Handbook helps immigrants navigate isles

The state Office of Community Services has released the newly published Hawaii Handbook for Immigrants, a resource guide for new immigrants to the islands. Available both as a booklet and online, the guide provides information on emergency food assistance, housing, employment, health care, federal and state/local laws, social services and other resources. The handbook also lists tips on the culture and way of life in Hawaii.

The handbook is available at labor.hawaii.gov/ocs.

Unemployment rates fell in 20 states in May

WASHINGTON » Unemployment fell in 20 states last month, and nearly three-quarters of the states added jobs, as the nation at large posted a fourth straight month of solid hiring. Unemployment rates rose in 16 states and were unchanged in 14 states, the Labor Department said Friday. Meanwhile, hiring rose in 36 states and declined in 14.

Hawaii’s jobless rate in May stayed at 4.4 percent, according to data Thursday from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The state added 1,250 jobs from April.

The biggest drops in unemployment rates occurred in Illinois, where the rate fell to 7.5 percent from 7.9 percent, and Massachusetts, where it fell to 5.6 percent from 6 percent. Georgia had the largest gain, to 7.2 percent from 6.9 percent.

Nationwide, employers added 217,000 jobs in May, the fourth straight month of gains above 200,000. The jobless rate remained at 6.3 percent, matching a five-year low.

Olive Garden, Red Lobster sales keep falling

NEW YORK » Darden said Friday that sales continued to slide at Olive Garden and Red Lobster, with other costs dragging down its profit by 35 percent in the latest quarter.

Darden Restaurants Inc. has been fighting to stop declining sales at Olive Garden and Red Lobster as many customers to switch to cheaper options. Menus at Olive Garden and Red Lobster also haven’t kept pace with changing tastes.

Despite efforts to fix the chains’ marketing, sales at Olive Garden fell 3.5 percent at established locations during the quarter. At Red Lobster the figure dropped 5.6 percent. Under pressure to deliver better results, Darden announced late last year it planned to get rid of Red Lobster, which has a restaurant in Wai­kiki, and focus on fixing Olive Garden.

ON THE MOVE

Island Air has announced Susie Quitevis Fujikawa as its new director of sales. Prior to joining the company, she served as a senior account executive in the Escapes division at LivingSocial as well as a senior market manager at Travelocity, national sales manager for Wai­kiki Parc Hotel and senior sales manager for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

AEG Facilities, a management company of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, has appointed the following employees: 

» Vickie Omura to the newly created position of vice president, Meet Hawai‘i-citywide sales and marketing. She has 30 years of experience in sales and hospitality, including serving in key positions within Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawaii and director of sales and marketing for Moana Surfrider, a Wes­tin Resort and Spa, in Wai­kiki.

» Grant Hickman to regional director of accounts-Midwest where he’ll be rounding out the team leading the convention center’s sales efforts. He has 20 years of sales experience and recently served as Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide’s global account director for business and group travel for the last seven years.

SHIP AHOY!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures:

HONOLULU HARBOR