BUSINESS BRIEFS
Bank signs deal for seawater cooling
Advertiser Staff and News Services
First Hawaiian Bank said it is the first customer to sign a contract with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC, a renewable energy company that is developing a system that will use cold ocean water to help air-condition Downtown Honolulu buildings.
First Hawaiian Bank signed a multiyear agreement with Honolulu Seawater, said Al Yamada, First Hawaiian Bank vice chairman.
"Our bank determined that becoming a customer made environmental and financial sense. We very much wish to encourage the growth of renewable energy alternatives," Yamada said.
Honolulu Seawater plans to start the $152 million project in July, having identified areas where it wants to lay pipelines that will draw 45-degree ocean water, and having found a site in Kaka'ako for a cooling station where fresh water will be chilled and piped to buildings.
WALGREENS OPENS LAHAINA STORE
Walgreens opened its first Neighbor Island pharmacy yesterday in Lahaina.
The pharmacy is the third in the state for Walgreens. The other two are in full-service Walgreens stores in Honolulu and Kane'ohe.
The new pharmacy is at the site of the former Lahaina Pharmacy on Waine'e Street. The Lahaina Pharmacy closed on Friday, and Walgreens staff worked over the weekend to prepare for today's opening.
Lahaina Pharmacy owner Sheldon Zimmerman announced he would sell his pharmacy to Walgreens in mid-October and is now continuing as a part-time Walgreens pharmacist as part of his retirement transition plan. Walgreens also hired employees from Lahaina Pharmacy to ensure a smooth transition without interruption for patients.
Walgreens also plans to open one more pharmacy in Lahaina and two in Wailuku in January.
CAR RENTAL TO CLOSE AIRPORT SITES
Advantage Rent A Car said it will close airport locations in Honolulu and Maui as it shutters 21 offices after filing for bankruptcy.
The San Antonio-based company filed for a Chapter 11 reorganization yesterday, saying its finances were hurt by a decline in travel and higher costs, along with less credit availability. It said its Honolulu and Maui locations would remain open to accept returning rental vehicles.
The company said it has made arrangements with Hertz to honor almost all remaining reservations at affected locations. It is keeping open 10 locations in Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Florida and Utah.
MOKULELE, WESTJET FORM PARTNERSHIP
Mokulele Airlines and WestJet of Canada have announced a new partnership.
In the deal, customers of WestJet Vacations can purchase interisland flight tickets on Mokulele using WestJet's Web site. The two airlines have also agreed to promote each other's products on their respective Web sites.
The companies said they are still finalizing details of the partnership.
WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, announced in October that it was expanding its weekly flights to Hawai'i from 18 to 23 during the busy winter season.
Mokulele launched a major expansion last month when it reached an agreement with Indianapolis-based Republic Airways to fly 70-seat Embraer 170 jets for its interisland service.
