Technology industry veteran Nicholas Aldi has been selected president and chief executive officer of Mobi PCS. Concurrent with his position at Mobi PCS, Aldi will remain chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Telispire, a company he joined in 2005. Telispire ‘Ohana LLC recently completed its acquisition of the Mobi PCS wireless business.
Aldi has 35 years of experience overseeing financial analysis and accounting, strategic planning, marketing, product development and operations. Prior to entering the telecommunications industry more than two decades ago with PrimeCo Personal Communications (now Verizon Wireless), he spent more than 15 years in the airline industry at American Airlines in financial operations.
In addition to Aldi’s appointment, the company also promoted Toni Paracuelles to director of store operations. She most recently served as district manager after originally joining Mobi PCS in 2010 as a retail wireless consultant.
Mobi PCS opened in January 2006 as Hawaii’s first carrier offering unlimited wireless service.
Hawaiian pilots open Strike Operations Center
Hawaiian Airlines pilots on Wednesday formally opened their Strike Operations Center in Honolulu, exactly one year after their collective bargaining agreement with the airline became amendable.
The Strike Operations Center, located near Honolulu Airport, will serve as the local headquarters for strike operations should the National Mediation Board, which is supervising negotiations, decide that mediation is at an impasse and free pilots to strike after a 30-day cooling off period. The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents about 650 Hawaiian Airlines pilots, has asked the NMB to end mediation.
Another mediation session is scheduled for Sept. 27-30.
Moody’s upgrades Hawaii’s credit rating
The state’s credit rating has been raised by Moody’s Investors Service after the state government boosted its reserves and contributed more than it was required for its pension system.
The credit arbiter upgraded about $6.4 billion in general obligations one level to Aa1, the second-highest rank, and certificates of participation to Aa2, the third highest. The moves come after S&P Global Ratings raised its grades to equivalent levels on Monday.
“As its economy has recovered, Hawaii has rebuilt its balances to a healthy position relatively quickly,” Moody’s said Wednesday. A robust rainy-day fund helps guard the state against declines in tourism, which is key to its economy.
The state government paid more than it needed to under law for its retirement contributions since fiscal 2014, and may continue to do so next year, Moody’s said. That’s in contrast to some states, such as New Jersey, that don’t meet the minimum level.
Maui restaurants among 100 ‘best for foodies’
Lahaina Grill and Mama’s Fish House have been named to the OpenTable.com list of 100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America.
The Lahaina and Paia, Maui, restaurants made the list that was generated from more than 5 million reviews submitted by verified OpenTable users between Aug. 1, 2015, and July 31. The list was released Wednesday.
American food was the most popular for the year, while French and Italian cuisines also have a strong presence. Asian, Hawaiian, Israeli and Persian food also are represented on the list. California has the most restaurants on the list, at 17. New York has nine.
ON THE MOVE
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has hired Benjamin Lihn as the resort’s new director of beverage. His experience includes serving as a general manager at Sammy D’s Bar and Dos Caminos, both located at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.
Trump International Hotel Waikiki has promoted Diane Serrano as the director of the Spa at Trump. She will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and will manage the overall strategic planning thats relates to revenues, marketing and guest services. Serrano has joined the hotel in 2015 as an esthetician and massage therapist. She also has 10 years of health and wellness experience, including serving as an operations manager of 24 Hour Fitness and an assistant front desk supervisor at the Spa Khakara in Sheraton Waikiki.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort has hired Gerald Glennon as general manager. He was previously director emeritus and senior advisor for The Modern Honolulu and also served 12 years as general manager of Halekulani.
