Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business /2005/05/20/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

Aloha Air is open to investment

Aloha Airlines has begun talking with other investors to bring the carrier out of bankruptcy after the period in which two lenders had the exclusive right to conduct due diligence on Aloha expired.

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners LP and Ableco Finance LLC of New York had the right as a provision in their agreement to provide the cash-strapped airline $32.5 million apiece.

Aloha's Chief Financial Officer Jim Clarke said the two lenders remain interested in investing in the airline. He declined to disclose the number of other interested investors.

The airline filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors on Dec. 30.

Stock contest winners named

Kaimuki High School students Michael Jessier and Connie Langford teamed up to post a 11.2 percent return to win the aggressive division of the spring Hawaii Stock Market Simulation.

Kealakehe High School students Luana Weinstock, Joelle Kamaka, Clancy-Marie Matsunami and Uipualehua Yeaman were second, with a 9.5 percent gain.

The 10-week stock market simulation began Feb. 14 with about 2,000 students in grades three through 12 forming teams to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The teams were classified based on investment styles: aggressive, growth, income/growth and elementary.

Moanalua Middle School students Peter Elizalde, Bryson Burnett and Dae Yang Kim topped the elementary division, with an 8.2 percent gain. Dole Middle Schoolers Louvenia James, Jael Sefika, Febbie Montaus and Siniva Kite followed, earning 7.3 percent.

No teams were awarded in the growth and income/growth divisions.

Continental, Island Air sign pact

Continental Airlines said it has signed a code-sharing agreement with local commuter carrier Island Air, allowing Continental customers to fly to Hawaii, then board the interisland carrier without checking in again.

Island Air serves all the major islands and will benefit from access to mainland markets.

Aloha signs drinking water order

Aloha Airlines said it has signed a consent order with the Environmental Protection Agency, agreeing to water testing and disinfection standards to provide safe drinking water on its airplanes.

Aloha was one of 12 airlines to agree to the new protocols in principle in November, and was the first to sign them. The carrier will submit a comprehensive drinking water monitoring and reporting plan to the EPA within 30 days after the order is finalized.

Analyst downgrades HEI's stock

Analyst Ivan Feinseth downgraded Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.'s stock yesterday to "sell" from "hold."

Hawaiian Electric closed down 14 cents yesterday at $25.57, off a 52-week high of $29.79.

[Hawaii Inc.]

NEW JOBS

» PCF Virtual Integrated Marketing & Advertising Agency has hired Samantha Spain and Chimaine Pouteau as account coordinators. Spain previously served as Honolulu Medical Group's marketing coordinator. Pouteau previously served as a KTLA TV (Los Angeles) producer/assignment editor and news writer.

» PacificBasin Communications has hired Dolly Lindo as a receptionist. She previously worked as an American Savings Bank teller.

» Hawaii State Federal Credit Union has appointed Amy Motooka to its board of directors. She works for the state Transportation Department. She has been a member of the credit union for over 36 years.

» Castle & Cooke has hired Ray Kunishige as site construction engineer, Gary Hanson as construction superintendent and Andrew Furuta as senior project coordinator. Kunishige previously worked for Paul's Electrical Service Inc. Hanson previously served as a Pankow Special Projects field superintendent. Furuta previously served as a KMPG LLP senior manager and a Hawaii Housing Development Corp. development team member.

» The Kapalua Villas has hired Dean Yamashita as sales director. He will be responsible for overseeing the company's national and international sales effort. He previously served as the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown travel industry sales director.

» Honolulu Theatre for Youth has hired Eric Johnson as artistic director. He is currently Franklin and Marshall College's performing arts coordinator. He replaces Mark Lutwak, who will remain affiliated with the theatre.

» Pacific Islanders in Communications, a nonprofit that supports the advancement of Pacific Islander media talent and content, has made several appointments. Shane Palusi Seggar has been appointed program director. He most recently served as a Combat Films & Researcher producer. Evelyn June Kam has been promoted to operations director from operations manager. She will be responsible for overseeing administration and fiscal operations. Annie Moriyasu has been appointed broadcast and distribution manager. She has been with the company since 1998. Leann Yeung has been appointed administrative assistant. She previously served as administrative assistant for the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County in California.

» Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Rick Fall cargo sales and service senior director. He will be responsible for all aspects of the company's cargo program. He has 34 years of experience in the airline industry.

» First Hawaiian Bank has appointed the following officers: Deborah M. Bianco-Tafisi has been appointed call center service manager. She joined the company in 2001 as a service supervisor. Dolly S. Chang has been appointed an audit division audit officer. She joined the bank in 1964. Terry E. Kurihara has been appointed an audit division audit officer. She joined the bank in 1983 as a general ledger clerk.