The readers of Recommend magazine — travel agents — named Hawai'i the "Sexiest Romance/Honeymoon Destination" in North America in its 13th annual Reader's Choice Awards.

The fill-in survey asked participants to note their top choices in a number of categories, including airlines, rental car, rail, cruises, destinations, and hotels and resorts. The magazine said Hawai'i has occupied the romance/honeymoon top spot for the U.S. and Canada for the past decade.

Winners were determined based on the highest number of votes received from more than 1,000 travel agents and professionals between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30. The complete list of honorees will be published in the travel trade magazine's December issue.

HIRING EXPECTATIONS SLIGHTLY IMPROVED

More Honolulu employers are expected to reduce their work force than are expected to add to it during the first three months of 2010, according to new survey by Manpower Inc.

The firm reported 14 percent of the companies polled said they will reduce payrolls, while 6 percent said they intended to hire more people during the January-to-March period.

"Compared with the previous quarter when 10 percent of companies interviewed intended to add employees, and 21 percent planned to reduce staff levels, area hiring levels appear to be slightly stronger," the firm said in a press statement.

It reported 75 percent of companies surveyed intended to keep staffing levels the same, while 5 percent were unsure of their plans.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES BEST ON-TIME CARRIER

Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time performance among the nation's largest airlines in October.

The local airline said it also had the fewest cancellations, was second for baggage handling and was fourth best for fewest consumer complaints among the 19 airlines surveyed each month by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline said that 93.4 percent of its flights were on time in October.

NISHINA NOW CHIEF OF CONSUMER AGENCY

Dean Nishina became executive director for the Division of Consumer Advocacy Monday.

Nishina will oversee the division's representation of consumer interests before the Hawai'i Public Utilities Commission and other local and federal agencies.

Nishina, who has been with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for more than 16 years, recently served as public utilities/transportation administrator for the Division of Consumer Advocacy.

Previously, he worked as an audit and financial consulting senior for Arthur Andersen & Co LLP, where he specialized in auditing and accounting of utilities, government and telecommunications industries.

"We have to get Hawai'i to a position of energy independence," Nishina said. "Helping implement the groundbreaking Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative is a top priority."

ANDERSON CITED FOR BUSINESS ADVOCACY

Marcia Anderson, owner of Surface Preparation & Coating Technologies LLC, has become the state's first two-time winner of a Solve-ras/National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Champion of the Year award.

Anderson was cited for her work advocating for a small-business exemption to a legislative bill eliminating secret-ballot elections for union recognition votes.

The NFIB said Anderson's work helped result in limiting the law to just agriculture companies with more than $5 million in revenues.

"Thousands of Hawai'i mom-and-pop firms are in Marcia's debt for her stellar accomplishment," said NFIB State Director Melissa Pavli-cek, in a media statement.

Anderson previously was recognized in 2006.

KAUA'I UTILITY SAYS CONTRACT EXTENDED

Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative, the electric utility serving the Garden Island, said the existing contract between it and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260 has been extended while the two sides work on a new contract.

The union represents 97 of the utility's employees. The previous contract had been scheduled to expire at midnight Dec. 4.

SCHULER FOUNDATION DONATIONS HIT $1M

Charitable giving by the Schuler Family Foundation has reached more than $1 million this year.

The foundation said it has given donations ranging from $1,000 to $50,0000 to charitable organizations throughout the state. It said since 1994 it has donated more than $10 million to Hawai'i charities.