Official urges policy reforms in eurozone

FRANKFURT, Germany » A member of the European Central Bank’s rate-setting council has said monetary policy cannot boost long-term growth and called for reforms by governments to make the weak economy more investment-friendly.

The remarks come as ECB officials weigh whether to launch more stimulus measures to pull the 18 countries that share the euro out of an extended period of sluggish growth and high unemployment. The ECB is the currency union’s chief monetary authority.

Jens Weidmann said in the text of a speech in Madrid on Monday that low interest rates and stimulus measures can boost short-term demand but that central bank action "cannot permanently boost growth prospects."

Weidmann, who also heads Germany’s Bun­des­bank central bank, said long-term growth depended on countries’ willingness to lower barriers to investment by streamlining bureaucracy and rules on hiring and firing.

Honda admits not reporting safety issues

DETROIT » Honda is admitting that it failed to report more than 1,700 injury and death claims about its vehicles to U.S. safety regulators, a violation of federal law.

The Japanese automaker, in statements issued Monday, also said it became aware of the omissions in 2011, yet it took about three years to take action.

The company said it filed documents detailing the lapses Monday with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which had demanded an explanation Nov. 3. The agency said at the time that Honda may have failed to report incidents related to air bags made by Takata Corp. as well as other defective parts.

Honda has recalled more than 5 million vehicles in the U.S. since 2008 to fix a potentially fatal defect in air bags made by Japa­nese auto supplier Takata. The bags can rupture after a crash and injure occupants with shards of metal.

SHIP AHOY!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures:

HONOLULU HARBOR

ON THE MOVE

Hawaiian Airlines has promoted: 

» Sue Moss to director of in-flight operations for its Hono­lulu and Los Angeles bases, from base manager. She has more than 35 years of airline experience in in-flight training, service and management. Prior to joining Hawaiian Airlines, Moss served in various in-flight training and management positions at Aloha Airlines.

» Cheryl Price to director of in-flight initiatives. She joined the airline in 2004 as a senior manager of budget and analysis. Prior to joining the company, Price served in the banking and finance departments of firms in Hawaii, Cali­for­nia and Europe.

Kupu Ka ‘Eu, a government contractor, has appointed Doug Hughes president. His experience as a senior leader in several public companies includes responsibility for government relations, acquisition of government R & D and Small Business Innovation Research funding, and development of cutting-edge products.