U.S. House votes down sugar amendment

The U.S. House voted 239-177 yesterday to reject a proposed reduction in price supports for sugar, a program that keeps U.S. sugar prices artificially high.

The proposed amendment to the 2001 Farm Security Act would have threatened the continuation of Hawaii's sugar industry, Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, said in a new release issued by her Washington office. The bill is expected to come up for a final vote in the House today. It will then be referred to the Senate.

Schuler new-home orders decline 2.8% in quarter

Honolulu-based Schuler Homes Inc. said yesterday that its new orders for homes fell 2.8 percent in the third quarter, partly because of the tragic events of Sept. 11. Schuler said it received 1,340 new orders for homes for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with 1,378 in the year-earlier period.

Meanwhile, Schuler closed on the sale of 1,308 homes in the third quarter, a 23.6 percent rise from 1,058 homes in the previous year. Schuler also attributed the decrease in new orders to the opening of 15 new housing communities in the previous year. Schuler ranks among one of the top 15 home builders in America with sales in Oregon, California, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado and Arizona. The recent sales figures account for Schuler's April 3 merger with Western Pacific Housing of California.

Aloha Air tops U.S. again in on-time performance

Aloha Airlines once again led the nation in on-time arrivals in August, according to a monthly report from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Aloha's flights were on time -- defined as within 15 minutes of the schedule -- 84.5 percent of the time, according to the list. Trans World Airlines was second with an 83.7 percent on-time record and Southwest Airlines was third at 81.7 percent. Of the 11 airlines covered by the report, Aloha is the only one to make voluntary filings. Because of their much bigger size, the others are required to file.

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[TAKING NOTICE]

NEW JOBS

>> Maryl Realty Inc. has named Terry Paiva to the position of site sales office manager for the company's projects at The Shops and The Villages at Mauna Lani. She will be responsible for coordinating advertising for both projects as well as oversight of the client data bank. Paiva most recently worked at the real estate investment firm Colony Capital.

>> Lee J. Strunk has joined The Gas Co. as an account executive in the company's sales and marketing department. He previously served as sales manager at Oahu Gas Service.

>> Sally Moragne Mist has joined RE/MAX Honolulu. She was formerly a sales agent with Coldwell Banker Kahala.

PROMOTIONS

>> Kauai Electric has promoted David Morgan to vice president and general manager. He will be responsible for all operations. Morgan joined KE in 1995 as its production manager. Also at the Garden Isle utility, Alton H. Miyamoto was named director of administration. With more than 20 years of experience at KE, he will lead the company's support services and regulatory affairs. Miyamoto was previously the manager of strategic planning. And Gary Peers has been promoted to production manager. He joined KE from Arco, where he sailed as chief engineer aboard large tankers.