Service activity, retail sales lag

NEW YORK » Further evidence that the economic recovery will be a slow one emerged yesterday with reports that service-sector activity and retail sales unexpectedly shrank in November as consumers held back on purchases.

The government did report one positive sign: New jobless claims dropped for a fifth straight week, declining by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Supply Management's service-sector index dropped to 48.7 from 50.6 in October. And after posting two straight sales gains after more than a year of declines, retailers posted an unexpected 0.3 percent decrease for November, compared with a year ago.

Mobi PCS opens 12th store

Honolulu-based Mobi PCS opened its 12th retail location yesterday in downtown Honolulu.

The store at 1111 Fort Street Mall was formerly a Cash Plus store, a Mobi dealer location that proved popular with customers.

It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and employs two people.

The company has also upgraded its 3G CDMA voice and Hele Wireless Broadband networks in Leeward Oahu with a new cell site in Lualualei.

The site provides improved in-building and street coverage throughout the Lualualei area from Nanakuli to the U.S. Naval Reservation as well as in residential areas of Lualualei heading toward Maili.

The company has deployed nearly 20 new cell sites in the state this year and recently opened a store in Nanakuli.

ON THE MOVE

» Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert has hired two associate attorneys.

Elizabeth Burroughs interned at the U.S. District Court in Hawaii and earned her J.D. degree from William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Va. Cherise Boyce worked at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and earned her J.D. degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

» The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii has announced the recipients of the 2009 Alakai Awards: Sally Ancheta, outstanding adult advocate; Castle Medical Center, Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine Center, outstanding organization; Melissa Chong, outstanding young adult advocate; Alexander Halley, outstanding youth advocate; Jay Ihara, outstanding provider; KITV, outstanding business; and Kat Kawachi, media champion. Da Braddahs, James Roache and Tony Silva, are recipients of the Kanalu Award.

The coalition also announced the following new officers for the 2009-2010 board of directors: Kimberly M. Frank, president; Clifford Chang, president-elect; Kent Kasaoka, treasurer; and Marilyn Gagen, immediate past president and secretary.