Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Rate increase will help HECO
Hawaiian Electric Co.'s proposed 7.3 percent rate hike, which would generate another $74.2 million for the company, would benefit HECO's "subpar financial profile," Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said yesterday.Higher rates would lift the utility's key financial measures to more appropriate levels for current credit ratings, the agency said.
HECO has said it will use the extra money to pay for its energy-efficiency programs, past investments in the power grid, the purchase of additional power from an independent producer and other costs.
State land official will resign
Dan Davidson, deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, will resign to work for a property development unit of Campbell Estate, Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday.Before joining the state, Davidson was executive director for the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, a pro-development lobby group that represents large landowners.
Davidson, appointed by Lingle in March 2003, will start at Aina Nui Corp. on Jan. 3.
The Lingle Administration is searching for his replacement.
Lockheed renews pact with UH
Military contractor Lockheed Martin Orincon Defense and the University of Hawaii's College of Engineering have renewed their partnership agreement in which Lockheed will provide guest lecturers, review student presentations and provide other interactive programs.Half of Lockheed's engineers on Oahu are graduates of UH, and the new deal will strengthen the bonds between the two, UH said.
PUC starts call center panel
The state Public Utilities Commission has established a 15-member panel that will advise it on implementing a law to protect underground installations, such as those owned by public utilities, from excavations.The commission, with the help of the One Call Center Advisory Committee, is required to establish a call center by Jan. 1, 2006, to provide a coordinated system of communication between those in charge of underground installations and excavators about upcoming digging projects.
Tony Hyundai opens today in Waipio
The new Tony Hyundai dealership opens this morning at the Tony Group Autoplex in Waipio. A partnership between Hyundai and the Tony Group will help the automaker roll out seven new models in the next two years and grow the brand in the United States, Hyundai said.
Kaiser will cover locked-out workers
SAN FRANCISCO » Health care provider Kaiser Permanente stepped into San Francisco's bitter hotel labor dispute yesterday by agreeing to provide two months of medical coverage to 3,500 locked-out workers who were at risk of losing their benefits.The Oakland-based health plan's decision allows the hotel workers, whose employer-sponsored health insurance with Kaiser is due to expire on Dec. 1, to stay out on picket lines while their union holds out for its contract demands, said Mike Casey, president of Unite Here Local 2.
Kaiser's move followed a tie vote last week by the board that oversees the hotel workers' health care fund on whether to extend the workers' insurance coverage while contract talks continue. The four trustees who represent the 14 hotels at the center of the dispute voted against the extension, according to Casey. "By withholding health care, they thought people would cave in," Casey said. "I think this weakens the weapon of the lockout, which was designed to starve us out."
[Hawaii Inc.]
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NEW JOBS
» Kuakini Health System has appointed Dawn Ching support services vice president. She will be responsible for overseeing several of the medical center's facilities departments. She previously worked as Hawaii Pacific Health's facilities director.>> Team Vision has hired Nicole Gustie as account supervisor. She will be responsible for managing Castle & Cooke's marketing and advertising account. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the advertising industry.
PROMOTIONS
» Grant Thornton LLC has promoted six employees in its assurance and tax departments. Dwayne Takeno has been promoted to assurance department senior manager. He will be responsible for overseeing and directing multiple external audit engagements and provide consulting regarding improvements in client business operations. Vivian Lai has been promoted to assurance department manager. She will be responsible for directing the efforts of clients services audit teams. Craig Yamasaki has been promoted to assurance department senior associate. He will be responsible for planning, executing, directing and completing external audits. Jenny Poncia has been promoted to assurance department senior associate. She will also be responsible for planning, executing, directing and completing external audits. Mari Ishii has been promoted to tax department senior associate. She will be responsible for researching, preparing and reviewing tax returns and providing consultation on tax engagements. Hongchay Vixaysack has been promoted to tax department senior associate. She will also be responsible for researching, preparing and reviewing tax returns and providing consultation on tax engagements.
