The State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism joined Ex-Im Bank's City-State Partners Program, a national marketing initiative that brings export financing services to small- and medium-sized U.S. companies through cooperation with state and local governments and private sector organizations.

With the addition of Hawaii, Ex-Im Bank now has 45 city-state partners in 38 states, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Small businesses in Hawaii enjoy a unique geographical advantage," said James Lambright, chairman and president (acting) of Ex-Im Bank, in discussing the partnership during a Honolulu-Washington, D.C. video link ceremony with Gov. Linda Lingle.

Mesa reports decline in quarterly earnings

Mesa Air Group, which is starting up Hawaii's newest interisland airline, earned $5.3 million, or 14 cents per share in the January-through-March quarter, down from $10.8 million, or 26 cents per share for the same period a year earlier.

Operating revenues for the quarter increased 18.3% to $312.1 million from a year earlier. Pro forma net income for the quarter was $12.9 million, or 30 cents per share. Pro forma net income excludes costs associated with converting debt to equity of $7.5 million, a gain on the disposition of an aircraft of $300,000 million and net investment losses of $400,000 million. That compared with to pro forma earnings of $11.9 million, or 28 cents per share for the comparable period of fiscal 2005.