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* Hawaiian Carpet One/Ha-waiian Ceramic Tile has recently hired Kekoa J. Kawakami to its manager trainee program.Kawakami is the son of company President Myles Kawakami.Kekoa Kawakami is a Baldwin High School graduate. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He previously worked on Oahu for three years.* Financial & Investment Management Group Ltd. has recently hired three new employees in its Maui office.Hayley Wood is responsible for financial planning and wealth management for clients out of the Maui office. She has met the Certified Financial ...

Hawaiian Airlines starts selling Beijing tickets

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaiian Airlines is starting to sell tickets for its first-ever direct flight to China.The airline plans to launch nonstop service from Honolulu to Beijing on April 16. It will operate the flight three times a week.Hawaiian said Tuesday that it will fly Airbus A330 airplanes on the route. The airplane seats nearly 300 passengers.The Hawaii Tourism Authority previously estimated the new service will generate $81 million in annual visitor spending and more than $8 million in tax revenue for Hawaii. Air China plans to be the first airline to fly nonstop between Beijing and ...

Humana offers option to Maui County Medicare beneficiaries

Humana Inc. is offering another option for Medicare beneficiaries in Maui County during the Medicare Annual Election Period that ends Dec. 7.Medicare beneficiaries in Maui County have the option of enrolling in either Humana Gold Plus HMO or HumanaChoice PPO plans with coverage taking effect Jan. 1, a news release from Humana said. Both Humana plans provide Medicare-eligible residents in the county with alternatives to original Medicare or a Medicare supplement plan.Members receive the benefits of original Medicare and prescription drug coverage, Humana said in a news release. The plans ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 27, 2013

Ho'oilo House can now host weddingsThe bed-and-breakfast Ho'oilo House in Lahaina will now be able to host weddings.It is the first West Maui property - and third on the island - to gain permit approval from the Maui County Council to host weddings on agricultural land, according to an announcement last week. The owners worked through the permit process for several years before finally gaining county approval."We look forward to hosting small and intimate weddings at Ho'oilo House," co-owner Amy Wisthoff-Martin said in a statement. "We will offer a variety of packages to accommodate ...

Business/In Brief • Nov. 26, 2013

Maui hotel receives conservation awardThe Best Western Pioneer Inn Lahaina recently received the Best Western Green Award at the Best Western International's Convention in San Antonio, Texas.The honor is given to those member properties that demonstrate a commitment to sustaining resources and reducing their carbon footprint, a news release said. Hotels receiving the award comply with "green" guidelines. The hotels also must meet quality and service standards to qualify.The Best Western Pioneer Inn was one of 179 hotels out of more than 2,400 properties in the U.S. and Canada to receive ...

Obamacare a cause of concern for small businesses

Maui Chamber of Commerce members are sharing how the Affordable Care Act - aka Obamacare - will cost them more and hurt their business, and three issues keep coming up.Higher RatesA small business with four full-time employees well illustrates exponentially rising rates. It was paying $330 per month per employee with its company plan ($1,320 per month). However, the new age-based rates will bring its rate to $1,969 per month given the following employee rates:.* 28-year-old, down to $272; savings of $58.* 36-year-old, down to $305; savings of $25.* 62-year-old, up to $687; increase of ...