Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business /2005/04/01/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

YOURS FOR ONLY $33,465

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Richard Asperin, left, and Hugo Forte checked out a Honda S2000 coupe yesterday at the First Hawaiian International Auto Show. The sporty car gets 20 city miles per gallon and retails at $33,465. The annual auto show shows both domestic and foreign cars and will be open to the public at the Hawaii Convention Center through Sunday.

Continental to talk with attendants

HOUSTON >> Continental Airlines said yesterday it would immediately put into effect employee contracts saving it $418 million a year, despite flight attendants' rejection of their pact.

The airline also said in a statement it would quickly enter new talks with the flight attendants union, adding, "The current levels of pay and benefits for flight attendants are not sustainable."

Other unions at Continental, including pilots, mechanics and dispatchers, announced Wednesday that the rank-and-file had approved cost concessions packages, including wage cutbacks, that Continental said it needed to survive.

Seibu sells Prince Hotel in Japan

Seibu Railway Co., expelled from the Tokyo stock exchange in December for breaching listing rules, said it will book a roughly $2.5 million loss from selling one of its hotels near Tokyo.

Seibu sold its Prince Hotel in Yokosuka, Japan, to Frontier First, a closely held real estate company, for $15.9 million, the railway company said yesterday. The book value of the property was at $18.3 million, Seibu said.

Seibu, whose former chairman was indicted last week on fraud and insider trading charges, is trying to cut its debt in four years by selling assets and seeking outside investors, according to a plan unveiled last week by a committee appointed by creditors to overhaul its business.

The Prince Hotel in Yokosuka opened in 1993 and its operation were unprofitable because of slumping demand for parties, Noriaki Iida, a Seibu spokesman, told reporters in Tokyo. Seibu plans to operate the hotel for at least a year by leasing it from Frontier First, he said. The company hasn't decided whether it will close it after that, Iida said.

[Hawaii Inc.]

PROMOTIONS

» Aston Hotels & Resorts has promoted two key members of its corporate team. Cay Miller has been promoted to an assistant director in the corporate reservations department. She will be responsible for developing and executing contact experience management planning, strategies, tactics and activities. She has worked for the company in Hawaii since 1991. Heather Reide has been promoted to revenue optimization manager. She will be responsible for working with the corporate reservations and pricing department to implement inventory restrictions and pricing strategies to optimize revenue. She has most recently served as Travel Agent Incentives marketing coordinator.

» First Hawaiian Bank has promoted Melvin Mow to credit administration division deputy manager. The division handles commercial loan administration and credit quality. He first joined the company in 1972 as a management trainee.

» Bank of Hawaii has promoted Sean Scott to vice president and corporate risk analyst of the corporate insurance department. He will be responsible for risk management consulting services, procuring insurance for the bank and serving as liaison between the bank and its brokers and insurers. The bank also has hired Julie Young as private client services vice president and personal trust officer. She will be responsible for administering trust, investment and IRA accounts and coordinating the financial and estate planning needs of the bank's private clients on Oahu and the Big Island.

» Kuakini Health System has promoted Carol Jasper to dietary services department manager. She will be responsible for managing 66 employees who prepare 1,000 meals daily for patients, residents, staff and visitors. She has over 25 years of clinical and supervisory experience at various hospitals in Hawaii and California.

» Goodwill Industries of Hawaii has promoted Nadia Schomer to work force and quality assurance deputy director in Hilo. She previously served as the company's program manager.

» Hilton Hawaii has appointed LeeAnne Jensick regional sales manager. She will be responsible for developing the company's group business out of the eastern United States. She previously worked for Hilton Waikoloa Village.

» Hawaiian Building Maintenance has promoted Karl H. Fujii to vice president and chief financial officer. He will be responsible for overseeing fiscal operations, risk management and information technology initiatives. He previously served as finance and business development director.

>> Maui Land & Pineapple Co. has promoted Robert M. McNatt to executive vice president/community development and Kapalua Land Co.'s community development general manager. He previously served as Kapalua Land Co.'s senior vice president/planning and development. He will be responsible for a newly organized community development department.