U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King today approved Hawaiian Telcom’s reorganization plan, clearing the way for the state’s largest phone company to emerge from bankruptcy early next year.

“It’s essential for things to move on,” King said in confirming the $460 million, stand-alone reorganization plan.
The reorganization plan now goes to the Public Utilities Commission for review.
Hawaiian Telcom filed for bankruptcy protection last December because of its heavy debt load and the loss of thousands of customers to wireless and other competitors.