BUSINESS BRIEFS
Conventions big business in Dec.

Advertiser Staff

A record 19,800 people are expected to attend conventions at the Hawai'i Convention Center in December, generating as much as $38 million in visitor spending and $3 million in tax revenue, according to center operator and marketer SMG Hawaii. Large conventions next month include the National Association of Independent Schools' People of Color Conference Dec. 3-6 and Jehovah's Witnesses 2003 International Convention Dec. 18-21.

Bankoh debt rating raised

The outlook on the debt rating of Bank of Hawaii Corp. and its subsidiary, Bank of Hawaii, was upgraded to "positive" from "stable" by Moody's Investors Service.

The debt rating agency said the bank's continued efforts to cut back on its large exposure to single clients has reduced risk. Moody's also said that the bank has improved its management of risk in recent years, significantly shrinking non-performing assets.