Ex-Aloha Air exec named cargo head

Lee Steele, a former senior vice president of operations at Aloha Airlines, has been appointed president of Aloha Air Cargo, the lone surviving entity of the now-defunct carrier.

Lee Steele

Aloha Air Cargo was purchased by Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources in 2008 after the commercial airline ceased passenger services on March 31, 2008, and subsequently converted to Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation from Chapter 11 reorganization.

Steele, who has more than two decades of experience in the airline industry, most recently was president of Global Dimensions Inc., an aviation consulting company. He left Aloha Airlines in 2006 to become president and chief executive officer of Champion Air, which ceased operations on May 31, 2008. He left Champion in 2009. Steele will take over his new duties on July 1 and be replace Mike Malik, who stepped down about a month ago for personal reasons.

HMSA launches mobile device

On-the-spot medical care has gotten one step closer with a mobile Internet tool that will allow consumers to find a health care provider or service statewide through the Hawaii Medical Service Association.

HMSA, the state’s largest health insurer, launched the Web tool that allows consumers to use a smartphone or other hand-held device to search for a nearby doctor, dentist, hospital or pharmacy, as well as member discounts on health and wellness services. HMSA said its Website receives nearly four million hits a year. The Web tool supports iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and PalmPre and is expected to support BlackBerry devices in the next few months.

New hurricane insurer enters Hawaii

First Insurance Co. of Hawaii and Axis Insurance Co. have partnered to offer hurricane insurance through Axis to new and existing First Insurance homeowners and fire insurance policyholders.

Axis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Axis Capital Holdings Ltd., which offers specialty insurance and reinsurance with total capitalization of $6.4 billion as of March 31.

First Insurance expects to transfer about 13,000 existing hurricane policies to Axis as policies expire over the next year. Policy renewals will be issued with similar basic terms and coverage limits. Axis will sell only hurricane policies, with First Insurance primarily selling homeowners or fire policies.

ON THE MOVE

Char Chang

Bennet Group Strategic Communications has promoted Char Chang to senior vice president from vice president and Jill Bona, Monica Salter and Crystal Yamasaki to account managers from senior account executives.

Tracy De Boom

The U.S. Green Building Council has certified Harold K.L. Castle Foundation’s new Maunawili, Kailua, office building as a gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design structure. The building is the first LEED gold-certified nonresidential structure in Windward Oahu.

Makena Beach & Golf Resort has announced Tracy De Boom as the on-site wedding and catering services manager. She has more than 10 years experience in the hospitality industry, including operations manager for DeSilva Meeting Consultants, concierge at Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas and catering and convention services manager at Cambria Pines Lodge in California.

» TestAmerica’s Honolulu laboratory has received accreditation under the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Approval Program. The Honolulu laboratory is the first in the Pacific region to be DoD ELAP accredited.