com/footprints.