NEWS&NOTES Hurricane insurance up Zephyr Insurance Co. Inc., which provides hurricane insurance to approximately 65,000 Hawaii homeowners – often through other insurance companies such as DTRIC – raised rates by an average of about 20 percent Nov. 1. The increase
NEWS&NOTES
Hurricane insurance up
Zephyr Insurance Co. Inc., which provides hurricane insurance to approximately 65,000 Hawaii homeowners – often through other insurance companies such as DTRIC – raised rates by an average of about 20 percent Nov. 1. The increase should result in premium increases averaging about $7.50 a month. It was the first rate increase in Zephyr’s four years in Hawaii and driven mainly by updates to annual hurricane risk models. Houses with singlewalled construction typically have the highest rates, and housing appreciation has sparked price increases. But homes conforming to the Uniform Building Code could result in lower rates for qualifying policyholders, the company said, such as homes with hurricane clips and other protections to windows and other openings.
Support our soldiers
A fundraiser event to raise money in support of our Hawai‘i Army National Guard Soldiers recently mobilized for service in Iraq will be held Dec. 27 from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beachclub Ballroom. The Chamber is hoping to provide items the military doesn’t normally provide, such as rice cookers for individual squads and more. The Chamber’s intent is to provide these items so that the families of the deployed soldiers will not be worried with the unusual request. The fundraiser which will include a dinner buffet, music and dancing. The current Company Commander, Capt. Stone, will give a short slide show presentation about his soldiers’ training. Call Col. Ted Daligdid III at 821- 4477, Staff Sgt. Jessica Higa at 651-7619, or Queenie Pezario at 651- 8088 for ticket reservations. Donation: $40.
NCL to build two new ships
Norwegian Cruise Line is finalizing agreements to build two new ships, total cost $1 billion, that would start service in summer 2007. The ships are intended to replace NCL’s six ships that will be transferred to its parent Star Cruises between 2005 and 2008. This is in addition to the two new ships that are expected to join its Hawaii service over the course of 2005 and 2006. NCL plans to have one ship built by Meyer Werft in Germany and another by Aker Finnyards in Finland. The German ship will be a replica of its Norwegian Jewel that is scheduled for delivery next August. The Finnish ship will be modeled after the Norwegian Star, which offered freestyle cruising in Hawaii. The design also includes a balcony for every stateroom. With these additions, NCL would have added nine new ships to its fleet since 2000 at a cost of $3.75 billion. The Pride of Hawaii, being built in Germany and which will enter Hawaii service next year, is one of them.
Star Market chief
Karl Wissman has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Star Markets. He was previously vice president and chief operating officer. He will be responsible for management of all company operations, including marketing, administration and store operations. The chain has 10 stores, on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. Before joining Star, Wissman ran the Northern Division of Ralphs Grocery Co. and has held executive level positions with several other national grocery chains.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Poipu Beach Park will take place at 10 p.m., Dec. 31. The spectacular aerial display can be seen from Brennecke’s Beach to Sheraton Kaua‘i. Sponsors of the event include Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, Kaua‘i County, Kiahuna Plantation Homeowners Association, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Kaua‘i, Lawai Beach Resort, Poipu Kai Homeowner’s Association, Poipu Shopping Village, Poipu Beach Villas, Grantham Resorts, Kukuiula Development, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, Embassy Vacation Resort Poipu Point, First Hawaiian Bank, Old Koloa Town Merchant’s Association, Koloa Landing Cottages, Blue Ginger, Sueoka Store and Sunspot. Mahalo as well to Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort for organizing the event and committing to major sponsorship. PBRA continues to look for donations to cover the $22,000 cost of this event.
Contact margy@poipubeach.org or call 742-7444.
Poipu Beach Hotel permits
According to Poipu Beach Hotel representative Mike Belles, the owners of the Poipu Beach Hotel will be applying for building permits during the first quarter of 2005, with the intention of launching construction by midsummer to late fall. Targeted completion is projected to be in late 2005 or early 2006. The project will add 121 hotel rooms to this area, bringing the official count up to an estimated 2,900 visitor units, including hotels, condominium resorts, time share and vacation rental homes.
Cheap flights
North American Airlines announced introductory fares of $99 one-way between Oakland and Honolulu to kick off their new service. Previously, the carrier had been operating from Oakland through a tour operator only; now service is available directly to the public. Go to www.northamericanair.com for more information. The carrier plans to offer service to Kaua‘i in the spring.
Hawaiian ontime
Hawaiian Most Punctual: The U.S. Department of Transportation recently confirmed that Hawaiian Airlines is the nation’s most punctual airline, with 95.3 percent of its flights arriving as scheduled during October.
Hawaiian has held this record every month since it began reporting to DOT a year ago.
Wireless technology
Wireless DSL in Aloha and Hawaiian Airport Lounges: Aloha’s Alii Club members can now enjoy wireless Internet access in the Alii Club lounge in Honolulu at no charge.The connection allows open Internet access.
Hawaiian’s Premier member lounge also offers the same.
Business workshops
On January 11 and 12, Constant Training will present 3 workshops at Aloha Beach Resort. Workshops include: Dealing with Difficult People & Conflict, Building Positive Attitudes in the Workplace, and Customer Service Excellence. These are participation- oriented learning experiences designed to include everyone. Register quickly to reserve and receive a discounted price. All workshops limited to the first 40 registrations.
Call 800-816-7319 or email info@constanttraining.com.
Aloha seeks cuts
Aloha Airlines is asking employees to take another 10 percent pay cut, work longer hours and pay 25 percent of their health care premiums. They say they need the concessions to survive, and one workers union has tentatively agree. The company’s also asking for a long-term contract through 2009. The pilots union is negotiating and the flight attendant’s union has already come to an agreement.
Aloha’s new CEO David Banmiller said that he’ll keep a tight rein on the 2005 budget. Aloha fired dozens of top management recently.
Troops in Bagdad enjoy taste of Hawai‘i
There’s nothing better than a good cup of Joe, especially when you’re thousands of miles away from home in a place like Bagdad. Thanks to Java Kai and a Waimea High School graduate now serving in Iraq, thousands of service men and women are enjoying a hot cup of Hawaiian coffee right now. The Hawaii-based coffee brewer and retailer has shipped a thousand of cups worth of various blends of Hawaiian coffees to Camp Sather in Bagdad, Iraq.
“The troops, who are avid coffee drinkers, can enjoy authentic Hawaiian brewed coffees at their favorite gathering spot called the Oasis, located at Camp Sather,” said a Java Kai’s Bradford Jones.
But Java Kai wants to ship more and they are asking customers to donate to “Operation Camp Sather’s Hawaii.” The money will be matched by corporate funds. Waimea High School graduate Air Force Staff Sgt. Sherry A. Matthews is coordinating the Bagdad effort while local Java Kai franchise outlets here have joined forces. Matthews works in a Civil Engineer Squadron that is responsible for building and maintaining Camp Sather’s infrastructure. She is also part of an organization named “Rising 6” which helps the troops by finding and requesting various products to support them such as coffee, hygiene products, stationery and individually wrapped snacks.
The local Java Kai’s here report that they are proud to have been a part of this wonderful effort.
