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Island Air sale delayed

Aloha Airlines' sale of smaller-airport carrier Island Air to San Francisco-based Gavarnie Holding LLC has been delayed.

The deal, announced Dec. 5, originally was targeted to close Monday. But that date came and went and there is no indication when it might close.

"We are working diligently toward the completion of the transaction," Aloha spokesman Stu Glauberman said yesterday.

Island Air President Neil Takekawa, who will remain as president under the new ownership, said it's taking longer than anticipated to close the transaction.

"There's more paperwork than we thought," Takekawa said. "Considering how close (Aloha Airlines and Island Air are), it's taking more time to pull them apart than we thought."

Charlie Willis, head of Gavernie Holding, and his son Austin were traveling yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Aloha hasn't revealed the value of the deal.

Island Air's new owners won't compete with Aloha on interisland routes, said Takekawa.

"We are going to be the third carrier," he said. "We always have been. We expect to be complementary to both Aloha and Hawaiian."

Hawaii Coffee to supply Navy

The Hawaii Coffee Co. will supply its Lion brand 100 percent Molokai Coffee and Royal Kona brand 100 percent Kona Coffee to the U.S. Navy.

The company hopes to ship the Navy's first order of 14,000 pounds of coffee this week. The coffee will be served aboard Navy ships and offered at military dining facilities starting this month. It will be distributed by Y. Hata & Co.

The coffees won first and second place, respectively, in a taste test conducted by military buyers for the Navy. While the coffee has been available at local military commissaries, this will be the first time the product has been made available in military dining facilities and on ships, the company said.

Maui Juice Co. sold to XStream

Hawaii-based Maui Juice Co. has been purchased by XStream Beverage Group of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for an undisclosed amount.

Founded in 1986 by Makawao resident Lawrence Lassek, Maui Juice sells seven flavors of fresh juice throughout Hawaii. Its nutrient-enhanced drinks include Ginger Blast, Noni Lemonade and Aloe Lime C Charge and it also produces a line of smoothie drinks.

The drinks and juices are produced at a company-owned facility on Maui. XStream officials said that the juices will continue to be made at that facility.

HTA awards enrichment funds

The state Hawaii Tourism Authority has selected four organizations that will receive funding for specific efforts that support its product enrichment program.

The Nova Arts Foundation's Iona Hawaiian Myths and Legends Production will get $15,000. The Canoe Festival Series of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association will receive $30,000. The Korean Chamber of Commerce's Korean Festival will receive $30,000 and the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festivals by Ka Hoku Productions Inc. will receive $40,000.

HTA's statewide product enrichment program supports efforts to diversify Hawaii's tourism activities in niche areas.