Go! Mokulele traffic up slightly

Go! Mokulele, the interisland joint venture formed in mid-October, carried slightly more passengers in December than it did a year earlier when it operated only as go!.

The combined airlines transported 59,857 passengers last month, up 1.7 percent from 58,833 in December 2008. The load factor, or percentage of seats filled, slipped 1.5 percentage points to 65.6 percent from 67.1 percent.

Revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, fell 7.9 percent to 8.2 million from 8.9 million while available seat miles, or one seat transported one mile, decreased 5.7 percent to 12.5 million from 13.2 million.

Kaneohe McDonald's to renovate

The Kaneohe McDonald's at 45-480 Kaneohe Bay Drive closed yesterday for renovations that will include a contemporary new look and design for both the interior and exterior, modifications to the restaurant drive-through to improve traffic flow, and installation of water, lighting and air fixtures for increased efficiency.

McDonald's is expected to reopen in the spring.

Hawaii gets $6M green jobs grant

The Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has received $6 million in federal funds for green jobs under the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants program. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor, aims to train nearly 1,400 Hawaii workers. Program participants will receive technical and occupational skills necessary to obtain industry-recognized credentials through the training funded with the grants. To find out more about job training opportunities available through the Department of Labor, call the National Contact Center's toll-free help line at (866) 487-2365 or TTY (877) 889-5627.

Big Isle homeowners can get help

Big Island homeowners facing foreclosure on their primary residence now have the option to participate in mediation with the lender before the case comes before a judge.

Lenders seeking to foreclose on owner-occupied residential properties on the Big Island must now notify the borrowers that they have the option of mediation by serving them a Foreclosure Mediation Notice along with the complaint and summons. Eligible borrowers must file a foreclosure mediation request with the court to participate in this new program. Forms may be obtained from the judiciary Web site at http://www.courts.state.hi.us or from the Chief Court Administrator's Office in Hilo.

AT&T expands 3G coverage in isles

AT&T is expanding 3G coverage with the activation of new cell sites on Oahu and Kauai.

The Oahu site improves coverage for residents in the area around Hickam Air Force Base, including the base, Hickam Village, the Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor, Moanalua Shopping Center and the H-1/Kamehameha Highway interchange.

The new 3G cell site on Kauai services the area comprising Kekaha, Pokii, Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor, and parts of Waimea Canyon Drive, Kokee Road and Kaumualii Highway.

On the Move

The Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association's Na Po'e Pa'ahana has presented the following awards:

» Outstanding lodging employee of the year: Leticia Gamiao, Aqua Waikiki Wave.

» Bell/Valet person of the year: Sheldon Matsuda, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali.

» Engineering/ Maintenance person of the year: Jared Takayesu, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

» Food & beverage person of the year: Viola “;Binkie”; Tanita, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.

» Front office person of the year: Frani Forde Denny, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

» Housekeeper of the year: Noemi Joy Corpuz, Halekulani.

» Manager of the year: Gary Nushida, Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club.

» Security officer of the year: Christian Alexander, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

» Allied member of the year: Walter “;Wally”; Marciel, HFM FoodServices.

To submit entries, send to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)