Posted at 12:48 p.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Business briefs: Kaiser to raise health insurance rates
Advertiser Staff
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., the state's No. 2 health insurer, said it will raise rates for Hawai'i businesses and their employees by an average of 3.75 percent on Jan. 1.The rate hike follows increases of 3 percent this year and 11 percent in 2005. The insurer said it needed the increase to cover increasing costs for providing services, while investing in its facilities and new medical technology.
Kaua'i credit union warns of phishng scam
The Kauai Community Federal Credit Union is warning members of a fradulent e-mails that try to gain member information that can be used to drain money from accounts or commit identity theft.
It is the latest attack on local credit unions, including those aimed at members of the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union and the Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union. The organizations are reminding members that they never send e-mails requesting such information.
Aloha shirt giveaway key to tourism marketing campaign
Japan Hawai'i's tourism marketer to Japan gave away hundreds of aloha shirts last month for the second straight year as part of a campaign linked to the Japanese government's "Cool Biz" program.
Japan's "Cool Biz" program, which began last year to help reduce energy consumption, asks public workers to swap their jackets and ties for lighter clothing in the summer. In turn, Hawai'i Tourism Japan launched "Aloha Biz" to promote Hawai'i with aloha shirts. In this year's campaign, Hawai'i Tourism Japan gave away 400 aloha shirts in Japan in a drawing that attracted more than 10,000 applicants.
