HAWAII

Hawaii bankruptcies soar 82.5%

January statewide bankruptcies in Hawaii soared 82.5 percent to 208 from 114 a year earlier, according to statistics from the Office of the U.S. Trustee.

The number of Chapter 7 liquidation filings doubled last month to 170 from 85 a year ago, while Chapter 13 filings, which enable individuals with regular sources of income to set up plans to pay creditors over time, jumped 35.7 percent to 38 from 28.

There were no Chapter 11 filings - primarily for business reorganizations - or Chapter 12 cases, which are set up for family farmers or family fishermen with regular annual income.

Hawaiian signs ticketing agreements

Hawaiian Airlines said yesterday that it has signed interline e-ticketing agreements with Air France and Virgin Blue of Australia to provide smoother connections for international travelers visiting the islands.

Customers of Air France and Virgin Blue with flight connections on Hawaiian can now buy a single e-ticket, check in once at the originating departure airport, receive boarding passes at the departure gate of any connecting transpacific or interisland flight, and pick up their luggage at the final destination.

Hawaiian listed similar agreements with 10 other carriers.

Hawaii ranks in top Valentine's spots

Booking data released yesterday by online booking company Orbitz puts Honolulu as the fifth most-popular destination for the upcoming President's Day/Valentine's Day weekend. The average daily hotel rate listed for Honolulu was $137.

Las Vegas took the top spot and had an average daily hotel rate of $111, based on package and hotel bookings as well as average daily hotel rates from Jan. 13-Jan. 17.

Separately yesterday, online retailer Travel Hawaii LLC, online at http://Travel-Hawaii.com, said Hawaii's hotels are slashing rates to stimulate demand.

“;Third night free is the new norm,”; said John Lindelow, owner of Travel Hawaii. “;We track all the offers from Hawaii's hotels, and we now have 33 hotels offering third night free. Combined with already discounted rates, this can make the cost of a hotel stay half of what it was a couple years ago at this time.”;