Business briefs

Advertiser Staff

Bills benefit interisle flights

Two state House committees yesterday approved a measure designed to encourage more airline flights between Neighbor Islands.

Worried about reports that it is increasingly difficult for local residents to travel between the islands, committee members approved the bill that would allow the Department of Transportation to waive fees or pay subsidies to airlines that increase their flights to smaller airports such as Hilo or Lihu'e.

"We're trying to do something to assist people in counties so that they have enough flights to Honolulu for work, medical services or other needs," said House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Walehu).

The bill was approved by the transportation and tourism, and culture committees.

Oil refinery work planned

ChevronTexaco Corp. is planning to shut down portions of its refinery at Kapolei during a 36-day period starting in April.

Chevron spokesman Albert Chee said the company will perform routine maintenance and upgrades, including replacing storage containers installed when the refinery was built in 1959.

He said the shutdown would not affect the island's supply of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel.