Posted on: Friday, July 30, 2004

BUSINESS BRIEFS
HMSA rate hike approved

Advertiser Staff

The Hawaii Medical Service Association, or HMSA, received state approval to raise rates by 7.8 percent on its Preferred Provider Plan for small businesses effective this month.

The state's largest health insurer also got the green light to hike rates by 7.4 percent on Health Plan Hawaii Plus.

The rate increase affects about 140,000 people.

Schuler Homes changing name

Schuler Homes will change its name to D.R. Horton, Schuler Division, effective Sunday

The name change reflects the February 2002 merger of Schuler Homes and D.R. Horton Inc.

Schuler Homes, founded in 1973, has built more than 8,000 homes in Hawai'i. D.R. Horton, founded in 1979, builds and sells homes in 21 states.

Starwood ends Kapalua pact

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., said yesterday it will end its five-year agreement with Morgan Stanley YCP Kapalua Operator Inc., and management of the Kapalua Bay Hotel at the end of August.

Maui Land and Pineapple is in the final stages of purchasing the Kapalua Bay Hotel from an investment fund led by Morgan Stanley.