BUSINESS BRIEFS
Vancouver-Kona service added

Advertiser Staff

Air Canada will offer seasonal nonstop service from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Kona, Sundays beginning Dec. 14, according to the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Trade mission to China planned

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will lead an export development trade mission to Beijing from Dec. 9 to 18. The trip is designed to benefit environmental technology companies.

Qualified companies can receive customized, no-cost trade support services provided by the U.S. Commercial Office Beijing.

Companies interested in joining the trade mission must submit a Gold Key Matching Service Grant application by Oct. 24. The application is available online at www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ert/goldkey/questionnaire.html.

For more information, call Mark Want at 586-2751.

New Starbucks card available

Coffee drinkers are about to get a new reason to leave their cash at home today when Starbucks introduces the next generation of its popular prepaid Duetto card.

While anyone can apply for a Duetto card and use it anywhere as a credit card, Starbucks stores here are not yet equipped to let consumers redeem the points they earn.

So Hawai'i residents can use the card and earn points, but until mid-2004 when local stores are expected to get equipment, they will not be able to redeem the points at Hawai'i locations, said local spokeswoman Sherri Rigg.