New cell towers Verizon has announced its Wireless 3G network is now easier and faster to access because of two new cell tower sites in Kola and at the Civic Center in Lihu‘e. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $254
New cell towers
Verizon has announced its Wireless 3G network is now easier and faster to access because of two new cell tower sites in Kola and at the Civic Center in Lihu‘e.
Verizon Wireless has invested more than $254 million in its Hawai‘i network, according to a Verizon news release. Nationally, it has invested more than $65 billion over that same period to increase the coverage and capacity of its network, and to add new services.
U.S. DOT Ranks Hawaiian #1 for punctuality, fewest cancellations
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Air Travel Consumer Report” issued in December ranked Hawaiian Airlines as the nations top performer in October, earning first-place rankings for both on-time service and fewest canceled flights.
Hawaiian had almost 95 percent of its flights arrive on time in October, beating out 16 of nation’s largest carriers. Cancellations in October totaled nine out of 5,485 flights, or less than 0.2 percent.
The full DOT report is available online at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/atcr11.htm.
Mokulele adds direct service to Mauai
As of Jan. 1, go!Mokulele airlines offers two new routes of all-jet service from Lihu‘e to Kahului, Mauai, and from Kahului to Kona.
The service will provide one flight a day in a 50-seat CRJ200 plane.
Hawaiian Air upgrading for Osaka-Honolulu flights
Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will increase its capacity on its Honolulu-Osaka route with the introduction of its newest and largest aircraft, the 294-seat Airbus A330-200, starting April 21.
The A330 offers more seats than the B767-300 aircraft currently operating the route. The shift to the wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft will add nearly 11,000 seats annually to the Osaka-Honolulu route.
“Six months ago we introduced a completely new way to enjoy flying to Hawai‘i for people in the Kansai region and the response has been extremely strong,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president, in a press release.
“Introducing our new A330 aircraft to Osaka service will further improve the travel experience for our customers traveling from Kansai and help meet growing demand.”
Hawaiian launched daily nonstop service between Osaka and Honolulu on July 12. Ticket sales were strong at the outset, says Hawaiian, and demand has been increasing steadily since then.
Features and amenities of the A330 are highlighted by a comfortable new interior, increased legroom, and a state-of-the-art, on-demand entertainment system. With high-resolution LCD touch-screen monitors installed in each seatback, the entertainment system will let customers choose from a wide range of movies, TV programs, music and video games, while also offering a USB port for the use of their own personal media players, the release states. Customers sitting in First Class will also enjoy iPOD compatibility.
Governor seeking applicants for boards and commissions
The Office of the Governor is reminding interested individuals who are looking to serve the public to consider service on a board or commission, a news release states. Applications are being accepted for service on numerous boards and commissions, including the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee and the Island Burial Councils.
Members of the public may apply or recommend qualified applicants via the state’s website at http://hawaii.gov/gov.
“Each of these seats fulfills a unique need in the oversight and leadership of some of the state’s most important interests and industries,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in the release. “We are seeking leaders of diverse backgrounds who have the foresight and will to continue the forward momentum that Hawai‘i has achieved over the past year toward a revitalized economy and unified, statewide community.”
The Office of the Governor oversees more than 160 boards and commissions established by the state constitution, statutes or executive orders.
Vacancies include seats on boards and commissions focusing on a cross-section of interests and industries, including: aerospace, alternative medicine, environment, cosmetology, civil defense, economic development, corrections, culture and the arts, education, festivals, health and human services, medical education, pest control, physical therapy, private detectives, public housing, small business, state parks, taxation, technology, tourism, voter registration and wastewater treatment.
More information, including a complete list of vacancies and application instructions, is posted at http://hawaii.gov/gov/about/boards-commissions.html.
Green Workforce Development Summit
on Wednesday
Members of Kaua‘i’s business community are encouraged to attend the Green Workforce Development Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Kaua‘i Community College.
Local leaders representing business, government, academia and the community will share their knowledge and experiences. Learn more about how green jobs affect Hawai‘i’s clean energy and environmental sustainability goals. Discover what business, education and training providers, and community leaders are doing to connect our local workforce with these opportunities.
The event includes active discussions, collaboration and networking. It is presented in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development, KCC and the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
Registration is $25 and includes breakfast, lunch and a tour of training facilities. Access the full agenda and event registration at www.kauaichamber.org.
LBA to host Sustainable Living Institute speaker Thursday
The Lihu‘e Business Association program from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Thursday will focus on Kaua‘i Community College’s Sustainable Living Institute.
The meeting’s speaker will be Eric Knutzen, executive director of Ho‘ouluwehi, the Sustainable Living Institute of Kaua‘i.
Topics to be discussed include whether there is there hope for Kaua‘i to preserve its lifestyle and local culture while addressing the need to live sustainably.
Ho‘ouluwehi was founded at KCC in 2008 to assure positive answers to this question, an LBA announcement states.
It is a multi-disciplinary institute to “support and accelerate progress towards a culturally, economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Kaua‘i,” Ho‘ouluwehi literature states. At its core are partnerships with government, businesses and private individuals. New concepts in housing, renewable energy and creative food production methods are on the horizon.
LBA will guests will learn about Ho‘ouluwehi’s mission, projects and plans to foster a prosperous future for Kaua‘i and how to take part in the solutions.
The meeting will be held at Duke’s Canoe Club, Kalapaki Beach. It is free and open to the public.
Business After Hours
The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business After Hours gathering at the Courtyard by Marriott at Kaua‘i Beach in Wailua.
The gathering will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the hotel’s pool deck. Tickets range from $12 to $22 and are available online at www.kauaichamber.org.
