Hawaiian plans more flights to Valley Isle

WAIKAPU >> Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley says more flights could be headed to Maui over the next few years as the company expands its fleet and operations. He spoke at a Maui Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday and outlined whatfuture developments for the company could mean for the island, the Maui News reported.

Hawaiian will receive its first Airbus A321neo, which is “slightly smaller than our wide-bodies,” next year. They will allow the company to operate flights between the neighbor islands and new routes to smaller mainland markets. In 2013, Hawaiianentered into an agreement with Airbus to acquire 16 new A321neo aircraft between 2017 and 2020, with rights to purchase an additional nine aircraft. The order has a combined value of roughly $2.8 billion. “It’s going to take a little bit of time untilwe get enough of (these aircraft) for Maui to really experience the difference,” Dunkerley said.

He also announced Monday that Ohana by Hawaiian, the company’s commuter airline, would be adding a twice-daily route from Kapalua, Maui, to Honolulu. Hawaiian is waiting for the state to install a new set of precision approach path indicatorlights at Kapalua Airport.

Hawaiian machinists, clerks ratify pacts

Hawaiian Airlines employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have ratified tentative agreements reached with the airline in December.

The five-year contracts boost compensation and incorporate work-rule changes benefiting more than 1,500 employees in District 141, which covers clerical, office, stores, fleet and passenger services, as well as more than 700 employees in District 142 who work as aircraft mechanics and inspectors, line servicemen, cleaners and contract services personnel.

“We are pleased with the swift ratification of contracts by front-line employees whose invaluable contributions help ensure we remain the carrier of choice to Hawaii,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO.

Maui Mall gets new owner again

Maui Mall has its second new owner in three years.

Chicago-based real estate investment firm JLL Income Property Trust said it has bought the 235,000-square-foot shopping center in Kahului for an undisclosed price.

The seller was a partnership between Denver-based Alberta Development Partners and an affiliate of Chicago-based Walton Street Capital LLC that bought the property in 2014 from Alexander & Baldwin Inc. for $53 million.

Honolulu-based A&B developed the mall in 1971.

The most recent past owner had expanded the mall and added new tenants last year, including TJ Maxx, Pure Barre and Max’s Restaurant. JLL said the mall is 91 percent leased.

GE to move headquarters to Boston

HARTFORD, Conn. >> General Electric announced Wednesday it will move its headquarters to Boston, leaving the sprawling suburban Connecticut campus it has called home over the past four decades. Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said GE, one of the best-known companies in corporate America, wanted to be “at the center of an ecosystem that shares our aspirations.”

Wednesday’s announcement comes three years after the company said it began considering a new site for its headquarters, and more than seven months after the firm threatened to leave Connecticut, complaining about the state’s tax environment.

News network Al Jazeera America closing

PASADENA, Calif. >> The Al Jazeera America cable news network said Wednesday it will shut down 2-1/2 years after its launch, a victim of a rough business environment and political headwinds it could not conquer.

The channel, an offshoot of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera cable network, had trouble persuading cable and satellite companies to carry it, and viewers to watch. It failed despite a promise to offer serious-minded journalism and some award-winning work.

The cable network will shut down on April 30.

FDA approves genetically engineered potato

BOISE, Idaho >> A potato genetically engineered to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine is as safe as any other potato on the market, the Food and Drug Administration says.

In a letter Tuesday to Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Co., the FDA said the potato isn’t substantially different in composition or safety from other products already on the market.

Before the potato is marketed to consumers, it must be cleared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s expected to happen in December.

On The Move

>> Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced the following:

—Ismael Curet has joined the firm’s Leeward Office as an independent agent. Prior to joining the company, Curet was a realtor-associate at Re/Max Kai Lani as well as a retired aviator and officer of the Coast Guard.

—Adrion Alamo has joined the firm’s Leeward Office as an independent agent. Prior to joining the company, Alamo served in the luxury retail and public relations industries.

>> Celebrity Cruises has appointed Alexandra Shapiro to market sales manager of the West Region. She was previously the event specialist with Celebrity Cruises in Philadelphia as well as a field marketing specialist for Wolverine Worldwide.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: