Big Island eye clinic files bankruptcy

Kona-based Island Eye Care Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing estimated assets and debts between $500,000 and $1 million and between 50 and 99 creditors.

The ophthalmologic company was registered to do business in Hawaii in 2003 by Dr. Susan Senft, identified in state records as its sole officer. The company owes the largest sums to the U.S. Small Business Administration, nearly $237,000 in loans, and to Honolulu-based landowner Niu Pia Land Co. Ltd., which is owed $93,000.

Blue Hawaii Surf opens a new store

The new Pearlridge location of Blue Hawaii Surf will open today with a grand-opening appearance of competitors from the Reef Hawaiian Pro of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The surfers will sign autographs and pose for pictures from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the retailer of surf and skate equipment, apparel and accessories. Reef Hawaiian Pro models also will appear during the opening celebration, during which there will be prize giveaways.

The new store represents an expansion for the company, which also has stores at Ala Moana Center and Waikele Premium Outlets, and on Kaumualii Street in Kalihi.

New Big Isle Kaiser clinic to open

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s South Kona Clinic on the Big Island will open for appointments on Tuesday.

The 3,435-square-foot Kealakekua clinic initially will offer adult primary care at 81-6350 Mamalahoa Highway. The clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Kaiser operates another clinic in the Hualalai Medical Center, as well as clinics in Waimea and Hilo.

Alaska debuts Portland-Kona service

Alaska Airlines began previously announced new seasonal service yesterday between Portland, Ore., and Kona. The new service, which will run through April 9, is in addition to Alaska’s existing service from Portland to Honolulu and Kahului. Alaska will use a 157-seat Boeing 737-800 for the new flights, which will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

ProService and HMSA team up

ProService Hawaii, which offers human resource administration, has created new health care plans for its more than 1,000 business clients with 11,000 employees statewide. The firm collaborated with the Hawaii Medical Service Association to create the plans, which have been approved by the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Council. The plans are effective Jan. 1.

The offerings match or exceed the benefits offered in the average HMSA plan on the market, with more focus on primary care for wellness and prevention, the company said. The plans give ProService’s business owner clients the opportunity to offer financial incentives to their employees who take a proactive role in their health.

Among the plan highlights are:

» No co-payments for key preventive care services.
» All annual deductibles are waived upon completion of HMSA’s award-winning HealthPass screening.
» Lower co-payments for primary care visits.
» Co-payment transparency.

On the Move

» Bishop Museum has appointed Donna Howard as its vice president of development. She has been campaign director at University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health, director of development at National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauai, president and chief executive officer at Kapiolani Health Foundation and president of University of Hawaii Foundation.

» Graphic Design USA’s 2010 American Graphic Design has awarded Goodson+Yu Design two national awards of excellence in the logo design category. Goodson+Yu Design is the only design firm from Hawaii to be recognized by the American Graphic Design Awards for the past two years.

» The International Academy of Visual Arts has awarded Kukui IT the 2010 Silver Award in the real estate category. A3 Awards administered the award and gave it in recognition of Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty’s web site www.balihai.com.

» Northwestern Mutual is honoring Marcus R. Boland with its 2010 Forum Award. He is a financial representative who is being recognized for helping clients throughout the region achieve financial security.

» The Hawaiian Humane Society has received a $5,000 grant from the Rev. Takie Okumura Family Fund. The grant will be used to create a new humane education and values category in Olelo’s Youth XChange Video competition program.