Business briefs

Advertiser Staff

IRS says $15M unclaimed

The Internal Revenue Service yesterday said it has nearly $15 million in unclaimed refunds for about 11,400 people in Hawai'i who did not file 1999 income tax returns.

The agency estimates more than half would receive a rebate of more than $550. Individuals looking to collect the money must file a tax return by April 15.

Those with unclaimed rebates may have had taxes withheld from pay but had too little income to require a filing, or they would be eligible for the refundable earned income tax credit.

Tax forms are available online at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-3676.

New nonstop service offered

SunTrips will offer weekly nonstop service to Maui from Sacramento, Calif., from May 22 through Aug. 21 for the summer travel season.

The move is aimed at increasing service from outlying niche markets in California. San Jose, Calif.-based Suntrips runs public charter flights operated by North American Airlines to Hawai'i from the San Francisco Bay area.

Real-estate firm has new chief

Colliers Monroe & Friedlander, a commercial real estate company, has appointed Scott Higashi as chief operating officer.

Higashi previously managed 500 people as senior director of customer service for Hawaiian Airlines.