HAWAII

Shipping companies post dividends

Alexander & Baldwin, the Honolulu-based parent of ocean shipper Matson Navigation Co., said yesterday that it will pay a fourth-quarter 2008 dividend of 31.5 cents a share, payable on Dec. 4 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 6. It is the company's fourth-straight dividend of 31.5 cents.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Horizon Lines Inc. said yesterday that its board voted to declare a quarterly dividend of 11 cents a share, payable Dec. 15 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 1. The dividend has been unchanged since the company went public in 2005.

IRS to return more than $2 million

The Internal Revenue Service said yesterday it is looking for Hawaii taxpayers who are missing a total of 2,000 economic stimulus checks totaling more than $1.2 million and 747 regular refund checks totaling more than $900,000 that were returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS then will send out all checks due.

Taxpayers who may be due a stimulus check need to update their addresses with the IRS by Nov. 28. By law, economic stimulus checks must be sent out by Dec. 31. The undeliverable economic stimulus checks for Hawaii taxpayers average $633. The regular refund checks for Hawaii taxpayers that were returned average $1,217.

Visit IRS.gov or call (866) 234-2942 for more information.

Hilo Hattie renegotiates lease

Hilo Hattie, the retailer of aloha shirts and souvenirs that filed for Chapter 11 reorganization earlier this month, said yesterday that it has successfully renegotiated its lease with Kamehameha Schools, owner of the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

The company plans to open a new flagship store and concept, Hilo Hattie at the Beach, there in July 2009.

The design phase for the new store is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with construction starting as early as February. Once complete, Hilo Hattie at the Beach will occupy 29,000 square feet on the first and second levels of the Royal Hawaiian Center, with a ground-floor entrance next to the Cheesecake Factory along Kalakaua Avenue.

Hilo Hattie was founded in 1963 and has nine store locations in Hawaii and California.

Report: Honolulu tops pricey travel

Honolulu ranks as one of the most expensive places to travel from, according to a survey by Cheapflights.com released earlier this week.

Cheapflights.com took the average airfare deals and compared them to the cost of living for one month in 30 U.S. markets. Honolulu was given a ranking of 1.55, which places it in the “;expensive”; category, for all cities with a ranking of 1.12 and above. Cities ranking from 1.0 to 1.11 are “;reasonably affordable,”; and those less than 1.0 are “;very affordable,”; the report said.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ranked as high as Honolulu, while New York ranked the lowest, at 0.57. The national average was 1.0.

“;Turns out not many fly from Hawaii as compared to other states because the cost of travel is high compared to the cost of living in paradise,”; the survey stated.

Isle building gets Energy Star rank

Colliers Monroe Friedlander said yesterday that the Central Pacific Plaza building, located at 220 S. King St., earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious Energy Star award. Energy Star is the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance.

Central Pacific Plaza is owned by Central Pacific Bank, managed by Colliers Monroe Friedlander, and is the only building in Hawaii to earn this recognition for five consecutive years. 

[ Taking Notice ]

Promotions / New Hires

» Outrigger Enterprises Group has named Darren J. Edmonstone senior vice president-Asia. He will oversee the company's regional office in Phuket, Thailand and its expansion of properties including the Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort on Rawai Beach, Phuket; the Outrigger Panorama Bali Resort & Spa in Bukit, Bali; and the West Sands Outrigger Resort & Spa on Mai Khao Beach.

He joined Outrigger in 2005 as vice president of acquisitions and development and has extensive hospitality experience including HongKong and Shanghai Hotels Limited and The Kuwaiti Investment Office.

» Outrigger Enterprises Group has appointed Robert McConnell as Best Western governor for Hawaii. He currently serves as general manager of the OHANA Honolulu Airport Hotel and Best Western The Plaza Hotel and has more than 25 years of experience including management positions at Outrigger properties in Hawaii, Fiji, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

» City Mill Co. has announced the following new appointments:

* CharlAnn Nakamoto as human resources manager. Her experience includes NCL America, the Maui Prince Hotel Makena Resort, Renaissance and Westin Hotels.

* Stephanie Nicholson as merchant. Her experience includes Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn Teen and Macy's.

Awards / Certifications

>> The Century 21 All Islands Waikele office has been honored with the Patriot Award from the U.S. Army and a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Marine Corps. The awards recognize the company's assistance to military service members and their families with their transition to Hawaii through sponsorship of military events.

» The U.S. Green Building Council has certified Dricka Brown and Aimee Ramil of Group 70 International with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED designation recognizes professionals for their understanding and operation of green building practices.