BUSINESS BRIEFS
Verizon boosts wireless coverage
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Verizon Wireless has added two new cellular sites to improve wireless coverage on O'ahu and Kaua'i.
A new 'Ewa Beach site improves overall coverage and call capacity for customers in and around the residential neighborhoods and industrial sites near 'Ewa Beach, as well as the U.S. Naval Reservation at Iroquois Point, Verizon said in news release.
The new Kaua'i site improves overall coverage for customers in and around Puhi, increases upload and download speeds, and provides better in-building coverage for the Kaua'i Community College, Puhi Industrial Park and the Home Depot Store, according to the release.
The recent expansion adds to Verizon Wireless' $17 million investment in Hawai'i last year. Nationwide the company has invested nearly $45 billion since it was formed to increase the coverage and capacity of its national wireless network and to add services. Yesterday it also announced the purchase of rural carrier Alltel for $28.1 billion (see story, C8).
DELTA MAKES INAUGURAL KONA FLIGHT
Passengers who landed at Kona International Airport yesterday on Delta Air Lines' inaugural daily direct flight from Los Angeles were greeted with lei, a Hawaiian blessing and entertainment.
The Big Island Visitors Bureau coordinated the greeting for the 178 passengers who arrived on the Boeing 757-200, which was sold out.
The flight has a scheduled departure time from Los Angeles at 1:10 p.m. and a scheduled arrival time in Kona at 3:52 p.m. The return overnight flight is scheduled to depart Kona at 8:50 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 5:03 a.m.
George Applegate, BIVB's executive director, said the new flight provides another direct route from the Los Angeles area — the Big Island's top visitor market — and its connecting cities, which include Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
"The timing of Delta's new direct flight is strategic and most welcome as we approach the summer travel season," Applegate said. "Delta's commitment to Hawai'i Island could result in nearly 65,000 more visitors per year."
TRUE RELIGION OPENS IN ALA MOANA
Los Angeles-based premium denim company True Religion Apparel Inc. has opened a store Ala Moana Center.
The 1,146-square-foot store is the first in Hawai'i for the maker of True Religion Brand Jeans, and is part of a strategy to grow the publicly owned company by opening retail stores.
The store offers shoppers the entire True Religion collection for men, women and kids, including its signature jean styles, its expanding denim and sportswear collection, and a full range of licensed products, such as footwear, swimwear, headwear and handbags.
FRUIT PROCESSING REVENUE UP 43%
California-based Calavo Growers Inc., which last month acquired two Big Island fruit processing businesses, said yesterday its revenue surged by 43 percent to a record $98.8 million in the quarter ending April 30.
Substantial growth in both of Calavo's fresh products and processed products contributed to the strong performance.
Despite the increase, net income fell to $1.6 million, or 11 cents a diluted share, down from $2.6 million, or 18 cents a share in the same quarter of fiscal 2007.
Santa Paula, Calif.-based Calavo Growers Inc. last month announced that it has bought papaya and tropical food processing businesses Hawaiian Sweet Inc. and Hawaii Pride LLC. Calavo said the purchase price is between $10 million and $14 million.
