Hawaiian Telcom, the state's largest telephone provider, yesterday announced that it will release financial results for 2005 on or before Friday.

It's an unusual move because as a privately owned company, Hawaiian Telcom is not required to publicly disclose financial results. Hawaiian Telcom, which employs about 1,800 people, was created last year when Verizon Communications Inc. sold Verizon Hawaii to The Carlyle Group for $1.6 billion.

Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida did not comment on why the company was disclosing its 2005 financial data.

The earnings release could be an attempt to boost Hawaiian Telcom's exposure in advance of a future initial public offering of stock. In January 2005, Washington, D.C.-based Carlye said it will most likely sell the company to the public after improving its profits and building a local management team.

On Saturday Hawaiian Telcom will complete the process of separating from Verizon. Carlyle has said the sale is good for Hawai'i because it returns management of the phone company to Hawai'i.

Hawaiian Telcom has boosted local employment by a net 150 jobs, Nishida said.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.