ML Macadamia Orchards L.P. said full-year earnings rose $33,000 to $804,000, or 11 cents a share in 2006 from the previous year.

Revenues fell $324,000 to $17.1 million. The company attributed the earnings improvement to higher nut prices. The company received an average price of 61 cents per pound for macadamia nuts in 2006, up from 56 cents per pound in 2005.

Hilo-based ML Macadamia Orchards, which is acquiring MacFarms Hawaii, recently requested more time to file its annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

$300K TO REPAIR DAMAGED PIPES

It will cost about $150,000 each to fix two underwater pipelines at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority that were damaged by last October's earthquakes, officials at the lab said.

During the earthquake, an 18-inch pipe was completely displaced, while a 40-inch line suffered a 2-inch crack, said NELHA Chief Executive Ron Baird. The 18-inch pipe was damaged at the shoreline, while the 40-inch pipe was damaged at a depth of 57 feet. NELHA hopes to have the pipes repaired by year's end. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to reimburse the state for the cost of fixing the pipes, which provide deep-sea water to aquaculture companies that lease space at the facility.

CRUISE LINES PLAN HAWAI'I VOYAGES

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean announced plans for 2008 that include at least 10 voyages to Hawai'i from the West Coast or Mexico.

Celebrity said it will have Honolulu-Ensenada cruises in March and October as well as voyages between San Diego and Hawai'i in October, November and December. It will also have San Diego-Hawai'i cruises in February and March of 2009.

Royal Caribbean said its plans include two sailings from Mexico to Hawai'i and three from San Diego in early and late summer 2008.

RINGSPOT VIRUS FOUND ON LANA'I

The papaya ringspot virus has been detected on Lana'i, the state Department of Agriculture reported yesterday.

The virus already has established a presence on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island. It has not yet been detected on Kaua'i. The virus causes blemished fruit and eventually kills the plant. There is no cure for the plant virus.

HARRIS AD AGENCY ADDING CLIENTS

The Harris Agency, a Hono-lulu-based advertising firm, said it added a several clients in the first quarter, including Hilo Hattie, Bella Pietra and go! airlines.

The additional business increased the firms' billings by 15 percent, or $3 million. The company has 20 full-time employees.

The Harris Agency's other clients include Burger King, Diamond Bakery, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, KFC, KTA Superstores and Pacific LightNet.