HAWAII

Hawaiian Air load factor falls

Hawaiian Airlines Inc. said yesterday its load factor, or the percentage of seats filled, fell 9.6 percentage points to 79.1 percent in November from 88.7 percent a year ago. However, passenger traffic rose 6.2 percent to 629,381 from 592,441.

Revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, dropped 7.6 percent to 629.2 million from 681.1 million.

Available seat miles, or one seat transported one mile, rose 3.6 percent to 795.8 million from 768 million.

HMSA signs up 100 physicians

Hawaii Medical Service Association said yesterday it has signed up its first 100 physicians to participate in a new service that will connect patients and physicians via the Internet or telephone.

HMSA will be the first health plan in the nation to provide its residents with such a service, which goes live on Jan. 15. HMSA's Online Care is aimed at improving access to care throughout the islands.

Physicians who signed up to provide online services will be able to do so from their home or office. Physicians may work online as much or as little as they like.

Waipahu High gets auto grant

The Waipahu High School Automotive Academy has been given a grant of $22,500 over three years by the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank.

The school's academy gives high school students the opportunity to gain working experience and helps them to prepare for future work as auto mechanics.

DTV show to help transition

Hawaii TV stations will air tonight a program called “;Digital Transition.”; The half-hour special on the Jan. 15 digital transition features Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein of the Federal Communications Commission and will be rebroadcast on some stations. Check TV listings or station Web sites.

Initial broadcast times on the major stations are: KGMB-TV, 6:30 p.m.; KHNL-TV, 6:30 p.m.; KITV-TV, 6:30 p.m.; KHON-TV, 9:30 p.m.; KFVE-TV, 9:30 p.m. and KHET-TV, 10 p.m.

KGMB and KHET also will also post the video online.

Dunkin' Brands selects pizza CEO

CANTON, Mass. » Dunkin' Brands, which operates Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains, said yesterday that Nigel Travis will replace Jon Luther as chief executive, effective Jan. 6.

Travis, 58, previously served as president and CEO of Louisville, Ky.-based pizza chain Papa John's International Inc. The company's founder and chairman, John H. Schnatter, will replace him there on an interim basis while Papa John's seeks a permanent successor.

He also worked at Blockbuster Inc. from 1994 to 2004, serving part of that time as president and chief operating officer. Travis will relocate to Massachusetts with his family.

Luther, 65, will remain executive chairman of Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands. He joined the company in 2003 as CEO and became chairman in 2006. He has been working since the beginning of this year to develop a succession plan, Dunkin' Brands said.

Beachcomber finishes upgrades

The Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber said this week that is has completed its interior remodel and is offering discounted rates starting at $139 a room. The package also offers the option to add a rental car starting at an additional $29 a day.

  Guest rooms feature a contemporary design, as well as custom-made bedding and 32-inch flat-screen televisions. 

Also, the hotel will open A restaurant and bar, Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, in February. Call (800) 462-6262 or visit www.OhanaHotels.com. 

[ TAKING NOTICE ]

Awards / Certifications

» The Hawaii Flooring Association has elected its board of directors: Officers are George Fern, president; Leilani Olinger, vice president; Kaleo Nakamura, treasurer; and Dinah Hirayama, secretary. Directors are Harris Nakamura and immediate past president Roy Tokuhama. Tim Lyons will continue as executive director.