Gas to average $2.60 next year, U.S. government says

The Energy Department again slashed its prediction for next year’s average price of gasoline across the U.S., this time to $2.60 a gallon. That would be 23 percent below this year’s projected average and the lowest full-year average since 2009. If that comes to pass, the price drop will save U.S. drivers $100 billion over the course of the year based on current consumption levels. That will boost the overall economy by reducing shipping and transportation costs, and leaving consumers more money to spend on other things.

In its short-term energy outlook released Tuesday, the Energy Information Administration cut its gas price forecast for 2015 by 35 cents a gallon. It was the second time in two months the EIA cut the forecast by over 30 cents a gallon.

Ex-TV anchor Meisenzahl adds duties at UH

Former TV news anchor and reporter Dan Meisenzahl has been named the overall spokesman for all University of Hawaii-related matters.

The announcement was made prior to perhaps the biggest UH news of the day relating to Athletic Director Ben Jay’s resignation effective in June.

The appointment is "effective immediately," Meisenzahl said, and he will serve in the position in addition to his role as director of media production at the university.

Meisenzahl will serve all 10 campuses in the UH system as well as the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine, Lyon Arboretum and UH facilities on Coconut Island.

"I don’t think people realize that at UH, not only do we offer Ph.D.s in internationally recognized programs such as astronomy and oceanography, we have programs that help immigrants, and people recently incarcerated, develop skills and tools to enter community college," he said. The university has "both ends of that spectrum and everything in between, and that’s the message we want to get out to people."

"Hopefully also we can better create lines of communications between the media and the University of Hawaii."

In his past two-and-a-half years as director of media production, he’s supervised and participated in the creation of more than 160 video news releases and more than 200 Web videos depicting developments and stories all around UH, "on top of all kinds of different projects," he said.

HTA picks local firm to handle social media

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has chosen Honolulu-based Digital Mediums LLC to manage its social media services.

The announcement Tuesday came a day after the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau selected a company established in Boston as its social media agency of record.

Digital Mediums will provide social media marketing and consultation services, as well as technical support, for all of the HTA’s international major market areas’ social media portals including Japan, Australia and New Zealand, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe and Latin America, HTA said in a statement.

"Social media has become an increasingly powerful tool for growing destination awareness and influencing travel, which is why it is so important that we align and customize our branding and messaging across our social media networks in all markets," said Ronald Williams, HTA chief executive officer. "Digital Mediums is a local company that knows the Hawaiian Islands and has the experience and innovative spirit to communicate our unique people, place and culture through multiple social media channels."

A Digital Mediums executive said it was a pleasure to be able to continue to work with the HTA.

"Social media is undoubtedly one of the most effective channels to reach and influence these travelers," said John Hochroth, Digital Mediums general manager and chief operating officer.

U.S. job openings rise; hiring stays healthy

WASHINGTON » The number of available U.S. jobs rose in October to the second-highest level in 14 years, and companies kept hiring at a healthy pace, adding to evidence of an improving economy.

Job openings increased 3.2 percent to 4.83 million, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That’s just below August’s total, which was the highest on records dating back to 2000. Total hiring slipped 0.4 percent to 5.1 million after reaching a seven-year high in September. The number of people quitting was mostly unchanged at a six-year high of 2.7 million.

The overall figures paint a picture of a more dynamic job market, with businesses filling more open jobs and more Americans quitting, typically for better-paying opportunities. More resignations and job postings provide more opportunities for the unemployed to find work.

Fed wants big banks to boost capital buffers

WASHINGTON » Federal regulators are proposing the eight biggest U.S. banks be required to further increase the amount of capital they set aside to cushion against unexpected losses.

The Federal Reserve’s proposal is aimed at reducing the potential for future taxpayer bailouts of troubled banks. The proposed requirements also are designed to encourage the behemoths to shrink so they pose less risk to the financial system. The banks include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Bank of America.

On The Move

» Hawaiian Host has hired Daniel Verduzco as assistant sales manager. He has more than 16 years of experience in the sales and food industry, including serving as regional sales manager at Walker Foods in California.

» Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has appointed Paul "Kalama" Kim principal broker of Hawaii’s residential real estate firm. In addition, he will continue to serve as a branch manager for the firm’s Kapolei office. Kim has experience in finance and worked in bank operations for more than 11 years.

» Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced:

— Therese Chee has been named director of financial systems. She has held various financial positions with the company, including previously serving as director of global reporting.

— Susan Read has been named senior financial systems analyst. She was previously working for The Boeing Co. since 2006 and served as a senior finance analyst in strategy in Seattle, Wash.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: