HAWAII

HMSA pays $20.7M in incentives

Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state's largest health insurer, paid physicians and hospitals $20.7 million this year as part of incentive programs intended to increase quality health care.

Hospitals received $6.2 million, while payment to health-maintenance organization health centers totaled $4.6 million and $9.9 million for physicians and other practitioners for quality, efficiency and patient safety, the company said.

The awards are in addition to the regular reimbursements and fee adjustments health-care providers receive from HMSA.

Since 1998, Hawaii physicians and practitioners who met program standards for quality, patient safety, patient satisfaction and efficiency received $83.45 million.

In addition, HMSA has awarded $46.2 million to Hawaii hospitals since 2001 and $28.7 million to health centers across the state since 1998.

First Hawaiian gets top honors

HEDCO Local Development Corp., along with the Small Business Association, has named First Hawaiian Bank its 504 Small Business Lender of the Year (Tier 1 category), according to an announcement yesterday by David Perkins, president of HEDCO.

Hawaii National Bank was named the Tier 2 504 Small Business Lender of the Year.

First Hawaiian received the award based on the total volume of SBA 504 loans the bank approved throughout the latest fiscal year ended Sept. 30, which, according to Perkins, was equal to all other local lenders combined.

The Certified Development Company program, officially known as the SBA 504 Loan Program, allows private sector lenders to meet the long-term credit needs of eligible small businesses by participating in project financing with the local HEDCO office.

Separately, First Hawaiian said it has become the first customer to sign a contract with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, a renewable energy system that is expected reduce the amount of electricity required to operate air conditioning systems in downtown Honolulu.

Nurses' Association OKs contracts

The Hawaii Nurses' Association said yesterday that it has reached contracts with Kuakini Medical Center and Kapiolani Medical Center.

Kuakini registered nurses voted overwhelmingly to ratify the new three-year contract that takes effect April 1, which provides for 4 percent annual wage increases as well as increases to the non-matching portion of the 403-B plan. Improvements in the areas of holiday hours and health coverage options are also included in the tentative agreement.

The association, which represents more than 500 nursing professionals at Kapiolani Medical Center, said an overwhelming majority of the members voted to ratify the tentative agreement there that includes 4 percent annual wage increases and no-cost long-term disability insurance benefits. The ratification vote took place on Wednesday and the new contract will expire Nov. 30, 2011. 

[ Taking notice ]

Promotions / New hires

» Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Miranda Scott to senior director of business development from director of business development. She was previously leisure sales manager at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and a market manager for Expedia.

» Suntech Hawaii has hired Gabriel Chong as project engineer. He will be responsible for managing solar installation projects for the renewable energy company. His previous jobs include junior engineer at Uvitron and at Hoku Scientific.

Board elections

» The Hawaii Employers Council has announced its board members through Dec. 31, 2011: Newly elected members are Dennis Brown, Sai Chantavy, Gary Ettinger, John Monahan, Tammy Nakamatsu, Michael White and Janet Mayfield. Re-elected members are Melvin Chiba, Glenn K.Y. Hong, Fred Horwitz, Patrick Jones and George Otsuka.

» The Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii has elected it board of directors: Officers are Charlie Beeck, president; Guy Akasaki, vice president; Tai Ai, treasurer; and Bernadette Robins, secretary. Directors are Joe Kirby, Scott Ai, Dora Fong and Mike Tory. Associate representatives are Dave Pavlicek, Howard Meechan, Jack Miller, Mark Alexander and Mark Rodden. Steve Maero is immediate past president and Tim Lyons will continue as executive director.