Bad news: Cost of living in the U.S. edges upward

Americans’ cost of living edged upward in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent that month, up from the 0.1 percent increase in September.

Over the past year, the all-items index rose 1.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, when the food and energy indexes were factored in. However, when the food and energy indexes were not factored in, the index actually was unchanged for the third month in a row.

The gasoline index increased for the fourth month in a row, 4.4 percent in October compared to 1.6 percent in September. The food index rose 0.1 percent in October, down from the 0.3 percent increase recorded in September. State and city statistics were not available. However, the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is expecting Honolulu’s Consumer Price Index to increase 2.2 percent this year.

> Local bankruptcies surge -- In other bad news, the number of Hawaii bankruptcy filings in November, 327 cases, is 49.3 percent higher than in November of 2009 and represents the second-largest month-over-month increase this year, according to a tally by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii.

Of the total, 241 cases were filed under Chapter 7 liquidation laws, while 82 Chapter 13, or so-called wage-earner cases were filed, in which filers make payment arrangements to resolve their debt. Four businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization during the month, including Grove Farm Fish & Poi LLC, Island Eye Care Inc., C & T Restaurants LLC and Laser Eye Center of Hawaii LLC.