Sandwich Isles Communications Inc. says it is profitable but members of the public can't verify that statement based on the company's filings with the state Public Utilities Commission.

That's because the PUC and the state consumer advocate's office have agreed to allow the company to file its annual financial reports under protective order.
Industry analysts say the move makes it virtually impossible for the general public as well as interested parties in the Hawaiian Telcom bankruptcy to assess whether Sandwich Isles' offer is viable or not.
"It's a disgrace that a company using federal money to benefit a state agency does not have to file in the open," said Marty Plotnick, a local marketing expert who has written a history of Hawaiian Telcom.
Sandwich Isles wants to buy Hawaiian Telcom Inc. for $400 million. The offer is a competing bid to a standalone $460 million reorganization plan proposed by the local phone company itself.
The Advertiser has requested copies of Sandwich Isles' annual reports for 2006, 2007 and 2008 from the PUC. Copies of the 2006 and 2007 reports were provided but all financial details were redacted from the report.
The Advertiser has appealed the PUC's decision to redact the reports.
When asked by The Advertiser why company reports are filed with the PUC under protective order, Sandwich Isles president Albert Hee said his company is a private one. But he said he would make public appropriate financial information if asked by the bankruptcy court.
Hee added that he does not to know his company's annual revenues, saying he leaves the company's financial details to CEO Robert Kihune.
"I don't track the financial. I have no idea what the revenues are. All I know is that the expenses are less," Hee said.
"Quite frankly, I'm satisfied as long as we aren't losing money and are making money."