JAL assesses 5,000 job cuts

TOKYO » Struggling Japan Airlines Corp., which is in the midst of major restructuring, is considering slashing 5,000 jobs in three years, a news report said yesterday.

The job cuts would be equal to about 10 percent of the company's work force, Kyodo News agency said, citing unnamed industry sources.

Company officials could not be reached for comment.

The number of workers at Japan Airlines stood at 48,930 at the end of April, according to the airline's Web site. JAL hopes to cut the jobs through early retirement by March 2012, Kyodo said.

JAL incurred its biggest-ever quarterly net loss of $1 billion in the three months ending June 30.

Airlines offering special fares

Mokulele Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are offering special promotions in September.

Mokulele is offering an “;Island-Hop Till You Drop”; deal at $299 for unlimited travel throughout September on any of its jet flights. Passes must be purchased by Monday, and flights must be booked by 11:59 p.m. three days before departure.

For more information, go to http://www.mokuleleairlines.com

Hawaiian Airlines will offer $24.99 fares on interisland flights in September to HawaiianMiles members, or those who register online as members by Monday.

There are no blackout dates for travel from Sept. 1-30 and up to seven passengers can travel on the same reservation. As an added incentive, customers will earn a minimum of 500 miles for each one-way interisland flight and will qualify for discounts on trans-Pacific flights by booking flights either before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m.

Each qualifying interisland round trip earns a 10 percent discount on a mainland ticket, two round trips earn 20 percent off, and so forth. Ten round trips resulting in a free mainland round trip to a city that Hawaiian serves. Travel to the mainland must be completed by June 10, 2010.

For more information, visit http://www.HawaiianAirlines.com.

Hilo Hattie parent loses $573,034

Pomare Ltd., the parent of Hilo Hattie, lost $573,034 in July, increasing its post-bankruptcy losses to $7.6 million.

The company's loss for the 30-day period that ended Aug. 1 narrowed to more than half a million compared with a $970,000 loss in June. Total operating expenses for the 30-day period were $1.3 million, while cumulative post-petition operating expenses were $17.4 million.

Hilo Hattie's reorganization plan is scheduled for confirmation in court on Sept. 14.

Free homebuying seminars offered

Prudential Locations will present free, educational homebuying seminars for first-time home buyers and for those wanting to learn about the pros and cons of buying distressed properties.

Interested first-time buyers can choose from four dates and times: 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday or Sept. 12 at the company's office at 614 Kapahulu Ave.; or at Pearl Country Club from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Aiea Sept. 1 or 16.

The distressed-property seminar will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at the Prudential office. To reserve a seat or request more information, call 735-5300.

Isles' ag work force remains steady

Hawaii's agricultural work force remained steady in July compared with April, according to the latest survey results from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In a survey from July 12 to 18, there were 6,100 workers, unchanged from April but down 2 percent from July 2008.

Hawaii's total farm work force was estimated at 10,400 during the survey week, 1 percent higher than April but down 1 percent from July. Self-employed operators totaled 3,400 in July, 3 percent more than in April but unchanged from a year ago.

Oil prices near $75 a barrel

HOUSTON » Oil prices approached $75 a barrel yesterday for the first time in 10 months amid growing optimism that the world's economies are on the mend.

Benchmark crude for October delivery rose 48 cents to settle at $74.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil last topped $75 in October.

ON THE MOVE

» Starwood Hotels and Resorts Waikiki and Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa has named Hiro Tanabe as director of Asia sales strategy and distribution. He began in Starwood as a corporate management trainee at the Royal Hawaiian in 1985.

» Hawaii National Bank has appointed Cheryl Nishita as marketing director. She previously was a marketing director and marketing manager at AIG Hawaii Insurance Co., as well as loans and product management at First Hawaiian Bank.

» The MADD Hawaii Council named its officers for 2009-2010: Arkie Koehl, council chairman; Rachel Ledford, treasurer; and Kari Benes, secretary. Vice presidents are Theresa Paulette, Sara Dudgeon, David Taylor, Elsa Honma and Anita DiMauro.