IN HAWAII

Software firm Viata suspends operations

Viata Software Inc., a Honolulu technology company that made a splash last year when it raised some capital, recently told potential creditors that it has suspended operations and can't make payments until it raises more money.

In a brief letter dated July 10, Viata said it regretted the inconvenience. Company officials did not return calls.

Formed in 1998, Viata built travel-booking software that connects retailers, such as travel agents, with hotels, airlines and other providers. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts became a customer in 2001. In October, Viata said that John Dean, chairman of Silicon Valley Bank, had led a group that invested $3 million in the firm.

J.W. Ellsworth resigned as president and chief executive in May. Ellsworth, a former executive of Aston Hotels & Resorts, joined Viata in 2000 to turn the company around. Viata competed with Get2Hawaii, an affiliate of the Panda Group.

ON THE MAINLAND

Boyd Gaming profits double in 2nd quarter

Casino operator Boyd Gaming Corp., which conducts charter travel packages from Hawaii to Las Vegas, today reported second-quarter net profit more than doubled to $17 million, or 26 cents a share, from $8 million, or 14 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.

Net revenues were a record $312 million vs. $281 million in the corresponding period of 2001. The increase included slot revenue from Delta Downs, which was acquired in May 2001 and had only minimal operations in last year's second quarter.

The company's downtown Las Vegas properties, which include Boyd's Hawaiian travel agency, Vacations Hawaii, posted second-quarter revenues of $59 million compared with $58 million in the year-ago quarter.

Boyd's stock, which fell 16 cents to $15.56 before the announcement at the market's close, has soared nearly 140 percent this year.

Apple meets market's lowered expectations

SAN JOSE, Calif. >> Apple Computer Inc. reported third-quarter results yesterday that were in line with Wall Street's lowered expectations but did little to buoy the sagging personal computer industry.

For the third quarter ended June 29, the Cupertino-based computer maker said it earned $32 million, or 9 cents a share, on revenue of $1.43 billion. In the year-ago period, Apple earned $61 million, or 17 cents a share, on revenue of $1.47 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call expected earnings of 9 cents a share on revenues of about $1.42 billion.

American Trans Air pilots OK new contract

INDIANAPOLIS >> American Trans Air's pilots ratified a new four-year contract with the airline, ending more than two years of negotiations.

The Air Line Pilots Association said yesterday that the contract was approved by about 80 percent of the 820 eligible crew members who voted. The Indianapolis-based airline and the pilots union had announced a tentative contract agreement last month.

Details of the contract were not released, but the union said it included pay increases and improvements in scheduling and job security.

Family settles suit over fatal blowout

LOS ANGELES >> Survivors of two Californians killed when a Firestone tire blew out on a Ford Explorer in Wyoming settled a lawsuit against both companies yesterday. Terms were not disclosed.

The Meek family's settlement aborted what would have been the first California trial related to the nationwide recall two years ago of Firestone tires and the rollover of Ford Explorers equipped with those tires.