Aquasearch to market AstaFactor on mainland

Aquasearch Inc., a Kona-based producer of diet and health supplements developed from pond-grown microalgae, said it is ready to market its AstaFactor nutraceutical product on the mainland. The company said it has an agreement with a national marketing firm, Morgan & Sampson /SCA, which will push the product to drug chains and other retailers in the 12 western states. Aquasearch has been selling AstaFactor in Hawaii and now has it in some 60 stores in the islands. The company cites research indicating the diet supplement may help ease various ailments, ranging from muscle soreness to sunburn and even cancer.

Hawaiian cuts mainland, neighbor island fares

Hawaiian Airlines, which like all U.S. carriers, has seen its passenger traffic drastically reduced, is introducing a special fare promotion for travel between the West Coast and Hawaii that starts with round-trip rates as low as $279.

The new "Hawaiian Getaway Fares," which go into effect today, are for travel through March 31, 2002, and must be purchased by Oct. 17. The savings range from 34 percent to 63 percent off the carrier's lowest normal fares, depending on the market and date of travel. Trips must originate from the West Coast.

The round-trip specials, which are limited to a certain number on each flight, include $279 from Los Angeles, $289 from San Francisco, $289 from San Diego, $309 from Seattle and $309 from Portland. The price includes all taxes except airport passenger facility charges, federal excise tax and fuel surcharge. In addition, Hawaiian is offering $90 round-trip neighbor island connections for those who want to add an extra stop to their trip.

Tickets can be purchased from any travel agent or at any Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter, city ticket office or via the airline's Web site at www.hawaiianair.com. The tickets are nonrefundable and must be purchased within 48 hours of making the reserva- tion. Hawaiian can be reached at 838-1555 on Oahu or 1-800-882-8811 from the neighbor islands.

Three airlines reduce their business fares

NEW YORK >> In a nod to the importance of corporate travel to their bottom lines, three of the nation's biggest airlines introduced discounts on business fares at a time when planes are flying half empty nationwide. After several weeks of intense cost-cutting measures that included trimming schedules by 20 percent and laying off more than 90,000 employees, airlines now seem focused on increa- sing revenues. While fewer than 10 percent of passengers purchase business fares, those sales typically make up between 50 and 70 percent of industrywide revenues.

The reduced fares being offered by AMR Corp.'s American, UAL Corp.'s United and Continental Airlines Inc. will mostly benefit small- and medium-sized businesses

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[TAKING NOTICE]

NEW JOBS

>> Jim C. Tollefson has been named acting president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. He served as chairman of The Chamber for the 1999-2000 term and has been a member of its board of directors for seven years.

Tollefson retired three months ago as an executive vice president with Bank of Hawaii parent Pacific Century Financial Corp.

>> Robin S. Midkiff has been chosen to head the Financial Management Group at First Hawaiian Bank.

As executive vice president and member of the senior management committee, Midkiff will assist with oversight of trust administration, investment management, employee benefits plan management and the bank's mutual funds.

She was most recently with the Honolulu office of JP Morgan Private Bank.