Korean Air chairman sorry for nut incident

SEOUL » The Korean Air Lines Co. executive who delayed a flight in an incident dubbed "nut rage" bowed deep in apology before facing questioning by transport officials. Her father, the airline’s chairman, also apologized Friday, said she will quit the airline and expressed regret he didn’t raise her better. The apologies came in response to simmering public anger about the incident and the airline’s handling of it. Cho Hyun-ah, who was head of cabin service at Korean Air, was angered when a flight attendant in first class offered her macadamia nuts in a bag, not on a plate. She ordered a senior crew member off the plane, forcing it to return to the gate JFK Airport in New York.

Key Matson ocean services exec retiring

Matson Inc., the largest ocean cargo transportation company in the state, announced Friday that Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of ocean services, will be retiring in March. Effective on the same date, John Lauer, vice president of trans-Pacific services at the company’s subsidiary, Matson Navigation Co., will succeed him as senior vice president of ocean services.

As part of a transition plan, the current director of Asia at Matson Navigation Co., Chris Scott, will succeed Lauer as vice president of trans-Pacific services at Matson Navigation Co.

"A key part of Matson’s culture is carefully developing succession planning and management development for emerging leaders," said Matt Cox, president and CEO. "We are confident that this transition of senior management in ocean services will be seamless to our customers and other business partners and that the successors are well equipped to assume their new roles and responsibilities."

Students advance in LifeSmarts finals

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Friday that teams from Campbell, ‘Iolani and Waipahu high schools made up the four top-scoring teams for LifeSmarts Hawaii Online Competition.

LifeSmarts is a competition that tests teens in grades six through 12 about personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities. The LifeSmarts Hawaii program is sponsored by the DCCA in partnership with the Hawaii Credit Union League and the National Consumers League.

The four teams, including two from Waipahu, now qualify to compete at the LifeSmarts State Finals on Feb. 7 at the state Capitol Auditorium. The public is invited to the competition. At the game-show-style event, the students will compete for the chance to represent Hawaii at the National LifeSmarts Competition in Seattle"

HECO to use copters for Koolau line checks

Hawaiian Electric Co. will be using helicopters to conduct inspections of power lines along the Koolau mountains from Monday to Friday.

The helicopters will be flying on the Windward side, around Kaneohe, up to Wiliwilinui Ridge, and near Waimanalo, as well as on the Honolulu side, near Waialae Iki, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Aina Haina, Mariner’s Ridge and Kalama Valley. Flights are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

In compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and HECO’s safety practices, the helicopters will not fly over residential or populated areas while carrying loads"

Vivint Solar to open 20 offices next year

Utah-based Vivint Solar, a residential solar energy systems provider in the United States, announced that it plans to open more than 20 new offices in 2015.

The company plans to expand in states where it is currently operating as well as move into new states during the year, Vivint Solar said in a press release.

Vivint Solar operates in Hawaii, Arizona, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

"We believe Vivint Solar is well positioned for expansion as more homeowners are choosing solar to reduce energy costs," said Greg Butterfield, CEO of Vivint Solar. "The industry is growing rapidly and we will continue to open new offices strategically to meet demand."

Hawaii’s second Wingstop to open Monday

The second Hawaii location of the national Wingstop chain will open at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Kapalama Center.

The Texas-based, aviation-themed, franchised chicken wing restaurant has more than 670 locations worldwide and is owned by affiliates of Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm.

Its first Hawaii location opened in Mililani Mauka in September, and parent company Asia Pacific Restaurant Group LLC plans a total of 10 restaurants on Oahu with additional locations on neighbor islands. The restaurants offer bone-in and boneless chicken with a choice of 11 sauce flavors, as well as side orders that in Hawaii include macaroni salad and steamed rice, which are not offered on the mainland.

The Kapalama Center Wingstop will be open from 10:30 a.m. to midnight daily.

SHIP AHOY!

ON THE MOVE

HUGS, a local nonprofit helping families with seriously ill children, has announced the following new staff members to its team:

» Jamie McLaughlin is the development coodinator for HUGS. She was previously working for various Hawaii child welfare nonprofit organizations that support children with life-threatening medical conditions.

» Stephanie Caoili is the Family Services Program specialist for HUGS. Prior to joining HUGS, Caoili was a fourth-grade teacher with the state Department of Education.

The Queen’s Health Systems has named Dr. Anna Loengard as chief medical officer of the Queen’s Clinically Integrated Physician Network, comprising 300 primary care physicians and 750 specialists practicing in Hawaii. Her experience includes chief medical officer for St. Francis Healthcare System, medical director for St. Francis Hospice and founder of Successful Caring, and recently served as president of Claris Health Hawaii.