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Jobless rate still lowest in nation

Hawaii posted the lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the nation for the second straight month in June, according to state figures announced yesterday.

The statewide seasonally adjusted rate was 3.1 percent, down from 4.4 percent in June 2003. The national average stood at 5.6 percent, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said.

"A robust local economy has accounted for the sustained job growth that has added 12,000 new jobs since June of last year," department Director Nelson Befitel said.

In June, Hawaii's seasonally adjusted labor force totaled 629,450, comprised of 610,100 employed and 19,350 unemployed, the department said.

For the first six months of this year, the rate averaged 3.6 percent compared to 4.4 percent during the first half of 2003.

Psychologists to meet in Waikiki

An annual meeting of the American Psychological Association kicks off Wednesday at the Hawaii Convention Center, bringing more than 10,000 delegates to Waikiki.

The event, which runs through Aug. 1, is expected to bring $33.5 million in visitor spending and $2.8 million in tax revenue to the state.

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[Hawaii Inc.]

NEW JOBS

>> ArdorProducts.com has recently named Jusufu Williams Kazen president. He will be responsible for operations, developing and implementing customer satisfaction procedures and product merchandising. He previously worked in human resources and retail management.

>> Hunt Building Co., a full-service development and construction company, has hired Matthew Myllykangas as development manager. He will be responsible for the project management of renovation and new development activities at the firm's Iroquois Point, Barbers Point, and Halawa Landing properties. He previously served as Orbital Sciences Co. manager in Dulles, Va.

PROMOTIONS

>> Castle & Cooke Hawaii has promoted Susan Harada to Dole Plantation operations director. She will be responsible for overseeing the expansion of retail operations at the plantation. She has been with the company for 17 years.

>> A&B Properties Inc. has promoted Diane M. Shigeta to vice president. She will be responsible for the financial evaluation of acquisition, development, property management and sales activity, as well as for strategic and operating plan development. Before joining the company, she served as a Hawaiian Trust Co. portfolio manager and served as a financial analyst with Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco.