Hawaiian leads carriers in reliability

Hawaiian Airlines topped all U.S. carriers in March for punctuality and fewest flight cancellations, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Hawaiian, which has led the industry in both categories every month this year, had a 91.5 percent on-time performance for March. That was 13.1 percentage points above the industry average of 78.4 percent.

The state's largest carrier also led the way with just 15 flight cancellations, or 0.1 percent, out of 6,137 total flights. The industry average was 2.1 percent. Hawaiian ranked second for baggage handling with 1.82 mishandled baggage reports for every 1,000 passengers served.

The airline also was second in passengers denied boarding, which is reported quarterly. Hawaiian had 0.07 involuntary denied boardings per 10,000 passengers, or only 14 out of nearly 2 million passengers carried during the first quarter.

Mokulele Airlines lands on Expedia

Mokulele Airlines has increased its Web presence through a partnership with online travel company Expedia.

All of Mokulele's published fares, schedules and inventory will be available to passengers at www.expedia.com.

Mokulele operates 64 daily departures to seven cities in Hawaii.

Norwegian parent posts $5.2M profit

Norwegian Cruise Line's parent, which removed two of its three ships - the Pride of Hawaii and Pride of Aloha - from Hawaii service last year, posted a $5.2 million profit in the first quarter after reducing operating expenses 20 percent. A year ago it lost $145 million in the same period.

Pride of America remains NCL America's only Hawaii-ported ship.

Miami-based NCL Corp., which is 50 percent owned by Hong Kong-based Star Cruises Ltd., saw revenue decrease 17 percent to $424.5 million from $511.6 million due to reduced consumer demand.

Denny Wong prevails in plumeria case

Honolulu-based Cosmos Jewelry Ltd., best known as Denny Wong Designs, has prevailed in an appeal challenging its award for a trade dress infringement case against a Los Angeles company. The latest judgment before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco is the culmination of a seven-year battle between Po Sun Hon Co. of Los Angeles and Cosmos Jewelry.

Cosmos, best known for its copyrighted Tropical Memories Plumeria flower jewelry, first alleged that Po Sun Hon was making and selling copies of its line in August 2006. That year, Cosmos was awarded $2.3 million in damages in addition to attorneys' fees. The appeal was filed in 2007.

Medical library event to draw 2,300

The Medical Library Association, which is holding its annual meeting and exhibition at the Hawai'i Convention Center Friday through next Wednesday, is expected to draw 2,300 participants and generate nearly $11 million in statewide spending, the convention center said.

Tax revenue is estimated at more than $1 million, with the center's hotel partners benefiting with more than 18,000 booked rooms.

On the move

» ProService Hawaii has promoted Jonathan Hall to pricing manager from insurance services manager. He has experience as risk manager with EMPO Corp. Inc. and Riscomp Industries Inc.

» Hawaii Credit Union League announced its board of directors for 2009-2010. They are Wallace Watanabe, chairman, who represents Oahu Aloha Chapter of credit unions; Gordon Sam, vice chairman, chairman of Pearl Harbor Federal Credit Union in Waipio; Scot Tsuchiyama, treasurer, manager of Kekaha Federal Credit Union; Alan Arai, secretary, president/CEO of Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union, Kahului; Albert “;Benny”; Rodero, director, chairman of Hamakua Coast Community Federal Credit Union in Pepeekeo on the Big Island; and Clayton Fuchigami, director, president/CEO of Maui Federal Credit Union in Kahului.