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Doctors protest disclosure
Two Hawai'i doctors groups are voicing strong objections to a new requirement that they say gives the state's largest health insurer access to doctors' personal medical records. The Hawaii Medical Service Association has added wording to a standard authorization form that participating doctors must update every two years.
Doctors say the wording goes beyond the usual requirement giving the insurer permission to obtain information on such things as professional qualifications and disciplinary actions, and requires access to otherwise private health information.
The Hawaii Independent Physicians Association and the Hawaii Medical Association have criticized the new requirement as a violation of doctors' privacy.
HMSA officials said it was never their intent to gain access to physicians' medical records unless a specific problem arose and said it is working on reviewing the wording.
Bank program invests in Guam
Bank of Hawaii marked its 40th anniversary on Guam with a $500,000 investment in a program to stimulate economic development on the island. The money will be used to help finance community development projects and small businesses in underserved areas, the bank said.
Man pleads guilty to fraud
A Honolulu man has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges related to his Web site hosting business.
Jason Tadao Ibara, 29, faces five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced in February. He was released on $50,000 bail pending sentencing.
Ibara was founder of JTI International, which took in more than $1.2 million from more than 100 investors nationwide last year.
Chart House firm sells Kona eatery
Chart House Enterprises Inc. has sold its Kona restaurant, the company's only remaining location in Hawai'i.
The restaurant was sold to Pacific Ocean Restaurants of California Inc. Under the deal, the buyer received the right to use the Chart House name at the restaurant for one year.
A Chart House restaurant in Waikiki, not affiliated with the Chicago-based chain, will remain open.
