Lower prices for oil and natural gas hurt earnings for Honolulu-based Barnwell Industries Inc. in the three months ended Sept. 30.

The company engaged in energy exploration in Canada and real estate investment and development in Hawai'i reported a net loss of $4.6 million, or 55 cents per share, for the company's fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $3.2 million, or 38 cents per share, in the same period last year.

For the entire fiscal year Barnwell lost $24.4 million, or $2.96 per share. That compared with a profit of $3.2 million, or 38 cents per share, for the previous fiscal year.

MOBI PCS ADDS CELL SITE IN HOLUALOA AREA

Mobi PCS activated a new Big Island cellular site that will enhance its 3G network in the Holualoa area.

The new site boosts coverage throughout residential areas of Holualoa, including the Kilohana, Komohana, 'Iolani and Kahakai Estates subdivisions, Mobi PCS said.

Mobi PCS said it has deployed about 20 new cell sites across the state this year.

TOURISM INDUSTRY OFFICIALS IN CHICAGO

Representatives of the Hawai'i Convention Center, the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau and other destination partners will be attending the Association Forum Holiday Showcase in Chicago today.

The Association Forum is the Chicago area's top business services and meeting sites exhibition for event planners. It serves more than 47,000 Chicago area association professionals with 37 million members.

GO!MOKULELE NOTES PASSENGER INCREASE

Interisland carrier go!Mokulele said its planes were 68.8 percent full last month.

The airline said its load factor for November 2009 was 4.9 percentage points better than the year earlier's 63.9 percent.

A total of 55,996 people flew go!Mokulele in November, a 0.73 percent improvement from the year before.