BUSINESS BRIEFS
Mesa pilots ratify 2-year labor deal
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Mesa Air Group, the parent of go! airlines, said its unionized pilots have ratified a new two-year labor agreement.
Details of the agreement, reached after nine months of negotiations between Mesa and the Air Line Pilots Association, were not released.
"We are delighted our pilots have ratified this new agreement," said Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa chairman and chief executive officer. "In supporting this contract our pilots have demonstrated their understanding of current industry conditions and have approved an agreement that both addresses their concerns and fully maintains Mesa's industry-leading cost and productivity advantage."
PAPAYA PRODUCTION DOWN 11%
Hawai'i papaya production fell 11 percent in October from the same month a year earlier, but was still 1 percent higher over the first 10 months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to the latest estimates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Farmers produced an estimated 3 million pounds of papaya in October. Production for the first 10 months of the year totaled 25.5 million pounds.
Growers received an estimated 43 cents per pound of fresh papaya in October, 4 cents less than in September but 5 cents more than a year earlier.
The NASS said heavy rain fell on parts of the state in October, "replenishing soil moisture levels."
PRIDE OF AMERICA COMMITS TILL 2012
Norwegian Cruise Line this said it is committed to keeping the Pride of America ship cruising in Hawai'i through 2012.
The Miami-based company earlier this year pulled two of the three ships that were cruising interisland in response to declining revenues. At the time, NCL officials said it would evaluate the situation and decide whether to keep the Pride of America in Hawai'i.
The company said Pride of America will continue to sail seven-day roundtrip interisland cruises every Saturday through January 2012. The company transferred Pride of Aloha and Pride of Hawai'i earlier this year.
10 FREE SOLAR WATER HEATERS OFFERED
Blue Planet Foundation and Suntech Hawaii are offering 10 free solar water heaters to O'ahu homeowners as part of a promotion by the companies.
You must become a "friend" of Blue Planet by signing up at its Web site, www.blueplanetfoundation.org, by Dec. 20. Winners will be announced Dec. 22.
You can also sign up at the Blue Planet booth at the Night Market at Aloha Tower on Wednesday
The Blue Planet Foundation is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting renewable energy.
CHEESEBURGER BEACHWALK OPENS
Waikiki Beach Walk has added another restaurant to its growing list of eateries.
Cheeseburger Beachwalk opened its doors Nov. 20 for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant is on the center's second level at the top of the escalators on the mauka end of the building and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Operated by Cheeseburger Restaurants, the chain is known for its burgers and fries, as well as its selection of sandwiches, salads and seafood. There are also a number of vegetarian options on the menu.
