BUSINESS BRIEFS
Aloha says union agreement close
Advertiser Staff
Aloha Airlines said it is closer to resolving the labor dispute with its pilots union over its cargo division.
Aloha, which shut down its passenger service last week and laid off 1,900 workers, is trying to sell its profitable cargo unit but said its pilots union has threatened to disrupt its operations.
Aloha, which filed for an injunction against the Air Line Pilots Unions in federal bankruptcy court, said it needs an additional day to settle the dispute. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King has scheduled a hearing this morning on the matter.
"We believe that progress has been made. We're simply not there yet," said Aloha attorney Sheldon Kline.
The union, which denied that it was attempting a work stoppage, said the dispute is over who gets to fly the cargo routes. The union said its collective bargaining agreement calls for its most senior pilots to get first choice on routes. Pilots who fly the cargo routes are not being laid off.
ALASKA AIRLINES ADDS MAUI FLIGHTS
Alaska Airlines today announced it will begin flying a new year-round daily service between Seattle and Kahului, Maui, starting July 17.
The airline also said it will fly twice a week between Anchorage, Alaska, and Kahului from Oct. 25 to April 25, 2009.
Alaska Airlines said it will offer introductory one-way fares of $249 for Seattle to Maui and Anchorage to Maui flights. Tickets must be purchased by April 24, 2008, for travel by Dec. 17, 2008. Other restrictions and blackout dates may apply.
The new flights come after Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines shut down passenger service last week, reducing the overall West Coast to Hawai'i passenger capacity by about 1.1 million seats, or about 14 percent.
KONA BREWING RANKS 24TH LARGEST
Hawai'i-based Kona Brewing Co. ranks as the 24th-largest craft brewing company in the United States by sales volume, according to a ranking by the Brewers Association. Craft brewers are defined as small, independent brewers.
Kona Brewing has grown to become the state's top selling craft beer since beginning in Kailua, Kona, in 1994, according to its Web site. The company's operations include restaurants on the Big Island and O'ahu, and its beer is distributed in 17 states, China and Japan.
AT&T SET FOR $25 MILLION UPGRADE
AT&T Inc. said today it will invest $25 million this year to upgrade its Hawai'i network and to expand wireless coverage in the state.
The company said it expects to add new cell sites and enhance its so-called third-generation wireless broadband network, allowing local customers to quickly access videos, games, images, music, news and weather.
With the upgrade, AT&T will have invested $72 million in its Hawai'i wireless network since 2006.
PHISHING E-MAIL TARGETS MEMBERS
A new phishing e-mail targeting members of the Kauai Community Federal Credit Union is making the rounds, this time promising people $90 if they take a survey. The e-mail was sent yesterday and begins with "Congratulations!"
Such e-mails attempt to get people to disclose confidential account or personal information that can be used for financial gain by the thieves. Kauai Community Federal Credit Union and other financial institutions have warned members against clicking on links in such e-mails because they don't make such inquiries via the Internet or by telephone.
