BUSINESS BRIEFS
Fuel surcharge request denied
Advertiser staff and News Services
The state Public Utilities Commission rejected Young Bros. Ltd.'s request for a 2.26 percent fuel surcharge.
The PUC's decision comes after the state agency approved a 5.5 percent rate increase in July to offset increases in the costs of labor, security and fuel for the interisland shipping company.
"We're very disappointed with the PUC decision since our request was very reasonable given the high cost of fuel," said Roy Catalani, vice president of Strategic Planning and Government Affairs at Young Bros.
PHONE TAKEOVER PUT ON HOLD
Hawaiian Telcom Inc., the state's largest phone company, said yesterday it has delayed by two months plans to start operating as a stand-alone company. The company said it is still working on developing its own billing, order entry, back-office repair, accounting and other functions that are now handled by Verizon Communications Inc. on the Mainland.
The company owned by investment firm Carlyle Group had planned to take over the functions from Verizon on Feb. 4. It now plans to do that in April because extra time is needed to ensure new customer care systems are working properly, spokesman Dan Smith said.
AIRLINE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Hawaiian Airlines led its competitors in on-time service and fewest cancellations and tied for fewest complaints for October.
It was the fourth straight month and fifth month out of seven that Hawaiian has led all carriers in both on-time performance and fewest flights canceled. Hawaiian also ranked third in baggage handling and fewest oversales.
IRS SETS RATE FOR DEDUCTING MILES
The Internal Revenue Service yesterday set the deductible rate that workers can claim next year for using personal cars on business at 44.5 cents a mile.
That's less than a temporary rate that the tax agency put in place for the last four months of this year, reflecting higher prices at gas pumps nationwide. The temporary rate is 48.5 cents a mile.
Next year's rate is higher than the 40.5 cents a mile in effect for most of this year.
