HAWAII

Airport enplanements decline

Fitch Ratings said yesterday it has affirmed the “;A”; rating on approximately $590 million of outstanding Hawaii Airport Division revenue bonds.

The rating outlook is stable. The bonds are secured by revenues of the airport system and aviation fuel taxes with final maturity expected in 2021.

The shutdowns of ATA and Aloha airlines this spring; industrywide airline capacity reductions; and a 4 percent increase in overseas traffic by various carriers, resulted in a decline in the airport system's enplanements for fiscal 2008, ended June 30, of 1 percent from fiscal 2007, to 17.1 million.

The division expects fiscal 2009 enplanements of 14.6 million, down 14.9 percent compared to fiscal 2008.

The backfill of service for both overseas and inter-island by Hawaiian Airlines and other carriers provides a degree of stability to passenger traffic, the division said.

Earlier this year, the state announced a program to modernize facilities, enhance security, and provide adequate parking, totaling $2.3 billion in projects through June 2021.

Beach Walk to be home to Bittner

Bittner, a specialty boutique offering fine writing instruments and elegant stationary from around the world, is expected to open today at Waikiki Beach Walk.

The new boutique is at the corner of Beachwalk and Kalia Road, across from the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and the new Trump International Hotel & Tower.

A Hawaiian blessing and grand opening celebration is scheduled at 4 p.m. today, followed by grand-opening celebrations tomorrow and Saturday.

Bittner Hawaii Inc. is a division of Bittner Inc., which was founded in 1990 by Detlef Bittner. The company operates its famous pen boutique and http://www.bittner.com in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif.

Along with its retail operations, Bittner specializes in fine corporate gifts and wedding gift services.

Hoku signs materials agreement

Kapolei-based Hoku Scientific, Inc. said yesterday it has signed an HCl supply agreement with a subsidiary of BHS Marketing Inc., a chemical supplier with bulk liquid transloading facilities in Nampa, Idaho, that are serviced by Union Pacific Railroad.

HCl and metallurgical grade silicon are the two primary starting materials for the manufacture of trichlorosilane, which is the key raw material for the production of polysilicon using the Siemens process.

The supply contract with BHS, coupled with a metallurgical grade silicon contract with Polymet, mean Hoku has secured enough key starting material to operate its planned Idaho polysilicon plant into 2010.

BHS will supply Hoku with HCl for eight years beginning in 2009. The guaranteed annual amount of HCl is expected to be enough to support the operation of Hoku's trichlorosilane plant, which would enable the production of 4,000 metric tons of polysilicon a year.

Hotels raise food bank funds

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii has launched an online auction of room and spa deals as a fundraiser for Hawaii Food Bank at http://www.biggivehawaii.com.

The auction, called “;Big Give Hawaii,”; offers 1,000 two-night room packages at as much as 80 percent off regular rates. Bidding for 25 spa treatments on Oahu and Maui starts at $105.

Twenty percent of auction proceeds will be donated to food banks on Oahu and the neighbor islands. Starwood Hotels hopes to raise a total of $40,000.

Bidding closes at midnight Nov. 30 and winning bidders must show proof of Hawaii residency. Auction packages must be redeemed between Dec. 8 of this year and Jan. 31, 2009.

TAKING NOTICE

Awards / Certifications

» The Organization of Women Leaders has named Hawaii Public Radio corporate relations director Cat Gelman “;Outstanding Woman of the Year.”; Gelman is a director at large for the organization and has also served as its vice president of programs.