First Hawaiian donates $1 million to United Way

First Hawaiian Bank and its employees statewide have donated $1 million to this fall's United Way campaign.

The amount is the largest ever for a Hawaii company and comes at a time when the United Way is anticipating shortfalls because of the recent economic downturn, the bank said.

Irving Lauber, president of the Aloha United Way on Oahu, expressed gratitude for the contributions, saying they come at a difficult time for many people in Hawaii.

"First Hawaiian is a kamaaina company that truly cares for our community," Lauber said. "Over the years, they have donated millions of dollars to address critical human service needs."

Gov. signs bill to extend unemployment aid

A legislative measure to extended unemployment benefits has been signed by Gov. Ben Cayetano, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said yesterday.

Act 7 creates a new temporary program that will pay an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits through June 30, 2002. To be eligible for the extended benefit, workers must meet certain requirements.

"If you were still drawing benefits on Sept. 11 and they have subsequently run out or if you applied on or after Sept. 11, you'll qualify for benefits," Labor Department spokesman Tom Jackson said.

The criteria include:

>> Must have been paid regular unemployment benefits for a week of unemployment ending after Sept. 11.

>> Must have exhausted unemployment benefits on or after Sept. 11.

>> Cannot be eligible to receive regular, extended or other additional unemployment benefits elsewhere.

>> Must have exhausted other unemployment benefits before additional benefits will be paid.

Those who may eligible for the extended benefits will be notified by the department beginning Friday. Workers who do not receive a notice but who feel they may be eligible should call the unemployment office.

Hawaii leads gain in retail check purchases

Despite the economic fallout from Sept. 11, isle retailers managed to post a modest gain in October, according to a new report. TeleCheck Services Inc. said that same-store retail sales in Hawaii rose 3.2 percent last month. On a percentage basis, Hawaii's gain was the largest in the country, which has been hard hit by the recent economic downturn. Nationwide, retail sales rose a mild 1.4 percent, TeleCheck said.

The monthly TeleCheck report is based on a year-over-year, same-store comparison of the dollar volume of checks written by consumers. Check purchases account for about a third of all retail spending.

HVCB promoting Hawaii at China trade show

Representatives of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau are in China to promote Hawaii at a travel show.

The four-day China International Travel Mart will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Kunming International Trade Center in Kunming, Yunnan Province.

HVCB president Tony Vericella said that as China continues to develop its global travel industry, it will become an increasingly more prominent source of leisure and business travelers for Hawaii's future.

The trade show attracts travel industry exhibitors and buyers from throughout the world, he said. Last year's show attracted 10,000 trade visitors from five continents and more than 40 countries, and 48,000 Chinese residents.

The Hawaii pavilion will be a display of classic Hawaii images and travel products targeted specifically for the China market, the HVCB said. Also featured will be Hawaiian performers.

The visitors bureau also will host a VIP reception on Saturday for China-based travel industry executives, travel agents and media.

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Taking Notice

NEW JOBS

>> Castle and Cooke Homes Hawaii has named Larry Abney as its director of construction. He will be responsible for oversight of housing development. A 28-year veteran of the construction industry, Abney joins Castle and Cooke after serving as vice president of operations at John Laing Homes in California.

PROMOTIONS

>> Aileen Utterdyke has been promoted to senior manager in the tax consulting group of Ernst & Young's Honolulu office. She works with clients who specialize in retail, distribution, manufacturing and real estate. Utterdyke joined the firm in 1987. Also at Ernst & Young, Adele Wong has been promoted to manager in the tax compliance group. She is responsible for the income tax preparation group. Wong joined the firm in 1984. And Elisa Ann Lau and Joyce Tamori have been promoted to seniors in the audit group. Lau joined the firm in 2000. Tamori joined the firm in 2000.