Business briefs

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Bank plans new branch on Palau

Bank of Hawaii said it plans to build a $2 million bank branch on the Western Pacific Island nation of Palau to replace its aging branch. The bank, which is contributing $1.2 million to the project, is partnering with the Estate of Isidoro Rudimch, the branch site's landlord, which is contributing the balance of $800,000 to the project.

Construction of the 8,000-square-foot branch is expected to be completed by the summer of 2003. The new structure replaces the current branch building and will be twice as big when completed.

Alton Kuioka, the bank's vice chairman, said Palau is a key market for Bank of Hawaii, which has been operating in the republic since 1961.

Continental replaces plane

Continental Airlines today began added capacity on one of its two daily nonstop flights from Honolulu to Houston by introducing a new Boeing 777 as part of a continued commitment to Hawai'i.

Continental said increased demand prompted the move, which marks the first use of the new Boeing 777 in the Islands. The 777 carries 48 more passengers per flight than the Boeing 767-400 it replaces.

Broker preview center to open

Shell Vacations LLC and Maui Vacations Club Inc. recently announced the planned opening of a new off-site broker preview center in Maui to showcase its Shell Vacations Club points program.

The center, expected to open in early December, will be in the Lahaina Shopping Center at 900 Front St.

Simon Crawford-Welch, executive vice president, sales and marketing for Shell Vacations, and Robert Bluh, of Maui Vacations Club Inc., said the center is the first step in expansion plans that the companies hope to include the addition of vacation-ownership properties on O'ahu and Maui. The company currently sells and markets resorts on Kaua'i and the Big Island.