Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business Briefs /2005/07/01/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

WorkComp Hawaii will lay off 18 workers

WorkComp Hawaii Insurance Co. will lay off all of its 18 employees as part of a previously announced plan to phase out the company's business during the next year.

WorkComp, an affiliate of HMSA, has said it would allow employers renewing workers compensation policies with the firm to sign up with First Insurance Company of Hawaii Ltd. Yesterday, WorkComp President Mike Cheng said the company will phase out positions through July 2006. Some laid-off workers already have gone to work for HMSA or other insurance firms, Cheng said.

Island Air adding Kona-Maui flights

Interisland carrier Island Air is adding two flights today between Maui and Kona on the Big Island that will run through Sept. 5 to accommodate an increase in summer travel.

The airline is adding a flight between Kona and Kapalua, Maui, and another between Kona and Kahului, Maui. The lowest roundtrip fare between Kona and Maui is $89.10. Those who book online at www.islandair.com can get a 10 percent discount.

Decision could kill newspaper

OLYMPIA, Wash. » The state Supreme Court dealt the Seattle Times a major victory yesterday in its efforts to end a joint operating agreement with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer -- a ruling that could lead to the P-I's closure, though more legal battles remain.

The Times has been trying to get out of the agreement with the P-I's parent company, the Hearst Corp., since April 2003, saying the agreement is no longer profitable because of changes in the market. The Times seeks to invoke a clause in the contract that allows either paper to end the agreement if it suffers three consecutive years of losses.

[Hawaii Inc.]

NEW JOBS

>> Alexander & Baldwin has hired Paul T. Oshiro as government relations manager. He will be responsible for directing the company's governmental affairs programs at the federal, state and county level. A former state House vice speaker, Oshiro previously served as the Hawaiian TelCom governmental relations director.

» Ruth's Chris Steak House in Restaurant Row has appointed Donald M. Asam general manager. He previously served as general manager of Alii Kai Catamaran.

» American Savings Bank has hired Tony Long as a real estate loan officer. He has more than 15 years experience in the banking industry. He previously worked at the Bank of America in Seattle.

» First American Title Co. has hired three employees for management positions. Bess Palma has been hired as branch manager and escrow officer. She has over 15 years of escrow experience. Wendy Hazama has been hired as Kailua Branch escrow officer. She has over 20 years of escrow experience. Noelle Desaki has been hired as Kailua Branch account manager. She has over 15 years of escrow and finance experience.

» The Grand Wailea Resort has appointed Kai Pelayo operations director and Teresa "Pepper" Dombroski group sales director. Pelayo will be responsible for directing daily operations in the rooms, food and beverage and engineering divisions. He has 27 years experience in the industry. Dombroski will be responsible for overseeing all elements of the group sales effort and managing a team of sales associates. She most recently served as Snake River Lodge & Spa sales and marketing director.

» The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii has appointed Allicyn Hikida Tasaka chief operating officer. She will be responsible for managing the center's overall operations and administration. She previously served as executive director for Hawaii Meals on Wheels.

» Aston ResortQuest Hawaii has appointed Rebecca "Becky" Frasier general manager of Kona by the Sea. She will be responsible for property management, owner relations and guest services. She has 10 year s of experience in the industry.

» Hawaii State Federal Credit Union has hired Rodney Soon as chief lending officer. He is responsible for managing the credit union's loan portfolio and coordinating the planning and implementation of lending activities and overseeing day-to-day operations of the credit union's loans and collections sections. He previously served as an Airgas Gaspro Inc. credit manager and as a Bank of Hawaii vice president.

» Aston ResortQuest Hawaii has appointed Lionel "Alika" Brash sales manager. He will be responsible for the hotel's revenue generation from suppliers, including travel agencies and wholesalers, and he will also develop and expand business opportunities for the hotel in specialty niche markets. He most recently served as front office supervisor for the company's Waikiki Beach Hotel.

» Xerox Hawaii has appointed Nanette Gaspar marketing representative. She will be responsible for introducing the company's document processing equipment and services to new and existing commercial accounts. She previously served as vice president for the Stephen F. Austin State University chapter of the American Marketing Association.