Three Hawaii resorts have maintained their status as AAA Hawaii Five Diamond hotels. With one on Hawaii island and two on Maui, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has been on the list since 1998; the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has been listed since 1991, and the Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua has received the rating since 1996.

The AAA ratings released today also include 21 Hawaii properties that garnered a Four Diamond rating. There were 22 properties on the 2015 Four Diamond list, since the Four Seasons Resort Lana‘i at Manele Bay has been taken out of service for renovation. www.aaa.com/diamonds

Kauai resort sold to California firm

The oceanfront Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort in Poipu, Kauai, has been purchased by California-based Pacific Hospitality Group for undisclosed terms.

Pacific Hospitality affiliate Poipu Investment Properties LLC bought the resort from CTF Ko‘a Kea Hotel LLC to add to the parent company’s growing portfolio of luxury and lifestyle hotels under its Meritage Collection banner.

“Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort is our first Meritage Collection property located outside of California,” said Tim Busch, Pacific Hospitality Group CEO, in a statement. “Similar to our other Collection hotels, the award-winning resort combines iconic, one-of-a-kind destinations with locally inspired experiences.” The resort was built within the footprint of the old Poipu Beach Resort, devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992. The property languished for years until it reopened in 2009 following a multimillion-dollar reconstruction.

U.S. mortgage rates dip again amid global market turbulence

WASHINGTON >> Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell this week amid continued turbulence in global stock markets.

It was the second straight weekly decline for the rate on the key 30-year loan. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped to 3.92 percent from 3.97 percent a week earlier. That rate has increased from its 3.66 percent average a year ago but remains well below its historic average of 6 percent.

The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages eased to 3.19 percent from 3.26 percent.

The tumult in stock markets around the world that started off the year, triggered by economic instability in China, continued in the latest week. That has pushed up prices of U.S. government bonds, depressing their yields, which mortgage rates track.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond fell to 2.09 percent Wednesday from 2.17 percent a week earlier. The yield slipped further to 2.06 percent Thursday morning.

The declining mortgage rates have spurred more prospective homebuyers to apply for loans. Mortgage applications, including refinancings, jumped 21.3 percent in the week ended Jan. 8 from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Self-driving car policies being developed

DETROIT >> The federal government wants to get autonomous vehicles on the road more quickly and says it will fast-track policies and possibly even waive regulations to do it. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Thursday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will spend the next six months developing guidance for automakers on potential expectations and safety testing of self-driving prototype cars.

On The Move

>> Public relations firm iQ 360 has announced the following changes:

— Kristine Yoo has joined the Honolulu office as an account director. She has more than 15 years of experience as a practicing attorney both in Hawaii and California, including serving as a deputy prosecuting attorney.

— Lauren Reed has been promoted to account executive and will manage client programs for the firm. She has been with iQ 360 as an account coordinator since March 2014.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: