BUSINESS BRIEFS
CompUSA starts store-closing sale
Advertiser Staff
CompUSA began its store-closing sale at its Honolulu and Waipahu locations as part of its plans to sell or shutter stores after the holiday season.
The retailer took out an advertisement in yesterday's Advertiser saying all items in the two stores had been reduced. The ad said all sales were final and were limited to stock on hand.
Last Friday, CompUSA announced it had sold its chain of 103 stores to an affiliate of the Gordon Brothers Group LLC, a Mainland-based restructuring and advisory firm. Gordon plans to sell or close all of the 103 stores after liquidating inventory.
HAWAIIAN FLYING WARRIORS TO GAME
Hawaiian Airlines will fly the University of Hawai'i Warrior football team to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
Hawaiian, the state's largest airline, will fly players, coaches, staff and family members on the nonstop flight, which will depart on Christmas Day.
"We couldn't be more proud to fly our champion Warriors to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Everyone at Hawaiian is excited to be a part of this historic trip, and we will be very focused on delivering the team on time and well-rested," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and chief executive officer.
In addition, Hawaiian is operating two nonstop "Sugar Cane Express" flights for Warrior fans on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 for the New Year's Day bowl game.
MAINLAND STORM ADJUSTERS OK'D
The state Insurance Division has authorized the use of Mainland insurance adjusters to help people resolve insurance claims following last week's windy and stormy weather.
"Homeowners and businesses need a speedy resolution of their claims so they can repair their homes and businesses and move ahead," said Hawai'i Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt in a news release.
"If there are not enough adjusters to evaluate claims, the process hits a bottleneck that slows everything down, resulting in frustration and detriment for all."
The Insurance Division said nonresident adjusters must provide a certified copy of their license in another state and may only adjust losses that were a result of the recent catastrophe.
Some additional nonresident adjusters have already applied and been approved under this authorization, according to Schmidt.
JTB SEES FLAT OUT-BOUND SEASON
Japan Travel Bureau predicts a relatively flat season for outbound travel from Japan this winter, but Hawa'i should see a slight uptick in Japanese visitors around the end of this month.
Resident travel out of Japan will only grow slightly (up 0.2 percent) compared to prior-year levels, according to preliminary figures by the Japan Travel Bureau.
However, overseas travel between Dec. 23 2007 — the emperor's birthday — and Jan. 3, 2008 is projected to reach 644,000 - the third highest level in history. The journal said that represents the highest volume posted since the record 2000-2001 season.
Top destinations this season include Europe (84,000, up 3.7 percent from prior-year levels); Korea (83,000, up 1.2 percent); China (80,000, down 11.1 percent); Hawai'i (60,000, up 3.5 percent); and Guam/Saipan (52,000, up 2 percent).
Hawai'i trips of six to seven days will be the most common this season, with departures typically ranging between Dec. 29 to Dec. 31.
Japan Travel Bureau based its results on industry trends, airline bookings, its own reservations and a national survey.
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