Business briefs

Advertiser Staff

Hawaiian gets plane extension

Hawaiian Airlines said yesterday that it received an extension from International Lease Finance Corp. allowing it to continue to operate four aircraft through August.

The agreement requires court approval. The airline is in continuing negotiations with aircraft lessors to reduce costs.

Hawaiian filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, saying it needed more favorable aircraft leases.

Kaka'ako gains biotech firm

Tissue Genesis Inc. has become the first biotech company drawn to the Kaka'ako area by the University of Hawai'i's planned $150 million medical center.

The company is developing tissue replacement products to improve survival rates for trauma injuries, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and metabolic diseases. It recently moved into lab space at 677 Ala Moana Building, the former Gold Bond building.

The first building of the new John A. Burns School of Medicine next to Kaka'ako Waterfront Park is expected to open in the fall of 2004.