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ATA adding flight serving Indianapolis

ATA Airlines Inc. said yesterday it is adding an Indianapolis-Honolulu flight beginning April 3, bringing the carrier's total to two daily direct flights. On the same day it will begin offering a daily direct flight from Indianapolis to Maui.

The Indianapolis-based airline, which last week announced a code-share deal with discount carrier Southwest Airlines, has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since October. It is negotiating with its unions over contract concessions, and plans to reduce it 66-jet fleet to 50 by summer, according to the Associated Press.

Realtors to discuss reinstatement

The Honolulu Board of Realtors has scheduled a special meeting of its general membership on Monday to discuss reinstating the trade organization's former chief executive, Judy Sobin.

Sobin was terminated as the board's top administrative official in October for reasons that have not been disclosed by the board. Her supporters want her reinstated but any outcome from the meeting is non-binding.

Sobin supporters called for the meeting in a petition signed by more than 300 members.

The Board of Realtors' board of directors has previously voted against the demands of another petition that several directors be removed over the matter.

The meeting will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Koolau Golf Course in Kaneohe from 2 to 5 p.m.

Finance Factors introduces new CD

Local lender Finance Factors said it has introduced a certificate of deposit that offers a higher interest rate, but also allows the bank to "call" or redeem the note early if market interest rates fall.

The "Callable CD" is a four-year certificate that requires a $5,000 deposit, though the deposit requirement is $1,000 for certain neighbor island branches of Finance Factors.

Bank provides grant to build homes

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle has given First Hawaiian Bank a $390,000 grant to help Hawaii Habitat for Humanity build 30 affordable single-family homes for first-time buyers.

Amid a housing crunch around the state, the money will help provide housing for lower-income families, such as a family of four that makes less than $32,850. The homes will be built throughout the state over two years, half on land lease by the state for native Hawaiian applicants. Other funding for the $1.95 million project is being provided by the Case Foundation and Office of Hawaiian Affairs, pending approval.

Fitch upgrades Bank of Hawaii

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the long-term ratings of Bank of Hawaii and its parent company to A- from BBB+.

At the same time, Fitch raised Bank of Hawaii's short-term ratings to F1 from F2, but left the parent company's short-term rating at F2. Fitch cited Bank of Hawaii's repositioning, improved profitability and reduced risk profile.

Barnwell gets another $2.7 million

Barnwell Industries Inc. said it has received $2.7 million as the fourth of 10 scheduled annual option payments relating to development rights at Hualalai Resort on the Big Island.