HawTel lost $9.3M in September

Hawaiian Telcom, which will go to federal Bankruptcy Court Monday for a hearing to confirm its Chapter 11 reorganization plan, narrowed its net loss in September to $9.3 million from $10.8 million the previous month.

The state's largest telephone provider said yesterday that operating revenue slipped to $33.1 million from $33.2 million in August, and operating expenses declined to $24.9 million from $25.3 million.

Its cash position fell to $110.8 million from $112.6 million.

The company filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 1.

Wal-Mart to reopen in Hilo, Kahului

The Hilo and Kahului Wal-Mart stores will mark 8 a.m. grand reopenings tomorrow and Thursday, respectively.

Both stores were remodeled to improve layouts with wider aisles, expand food and electronics departments, and brighten interior paint and lighting.

Employees at each store will present grants to several island-specific nonprofit organizations from the Wal-Mart Foundation, including $14,000 to groups in Hilo and $12,500 for organizations on Maui.

DHX-Maui opens freight facility

DHX-Maui's new, 41,000-square-foot freight-handling facility opened in Waikapu yesterday.

DHX-Maui is a sister company of DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express. The new facility will be blessed Nov. 16.

Kauai art dealer to move to Oahu

Tin Can Mailman, a Hawaiiana arts dealer, is moving to the Chinatown arts district in Honolulu.

The boutique, which has been on Kauai for 17 years, will occupy the former Bonnie's Closet site at 1026 Nuuanu Ave. in time for the next First Friday celebration.

Besides artifacts from the era of Cook to the territorial period, Tin Can Mailman offers furniture, decor, vintage souvenirs and a library of new, used and rare books on Hawaii and the Pacific islands.

City gets $3.8 million energy grant

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Honolulu a $3.8 million energy efficiency and conservation block grant.

Such grants are used to help communities improve their energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create green jobs.

Activities eligible for grants funding include home and business energy audits and building retrofits, the development of advanced building codes, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie says ultimately, the grants help families save money on utility bills.

Abercrombie says the more energy-efficient Hawaii's communities are, the smaller the overall energy demand.

ON THE MOVE

  Distributed Energy Partners has named Larry McCarthy as a partner in finance. He has more than 20 years of management experience and previously was vice president of operations for Concentris Systems.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties said Kyle Sakoda has earned the distinction of being named one of NRT's top 1,000 agents for the first quarter of 2009. The honor is bestowed upon agents who exhibit superior professionalism and sales leadership, and Sakoda's sales performance has placed him among the top 2 percent of all agents in NRT.