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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Aloha's pilots want to restrict sale

Advertiser Staff

Aloha Airlines' pilots union yesterday asked a federal bankruptcy judge to bar any sale of the carrier's cargo operations that violates the terms of the pilots' collective bargaining agreement.

The Air Line Pilots Association filed for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu seeking to prohibit the company from assigning lower-seniority pilots to fly Aloha's interisland cargo routes.

Aloha, which shut down its passenger operations on March 31 and laid off 1,900 employees, is in the process of auctioning off its profitable cargo division, which employs about 300 workers.

The company recently selected Pacific Air Cargo as the top bidder for its 1,100-employee contract services division. Pacific Air Cargo bid $2.2 million for the unit that provides ground services for other airlines.

ALPA said Aloha's pilots will meet today to hold a strike authorization vote.

Aloha said it will oppose the pilots' request for a restraining order. The company added that it is providing training for senior pilots to requalify them to fly cargo aircraft.


KDI ELEMENTS TO OPEN IN HONOLULU

KDI Elements, a Palm Springs, Calif.-based company that designs, manufactures and installs countertops, showers and flooring, is opening a branch in Honolulu.

The company said it has secured a long-term lease in the 20,000-square-foot former Dal-Tile building at 590-E Paiea St. near Honolulu International Airport. Kahu Kordell Kekoa from Kamehameha Schools will perform a traditional Hawaiian blessing tomorrow.

The facility will feature a state-of-the-art stone fabrication facility and design center where KDI will offer materials to builders, developers, designers and architects.

KDI Elements is a full-service installation company that recently completed the stone, wood flooring and carpet renovations at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Maui.


CREDIT UNION COLLECTS FOR FOODBANK

Hawaii Pacific Federal Credit Union said it has collected 1,077 pounds of food, twice as much as last year, for the Hawaii Foodbank's 19th annual food drive.

"The undeniable generosity from our members and employees resulted in a huge contribution to the Hawaii Foodbank this year," said Mark Yamane, president of Hawaii Pacific Federal. "We at Hawaii Pacific Federal thank our employees and members who strive to go above and beyond what we're capable of in helping charitable projects."

Hawaii Pacific Federal collected items such as bags of rice, canned goods, and nonperishable items from its members and employees. Since 2002, Hawaii Pacific Federal has raised more than 6,000 pounds of food and more than $3,800 to help Hawaii Foodbank's mission to let nobody in Hawai'i go hungry.


LEARN HOW TO SELL ON EBAY

Kapi'olani Community College and the U.S. Postal Service are offering small-business owners a class on selling on eBay from 5 to 8 p.m. May 21 at KCC's Kopiko 127 and 128.

Topics will include account setup, research, listing, closing a sale, shipping with the Postal Service, and payment methods on eBay. Participants will be given tips on easing their way into selling on the Internet for fun or profit.

The preregistration fee is $7, or $10 at the door. To register, call 734-9256 or 734-9211.