Job openings fall about 25%

WASHINGTON >> Finding a job got much tougher last year, as the number of available openings fell by nearly one-quarter.

At the same time, the unemployed population soared by more than one-third, leaving more laid-off workers competing for fewer jobs.

All told, there were 6.1 unemployed workers in December, on average, for every available position, according to Labor Department data released yesterday.

That's a sharp increase from 3.4 jobless workers per opening in December 2008, and much worse than the 1.7 unemployed people per opening in December 2007, when the recession began.

Dialysis nurses ratify 3-year contract

The Hawaii Nurses Association, which represents 85 nurses at seven Fresenius Dialysis locations in the state, has ratified a three-year agreement that includes wage increases of 2.5 percent through 2013.

Among some of the other provisions are an increase to eight weeks of paid orientation from four weeks and keeping the 10-year, $1-per-hour longevity pay.

Wary consumers trim Disney's profit

LOS ANGELES » Consumers sent tepid signals to the Walt Disney Co. during the holiday quarter, as many of them still required discounts to step into theme parks and reduced spending on food, beverages and merchandise when they got there.

Disney said it earned $844 million in the fiscal first quarter, which ended Jan. 2, roughly flat compared with a year earlier. Revenue rose 1 percent to $9.74 billion.

Strong overseas sales lift Coke's net

NEW YORK » While sales in North America softened, international sales again added enough fizz to Coca-Cola's fourth quarter to lift profit 55 percent in the last three months of the year.

Coca-Cola's fourth-quarter net income rose to $1.54 billion. Revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 increased 5 percent to $7.51 billion from $7.13 billion.

Verizon donates cash and phones

Through its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless donated about $83,000 worth of services and cash grants to domestic violence awareness programs in Hawaii.

In 2009 the program donated 217 phones, each with 3,000 prepaid minutes, to domestic violence shelters in the state. The value is around $65,100. The company also donated a total of $18,500 to the Domestic Violence Action Center, Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center and the State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Kauai properties to be auctioned

A 6,015-square-foot estate overlooking the ocean in Kealia, Kauai, will be up for auction March 8, as will an adjacent 5-acre lot.

The three-bedroom, 21/2-bath sand stucco home was previously offered for just under $10 million. The reserve for the auction is $2 million.

There is no minimum bid.

Both properties can be viewed online at http://www.KauaiLuxuryAuction.com.

ON THE MOVE

Mobi PCS has promoted Lance Takai to island sales manager for the Big Island from retail sales manager. He was previously a men's department group sales manager and receiving manager at Macy's.

Whole Foods Market has announced the following at its first Maui store:

» Ethan Price as assistant store team leader. He was previously a store receiver tracking incoming shipments at Whole Foods Market's Kahala store.

» Debby Hanzow as assistant store team leader. She was previously an associate store team leader for the company's Boca Raton and Coral Springs stores in Florida.

» Elyse Ditzel as marketing supervisor. She was previously a store marketing supervisor at the Kahala store.