BUSINESS BRIEFS
Volunteer tax preparers needed
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Volunteer tax preparers are being sought by the AARP, the Hawaii Asset Building Coalition and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to provide free tax assistance during the upcoming filing season here. Last year more than 400 volunteers helped prepare more than 10,000 federal and state individual tax returns.
The volunteers help prepare returns for the elderly, disabled, low-income and non-English speaking. AARP emphasizes returns for senior citizens while VITA concentrates on assistance to low-income individuals and families.
Those interested can call the AARP at 955-5776, the Hawaii Asset Building Coalition at 539-1503, or Aloha United Way at 543-2201. You can also e-mail the Aloha United Way at susant@auw.org.
BOH APPROVES DIVIDEND INCREASE
Bank of Hawaii Corp.'s board has approved a 7.3 percent dividend increase.
Shareholders of record as of Nov. 30 will receive a quarterly cash dividend of 44 cents per share on Dec. 14.
Bank of Hawaii previously raised its quarterly cash dividend from 37 cents per share to 41 cents per share on Dec. 14, 2006.
The company also announced yesterday that its board had increased its share buyback authorization by $100 million. Bank of Hawaii's shares climbed $2.35, or 4.8 percent, to $51.70.
ALASKA AIRLINES RAISING PRICES
Alaska Airlines, the Seattle-based air carrier that recently began flying to Hawai'i, said it is raising one-way fares $5 on short flights and $10 on its longer flights.
The air carrier said jet fuel prices forced the ticket price increase and is now the company's single largest expense. Other airlines have recently raised ticket prices because of fuel costs.
COLLIERS WILL HANDLE BUILDING LEASES
The new owner of four O'ahu office buildings has retained local commercial real estate firm Colliers Monroe Friedlander to handle leasing for the properties.
The four properties are Downtown office buildings Haseko Center and Ocean View Center, Airport Center near Honolulu International Airport and the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center in 'Aiea.
An affiliate of financial services and investment firm Morgan Stanley bought the buildings last month for $98 million from Los Angeles-based Arroyo Realty Partners.
STORAGE DISCOUNTS FOR MILITARY
The state yesterday unveiled its new "Patriot Import/Export Discount Program" that offers a discount on storage space to active-duty military, spouses and veteran-owned businesses.
The program provides a 20 percent discount for six months at a full-service storage warehouse within Foreign Trade Zone 9 at Honolulu Harbor's Pier 2.
The offer is good for "import dutiable merchandise, goods or components used for export sales," according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
"We are actively reaching out to Hawai'i's veterans and military personnel who are or have diversified into Hawai'i's business economy by starting their own business," said Theodore Liu, DBEDT director.
The trade zone has a half-million cubic foot warehouse with security.
