Business Briefs Star-Bulletin staff and wire services

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HAWAII

Hawaiian Air's delays up for July

Hawaiian Airlines said yesterday its on-time performance in July was 83.6 percent, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

That puts the carrier at second out of 19 airlines ranked in the U.S. It is the second month this year the airline has fallen from the top spot -- in February, Aloha Airlines ranked first.

Last year, Hawaiian saw 94.72 percent of its flights arrive on time in July. Hawaiian was fourth with 2,791 mishandled baggage reports, or 3.79 reports for every 1,000 passengers, during the month.

Hawaiian ranked ninth in customer complaints with seven in the month, or .96 complaints per emplanement, up from three complaints in July 2007.

Hawaii Water completes buyout

Hawaii Water Service Co., a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has completed its acquisition of West Hawaii Utilities, which includes Waikoloa Resort Utilities Inc., Waikoloa Water Co. and Waikoloa Sanitary Sewer Co.

West Hawaii Utilities provides water and wastewater services to Waikoloa Beach Resort and Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. The buyout, announced by California Water earlier this year, is the company's second in Hawaii in 2008, increasing isle customers from to 3,770 from 1,500.

State warns against gas scheme

The state has issued a preliminary order to cease and desist against an oil and gas scheme that netted more than $1 million in funds from isle investors.

The order alleges that Dennis W. Stutes and George Crandlemire solicited investors in Hawaii to invest in American Oil & Gas Revenue, Joint Venture #12 in violation of state securities laws.

The order includes accusations of fraudulent misrepresentation and failure to disclose the risks of investing in a oil and gas prospecting joint venture, and seeks penalties of $750,000 against American Oil & Gas Revenue and Stutes, and $60,000 against Crandlemire.

Isle residents with information on the scheme are urged to contact the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 586-2740.

HCDA defers Kewalo decision

The Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees the redevelopment of Kakaako, decided yesterday to defer its decision on whether to approve administrative rules for Kewalo Basin.

HCDA, which is posed to take over management of the small boat harbor from the state Department of Transportation, has worked on several versions of the rules for more than a year now. HCDA's board made the decision yesterday during its regular monthly meeting. If approved, the rules would have gone to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature.

Treasury introduces debit option

Throughout September, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be introducing a new debit card option for federal benefits to nearly 2 million Social Security check recipients in 12 Western states.

The Treasury estimates that 4 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income check recipients do not have bank accounts, placing them at greater risk for check delivery delays.

In Hawaii more than 28,000 paper checks are issued each month to Social Security and SSI recipients.Those who qualify may sign up for the card by calling (877) 212-9991 or visiting www.usdirectexpress.com.

Storage firm opens in Mililani

Hawaii Self Storage will hold a grand opening for its fourth location, at Mililani Tech Park on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to noon. The company will offer prizes, food and entertainment at the 233 Akamainui St. location.

The new location will offer 1,575 units, ranging from 25 square feet 375 square feet. The company currently operates in Salt Lake, Pearl City and Kaimuki. It is opening a fifth location in Mililani this spring.

Promotions / New Hires

» Communications Pacific has announced the following new promotions:
* Harriet Kirihara to vice president from director in the human resources office. She joined the company in 2004 and was previously a workforce staffing and development consultant at Hawaiian Electric Co., a research statistician for the State Department of Labor and a manager and international consultant for Psychometrics Inc. in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
* Jill Kamada to director of account services from senior account executive in the marketing practice. She joined the company in 2006 and was previously a marketing manager in publishing for Penguin-Putnam USA in New York and Avalon Publishing Group in the Bay Area.
* Jennifer Veltri-Kirsch to account supervisor, head of interactive services from senior account executive in the marketing practice. She joined the company in 2006 and was previously a producer for a popular radio show in K101 in San Francisco and worked in marketing development and promotions for Yahoo! prior to moving to Hawaii.

» Prudential Locations has hired the following new real estate agents:
* Sherrie Au has nearly 30 years of sales experience ranging from computers to healthcare financial management services.
* Deidre Glendon was previously at Dower Realty and was a teacher for the Department of Education.
* Caroline Miller was previously at Premier Realty 2000 and also a business analyst and database manager for IBM with experience in the special events and film production industries.
* Wendy Watanabe was previously at Premier Realty 2000, Realty Executives Oahu, Eric Watanabe Realty and operated a salon business as a stylist.

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