Hawaii jobless rate jumps to 5.2 percent

Hawaii's unemployment rate jumped to 5.2 percent in October as a result of layoffs following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to the state Department of Labor.

The October rate compares with 4.5 percent in September and is the highest in two years.

The state Labor Department said the rise in unemployment is reflected in a drop of 3,600 payroll jobs, including 2,100 in the hotel industry.

Nationwide, only Nevada had a bigger surge. It's jobless rate leaped 1.5 percent to 6.3 percent in October.

City Bank parent declares 4th-quarter dividend

CB Bancshares, parent of Hawaii's City Bank, said it will pay a cash dividend of 11 cents a share Dec. 27 to shareholders of record Dec.15.

The fourth-quarter dividend is unchanged from the third quarter.

The company, which has 21 bank branches on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, has assets of $1.7 billion.

CSX matches Matson cut, lowers fuel surcharge

CSX Lines said today it will lower its fuel surcharge to 3.25 percent, from 4.25 percent, starting Sunday, matching the cut announced yesterday by mainland-Hawaii competitor Matson Navigation Co.

Both shipping lines said they were reacting to lower fuel costs.

CSX, the former Sea-Land Service, is also holding off on changing its basic freight rates and will not make a decision until next year, said Brian Taylor, vice president and general manager, Hawaii-Guam division.

He said CSX, like other shipping lines, is experiencing higher costs, such as new security expenses, because of the Sept. 11 disaster but wants to do its bit to help the economy so will hold the line on rates for the time being.

Microsoft to donate $1 billion in settlement

SEATTLE >> More than 12,500 of the poorest schools in the nation would receive $1 billion in computers, software, training and cash in an unusual deal offered to settle most of Microsoft Corp.'s private antitrust lawsuits.

The proposed settlement was announced yesterday, but lawyers for some of the plaintiffs warned they would oppose the plan, calling it "pathetic and a sweetheart deal for Microsoft."

The funding, to be disbursed over five years, would pay for teacher training, technical support, refurbished computers and copies of Microsoft software, such as Windows and Office, to about 14 percent of U.S. schools, company spokesman Matt Pilla said.

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[Taking notice]

NEW JOBS

>> Kuakini Health System has named Patrice Nelligan manager of rehabilitation services. She recently moved to Hawaii from Los Angeles where she was the rehabilitation admissions coordinator at Daniel Freeman Hospitals. Nelligan will oversee the physical, occupational and speech therapy programs.

>> Charles Degala has been hired as a loan officer in Summit Lending of Hawaii's retail sales division. He has worked in the travel industry for 15 years, most recently as director of cruise services at Navatek Cruises.

PROMOTIONS

>> Sherry F. Ishikawa has joined Bank of Hawaii's Triad Insurance Agency as a senior broker. In addition, Beth E. Fong, Liane K. Fukumoto, Sydney P. Kenny, Cheryl S. Minaai and Mary Anne Thomas have been promoted from assistant vice presidents to vice presidents at the bank.

>> Rick Moad has been named director of group sales at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. He will be responsible for generating business transient sales and oversight of the event management department. Moad, who has 27 years of hotel sales experience, previously served as senior sales manager of Hawaii area sales for Marriott International. In addition, Sherylene Alfaro was named director of revenue strategy. A Marriott employee for over 16 years, Alfaro relocated from California to join the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort.

RECOGNITION

>> Stephanie Hamamoto and Casey Ogata have been named Mea Ho'okipa award recipients by Duke's Canoe Club Kauai. Hamamoto and Ogata are recipients of the first and second quarter awards, respectively. Mea Ho'okipa was designed to recognize employees who best represent the aloha spirit.