Kyo-Ya project still needs permits

While Kyo-Ya’s planned Waikiki redevelopment of its Moana Surfrider and Princess Kaiulani properties got unanimous approval from the City Council on Wednesday, the company must clear several more hurdles before breaking ground on its $700 million project.

The project, which Kyo-Ya began working on in 2006, still needs three more land-use permits to proceed, including a Waikiki special district permit, a zoning variance and a conditional use permit. Developers hope to break ground by 2012.

Among Kyo-Ya’s plans are a new 26-story tower where the eight-story Diamond Head Tower of the Moana Surfrider now stands.

It would be the first new shoreline tower for Waikiki Beach in decades.

Other construction also would include a new 33-story Pikake Tower on the site of the Princess Kaiulani property and renovation of the existing 29-story Ainahau Tower. Torn down would be two 11-story towers: the Princess and the Kaiulani.

Go! Mokulele traffic off 5 percent

Go! Mokulele’s passenger traffic fell 5 percent in July from the year-earlier month even though its load factor, or percentage of seats filled, ticked up 0.5 percentage points to 74.4 percent.

The interisland carrier operated by Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. transported 68,967 people last month compared with 72,573 a year ago.

Revenue passenger miles, or one paying passenger transported one mile, fell 13.1 percent to 8.9 million from 10.2 million while available seat miles, or one seat transported one mile, declined 13.7 percent to 12 million from 13.9 million.

Island Air offers pre-anniversary sale

Island Air, which began serving Hawaii nearly 30 years ago on Sept. 9, 1980, is offering a pre-anniversary sale that allows passengers to take $30 off the purchase of a round-trip ticket. The discount code is 30ANV, and tickets must be purchased by today for travel from Sept. 9 through Oct. 8.

Hoku receives $10 million loan

Hoku Corp. has received an additional $10 million loan from China Merchants Bank under terms substantially the same as the $20 million loan previously provided by the bank in May.

In addition, Hoku amended its construction contract with JH Kelly on Hoku’s Pocatello, Idaho, polysilicon plant to put in place monthly milestones that must be achieved before Hoku is obligated to pay the applicable portion of JH Kelly’s monthly invoices.

Hawaii credit unions merge

Members of the Word of Life Federal Credit Union have agreed to merge with Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union in what marks APFCU’s third merger in less than three years.

The combined credit union will have more than $727 million in assets, 35,000 members, 151 employees, nine branches and 46 ATM locations.

APFCU intends to close the Word of Life Federal Credit Union’s branch at 564 South St. and retain the one employee on staff. Financial information, accounts and loans will be consolidated by Nov. 1.

Until then, both credit unions will operate separately, and member accounts will continue to be safe and federally insured up to $250,000 (IRA and Keogh accounts are insured separately up to $250,000).

ON THE MOVE

The Ulupono Initiative has hired longtime Hawaii writer-reporter Robbie Dingeman as an associate. She had been a writer, news reporter and researcher in Hawaii for more than 20 years, most recently serving as a staff writer for The Honolulu Advertiser for 14 years. As an associate with the Ulupono Initiative, Dingeman’s work will include writing, research and project development.

The Gas Co. has named Greg Toth as vice president of marketing. He was previously director of consumer products and energy efficiency at FirstEnergy Corp., the fifth-largest utility in the United States.

Gilbert & Associates has hired the following:

» Donna Yanos as assistant account executive. She was previously a communications coordinator for Maui Land & Pineapple Co. as well as an account executive for Pacific Radio Group.

» Albert Garr as production artist. He was previously a freelancer for numerous publications and continues to offer his services to nonprofit organizations.