CPB offers loan program for lava victims

Central Pacific Bank said it will offer a natural disaster loan program to help those affected by the Kilauea lava flow.

The loan was officially available to the public Monday. Its amounts range from $1,000 to $15,000 with terms up to 48 months, CPB said.

"We hope that this natural disaster loan program can help with the recovery process and ease some of the worry and burden for the families affected by the Kilauea flow," said John Dean, CPB chairman and chief executive officer.

Those interested in Central Pacific Bank’s natural disaster loan program can call 544-0500 or visit a CPB branch.

First Wind giving out college scholarships

First Wind, a renewable energy company, opened applications for its college scholarship program Monday.

The company offers 16 one-time awards of $3,000 and one scholarship of $5,000, which is renewable for up to four years.

High school seniors near the First Wind projects, whether operational or in an advanced stage of development, are eligible to apply.

The students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study with a focus in the sciences, technology or engineering. Application submissions are due by Jan. 6.

Students interested in applying can visit www.firstwind.com/firstwindscholars.

HawaiiUSA FCU opens airport Aloha branch

Aloha Federal Credit Union officially merged into Hawaii­USA Federal Credit Union on Saturday.

The former Aloha FCU Airport Trade Center branch at 550 Paiea St. is now named HawaiiUSA’s "Aloha" branch. The new location officially opened Monday and is Hawaii­USA’s 13th branch.

"Aloha Federal Credit Union has a long history of serving Hawaii’s airline industry, beginning with Aloha Airlines. We are honored to welcome their members into our credit union family," said Karl Yone­shige, HawaiiUSA’s president and chief executive officer.

"We look forward to reaching out to other companies in the airline industry who were part of the Aloha FCU field of membership."

Red Lobster goes back into its shell

NEW YORK » Red Lobster is revamping its menu to remove dishes including Spicy Tortilla Soup and a Wood-Grilled Pork Chop, while tacking on more dishes featuring lobster.

The nonseafood dishes had been added by the chain’s previous owner, Darden Restaurants Inc., in hopes of attracting people who don’t like seafood as sales declined.

But the new management thinks that was a mistake. The revamped menu is 85 percent seafood, up from 75 percent.

Stryker hip implant cases to cost $1.43B

KALAMAZOO, Mich. » Medical implant maker Stryker will pay at least $1.43 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits from patients who had to have surgery to remove problematic hip implants.

The settlement agreement, brokered by a New Jersey Superior Court judge, resolves state and federal lawsuits against the maker of orthopedics.

Stryker said Monday the $1.43 billion figure represents the "low end of the range of probable loss to resolve these matters."

The lawsuits stem from two hip implants that Stryker recalled due to corrosion and other problems in 2012. One year ago Johnson & Johnson paid $2.5 billion to settle 8,000 lawsuits from patients who had to have the company’s metal ball-and-socket hip implant removed or replaced.

Pace of U.S. factory activity picks up

WASHINGTON » U.S. factories were busier in October. Orders, productivity and hiring all grew faster than they did in September, according to a private survey.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, reported Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 59 last month from 56.6 in September. Any reading above 50 signals expansion. The increase reverses a drop in September.

Sears, Kmart expand Thanksgiving hours

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. » Sears and Kmart say they will open on Thanksgiving day again this year with extended hours to draw shoppers.

Sears will open at its earliest time ever, letting shoppers in at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The retailer decided two years ago to open on Thanksgiving and nudged up its opening time by two hours this year.

Kmart will open its doors at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open for 42 hours straight, an hour longer than last year.

The company is also offering special offers at both chains in the weeks preceding Thanksgiving.

A number of retailers have decided to open on Thanksgiving to lure shoppers as the holiday season can account for up to 40 percent of a retailer’s annual sales.

ON THE MOVE

Maui Medical Group has announced the appointment of Dr. Chasity Edwards, who specializes in obstetrics/gynecology care. Prior to joining the Maui Medical Group, Edwards worked as a gynecologist/obstetrician at the OB&GYN Center in Frederick, Md., as well as the Chesapeake Women’s Center in Annapolis, Md.

Peter Heilmann has become Matson Inc.’s chief legal officer, replacing Kevin O’Rourke, who retired after 21 years with the company. Heilmann joined Matson in 2012 as deputy general counsel. Prior to that he spent 20 years in private practice, including more than a decade as a partner of San Francisco firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP. O’Rourke joined Matson in 1992 as general counsel. He is on the company’s board of directors, and will continue to serve in that post in retirement.

Carlsmith Ball has announced that four associates have joined the firm and will practice at its Hono­lulu office: 

» Seth T. Buckley is a member of Carlsmith’s corporate & business and litigation & alternative dispute resolution practice groups.

» Catherine L.M. Hall is a member of the firm’s litigation & alternative dispute resolution practice group.

» Jane Kelley Schumacker is a member of the firm’s corporate & business and tax, estate planning & wealth management practice groups.

» Onaona P. Thoene is a member of the firm’s environmental and corporate & business practice groups.

SHIP AHOY!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures:

HONOLULU HARBOR