U.S. gas prices rise for 24th straight day

NEW YORK >> Gas prices climbed Friday for the 24th straight day as service stations passed along the rising cost of oil.

The national average for gasoline hit $3.741 per gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. That’s an increase of 46.5 cents per gallon since the start of 2012. Gasoline has never been so high this time of year, and analysts say it could reach a record of $4.25 per gallon by late April. Last year’s peak price was $3.985 per gallon on May 4, and the record was $4.11 per gallon in July 2008.

In Hawaii the average gas price Friday was $4.36, tops in the nation.

Ex-anchor/reporter Uyeno returning to TV

Kristine Uyeno will rejoin the KHON-TV news team on March 12.

Recently working for the state Senate and state Department of Transportation, Uyeno is perhaps best recognized for her time at KHNL-TV.

She was not retained during the 2009 consolidation with KGMB-TV that created Hawaii News Now.

Uyeno’s first taste of working in TV news came in the KHON newsroom during an internship while she was studying journalism at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In the late 1990s she also appeared on KITV’s morning news show, anchoring the business news segment on behalf of Pacific Business News.

Uyeno joins KHON following the departure of Andrew Perreira, who accepted the senior reporter position at KITV.

Isle credit unions sponsor ‘Biz Kid$’ on PBS

Hawaii’s credit unions are sponsoring another season of "Biz Kid$," a financial literacy initiative that teaches kids how to make and manage money. "Biz Kid$" is underwritten by a coalition of credit unions and credit union organizations across the nation. Hawaii’s credit unions fund the broadcast of "Biz Kid$" on PBS Hawaii, which is shown Saturdays at noon. The Hawaii Credit Union League recently presented a check for $14,235 to PBS Hawaii President and CEO Leslie Wilcox.

Season five of "Biz Kid$" takes a close look at the economy, businesses that give back and how to make good financial choices. Every half-hour episode focuses on a financial theme and profiles inspiring young entrepreneurs and social philanthropists. Episodes from the new 13-part series focus on businesses going green and being socially conscious, understanding financial institutions, running a fundraiser, evaluating investment opportunities, recognizing media manipulation, learning accounting principles, choosing a business structure and becoming independent.

For more information, go to www.bizkids.com.

State Farm offers 40 $25,000 grants

Nationwide insurance company State Farm is inviting people to submit community causes and to nominate related nonprofit organizations for a possible $25,000 grant, 40 of which will be issued by the company.

The company’s "Cause an Effect" campaign will accept cause submissions via the State Farm Facebook page through March 20.

One hundred finalists will be chosen by the State Farm Youth Advisory Board and announced April 27, after which Hawaii residents can vote for their favorite cause, as many as 10 times a day, until May 17. The 40 causes receiving the most votes will be announced May 22, and the grants will be awarded to affiliated nonprofits to effect a solution.

For information, go to www.facebook.com/statefarm.

Starbucks to sell coffee at Kmart, Chevron

Starbucks Corp., the world’s largest coffee-shop operator, will begin selling its Seattle’s Best coffee brand at Kmart stores and Chevron Corp. gas stations as the company expands beyond its namesake products.

Kmart, owned by Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Sears Holdings Corp., will begin selling Seattle’s Best packaged coffee in the U.S. this month, said Chris Bruzzo, the brand’s chief marketing officer. All of Kmart’s approximately 1,300 stores will have it by the end of this year, he said.

Starbucks is putting the brand into other U.S. retailers, such as Chevron’s 550 ExtraMile convenience stores and some of Yum! Brands Inc.’s Taco Bell locations. Subway and Burger King Holdings Inc. restaurants also sell the coffee.

Union Pacific CEO to take medical leave

OMAHA, Neb. » Union Pacific said Friday that Chief Executive Jim Young will take a medical leave of absence to be treated for pancreatic cancer. He will remain chairman of the railroad’s board while on leave. Young, 59, was elected CEO and president of the nation’s largest railroad in 2006 and became chairman the following year.

John Koraleski, Union Pacific’s executive vice president for marketing and sales, will serve as acting president and CEO.

German court ends Apple, Samsung suits

BERLIN » A German court has dismissed patent lawsuits by technology giants Apple and Samsung against each other in the two companies’ battle over the market for smartphones and tablet devices. Mannheim state court spokes­man Joa­chim Bock said judges dismissed both cases involving alleged patent infringements of the companies’ respective slide-to-lock technology on mobile devices.

Samsung Electronics welcomed Friday’s dismissal of Apple’s case against the firm, but it vowed to appeal the dismissal of its lawsuit against Apple. It also said a separate case regarding four alleged patent infringements is still pending with the Mannheim court.

On the Move

Holy Nativity School has hired Timothy P. Spurrier as the new head of school, effective July 1. He replaces Robert “Bob” Whiting, who will retire after 11 years of service. Spurrier’s has been director of the performing arts program at Kualapuu School on Molokai.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has promoted Chaniece-Nicole Torralba to catering sales manager. She will oversee the resort’s catering events, group functions and meetings, and coordinate wedding, civil union and commitment ceremonies. She joined the resort in 2002.

New York Life Insurance-Honolulu has named 10 agents to the 2011 Million Dollar Round Table, a national industrywide award. The agents are Eric Takao, Robert Corboy, Carl Ishi­kawa, Jeffrey Kao, Connie Lau, Elmer Lum, Seiji Sugimoto, Clinton Sunada, Kristi Tanigawa and Derek Tenn.  

The RCHN Community Health Foundation has awarded a $199,995 grant to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The award will be used to recruit, train and retain entry-level employees.

TD Food Group has announced the following promotions: 

>> Novel Ellazar to restaurant general manager from assistant manager in charge of the Waipahu Pizza Hut.

>> Ruth Molina to restaurant general manager from assistant manager in charge of the Pukalani Pizza Hut.