Isle gas prices continue to inch up

Gasoline prices gained two to six cents a gallon throughout Hawaii from a week ago, according to AAA. Statewide, the gas price average rose by three cents over the past week at $2.45 a gallon.

Yesterday's average price in Honolulu was $2.37 a gallon for unleaded, two cents more from last week's price, 10 cents higher than last month, and $1.03 lower than this time last year. In Hilo, the average price was $2.56 a gallon, six cents more than last week, 11 cents more than last month, and a dollar lower than this time last year. The average price in Wailuku was $2.61 a gallon, a nickel more from last week, up 12 cents from last month, and $1.28 lower than last year.

Finance Factors to open Manoa branch

Finance Factors Ltd. will open its new Manoa branch on Monday.

The location will be the financial institution's 14th branch in Hawaii. It is located at 2955 East Manoa Road, in the new Finance Factors Manoa Center. Branch hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Beach Villas at Ko Olina prices cut

The Beach Villas at Ko Olina said this week that it is selling its remaining villas, including beach and ocean-front villa locations, at reduced prices.

The developer, Centex Destination Properties, will host a one-time sales event at The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa on June 6 and 7. A reservation is required to participate, and selection priority will be based on the order in which reservations are received.

Visit http://www.koolinabeachvillas.com.

Consumer education fair next week

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is teaming with government agencies as well as national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the 11th annual National Consumer Protection Week, being held tomorrow through March 7.

The department is partnering with the U.S. Postal Service to host the NCPW Consumer Education Fair on Friday from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the King Kalakaua Building courtyard, 335 Merchant St. Consumer education specialists will be available to distribute information and materials.

For more information, visit http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

Hawaiian gift Web site launches

A team of local entrepreneurs has created and launched www.HawaiianJewelryAndGift.com, headquartered on Kauai, to increase the level of awareness of Hawaiian culture.

During the next two years, the company plans to transform the site into a cost-effective avenue for Hawaiian jewelry and gift shops to sell their products.

The company is launching with more than 600 products, and plans to have 1,000 products available by summer, and approximately 2,000 products by the end of its first year.

It is giving a 10 percent discount on every purchase made using the online coupon code WL4138 by March 12.

Kahala Mall welcomes SoHa

SoHa Living opened a 1,100-square-foot location at Kahala Mall on Thursday after moving from its Ward Centre location last week. SoHa, which stands for South of Hawaii, is a Honolulu-based furniture and design center.

Quiksilver to open in Kukuiula

Quiksilver, an apparel and accessory retailer, will expand to Kauai's south shore when it opens at Kukuiula Village this summer.

The 2,400-square-foot store will be licensed and operated by retail entrepreneur Eric Miura, the co-owner of M. Miura Stores Inc. in Kapaa.

The Kukuiula Village store will offer a blend of Quiksilver and Roxy sportswear, accessories, surf boards, body boards and skateboards. Unique to the location will be Quiksilver and Roxy Poipu T-shirts. The store will also carry Stand Up Paddle surfboards by Paddle Surf Hawaii, and Kialoa and Quick Blade paddles.

State Farm loses $542 million

NEW YORK » State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., the largest U.S. home and auto insurer, reported its first loss in six years on hurricane claims and costs from covering cars.

The net loss was $542 million, compared with profit of $5.46 billion in 2007, the Bloomington, Ill.-based company said yesterday. The insurer is owned by its policyholders and reports results once a year.

Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, coupled with a record number of tornadoes, contributed to $6.3 billion in catastrophe claims, State Farm said.