Hale Koa ordered to pay union fees

The Hale Koa Hotel has been ordered pay more than $125,000 to reimburse United Here Local 5 and the law office of Smith Himmelmann for the case in which a lifeguard's termination was found to be wrongful.

The ruling by California-based arbitrator Tom Angelo follows his earlier ruling in the case of Bill Kearsley, who also was a union shop steward at the hotel. He developed melanoma related to his occupation, was later terminated and filed a grievance, in which Angelo issued a decision in 2006.

Teamsters ratify Meadow Gold pact

Some 200 unionized employees of Meadow Gold Dairies on Oahu have unanimously ratified a new five-year contract. The pact, retroactive to Oct. 1, provides members of the Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Union, Local 996, with wage and pension increases and continues their company-sponsored health benefits.

“;Despite the challenges of the current economy, the union and management were able to work out a fair agreement for union members who continue to make important contributions to Meadow Gold's proud history in the islands every day,”; said Ron Kozuma, president of Local 996, in a statement.

Hawaii to share in Vonage settlement

NEW YORK » Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has agreed to pay $3 million to 32 states, including Hawaii, to settle an investigation into some of its business practices.

In a filing yesterday with the Securities Exchange Commission, the company said it also agreed to provide refunds to affected customers. Claims can be filed through attorneys general for the participating states.

Among some of the customer complains were difficulty in canceling service amid pressure from the company to keep their accounts, and Vonage failing to clearly tell potential customers that they needed to have high-speed Internet service to use the service, which offers cheaper calls by sending voice data over the Internet just like e-mail and Web pages.

ExpressJet gets some Mesa flights

UAL Corp.'s United Airlines has hired regional carrier ExpressJet Holdings Inc. to operate 22 planes under a multiyear contract.

The agreement, which goes into effect early next year, will have an initial term of three years for 11 planes and two years for another 11, Houston-based ExpressJet said in a U.S. regulatory filing yesterday. Some of the flying will replace service provided by go! Mokulele parent Mesa Air Group Inc., which said this month that United didn't renew its accord.

Lowe's optimistic despite lower net

Lowe's Cos., the No. 2 home-improvement retailer, said yesterday that third-quarter profit fell 30 percent to $344 million as consumers worried about jobs and home values spent on smaller projects like painting but held back on larger jobs. Still, the company said some of the hardest-hit home markets are stabilizing and said it expects this year's fourth quarter to be stronger than last year's.

Construction Training Center blessing

The Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Building Industry Foundation will hold a blessing today to mark the completion of the Construction Training Center of the Pacific.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. at the training center located on Akoki Street in Waipahu.

“;The CTC represents the commitment and collaboration of the community, all levels of government, business leaders and members of BIA-Hawaii that have united to support the CTC,”; BIA President Mike Brant said.

The 15,670-square-foot training center includes offices, seven classrooms, a training shop and a conference center that seats 100.

ON THE MOVE

King & Neel promoted Paul C. Kennedy to assistant vice president as he continues as the bond manager for the company. Stephanie McGuire was promoted to assistant vice president and will continue helping clients with their insurance needs.

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» TD Food Group has promoted Jeffrey Lawton to restaurant general manager of Pizza Hut in Enchanted Lake from assistant restaurant manager. He has 16 years' experience with TD Food Group.