Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business Briefs /2005/07/08/

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

Hawaiian Air 95.9 percent on time

Hawaiian Airlines was the most punctual carrier in the nation for the 19th consecutive month in May, with 95.9 percent of flights arriving on time.

The airline also was best in baggage handling, with only 2.78 mishandled baggage reports for every 1,000 passengers. It had the second-fewest flight cancellations and ranked third for fewest oversales of seats.

The information comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation and covers 19 airlines.

Labor dispute could nix San Francisco conventions

SAN FRANCISCO » San Francisco could lose as many as five major conventions next year because of the lingering hotel labor dispute, according to the workers' union and the groups involved.

The union, Unite Here Local 2, calculates that hotels would lose $47.8 million in revenue as a result of the relocations, although independent experts say the figure might be inflated.

For example, one of the groups, the American Educational Research Association, says it's expecting about 13,000 attendees at its April convention, not the 15,000 reckoned by the union.

Unite Here is boycotting 14 major hotels whose union contracts expired in August. Negotiations for a new contract have been fruitless. The union is applying economic pressure to try to force the hotels to settle.

Omnicare to buy NeighborCare

Omnicare Inc., the biggest provider of drugs and pharmacy services to U.S. nursing homes, agreed to buy NeighborCare Inc. for $1.56 billion, ending a takeover fight that lasted more than a year.

The acquisition will add to earnings starting in 2006, the companies said yesterday in a statement. Omnicare had to raise its offer twice to the final price of $34.75 a share, 16 percent more than the original bid of $30 a share in May 2004. It extended the tender 12 times before the final bid on Tuesday.

The purchase allows Covington, Ky.-based Omnicare, which controls more than a third of the $7 billion-a-year pharmacy- services market for nursing homes and assisted-living units, to cut costs and negotiate better drug prices by expanding its reach and consolidating operations, analysts said.

Finger takes bite out of Wendy's

DUBLIN, Ohio >> Wendy's International Inc. said yesterday sales at its burger restaurants opened at least a year fell 4 percent in the second quarter, hurt mainly by a woman's false claim that she found part of a finger in her chili.

The company said half of the decline for the quarter ended July 3 was because of the woman's claim that she found the finger while eating at a Wendy's in San Jose, Calif., in late March. Authorities have charged the woman with making up the story to extort money from Wendy's.

Wendy's also said it was hurt by difficult comparisons to the year-ago period and beef prices 24 percent higher than a year ago.

[Hawaii Inc.]

NEW JOBS

» The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has appointed Josay Fernandes spa director. He will be responsible for overseeing general management and day-to-day operations for Spa Moana. He previously served as director of the Spa Mandara Spa at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

» The Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture has appointed Marci Waialeale Sarsona executive director. She will be responsible for overseeing daily operations and strategic planning for the organization. She replaces Sherlyn Franklin Goo, who will take on the responsibility of associate executive director.

» Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has hired KaraLynn K. Uchimura as internal auditor. She will be responsible for evaluation and analysis of the company's financial reports, corporate policies and operations. She previously served as a JTB Hawaii Inc. assistant controller.

PROMOTIONS

» Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. has expanded the role of Minnie Pang. She currently supervises core laboratory, microbiology, toxicology and field operations. She will also be responsible for overseeing the technical operations at Queens Medical Center Laboratory, Cytology and Molokai General Hospital Laboratory.

» Group 70 International has promoted Mark "Kawika" McKeague to associate. He will be responsible for helping manage the firm. He has more than six years of experience as a senior planner. The architectural and planning firm also has promoted Hiram Pajo to associate. He will be responsible for helping to manage the firm. He has more than 20 years experience in architecture.

» Martin & MacArthur has promoted Nicole Stalcup to retail operations manager. She will be responsible for inventory control and overseeing the duties of all administrative assistants and stock personnel in all the company's retail showrooms. Charles L. Landrum was hired as store manager at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

ON THE BOARD

» Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Hawaii Chapter has installed the following officers for the 2005/2006 term: Tim Dayton, president; James Cavanah, president elect; Bruce McEwan, vice president; Tyler Tokioka, treasurer; Jacinda Elias, secretary.