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[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

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Isle bankruptcies keep decreasing

Hawaii bankruptcies continued to decline, falling 8.1 percent in November to extend their decrease in 2004 to 18.9 percent from a year earlier.

Total filings, which have fallen every month this year, are on track to drop for the 12th straight quarter. The 215 November filings were down from 234 a year ago while year-to-date filings of 2,849 are below the 3,513 filings through the first 11 months of 2003, according to federal Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu.

Nationally, bankruptcies were down 2.6 percent in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2004, according to data released yesterday by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. There were 1,618,987 bankruptcies compared with 1,661,996 filings during the same period a year ago.

USAA reduces military auto rates

The United Services Automobile Association has cut auto insurance rates for Hawaii's active duty and former military personnel more than 10 percent in a national move that affects premiums on more than 40,000 cars and trucks in the state.

Military members insured with San Antonio-based USAA, will get back an average of $75 a vehicle annually, though reductions will vary by policy holder. USAA said it is lowering auto insurance rates by an average 8 percent in 48 states and the District of Columbia.