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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 24, 2008

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Photovoltaic system to be built

Advertiser Staff

Kailua-based Suntech Hawaii said it plans to build an 804-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at the Kona Commons retail property in Kailua, Kona.

Suntech is building the system for MK Kona Commons LLC, a subsidiary of the The MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group.

When placed in service in the fall of 2008, the project will produce more than 1.1 megawatts of electricity each year, or enough to power 128 homes and eliminate 1.8 million pounds of carbon emissions annually, according to Suntech.

"The Kona Commons project is a direct reflection of the commercial appeal photovoltaics have in Hawai'i's energy marketplace," said Suntech President Sean Mullen. "Between generous federal and state tax incentives and our ever-increasing electricity rates, the business case for solar has never been stronger."


OFFICE DEPOT TO OPEN IN WAIPAHU

Office Depot's fourth Hawai'i store is tentatively scheduled to open Feb. 1 at Waipahu Town Center.

The office supply retailer is opening the 20,400-square-foot store in a space formerly occupied by a Marukai 99¢ Superstore that had opened in 2002.

Waipahu Town Center, anchored by Longs Drugs, will gain a second major anchor retail tenant with Office Depot. Other tenants include USA Baby, New Hope Leeward and Sizzler. A Safeway closed at the center in 2000.

Office Depot's other stores on O'ahu are at Ward Centers in Kaka'ako, at Waimalu Plaza in 'Aiea and at Dillingham Shopping Plaza in Kalihi Kai.


POLARIS DOUBLING QUARRY SHIPMENTS

Polaris Minerals Corp. forecast it will more than double the amount of construction aggregates it is shipping from its Orca Quarry to customers in Hawai'i, California and Vancouver this year compared with last.

The company said it shipped 1.18 million tons from the quarry last year and expects to ship between 2.9 million and 3.2 million tons this year.

At least one Hawai'i concrete supplier has been importing sand from British Columbia because local sources are dwindling. Polaris focuses on development of quarries and production of construction aggregates on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.


HAWAIIAN TELCOM PREPAYS ON LOANS

Hawaiian Telcom Communications Inc. has prepaid $371 million of a loan and $50 million of a revolving loan.

The state's largest telephone service provider said the prepayment was made on the principal amount of its Tranche C term loan.

Hawaiian Telcom was acquired in 2006 by the Carlisle Group, a Washington, D.C., buyout firm.


HORIZON RECEIVES LOWE'S AWARD

Horizon Lines Inc., the No. 2 carrier of ocean cargo to Hawai'i from the Mainland, said it's been awarded a "Platinum Carrier Award" by home improvement retailer Lowe's Cos. Inc.

The shipping line said it was the second consecutive year it had won the honor and that since 2001 it had earned Lowe's Outstanding Ocean Service Provider Award for its service to Hawai'i and Alaska.

Horizon Lines LLC operates a fleet of 21 U.S.-flagged containerships and five port terminals.