First Hawaiian ends 2001 as state's top SBA lender

First Hawaiian Bank loaned more money under the Small Business Administration's 7(a) program last year than any other local bank.

The bank made $8.1 million in loans to companies in Hawaii and Guam under the SBA's primary small business loan program. It was more than $3 million ahead of its nearest rival among 13 other financial institutions in Hawaii and Guam. First Hawaiian also took the top spot last year.

"First Hawaiian Bank has been an outstanding support to small business in the community and a great support to SBA financing. They are off to a good start for 2002, too," said Andrew Poepoe, Hawaii district director for the SBA.

Central Pacific Bank won recognition for best Category II midsized bank with 20 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $4.9 million.

The SBA guaranteed 208 loans in the Hawaii district in 2001, for a total of $36.5 million.

Affordable housing units set for Kohala Coast

WAIKOLOA >> More than 200 affordable housing units on the Kohala Coast will be available later this month when the units at the Elima Lani Condominium at Waikoloa Village go on sale.

The 216 existing two-bedroom, two-bathroom units will help fill an important need in West Hawaii, said spokesman John Patterson of Steadfast Properties, which owns the Elima Lani.

Most of the units are priced from $105,000 to $110,000. Thirty-six units are priced from $120,000 to $139,000, he said.

The 1,000-square-foot units are available with no down payment and Federal Housing Assistance mortgage financing.

Steadfast Properties bought the 27 eight-plex buildings in 1999 for $12.6 million from Dia Hawaii Corp., which partially operated the condominiums as a resort until the sale.

American Air to begin daily N.Y.-Tokyo service

New York >> AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, the largest air carrier, said it will begin daily nonstop service to Tokyo from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport April 19. American will fly Boeing Co.'s new 223-seat 777, which has the longest range in the fleet, to Tokyo's Narita Airport, the company said in a statement. Tokyo will be American's 19th international destination from JFK, the airline said. American also said it will add a second nonstop flight three days a week between Dallas/Fort Worth and Tokyo on June 1. American also flies to Tokyo from Chicago and San Jose, Calif.

Carnival sweetens offer for P&O Princess by 12%

LONDON >> Carnival Corp., the world's biggest cruise ship operator, sweetened its takeover bid for P&O Princess Cruises PLC by 12 percent today to a revised value of $5 billion.

P&O Princess, which already plans to merge with No. 2 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., res-ponded that it would consider Carnival's improved "pre-conditional takeover proposal" and make an announcement. Miami-based Carnival is eager to break up Princess' planned merger with Royal Caribbean, which would create a business that would eclipse Carnival as market leader.