HAWAII

Low-cost carriers top quality list

Hawaiian Airlines is ranked as the best airline in the nation for on-time performance.

Researchers found that 92 percent of Hawaiian's flights were on time for the January-June period.

The report's authors say major mainland airlines might have to sharpen their on-time performance because the skies are less crowded.

AirTran Airways was tops at handling baggage, and Southwest Airlines Co. best in customer complaints, at one for every 300,000 customers. JetBlue Airways had the fewest denied boardings.

Ratings by the Wichita State and Saint Louis University researchers were based on information compiled by the U.S. Transportation Department.

Superferry offers military sale fare

The Hawaii Superferry said yesterday it is offering military and their dependents a free round trip on the Alakai with the purchase of one round-trip fare.

The offer applies to all members of the U.S. armed forces, including National Guard members and reservists, and is available for travel booked through Dec. 15.

Members of the military and their dependents will receive Hawaii Superferry's $10 military discount when purchasing the first round trip.

Travel must be booked through respective MWR/ITT travel desks. Call the Superferry at (877) 443-3779.

Bankoh opens new Kaneohe branch

Bank of Hawaii opened its newest branch yesterday in the Kaneohe Safeway store at 46-065 Kamehameha Hwy.

The 362-square-foot facility will be the bank's 73rd branch in Hawaii and the seventh in a Safeway store. The bank will hold grand-opening festivities on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a drawing to win a $500 Safeway gift card.

Tesoro to close Waimalu station

The Tesoro gas station at 98-1217 Kaahumanu Ave. in Waimalu will close Sunday. Customers will be directed to nearby Tesoro stations in Pearl City and at Aiea Heights Drive, according to a spokesman. The closure will leave 32 Tesoro locations on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

The station's 15 employees will be transferred to other locations, “;so none have lost their jobs,”; said spokesman Nathan Hokama.

Tesoro Hawaii Corp. bid to renew its lease at the location but was not successful.

Maui resort to open in January

Honua Kai Resort & Spa, a luxury beach resort on Maui, will open in January on Kaanapali's North Beach.

The resort was developed by Maui Beach Resort Limited Partnership, a joint venture of Intrawest, Ledcor and J.P. Morgan, and managed by Intrawest Hospitality Management. On 38 oceanfront acres, Honua Kai is situated in two U-shaped buildings with ocean and mountain views. The resort has 628 rooms that will open in two phases: In January, the Hokulani building will open with 318 rooms, a lobby cafe, pool and fitness center; in spring 2010, the Konea building will open, with 310 rooms, a lobby cafe, beachside restaurant, two pools and spa.

Rates begin at $400 a night. Call (888) 718-5789 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit http://www.honuakaimaui.com.

Mokulele adds jet service to Maui

Mokulele Airlines said yesterday it has opened booking for nonstop jet service between Honolulu and Kahului. Flights can be booked at http://www.mokuleleairlines.com.

The daily flights, which begin March 1, will be operated with 70-seat Embraer 170 jets and are part of a new partnership with Indianapolis-based Republic Airways.

Also starting Nov. 19, Mokulele will offer service from Kapalua/West Maui to Hoolehua and Kahului, under its Cessna Grand Caravan service. From Kahului, the airline currently offers service to Hoolehua, Kailua-Kona, and Lanai.