Blog: KGMB9.com/howard

The state officially predicts a small increase in visitor arrivals next year, to a new record high. But how many will stay in hotels? Hospitality Advisors CEO Joe Toy thinks hotel business may ease a little more, as more visitors stay in timeshares or take cruises.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reports 11% of mortgages serviced in Hawaii are subprimes. That's below the mainland rate but perhaps more that you thought. Most local banks won't touch subprimes but some mainland companies with offices here pushed them hard. About one local subprime loan out of 25 has entered foreclosure.

CompUSA is having clearance sales this week that amount to going-out-of-business sales. An investment firm bought the company and plans an orderly wind-down of operations at 100 stores on the mainland and three stores here.

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