The Hawaii Harbors Users Group has converted into an industry association with an expanded mission to promote the health and growth of Hawai'i's commercial harbors system and support users of harbors facilities.

As part of the restructuring, Gary North, former senior vice president of Matson Navigation Company Inc., has been named executive director of the nonprofit association that represents 15 companies and organizations that use Hawai'i's harbors. Mar Labrador, senior vice president and general manager of Horizon Lines, serves as board chairman.

HHUG was formed in 2005 to help the state identify and prioritize the improvement needs of Hawai'i's nine commercial harbors.

STIMULUS FUNDS AID AQUACULTURE FARMERS

Hawai'i aquaculture farmers may qualify for federal stimulus money aimed at offsetting high feed prices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $150,526 in grant money for qualified Hawai'i aquaculture farmers.

Requirements to qualify include but aren't limited to an average annual adjusted gross income under $2.5 million from 2005 to 2007, and feed costs last year that exceeded 25 percent of total operational costs.

Applications and rules are available at www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/adp/2008-aquaculture-grant-program. The application deadline is Sept. 18.

MERA PHARMACEUTICALS POSTS NET LOSS

Kona-based Mera Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported a net loss of $91,244 for the three months ending July 31 as sales fell nearly 40 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

The loss compared with a profit of $7,521 in the year-earlier quarter. Mera, a marine biotechnology company that manufactures natural astaxanthin from microalgae, reported sales of $106,213 in the latest quarter, compared with $173,098 a year earlier.

Mera had an accumulated deficit of $8 million from September 2002, when the company was reorganized, through July 31. The losses were primarily incurred from costs associated with research and development, production and general and administrative expenses, the company said.