Hawaiian Air tops in punctuality in July

Hawaiian Airlines topped U.S. carriers in punctuality in July as 89.6 percent of its flights arrived on time. That easily beat the industry average from 15 carriers of 76.0 percent. The state’s largest carrier also was first in fewest consumer complaints with a rate of 0.23 complaints for every 100,000 passengers. There were only two complaints for the nearly 884,000 passengers that the airline carried for the month.

Hawaiian ranked second in fewest canceled flights with 12 cancellations, or 0.2 percent, out of 6,769 flights and was eighth for mishandled-baggage reports with 2,731 out of 843,308 passengers, or 3.24 reports per 1,000 passengers.

Dole to sell 2 divisions for $1.7 billion

Dole Food Company Inc. announced plans Monday to sell two big pieces of itself for nearly $1.7 billion. The California-based firm said it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh produce businesses to Tokyo-based ITOCHU Corp. for $1.685 billion.

Dole said it will use proceeds largely to reduce debt. The company said the sale also will prompt cost-saving and corporate-restructuring efforts aimed at saving about $50 million annually by the end of next year.

The sale is subject to Dole stockholder approval and customary regulatory approvals in multiple countries.

Dole, which was founded in Hawaii and still owns about 25,000 acres on Oahu including land farmed in pineapple, will remain an international company with fresh vegetable production in North America and fresh fruit businesses in North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa. These divisions generated $4.2 billion in revenue last year.

The operations being sold generated about $2.5 billion in revenue last year. As part of the sale, ITOCHU would have exclusive rights to Dole’s trademark on packaged food products worldwide and on fresh produce in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

David Murdock, Dole’s chairman who until recently also owned nearly all of the island of Lanai, said the deal will result in a "more focused" Dole that will be well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in fresh produce.

Hawaii Pacific Health gets bond upgrades

Hawaii Pacific Health, the state’s largest nonprofit health care organization, has earned A- bond ratings from three major rating agencies: Moody’s Investor Service, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings.

The ratings reflect an upgrade by Standard and Poor’s and an outlook upgrade to positive by Moody’s. HPH’s outlook is stable for S&P and Fitch.

S&P upgraded HPH from its previous rating of BBB+ to A- based on HPH’s leading business position, sound management team and strong fiscal year 2012 performance.

Hawaii Pacific Health is anchored by its four nonprofit hospitals: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Clinic & Hospital and Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

Free marketing help offered to isle firms

Students in Hawaii Pacific University’s graduate-level Small Business Consulting course will be working with three Hawaii businesses this fall to bring fresh ideas to their marketing programs.

"We’re looking for local companies that need help with their marketing," said course instructor Bob Sigall. In the last 10 years, the class has written marketing plans for more than 75 companies, including Zippy’s, Waikiki Beach Walk, Maui Brand Sugar, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, Jimmy Buffett’s restaurant, The Mountain Apple Co. and Fisher Hawaii.

The students not only come up with strategies, but also will create or redesign promotional materials and advertising pieces, write new slogans, design public relations strategies or suggest new niches and how to go after them. They’ll look at Web marketing, pricing, sales, location, customer service, packaging, direct mail and other marketing tactics. There is no charge for companies to participate.

Companies interested in taking part in the program can contact Sigall at Sigall@Yahoo.com.

Creations in Catering nabs national award

Creations in Catering was awarded the 2011 Catered Event of the Year award from the National Association for Catering and Events in New Orleans in July. The Oahu company was honored for its work at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation reception in November for the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism that showcased made-in-Hawaii products.

The menu featured hors d’oeuvres such as Kona Crab Fried Cake with Ohelo Berry (Hawaiian Cranberry) Cream with Zucchini and Roasted Pineapple Panko, a sushi station with items such as Savory Smoked Marlin with Mango Aioli, fresh island fruits, a Kona Coffee Rubbed Carved Roasted Beef Tenderloin, salad bar featuring local greens and produce, skewered items including Hibachi Broiled Lemongrass Island Harvested Fish and Kiawe Broiled Pulehu Huli Huli Chicken, seafood such as Lomi Lomi Onaga, a dessert station with halo-halo and Mango Honey Cream, and beverages such as coffees from Hawaii island.

Creations in Catering has been in business for 25 years and caters everything from small receptions to formal sit-down dinners for more than 300 guests.

IPhone orders soaring

CUPERTINO, Calif. >> Orders for the iPhone 5 topped 2 million in their first 24 hours, more than double the amount of its predecessor over the same period.

Apple said Monday that while most orders will be delivered Friday, demand for the iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply. As a result, some of the devices are slated for delivery in October.

On the Move

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced: 

>> Etsuko Morita Fields has returned to the firm and joined its Kapolei office. She was a Realtor associate at CBP from 2005 to 2008.

>> Dawn Konishi as a Realtor associate who joined the Kahala office. She was previously an assistant to John Peterson.

>> Mariko Yoshioka Gillam as a Realtor associate for the firm’s King Street office. She was previously a Realtor who was licensed in Southern California.

>> Skip White as a previews team member at its King Street office. He has 20 years’ experience in management, sales and marketing.

Hilton Worldwide has honored Edna Kaaha­aina with the company’s “Spirit of CARE Award.” She is an executive administrative assistant of the Doubletree by Hilton Alana Waikiki and was nominated for the award by her peers after proving to be an exceptional role model.