Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business /2005/04/06/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

Hawaiian Air suitors indicted in fraud case

NEW YORK » Two people connected to Hawaiian Investment Partners Group LLC, which was trying to buy bankrupt Hawaiian Airlines, have been indicted on conspiracy charges, prosecutors said today.

Paul Boghosian, head of HIP, and William Spencer, a trustee for the E&M Trust, lied about their ability to inject $300 million in new capital to bring the airline out of bankruptcy, the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York said.

Boghosian, 50, was also indicted on two charges of commercial bribery after allegedly agreeing to pay a $500,000 bribe to an FBI agent posing as a hedge fund manager in exchange for a $2.5 million loan. He was arrested in March.

Spencer's firm submitted an affidavit in support of HIP's plan.

The total indictment was filed in three counts, with each count carrying a maximum punishment of five years in prison.

A representative for Hawaiian Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2003, wasn't immediately available for comment. A competing bankruptcy plan was accepted last month.

Attempts to find contacts for Boghosian and Spencer were unsuccessful.

Vericella to lead tourism company

Tony Vericella, the former head of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau who resigned in 2003 over a negative state audit, has been named managing director of a local destination management company.

Vericella will lead Island Partners Hawaii, which was acquired last year by the Seattle Hospitality Group. Vericella, a longtime travel and tourism executive, also has become a partner in SHG.

He resigned after nearly six years at HVCB after an audit, commissioned by the Legislature to review the nonprofit bureau, criticized its spending practices.

H.S. Wright III, chairman of Seattle Hospitality, said Vericella has a proven ability to guide the company's strategic growth across the nation and internationally.

Hawaiian Air is the most on-time

Hawaiian Airlines led all carriers in the country in February for on-time service, baggage handling and fewest cancellations and ranked high in having the fewest complaints and oversold seats.

The airline yesterday cited the latest federal Air Travel Consumer Report, which is available online at airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports.

Foot doctors to get their kicks

It's only 2005 but already the American Podiatric Medical Association has its foot in the door to visit Hawaii in 2008.

More than 3,500 members of the foot-doctor organization are expected to convene here in July 2008 for four days of proceedings and workshops at the Hawaii Convention Center.

The meeting is expected to generate about $11 million in visitor spending and about $916,000 in tax revenue for the state, according to a formula used by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The association, based in Maryland, represents about 80 percent of all podiatrists in the nation.

[HAWAII INC.]

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NEW JOBS

» Hilton Hawaiian Village has appointed Lynn Reyes and Anna Paprskar as managers in key departments at the hotel. Reyes has been appointed catering, meetings and convention manager. She previously served as Dave & Buster's special events manager. Paprskar has been appointed event service manager. She previously served as assistant banquet manager at the Hyatt Regency Islandia in San Diego.

» The Activities & Attractions Association of Hawaii has appointed Debbie Needham its Oahu representative. She will be responsible for communicating the organization's benefits and growing its membership. She most recently handled marketing activities for Maui Classic Charters.

» AdWalls LLC, a national indoor billboard company based in Hawaii, has hired F.M. Scotty Anderson as sign division managing director. He previously served as Ferguson Enterprises sales manager.

» Hilton Waikoloa Village has appointed Mark DiMartino national sales manager. He will run the primary incentive travel group houses and the insurance group market. He has 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

» Territorial Savings Bank has appointed Marc Hirai its Kaimuki branch manager. He will be responsible for supervising lending. He previously served as the bank's McCully branch manager.

» Variety School of Hawaii has selected Colin Denney as executive director. Denney will replace Duane Yee, who is retiring in June. Denney is currently an assistant professor at Purdue University. He earned his doctorate from University of Hawaii-Manoa and has taught at Punahou School and worked extensively with children with autism and their families.

» Kahala Nui has hired Lawrence E. Trott as director of dining and hospitality. He will be responsible for the management and operation of the dining rooms and meals for 500 residents and 225 employees. Trott has more than 25 years of culinary experience and he previously served as director of operation/director of food and beverage/executive chef for One Kalakaua.

» Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast has named John Crocker to the newly created position of project manager. His responsibilities include on-time execution and completion of hotel improvement projects while ensuring minimal disruption to hotel guests. He will also coordinate and communicate with contractors, subcontractors and all involved hotel departments.

» Hilton Hawaii has hired Dara Young as public relations manager of Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa and Tran Phan as regional public relations coordinator for Hilton Hawaii. Young will handle the public relations efforts for the hotel. She previously served as an account supervisor at Communications-Pacific. Phan will assist with public relations efforts for the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Doubletree Alana Hotel.