Hawaii Medical Assurance Association, which provided the majority of the health services rendered to Island Air employees in November, said Tuesday it will absorb the more than $137,000 in costs incurred during the month even though the now-bankrupt airline did not pay its premiums for the month.
“It is with aloha and goodwill we provide health benefits to these employees and their families to the extent we can,” HMAA Executive Chairman John Felix said. “Unfortunately under federal law, COBRA coverage cannot be offered.”
It is uncertain whether Kaiser Permanente, which is owed $40,742; and Hawaii Dental Service, which is owed $14,517, will follow suit and similarly not charge for their expenses.
Hawaiian first in punctuality, last in baggage
Hawaiian Airlines barely held on to the top spot for on-time performance in October as it continued its reign as the top domestic airline for punctuality.
But the state’s largest carrier brought up the rear for the most mishandled baggage reports.
Hawaiian was on time on 89.5 percent of its flights to just edge out Delta Air Lines at 89.4 percent, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The national average was 84.8 percent.
Hawaiian has led all carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 13 years (2004-2016).
A flight is considered on time by the DOT if it arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time.
Hawaiian received 2,750 mishandled baggage reports out of 882,548 passengers. That worked out to 3.12 per 1,000 passengers and was far above the national average of 2.04. Spirit Airlines led the way at 1.37.
In other categories, Hawaiian was third for fewest consumer complaints with 0.42 per 100,000 passengers as well as third for fewest flight cancellations with 0.4 percent, or 25 total, out of 6,744 scheduled flights.
Sale of isles’ Ruth’s Chris locations finalized
Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. said Tuesday it has completed its previously announced deal to acquire the six Hawaii Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations from franchise partner Desert Island Restaurants for about $35 million. The deal also includes area development rights for the balance of the state.
Randy Schoch, founder and CEO of Desert Island Restaurants, had operated the Hawaii Ruth’s Chris restaurants since 1994. The restaurants are in Honolulu and Waikiki on Oahu; Lahaina and Wailea on Maui; Mauna Lani on Hawaii island; and Kauai.
ON THE MOVE
Diagnostic Laboratory Services has hired and promoted the following:
>> Lois A. Gower has been promoted to manager of the company’s lab at Kahuku Medical Center. Gower served as a medical technologist for 23 years at various hospitals and clinics on the mainland as well as DLS labs at The Queen’s Medical Center West Oahu and Punchbowl, Molokai General Hospital and North Hawaii Community Hospital.
>> Garan K. Ito has been hired as a DLS lab manager at The Queen’s Medical Center-Punchbowl. He has worked at DLS and Queen’s for more than 21 years, serving in positions such as pathology assistant, medical technologist and manager. Ito previously served as a director of Diagnostic and Interventional Services for The Queen’s Medical Center-Punchbowl.
Central Pacific Bank has appointed Tracey Lyum to vice president and senior financial consultant with CPB’s Central Pacific Investment Services. Lyum has more than 20 years of financial industry experience, including having served as vice president, financial consultant for American Savings Bank.
