EPA fines Kamaaina Termite $17,000

Kamaaina Termite & Pest Control Inc. has been fined $17,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for misusing Vikane, a fumigant pesticide, at three houses and one luxury condominium, a violation of federal law.

The company uses the EPA-registered fumigant Vikane to treat structures for termite infestation and allegedly failed to follow required label instructions and safety precautions before and during fumigation at all four locations. Vikane is a brand name for the chemical sulfuryl fluoride, a colorless, odorless gas that can decompose under high heat conditions into hydrofluoric acid, a highly reactive and corrosive chemical that can damage the surrounding environment.

In addition, Vikane represents a highly hazardous poison to humans that is fatal if inhaled and potentially fatal if swallowed, the EPA said Tuesday in announcing the fine.

The EPA said Kamaaina Termite failed to turn off the gas stove/water heater pilot lights in one home, and required warning signs were not posted at two other homes. Prior to treating the 44-story Keola Lai Condominium in Honolulu, the largest fumigation project ever attempted in Hawaii, the company failed to remove nonairtight-sealed food from at least 28 residential units and failed to open internal doors in at least 342 units.

The violations were discovered through inspections conducted by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Branch in 2007, 2008 and 2010. Tuesday’s action settles the complaint filed by the EPA on Feb. 28 of this year.

Powerhouse Gym files for bankruptcy

The parent company of Powerhouse Gym at 432 Keawe St. in Kakaako has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization citing assets of less than $500,000 and debts of between $500,000 and $1 million.

AMP Gyms LLC’s creditors include Kamehameha Schools, which is owed more than $327,000, in addition to mainland and local financial institutions, Hawaiian Electric Co., and the IRS and state of Hawaii Department of Taxation.

Neither company owner Alvin Paguio nor his attorney Van-Alan Shima returned calls.

Hawaiian Airlines tops U.S. in punctuality

Hawaiian Airlines remained the nation’s most punctual carrier with 93.1 percent of its flights arriving on schedule in June, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report. The airline exceeded the national average by 16.2 percentage points.

Hawaiian ranked fourth of 16 airlines in mishandled-baggage reports with 1,798, or 2.48 for every 1,000 passengers, and sixth in consumer complaints with six, or 0.81 per 100,000 enplanements. Hawaiian also ranked second in the second quarter for fewest oversales, or passengers denied boarding, at 0.04 percent for every 10,000 passengers. The DOT reports oversales quarterly.

Lower expenses help Barnwell’s net double

Barnwell Industries Inc.’s earnings more than doubled in its fiscal third quarter as oil revenue rose 27 percent and expenses for the value of stock options granted to employees decreased $639,000 compared with a year ago.

The Honolulu-based company, which derives the majority of its revenue from its oil and gas exploration operations in Canada, posted net income of $802,000, or 10 cents a share, compared with $314,000, or 4 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Revenue rose 2.4 percent to $9 million from $8.8 million. Net oil production increased 22 percent, and oil prices increased 41 percent, according to Barnwell Chairman and CEO Morton Kinzler.

Barnwell said the decrease in the value of stock options occurred because the company’s stock fell 28.9 percent during the quarter. On Tuesday, Barnwell’s stock plunged 10.3 percent, or 40 cents, to $3.50. The earnings were announced before the market opened.

ON THE MOVE

Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union’s board of directors has announced Chris A. Diebling as its newest member. He is a retired attorney for the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Corporation Counsel.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced that Matt Brummel has been designated as a previews team member. Brummel joined the company in 2002, was promoted to Internet sales manager in 2007.

The Walmart Foundation’s Hawaii State Giving Council has awarded grants totaling $105,000 to four Hawaii-based nonprofits, including Ka Hale Ake Ola Homeless Resource Centers on Maui, YWCA of Hawaii Island on Hawaii, Hamakua Youth Foundation on Hawaii and Operation Homefront on Oahu.