[ Taking Notice ]

NEW JOBS

>> Agnes Sykes has been appointed management executive for Hawaiiana Management Company Ltd. She previously served as a specialist for the city Department of Community Services, where she was responsible for coordinating implementation of its mandatory leasehold conversion program.

>> Parents and Children Together has named Nandi Sakai program director for Puuhonua.

She also directs the Hale Ola Windward Abuse Shelter, the Family Visitation Center, and PACT's two Child Protective Services Visitation Centers. Cathy Eber is the new program director for PACT's economic development center. Kathryn Hunter is the new program director for the Hana Like Home Visitor program, part of Hawaii's Healthy Start Network. Margaret Malone is the new director of quality assurance. Malone will help programs measure performance outcomes and monitor compliance with accreditation and safety standards.

PROMOTION

>> Atlantis Adventures has promoted Makiko Nagakura to director of marketing services. She will be responsible for overseeing the marketing services team and developing promotions, marketing strategies, and partnerships for Atlantis products. She will coordinate these efforts with other divisions.

ON THE BOARD

>> Jim Wayman has been elected chairman of the board of Goodwill Industries of Hawaii. He is senior vice president of First Hawaiian Bank's bank properties division. Other officers are: First Vice Chairman Douglas Smith, attorney with Damon, Key, Leong, Kupchak, Hastert; Second Vice Chairman Michael B. Cutler, president and chief executive officer of Cutler & Associates; Secretary Darlene Blakeney, vice president and manager of Bank of Hawaii's commercial banking center; and Treasurer Marty Jaskot, retired president and CEO of Theo H. Davies & Co. Goodwill also named 11 new members to its board of directors: Dennis Arakaki, state representative for District 28; Mel Choy, chairman of Durrant-Media Five; Allen Chung, vice president of Rudolph Dew & Associates; Christina Enoka, human resources director for Kahi Mohala; Herman Masuda, vice president of the corporate banking department of American Savings Bank; Joel Matsunaga, vice president of external affairs for Verizon Hawaii; David Matsuura, state senator for District 2; Mari Naito, registered principal for SunAmerica Securities and owner of Fast Signs; Scott Nariyoshi, director of communications and community relations for Kaiser Permanente; Allen Seta of Carrier Hawaii; and Jim Walsh, vice president of provider services for HMSA.

---

NATION

Mortgage rate drops to record low 6.22%

WASHINGTON >> Rates for 30-year mortgages dipped to a new low this week, providing even more fuel for the mortgage refinancing boom.

In a nationwide survey released yesterday, Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported that the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.22 percent, the lowest level in 32 years of record keeping. A year ago, 30-year mortgages averaged 6.92 percent.

This week's rate surpassed the previous low of 6.31 percent set last week. And last week's rate had bested the prior low of 6.34 percent reached in late July.

Low mortgage rates are feeding a boom in mortgage refinancing. Savings or extra cash coming out of refinancing deals is helping to support consumer spending and offsetting some potentially negative factors, such as the volatile stock market and eroding consumer confidence, economists said.

Refinancing activity last week represented 68.8 percent of mortgage loan applications, up from 68.4 percent the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America reported Wednesday.

ResortQuest files for SEC extension

MEMPHIS, Tenn. >> ResortQuest International Inc., which through its Aston Hotels & Resorts subsidiary manages more than 30 properties in Hawaii, filed for a five-day extension of its second-quarter financial report.

The company said it is finishing a review of an income tax effect associated with a change in accounting.

The vacation rental-property management company estimates the tax effect will increase reported first-quarter earnings by $1.9 million, or 10 cents a share. However, earnings before unusual items and the accounting change won't change from previously reported amounts.

The company reported first-quarter earnings of $4.3 million, or 23 cents a share, on revenue of $40.5 million. Excluding unusual items and the accounting change, earnings were $2.9 million, or 15 cents a share.

Upon completion of the review, the company plans to restate the financial statements for the first quarter and to file its second-quarter financial report within the five-day extension period. ResortQuest's chief executive and chief financial officer will certify the financial results.

Dish Network owner under investigation

LITTLETON, Colo. >> Attorneys general in 10 states are investigating EchoStar Communications Corp. for allegedly violating consumer protection laws, the company confirmed yesterday.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Wednesday, the satellite television provider said the attorneys generals are examining its call response times, advertising disclosures and policies for handling consumer complaints.

EchoStar spokesman Marc Lumpkin said the investigation started in two states in April and grew to 10 states over the next three months. He would not disclose which states were involved but said EchoStar is cooperating with the investigations.

EchoStar began offering its Dish Network in Hawaii in June.

JAPAN

Nasdaq pulls out of Japanese venture

TOKYO >> After losing money for two years, the Nasdaq Stock Market said today it was pulling out of Japan and will instead concentrate on strengthening its presence in Europe. The Osaka Securities Exchange in central Japan, where the market has been trading, said it was terminating its agreement with Nasdaq Japan on Oct. 15. The decision was made at a Nasdaq Japan board of directors' meeting.

It is a major setback for U.S.-based Nasdaq's hopes for round-the-clock equity trading.