Most residents back Hawaii energy goal

Dec 29 - McClatchy-Tribune Content Agency, LLC - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Blue Planet Foundation said Monday that a recent survey conducted by the clean energy organization shows strong support for the state's 100 percent renewable energy goal as well as increased availability and integration of clean energy.

The organization said it worked with a market research expert to survey more than 600 residents from across the state to gauge their attitudes toward energy issues as well as their level of knowledge and interest in clean energy.

More than half -- 57 percent -- of residents surveyed said they "definitely" support a significant undertaking to make Hawaii 100 percent energy independent by 2040. This is up from 47 percent from a similar survey conducted by Blue Planet in 2010. The highest level of support for the 100 percent goal came from residents on Oahu, followed by Kauai.

The survey showed that Hawaii residents are concerned about the changing climate. Of those familiar with the term, 81 percent are either "very" or "fairly" concerned about "climate change."

"These survey results confirm that the conversation about energy in Hawaii is changing," said Jeff Mikulina, executive director of Blue Planet Foundation. "Hawaii residents from all counties told us that 100 percent clean energy is the future for our state and that where our energy comes from matters."

Hawaiian Airlines names Snook as COO

Hawaiian Airlines has removed the interim title for Chief Operations Officer Jon Snook.

Snook had served as Hawaiian's interim COO since October, overseeing all flight operations, in-flight services, customer service, maintenance and engineering, and operations analytics. The former American Airlines executive began his new position at Hawaiian on Oct. 7 after replacing Sean Menke, who resigned from Hawaiian on Sept. 18 to take over as executive vice president of Southlake, Texas-based Sabre Corp. and president of Sabre Travel Network.

"In the short time Jon has been at the helm of our operations division, he has already contributed to a number of important improvements and has built a wonderful rapport with his staff and colleagues," said Mark Dunkerley, president and chief executive officer at Hawaiian.

Snook brings to Hawaiian 29 years of broad commercial and operational experience leading business units in airline, cargo, trucking, tour operating and ground handling industries.

Whole Foods settles overcharging claim

NEW YORK >> Whole Foods said Monday it will pay New York City $500,000 to settle allegations it overcharged customers for prepackaged foods.

The city's Department of Consumer Affairs said the settlement also requires Whole Foods Market Inc. to conduct quarterly audits to ensure products are accurately weighed and labeled. The city had said in June that its investigation tested 80 different types of prepackaged food at Whole Foods and found mislabeled weights on every one. The overcharging included $4.85 for a package of chicken tenders and $14.84 for coconut shrimp, the city said.

The investigation generated national headlines, prompting Whole Foods co-CEOs John Mackey and Walter Robb to apologize in an online video. Still, Whole Foods said the bad publicity ended up pinching sales.

Whole Foods already has put in place third-party audits to ensure pricing accuracy, spokesman Michael Silverman said in an emailed statement.

Icahn sweetens offer for Pep Boys

NEW YORK >> Activist investor Carl Icahn has fired another salvo in his bidding war with Bridgestone for auto parts chain Pep Boys.

On Monday, Pep Boys said Icahn had sweetened his offer for the Philadelphia company to $18.50 a share in cash, or about $1 billion. That's up from his previous offer of $16.50 a share.

Icahn's latest offer topped tire company Bridgestone's recently raised proposal of $17 a share, which had in turn topped an earlier bid from Icahn.

Shares in Pep Boys jumped more than 6 percent in after-hours trading to $18.50.

Pep Boys has about 800 outlets selling auto parts and offering vehicle maintenance. It said it had informed Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corp. of Icahn's boosted offer.

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