Hawaiian Airlines said it flew nearly 43,000 more people in July than the year-earlier month.

The state's largest carrier said its passenger count rose 5.9 percent to 771,668 people last month from July 2008's 728,718.

For the month, Hawaiian said its planes were 85.2 percent full, up 6.5 percentage points from the year earlier's load factor of 78.7 percent. Load factor through the first seven months of the year averaged 83.4 percent, down from 84 percent a year earlier.

PERSONAL FINANCE EXPO AT BLAISDELL

The Hawaii Council on Economic Education and local banks, credit unions and other nonprofit organizations are hosting the Personal Finance Expo Aug. 15 and 16 at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

The event will feature more than 80 exhibitors, 50 seminars and interactive activities targeting all age groups and income levels.

Seminar titles include: "What Do I Do Now That My 401k is a 201K?," "How Much Home Can I Afford?," "ABCs of Credit," and "Investment Fraud: How to Stop a Con Artist and Safeguard Your Investment."

The expo runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 15 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 16. Admission is $5 for adults, or $2 with a coupon printed from www.MyMoneyHawaii.com. Admission is free for children under 12.

NEW RAINBOWTIQUE OPENING DOWNTOWN

The University of Hawai'i Rainbowtique is holding a grand opening for its new Downtown store next Friday.

The store, at the Oceanit Center, 828 Fort Street Mall, will carry UH merchandise and apparel, and ticket sales for UH events.

The public grand opening will feature entertainment by Kapena, prize drawings and special guest speakers: UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw, athletic director Jim Donovan and head football coach Greg McMackin. 

Rainbowtique stores are owned and operated by the University of Hawai'i, with all proceeds supporting the UH system. Other Rainbowtique stores are at the UH-Manoa Bookstore, Stan Sheriff Center and Ward Centre.