BUSINESS BRIEFS
Local gas price highest in U.S.

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawai'i's average price for regular unleaded gasoline rose to the highest in the nation yesterday, according to the American Automobile Association.

At $2.162 a gallon for regular, the statewide average now surpasses California's average of $2.157 a gallon.

On O'ahu, the average price was $2.074 a gallon, up from $2.070 Tuesday.

Japan bookings up 29 percent

Reservations for travel to Hawai'i in April are running 29 percent higher than the 2002 level, according to a Japan Association of Travel Agents survey.

Bookings for April and May are up, led by Hawai'i and other long-haul destinations, as the long Japanese vacation period called Golden Week begins today.

Firms win cash in UH contest

Pipeline Communications and Technology Inc. won the top prize of $25,000 for its entry in the University of Hawai'i College of Business Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship and E-Business (PACE) business plan competition.

Second prize of $15,000 went to Agri-Wastewater Solution and the $10,000 third prize to Biotransit. Officers of the winning companies include university researchers, professors and students.