Business briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
BancWest earnings rise
The parent company of First Hawaiian Bank reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 55 percent in large part because of a recent acquisition.
Honolulu-based BancWest Corp., a subsidiary of Paris-based BNPParibas, posted earnings of $98.6 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, versus $63.47 million in the prior-year period.
The earnings figure includes $1.6 million in costs associated with the recent acquisition of United California Bank as well as branches in New Mexico and Nevada.
For the year, BancWest earned $357.65 million, up from $254.80 million in 2001. Revenues in 2002 increased 36 percent to $1.53 billion, while total assets grew 61 percent to $34.7 billion.
Hawai'i jobless benefits resume
About 2,000 unemployed workers in Hawai'i who were cut off from federal benefits when a program ended on Dec. 31 can now reopen their files and begin collecting benefits, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said.
The Department of Labor will send notices to those who are eligible for the benefits or those eligible can contact the department by calling 643-3330 in O'ahu and (888) 805-6911 on Neighbor Islands.
Shopping center put up for sale
East O'ahu shopping center Koko Marina Center has been put up for sale by owner Orix Real Estate Equities Inc., the U.S. unit of a Japanese conglomerate.
The Hawai'i Kai property, with 284,744 square feet of space, 60 tenants and 95 boat slips, is listed for $24.5 million by local real estate firm CB Richard Ellis Hawaii Inc.
Orix, a unit of Tokyo-based Orix Corp., acquired the leasehold center in 1994 for $28.9 million, according to public records.
Aveda to take over salon
Aveda Corp. said it plans to enter into a lease agreement for the Aveda salon formerly operated by Malama Salon & Spa, Ltd. at Ala Moana Center. Aveda anticipates reopening the salon, under its ownership and management, within the next several days.
Aveda said in a statement it will honor all Malama gift cards purchased from the Ala Moana salon and the salon operated by Malama on Manoa Road.
