HAWAII

JAL fuel surcharge jumps today

JAL Group, parent of Japan Airlines, is raising its fuel surcharge, effective today.

The airline requested a fuel surcharge increase in August for international tickets issued for the three-month period starting today. For tickets between Hawaii and Japan, the surcharge will increase to $208 from $180 for July through September.

The fuel surcharge charged for tickets issued from January to March 2009 will be reviewed based on the average price of fuel for August to October 2008.

State takes energy-saving steps

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Business Registration Division said last week it is taking initiatives to cut costs and go green.

Beginning today, the division will no longer automatically mail paper copies of annual report forms to filers of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships whose annual reports are due. The division has sent notice cards with information on how to file online at http://www.ehawaii.gov/annuals.

“;Starting this year, filers will only receive the notice cards,”; Tung Chan, head of the department's Business Registration Division, said in a statement. “;The notice cards are easy to use and many already rely on them alone. Removing the extra paper mailing will save more than 560 pounds of paper and nearly $24,000 of postage a year.”;

Paper copies with pre-filled filing information of the annual reports will still be available via U.S. mail for filers requesting paper copies. For assistance, call 586-2727.

Milestone acquires Hawaii licenses

Milestone Managers & Providers said last week it has gained approval of its life settlement provider licenses in Hawaii. Milestone is the first life settlement provider licensed in Hawaii after the revisions made in June to Hawaii's life settlement statute.

The company is now able to transact business in 40 states, including non-regulated states.

Applications are in progress for all other licensed states except for Alaska and Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.milestonesettlements.com, or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

LCC to host mini job fair

About 40 organizations will be recruiting employees at Leeward Community College's mini job fair next Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the library concourse. The fair is open to the public. For a full listing of organizations, visit http://www.lcc.hawaii.edu/jobs/events or call 455-0240.

Bankoh donates $5,000 to Queen's

The Queen's Cancer Center has received a $5,000 donation from the Bank of Hawaii Charitable Foundation. The contribution will support former cancer patient Susan Kobayashi's project to provide uplifting DVDs for patients to watch during chemotherapy treatments.

“;Through the generosity of the Bank of Hawaii Charitable Foundation, we are able to provide added comfort and aid to our cancer patients receiving chemotherapy here at our Cancer Center,”; said Art Ushijima, president of Queen's Medical Center.

Hawaiian adds Pago Pago flights

Hawaiian Airlines said yesterday that four extra flights have been added during the holidays to its regularly scheduled service between Honolulu and Pago Pago, American Samoa, in anticipation of increased passenger traffic.

Extra flights are being added on four days - Dec. 19, 23 and 30 and Jan. 2. On those days, Hawaii's Flight 1465 will depart Honolulu at 5:05 p.m. and arrive in Pago Pago at 9:30 p.m. Return Flight 1466 will depart Pago Pago that same evening at 11:20 p.m. and arrive in Honolulu the following morning at 5:30 a.m.

These flights are in addition to the twice-weekly service that Hawaiian provides Honolulu and Pago Pago on Sundays and Thursday.

PETCO opens in Kona Commons

Specialty pet store PETCO opened its newest location in the Kona Commons, just north of Kailua-Kona, with a blessing ceremony on Monday. It is the company's first store in Hawaii, marking the opening of a PETCO store in every state. The store also will host a three-day grand opening celebration beginning Friday.