Verizon's 3G network on Kauai expands into Koloa

Verizon has expanded its 3G network to Kauai's Koloa area, the company said.

The cell site extends wireless coverage and increases data capacity in the Kukui Ula area of Koloa. The site is part of Verizon's network expansion throughout Hawaii. Last year it spent more than $28 million to enhance coverage in Hawaii.

Small Business Administration hosts free workshops

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a free half-hour consultation for small businesses in Hawaii.

The event is a confidential consultation with agency small-business specialists addressing issues including access to capital and credit.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11, will be at the Keeaumoku branch of Central Pacific Bank, 818 Keeaumoku St.

Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 541-2990, ext. 210, or visit www.sba.gov/hi.

Oceanic Time Warner offers free calls to Haiti

All digital phone subscribers for Oceanic Time Warner Cable will be able to call Haiti for free through the end of February, in light of the earthquake there.

Calls that were made to Haiti Jan. 12-21 will be credited to the customer's account. Subscribers will not be charged for direct-dialed calls to land lines or cell phone numbers in Haiti. Calls using operators, director assistance or other nondirect dial calls are not part of the free offering.

UH-Hilo business college retains accreditation

The University of Hawaii at Hilo's College of Business and Economics has maintained its business accreditation.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business renewed accreditations for 45 institutions. Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools. Less than 5 percent of business schools worldwide win accreditation from the AACSB.

“;This is the gold standard,”; said UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng. “;To achieve and maintain AACSB accreditation places COBE in some very exclusive company with the finest business institutions around the globe.”;

To learn more about the school, visit business.uhh.hawaii.edu.

Coming up

» Today: Commerce Department releases construction spending for December.

» Tomorrow: National Association of Realtors releases pending home sales index for December.

» Wednesday: The Institute for Supply Management releases its service-sector index for January.

» Thursday: Labor Department releases fourth-quarter productivity.

» Friday: Federal Reserve releases consumer credit data for December.