BUSINESS BRIEFS
Isles low in per-capita bankruptcies
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Bankruptcy filings in Hawai'i have been increasing faster than filings nationally, but the state remains one of the lowest in terms of per-capita bankruptcies.
Information from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts shows there were 1.41 filings per 1,000 residents in Hawai'i — the second lowest in the nation — during the first nine months of 2008. Only Alaska's 1.24 was lower.
Hawai'i's bankruptcy filings have been increasing this year as the economy slows and unemployment and tighter credit take their toll on homeowners. Through the first nine months, 1,442 bankruptcies were filed in the state.
That amounted to a 41 percent increase from a year earlier.
Nationally, bankruptcy filings were up 35 percent through the end of September.
GO! CARRIED 55,591 PEOPLE LAST MONTH
Interisland carrier go! carried more people in November than it did a year earlier, but reported filling fewer of its seats as it increased the number of flights.
The unit of Mesa Air Group said it carried 55,591 passengers last month, or 696 more than a year earlier.
At the same time the carrier had more flights than last year, having boosted its service after Aloha Airlines went out of business on March 31.
The airline said it filled 63.9 percent of its seats during the month. That compared with the 70 percent it filled in November 2007.
STIMULUS WORTH MILLIONS TO ISLES
A study of a stimulus package that's expected to be considered next month by Congress says Hawai'i could receive an additional $141.5 million in federal Medicaid matching funds if the plan is put into law.
The analysis by Families USA looked at a proposal that's likely to be contained in an economic stimulus initiative by the new Congress. Families USA looked at legislation introduced in the Senate by Majority Leader Harry Reid that would provide almost $40 billion in additional federal funding for state Medicaid programs.
The analysis also projected that the new funds are expected to help create 2,300 new jobs with $88.4 million in new wages. The study also said the money would spur an estimated $237.5 million in new business activity in Hawai'i.
FIRM HIRED TO HELP FIND HTA LEADER
The Hawaii Tourism Authority yesterday announced that it has selected SearchWide LLC to help find a new president and CEO for the state's top tourism agency.
SearchWide responded to a request for proposals and was among 10 firms that were considered, according to an HTA statement.
The process will include reviewing resumes, screening prospective candidates, conducting interviews, performing reference and background checks, and presenting potential candidates to the HTA's Search Investigative Committee for initial consideration and recommendation to the HTA board of directors for approval.
Rex Johnson, the previous president and chief executive officer, resigned under pressure after admitting to forwarding inappropriate e-mails to friends via his state computers.
"Their proactive recruitment for the right candidate will include a search in Hawai'i as well as nationally and globally," said Douglas Kahikina Chang, chairman of the Search Investigative Committee and member of the HTA board.
Those interested in applying for the position should contact Jim Carra from SearchWide at info@searchwide.com.
