BUSINESS BRIEFS
Gasoline rises to a record $3.74
Advertiser Staff
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline statewide rose to a record $3.74 yesterday, according to AAA Hawaii.
That was up five cents a gallon from a week ago and up 64 cents from a year ago. Around the state, the average was $3.64 in Honolulu, $3.73 in Hilo and $4.09 in Wailuku. All the prices were records for the areas. The AAA doesn't report gas prices from Kaua'i, Lana'i or Moloka'i.
"Prices are up throughout the state and crude oil prices posted new records in the financial markets this week," said AAA Hawaii regional manager Richard Velazquez.
Hawai'i's average gas price was the second-highest in the nation behind California, where prices hit a record $3.84 a gallon yesterday.
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular hit a record high $3.45 yesterday.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED OVER TAXES
The state Department of Taxation said a criminal complaint has been filed against a Honolulu resident for failing to file his annual return and reconciliation forms for the general excise tax for the years 2002 through 2005.
The department said the complaint was filed in First Circuit Court in Honolulu earlier this month against Curtis M. Miyahara. It said failing to file a return is a misdemeanor and that conviction can result in a $25,000 fine and imprisonment of not more than one year for each count, or probation.
PUERTO RICO SHIPPING INVESTIGATED
Matson Navigation, the biggest ocean cargo carrier to Hawai'i, said it expects to receive a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice as the government investigates pricing practices of ocean carriers serving Puerto Rico.
"Matson Navigation, A&B's ocean transportation subsidiary, does not operate vessels in the Puerto Rico trade," said Matson's parent company, Alexander & Baldwin Inc., in a press statement.
"However, Matson has been informed by the Department of Justice that it will receive a subpoena for documents related to domestic ocean carriage. We will cooperate fully with the Department of Justice."
On Thursday, federal agents searched the offices of Horizon Lines Inc. in connection with the probe. Authorities, armed with search warrants and a grand jury subpoena, took computers and boxes from Horizon's headquarters.
INTERESTED IN ADVISING THE IRS?
The Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service and the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel are seeking Hawai'i residents interested in becoming members of the panel, which provides a forum for citizens from each state to make suggestions to the IRS.
Members provide input and make recommendations on customer service issues, help identify and prioritize taxpayer issues and participate in meetings where taxpayers are invited to raise issues about their experiences with the IRS.
To qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel. In addition, they must be current with their tax obligations and pass a criminal background check.
You can submit an application at www.improveirs.org until April 30. You can also call 888-912-1227 to request a paper application form.
