Entries Tagged 'Business' ↓

Hawaiian Airlines pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), declared today that they believe their contract negotiations are at an impasse and asked the federal government to release them from mediation, a process that could start the clock for a future pilots’ strike at the airline.

In a letter sent to the National Mediation Board (NMB) on behalf of the Hawaiian pilots, ALPA President John Prater outlined three years of stalled negotiations where HAL management has repeatedly demanded contract concessions from its workers while the airline soared to unprecedented profits and richly rewarded its senior executives.

“The Company continues to insist that its present business plan requires significant sacrifice from pilots and other employees. That position is not justified by either the competitive environment, the Company’s place in the industry, or its present financial condition,” Prater said. “There is simply no reason to believe that the Company will change its position without the imposition of a deadline and the possible release from mediation. The Association believes that further mediation is not likely to lead to an agreement and that further bargaining, in the absence of a proffer, will be futile.”

In response, Hawaiian Airlines released a brief statement:

“ALPA’s request is nothing more than posturing for negotiations, which continue with the oversight of the National Mediation Board. Hawaiian remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with its pilots union.”

ALPA formally requested that the NMB end its mediation efforts and issue a Proffer of Arbitration to both parties. If the Board makes a proffer and either ALPA or Hawaiian declines to enter binding arbitration, the two sides would be released from mediation and will enter a 30-day cooling-off period after which the parties are free to take self-help. At that point Hawaiian’s pilots could strike.

Capt. Eric Sampson, chairman of ALPA’s Hawaiian group, said the final straw came last week, when the company announced a $30.7 million net profit for the 3rd quarter of 2009 at the same time they asked pilots, in large part, to fund pay increases with productivity savings and work rule changes. The Company continued its track record as one of the most successful airlines in the United States and put it on target to record over a $100 million profit for the year.

With that profit, like last year, company executives will share millions of dollars in bonus money – enough, in fact, to fund the contract improvements ALPA is seeking. The bonuses and awards that Hawaiian gave to just its top five executives in 2008 are almost double the amount ALPA has asked for in 2010 pay raises for its more than 400 HAL pilots. HAL CEO Mark Dunkerley alone received a 42 percent increase in his total compensation in 2008.

“Our pilots have worked under a bankruptcy-era contract for almost five years, while the airline made more and more money. Every time the Company needed help, we stepped up to the plate,” Sampson said. “We helped them emerge from bankruptcy, we made acquiring new Airbus A-330s possible by agreeing to fly those larger planes for the same rate we fly our current Boeing aircraft, and we waived work rules to fly more hours so the Company could fill the void left when Aloha and ATA stopped flying.”

“To us, ‘ohana’ and ‘aloha’ aren’t just company marketing slogans. They mean something. We’ve had enough and we’re stating simply that pilots and other employees have to be rewarded the same way that management rewards itself for the Company’s unprecedented success and extraordinary financial performance,” Sampson stated.

In a strike authorization vote taken earlier this fall, 98 percent of participating HAL pilots gave their leadership the go-ahead to declare a strike if the NMB releases ALPA to self-help. It would be the first walkout in Hawaiian’s 80-year history.

In 1929, only the most intrepid adventurers were familiar with the miracle of flight. So the visionary founders of Inter-Island Airways sought out the sturdiest, most comfortable aircraft of the day to introduce Hawaii residents to air travel: the Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker.

Inter-Island Airways, later renamed Hawaiian Airlines, would go on to introduce Hawaii’s first scheduled air service between the islands with two amphibious Sikorsky S-38 planes. But it was the Bellanca that got residents used to the idea of traveling by air. And now, 80 years later, the Bellanca is returning to grace the skies over Honolulu once again.

Hawaiian Airlines has found the historic plane and is bringing it back to Hawaii in time to celebrate its 80th anniversary on November 11, 2009.

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, commented, “It is humbling to think that the countless flights flown, the hundreds of millions of passengers carried and all the aviation ‘firsts’ our company has been responsible for started 80 years ago with this very airplane. It is a source of tremendous pride to all of us at Hawaiian Airlines that we will be bringing this seminal piece of Hawaii’s history back to where it belongs.”

Hawaiian located the antique airplane with an aviation enthusiast in Oregon and organized a largely volunteer restoration project to return the plane to flying condition at Port Townsend Aero Museum in Washington. Pratt & Whitney, manufacturer of the vintage motor that powers the Bellanca as well as the jet engines on 14 of Hawaiian’s current fleet of aircraft, is helping to underwrite the project.

“As one of the earliest pioneers of aviation, Pratt & Whitney’s proud history of designing, building and servicing dependable engines began nearly 85 years ago,” said Jim Guiliano, vice president of Global Customer Services for Pratt & Whitney. “This Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker is powered with a refurbished Pratt & Whitney WASP engine, and we are happy to help underwrite its restoration to commemorate Hawaiian Airlines’ 80th anniversary.”

Hawaiian is making plans for special flights and public appearances for the plane following its arrival and reassembly on Oahu in September.

In September 1929, company founder Stanley C. Kennedy, Jr. acquired the Bellanca theorizing that people in Hawaii would more quickly accept the revolutionary concept of flying over water to the other islands if they could see and experience the wonders of flight in the skies above Honolulu.

Thus, the company began as an operator of sightseeing tours over Honolulu with the Bellanca and later began Hawaii’s first scheduled interisland air service using the two Sikorsky S-38 amphibian planes. Hawaii’s first airline has been serving the islands continuously ever since.

eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam today announced the formation of the Ulupono Initiative, a social investment firm dedicated to improving the quality of life for Hawai‘i’s residents through sustainability. The organization will invest in local businesses and philanthropic organizations focused on renewable energy, local food production, and waste reduction.

The Ulupono Initiative seeks to energize the state’s economy and increase its self-reliance through these investments. Local business executives E. Kyle Datta and Robin Campaniano will co-lead the Ulupono Initiative as general partners.

“Pam and I are inspired by the ideas and hard work of the many people leading sustainability efforts in Hawai‘i today,” said Pierre Omidyar, founder and sponsor of the Ulupono Initiative. “We look forward to working with the local community for many years as we discover new ways to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Hawai‘i home.”

Based in Honolulu, the Ulupono Initiative will make investments in organizations and companies with creative ideas and business models that provide pathways toward sustainability.

“I am honored to be part of this team and look forward to putting my business background to work in a way that will help strengthen Hawai‘i’s economy,” said Campaniano, general partner, Ulupono Initiative. “Our investment strategy is dependent upon finding and supporting innovative sustainability ideas and business models that have the potential to make a significant difference for Hawai‘i.

“To achieve this, the Ulupono Initiative will provide capital and strategic assistance to a variety of organizations, including small and large businesses and philanthropies, on O‘ahu and neighbor islands,” Campaniano said.

Ulupono – meaning to prosper through the right, or pono, path – is a concept already familiar to Hawai‘i’s residents. Across the islands, people are already pioneering ways to change how they power their homes, feed their families, and how much they throw away.

“A truly sustainable island society must be able to consistently and affordably provide its residents with basic necessities like food and energy while also finding ways to effectively manage waste,” said Datta, general partner, Ulupono Initiative. “The Ulupono Initiative will support and help scale local ideas that can help bring about Hawai‘i’s transformation to sustainability and that might also provide a demonstration effect for others.”

Bishop Museum announced today it will reduce the Museum’s public hours and reduce its personnel expenses in light of the continuing adverse economic conditions facing the State, the community and especially non-profits in Hawaii. These cuts will include:

• Closing Bishop Museum to the public each Tuesday.
• Temporarily ceasing public operations at its Hawai‘i Maritime Center.
• A combination of personnel expense cuts that will include layoffs and furlough of staff in an effort to reduce the institution’s operating expenses.

These measures will take effect May 1st.

“This decision was and remains very difficult,” said Timothy Johns, President & CEO. “With recent cuts in State funding, loss of income from investments, and a continued decline in non-resident visitors, the Museum must adjust to reduce its operating expenses.

“Although the economic climate creates many uncertainties, we are committed to continuing to serve the community and provide world-class programs, research, and exhibits.”

Bishop Museum’s mission is to study, preserve, and tell the stories of the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. It is the State Museum of Natural and Cultural History and holds 24 million cataloged objects.

The Hawaii Venture Capital Association (HVCA) last week announced the winners of its Technology Entrepreneur of the Year awards. The awards and winners are:

Young Entrepreneur: Lorenz Sell – Blue Lava Technologies, Inc. – ILovePhotos.com – Lorenz is co-founder and CEO at Blue Lava. When he’s not doing deals or spreading the iLovePhotos photo-love, he’s thinking about how to be even lazier about managing his photos. Lorenz keeps Blue Lava a well oiled machine by way of caffeinated food-runs, purchasing new video games, funky personal fashion statements featuring pink, and the occasional fund-raising. He also likes lifting heavy things and eating lots of protein. Lorenz is one of the founders of Beer and Business a periodic mixer for techies, investors and others.

Clean Tech Entrepreneur: Bob King – Pacific Biodiesel, LLC – Bob is a globally recognized leader in community based alternative energy and recently received Governor Lingle’s Innovation Award. The company headquartered on Maui with a track recording of building 10 biodiesel plants in the U.S. and Japan, is currently raising investment for a new Big Island Biodiesel research facility and plant focused on encouraging Hawaii grown feedstocks. 

Digital Media: Jason Lau – TalkStory Productions, Inc. – Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mr. Lau is a product of Punahou School and the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked in the financial industry for such companies as Dean Witter Reynolds and Bank of Hawaii. He is currently the President of Honowaii Investment Co., an industrial loan company, and the Managing Partner of Lau Enterprises, a Hawaii investment partnership, and BJM Partners, a private equity fund. He has served on the board of directors of Hawaii Angels, an angel investment group, Hawaii Venture Capital Association (HVCA), and the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). He is also on the advisory board for the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii.

Invention: Hank Wuh – Cellular Bioengineering, Inc. – Hank is a kama’aina who returned to Hawaii to found Cellular Bioengineering Inc. (CBI) an accelerator of disruptive technologies with biomedical and biodefense applications. CBI searches for innovative and ingenious ideas which it can nurture and grow into mature products that will change the way the world operates. It has brought forward suites of technology at varying stages of development which have favorably impacted health care and homeland security in our country.

Noni Biotech International (dba Noni Maui®) this week announced the opening of a 3,600-square-foot headquarters and biotech laboratory in Haiku, Maui. The company says the lab is one of the most sophisticated high tech labs in the state, designed to analyze and manufacture organic anti cancer compounds recently discovered in Hawaiian Noni Juice at Louisiana State University’s Medical Research Center.

Paul Nordone has joined the company as Director of Research and Development and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience as a Senior Associate Scientist at Amgen in the Department of Toxicology. Nordone’s arrival is a major milestone for the progress and growth of analyzing and identifying existing and newly discovered plant compounds.

In addition to his research, Dr. Brian Issell, Oncology Director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center, has been using Noni Maui® capsules for his federally approved and NIH funded human Noni research.

Noni Maui® is recognized by the state as an official QHTB (Qualified High Tech Business) in Haiku. Other primary members of the team include President David Backstrom and Marie-Laure Ankaoua, Chief Operating Officer & VP.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will present a free seminar, “Rules, Regulations and Realities of Government Contracting,” to define and discuss current federal procurement procedures and certifications for small business owners. The seminar will be held at the Honolulu Design Center from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29. It will provide key information on the advantages, eligibility and application process for SBA’s special certification programs including 8(a) Business Development, Hubzone and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) will be discussed in some detail. Speakers will include a panel of experienced small business contractors, contracting officials, and SBA agency representatives with lead roles in the procurement process. Advance registration is required due to limited seating, so please contact David Brown or Jane Sawyer at (808) 541-2990.

Honolulu realtors sold about 100 fewer homes and 250 fewer condos in August 2006 compared to the same month a year ago, but the median price in both categories remained relatively stable, according to statistics released today by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. In sales volume, August home sales were down 22 percent from a year ago and condo sales were down 30 percent. Meanwhile, the median home price fell slightly to $635,000 in August, down 3.8 percent from $660,000 in July, and the median condo price fell to $305,000 from $329,000, representing a 7.3 percent month-to-month drop. Board economist Harvey Shapiro said the figures show Hawaii’s real estate market remains in transition, and that demand will eventually slow to a more normal pace. “We had an exceptionally long period of expansion — more than eight years starting from the second quarter of 1997 through the third quarter of last year,” Shapiro noted. “Historically, previous ‘up’ phases in Oahu real estate cycles lasted no longer than five years before normal conditions were restored.” So far this year, the total number of sales is down 10.7 percent for single-family homes and 15.6 percent for condominiums compared to 2005. But the median prices are up 10.4 percent and 22 percent, respectively, over the same period. Total 2006 dollar sales through August was $3.8 billion, a decrease of 2.4 percent (or $94 million) compared to the first eight months in 2005. The statistics do not include new home sales.

Hawaii coffee revenues are estimated to hit a record-high $37.3 million this season, thanks largely to Big Island growers and unusually high rainfall. This according to the latest numbers out of the Hawaii Field Office for the National Agricultural Statistics Service. If realized, the projections would represent an increase of 88 percent over 2004-’05, and surpass the all-time record of $28.2 million set in 1997-’98. According to the latest Hawaii coffee report, isle coffee production jumped 46 percent over last season, the resulting 8.2 million pounds of coffee selling for record-high farm prices of $4.55 per pound. Most of the increase and most of the total harvest came from Hawaii County, where several months of above-normal rainfall totals and increases in acreage devoted to coffee yielded 5.8 million pounds — an 81 percent increase on the Big Island alone. Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai counties contributed 2.4 million pounds. Buyers still place a premium on Big Island and Kona coffees: while growers on other islands received an average of $2.61 per pound, the price hit $4.55 in Hawaii County, with “green certified Kona coffee” going for $10.25 per pound. This season’s harvest is actually expected to be 5 percent smaller than the last. Worldwide, coffee production is up nearly 10 percent, particularly in Brazil, Vietnam, and Peru.

If your ear is hungry for Hawaiian music and other local artists, you might want to check out a new online music store — but read the fine print first. OCTunes offers yet another way to legally download tracks by folks like Na Leo Pilimehana, Henry Kapono, Hoonua, and dozens of other popular and less-well known island bands and artists. OCTunes is backed by Oceanic Time Warner Cable, which launched the site last week with a big party in Chinatown. Like Apple’s iTunes Music Store, individual songs at OCTunes will be priced at 99 cents. However, the store is based on the Windows Media format and requires Internet Explorer to browse, so you’re out of luck if you’re using an iPod, a Mac, or otherwise shun Microsoft products.

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