Matson Navigation Co. said it will raise its fuel surcharge to 16.5 percent from 15 percent for its Hawai'i service effective May 24 due to rising fuel costs.

The increase followed six consecutive decreases in the fuel surcharge from August through November 2008.

In addition to the increase for its Hawai'i service, Matson is also raising the rate on its Guam/CNMI and Micronesia service to 18 percent from 16.5 percent.

"Fuel costs have stabilized significantly since the dramatic spikes the world experienced from 2005 through 2008," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president for ocean services.

However, since November, Matson's fuel prices have risen 10 percent, Hoppes said.

MACAU PLAN WINS HVCA CONTEST

A business plan calling for a quarterly tourist publication in Macau was the top winner of a Hawaii Venture Capital Association competition for students.

Macau in Hand proposed a publication serving middle-class visitors to Macau, along with a Web site targeting those planning to visit the destination. A team of University of Hawai'i students that included Weng Ieki Lei, Matthew Ing and Justin Hedani won a $5,000 start-up gift basket of consulting services from the accounting firm Grant Thornton.

Two other student teams from the University of Hawai'i also were awarded prizes in the venture capital group's "Spring Pitch Fest."

KYOCERA FOUNDER TO TALK AT FORUM

Kazuo Inamori, business executive, author, philanthropist and Buddhist priest, is scheduled to speak at a forum next month at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Inamori is founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corp. and president of the Inamori Foundation.

The forum, titled "The Value of Partnership Management with Employees: Opportunities in Crisis," is set for 5 p.m. May 12.

The event is hosted by the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce's International Business Development Committee.

To register, go to the HJCC Web site at www.honolulujapanesechamber.org/newsandevents. Registration forms can be e-mailed to inamori@honolulujapanesechamber.org or faxed to 949-3020. For more information, call 949-5531, ext. 2.

MAN APPEALS FINE IN PONZI CASE

A Honolulu man who was ordered by the state to help pay a $1 million fine along with restitution to investors of an alleged Ponzi scheme is appealing the order.

Joseph W. Sullivan filed a notice of appeal with state Circuit Court this week.

Earlier this month, the state issued a final order against Sullivan, Chad S. Morisato and their related business, The Swiss Group, saying they fraudulently solicited $8.1 million investors here and on the Mainland.

Also this week, Federal Public Defender Alexander Silvert filed a notice in U.S. District Court saying he had been appointed legal counsel for Morisato, because Morisato had been informed by several people that he may be the subject of an FBI investigation.