Last year, 36 percent of Americans ate white bread in their homes, down from 54 percent in 2000, according to NPD Group.
Tesoro to sell its gas stations in Hawaii
HONOLULU (AP) — Tesoro Corp. plans to sell off its operations in Hawaii this year.
Tesoro President and CEO Greg Goff says the Kapolei refinery and 32 gas stations are no longer in line with the company’s strategic focus.
Tesoro and Chevron Corp. run the state’s two refineries. Tesoro expects to finalize the sale in the second half of 2012, subject to regulatory and other approvals.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie says the state will work with the company and other stakeholders to ensure there is no disruption in fuel production or distribution.
Abercrombie also says the announcement is a reminder that Hawaii must move toward alternative or renewable energies.
Hotel chain names new sales manager
Pyramid Hotel Group has appointed Laura Van Winkle-Mascari as senior sales manager at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, a 22-acre oceanfront resort on the Big Island.
Van Winkle-Mascari has more than 15 years of hotel and resort sales experience garnered at several premier properties in southern California including the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau and The Balboa Bay Club & Resort.
She holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Ventura College in Ventura, Calif. As senior sales manager, Van Winkle-Mascari will be focusing solicitations on the corporate meetings, conventions and associations markets.
Big Island office to be among USDA closures
HONOLULU (AP) — A rural development office on the Big Island is among more than 250 offices nationwide the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to close to save money.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told KHON on Monday that Big Island residents won’t see a significant impact in services. Vilsack is in Hawaii for a convention.
The plan calls for 259 offices, labs and other facilities to be closed. The move affects USDA headquarters in Washington and operations in 46 states. Seven foreign offices are also being shut.
The department wants to save $150 million a year.
Twinkies snack maker files for bankruptcy
NEW YORK (AP) — The maker of Twinkies, Sno Balls and Wonder Bread is trying to lose the fat.
Hostess Brands is hoping to cut its high costs as it heads back into bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a decade.
Hostess has enough cash to keep stores stocked with its Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and other snacks for now as it battles rising labor costs and competition. But longer term, the 87-year-old company has a bigger problem: health-conscious Americans favor yogurt and energy bars over the dessert cakes they devoured 30 years ago.
Last year, 36 percent of Americans ate white bread in their homes, down from 54 percent in 2000, according to NPD Group.