Hawaii’s health diagnosis: No. 4

Hawaii has risen among the 50 states from fifth to fourth place nationally for overall health, but the outlook may not be so good for keeping that ranking.

Relatively speaking, the state still has a low rate of uninsured people and invests a lot of its public resources in subsidizing health services. But Hawaii also falls short for its rate of immunizations and showed a distressing increase in population obesity. Those don’t usually yield favorable prospects.

That analysis comes from the 2011 America’s Health Rankings, which were released Tuesday by the private, nonprofit United Health Foundation. Coincidentally, on the same day some of the islands’ health leaders were meeting at a "How Healthy Is Healthcare" conference hosted by ThinkTech and the Hawaii Venture Capital Association.

One of the panels discussed changes in the delivery of health care here. Perhaps they came up with some answers.

Hawaiian Air jobs take center stage

For some 2,200 hopefuls, what started out as a simple job search is turning into something akin to a prime-time audition for "Hawaiian Idol."

But then, nothing is simple in today’s competitive job market, and Hawaiian Airlines is shining quite a hot spotlight with its booming expansion plans.

Among Monday’s application process for 275 flight attendant jobs was a group skit, song or dance for a Hawaiian Air product. That, evidently, was to gauge personality, coping and energy levels. Appearance-wise, most applicants came smartly dressed for success.

There are at least two more rounds before finalists get a "hired" call by Christmas. Now that would be a gift indeed.