"This rate increase will help offset Matson's operating costs and support ongoing investments in the company's Guan/CNMI service," said Dave Hoppes, Matson's senior vice president for ocean services.

Matson announced earlier this year that it is investing $365 million in new ships, containers and terminals to launch its new Guam and China service starting in February 2006 when its current 10-year alliance with APL expires.

Matson also said it will boost its West Coast terminal handling charges to $165 per container from $125 per container, also effective Aug. 21. In addition to the per container increase, rates for moving vehicles will increase by $25.

Strong demand for condotel units at Ala Moana Hotel

The first of about 3,000 people interested in owning a room at the Ala Moana Hotel began selecting units and singing sales contracts at the 1,150-room project this week.

The turnout of about 200 buyers was the initial batch of lucky contestants randomly selected from the group of more than 3,000 — two-thirds of which will be left out of the frenzied buying of the latest "condotel" project to hit Hawai'i's out-of-control real estate market.

"It was quite exciting," said Kathryn Acorda-Strona, regional marketing director for Crescent Heights, the Miami-based luxury condominium developer that bought the underperforming hotel next to Ala Moana Center from Japanese firm Azabu USA in October for $85 million.