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POSTED: Saturday, October 03, 2009

Westjet to add Calgary flights

WestJet Airlines will start new nonstop service between Calgary, Alberta, and Honolulu and Maui beginning next year.

The Canadian-based airline will fly between Calgary and Honolulu once a week from March 7 to April 25, and between Calgary and Maui from March 6 to May 1. Introductory one-way fares to Honolulu start as low as $329, and to Maui from $369, plus applicable fees and taxes.

“;Calgarians love to travel to Hawaii, but of course, right now it means a stop in Vancouver,”; said Bob Cummings, WestJet vice president, guest experience and marketing. “;Now we're offering our guests the chance to fly nonstop right from Calgary.”;

The new service will end May 1 as WestJet transitions schedules.

 

Pride of America adds 2 cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America has added two seven-day cruises for Hawaii in the spring.

The two sailings will go on sale Monday with fares starting at $999 per person, based on double occupancy.

The sailings on April 24 and May 1 will feature a new itinerary that includes a day at sea along with the four ports currently offered on Pride of America: Hilo, Kahului, Kona and an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai.

In addition, the two sailings will include an evening sail by Kilauea Volcano, a day cruise by the north coast of Molokai and an afternoon sail by the Napali Coast.

The new sailings were added as a result of the ship's scheduled dry dock being postponed to a later date.

 

Organic certification aid renewed

Federal funds have been renewed to assist Hawaii's organic farmers, organic livestock operators and organic produce handlers with the cost of obtaining organic certification. The funds became available Thursday following two cooperative agreements between the state Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Organic farmers and livestock operators are required to have their farms and practices inspected annually and certified by an agent approved by the USDA. Seventy-five percent of the cost of this inspection and certification (up to a maximum of $750) is eligible for reimbursement under the Agricultural Management Assistance program authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act.

 

Lancaster joins KRTR 96 in morning

Dave Lancaster will be teaming up with “;Sista”; Sherry Clifton as the morning show co-host on Krater 96 (KRTR 96.3 FM) beginning Monday.

Their show airs from 5 to 10 a.m.

Lancaster, with more than 30 years in the radio business, has been the voice of numerous radio and television commercials—most notably as a member of Hawaii's comedy group Booga Booga.

 

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On the Move

Central Pacific Bank has announced the following promotions and new hires:

» Dayna N. Matsumoto to vice president and asset liability manager of treasury from assistant vice president and asset liability manager. She has nine years of financial industry experience.

» Dean B. Uyeda to vice president and senior commercial banking officer from assistant vice president and commercial banking officer. His experience includes commercial banking officer, business banking officer and assistant branch manager.

» Ronald K. Higa as vice president and operations manager of risk management. He previously was a credit process and systems manager, credit training and systems manager and credit policy officer at Bank of Hawaii.

» David K. Todani as senior vice president and chief fiduciary and services officer of wealth management. His experience includes working in finance, treasury, investments, trust and credit administration.

» Cynthia L. Wong as vice president, customer service and productivity manager for community banking division. She has 30 years experience in the banking industry.

» Patrick S. Yamada as senior vice president and senior portfolio manager of commercial real estate-Hawaii division.