HawTel workers to get $8.5 million

About 845 unionized Hawaiian Telcom employees will be receiving a total of $8.5 million, according to a court filing yesterday.

Hawaiian Telcom is currently in Chapter 11 reorganization, and needed permission from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to pay out the money to members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The union's collective bargaining agreement with the company states that the money is owed due to a 2009 performance compensation program. The program became part of the company's reorganization plan, which is still in an approval process with the state Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

Hawaiian's passenger traffic falls 2.3%

Hawaiian Airlines' passenger traffic in February declined 2.3 percent from a year ago as it offered fewer seats.

The carrier transported 626,590 passengers compared with 641,067 in February 2009, while its available seat miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, fell 4.1 percent to 708.9 million from 739.3 million. Hawaiian's load factor, or percentage of seats filled, slipped 0.7 percentage points to 82.3 percent from 83.0 percent while its revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, declined 5 percent to 583.4 million from 613.8 million.

Isle wind project receives $117M loan

The U.S. Energy Department said it has offered a $117 million conditional loan guarantee for a wind-energy project in Hawaii.

The 30-megawatt project on Oahu is being installed by Kahuku Wind Power LLC and is sponsored by Newton, Mass.-based First Wind Holdings LLC, the Energy Department said.

Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the U.S. and wants to wean itself from generation that uses oil products. The state has a goal of producing 70 percent of its electricity needs from renewable resources such as wind and solar by 2030. Output from the 12 2.5-megawatt wind turbines, enough for about 7,700 homes, will be sold to Hawaiian Electric Co. under a long-term contract.

Vacations Hawaii revenue drops

Boyd Gaming Corp. said its Vacations Hawaii subsidiary, which offers charter flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas, saw its revenue decline in the fourth quarter due to a shortfall on ticket yield and higher fuel costs.

“;As many customer packages are purchased months in advance, prices on those packages don't necessarily reflect the actual fuel costs we incur when the charter flight occurs,”; said Paul Chakmak, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boyd.

Vacations Hawaii revenue in the fourth quarter fell 21.9 percent to $8.2 million from $10.5 million and for the year decreased 24.4 percent to $32.3 million from $42.7 million.

On the Move

» Graham Builders has promoted Faye Ing to senior construction manager from project manager. She previously worked in project management for a small general/electrical contractor and has experience doing projects such as kitchen and bathroom renovations and small home repairs.

» Design Partners has promoted Steve Teves to associate architect at its Guam office from project manager. His experience includes work as draftsman, designer and project manager at Inter-Island Pools/Gunite Hawaii.

» McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii has hired James Francisco as area construction manager. He was previously a project manager for Kyo-ya Management Co. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii.

» Kenneth Zeri has been selected to serve a three-year term on the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization membership board. He is president and chief professional officer of Hospice Hawaii and has 24 years of experience in hospice and palliative care.

» Susan Gregg has won the “;Aaron Chaney Property Manager of the Year Award”; for serving her communities for the last 14 years. She is senior vice president of the Certified Management office.