Struggling AirAsia sets sights on Hawaii

AirAsia plans routes to "exotic" destinations, including Hawaii, while dropping unprofitable ones to meet its forecast of returning to profit this year. Flights to Adelaide, Australia, and Nagoya, Japan, will be scrubbed and Sydney trips will be less frequent as the Malaysia-based airline slows its expansion to attain profit in 2015, AirAsia Group CEO Kamarudin Meranun said Wednesday. The long-haul budget airline racked up net losses of more than $180 million since the last quarter of 2013 after "massive" capacity growth, he said.

The airline was hemorrhaging cash even before Malaysia-related carriers lost three aircraft in accidents last year, emptying seats and denting the confidence of travelers. In December, an AirAsia plane crashed in Indonesia and killed 162 people.

The company is keen on flights to Hawaii and is working toward a process for approvals for the route, Kamarudin said. The numbers on Hawaii "look good," added Kamarudin without disclosing the route that AirAsia is exploring.

Bankoh offers Apple Pay to debit card users

Bank of Hawaii said Wednesday that debit card customers with accounts in the state will be able to use Apple Pay, the new mobile payment service from Apple, within the next 30 days. Once available, Bank of Hawaii debit card customers can add their Bank of Hawaii cards to their iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to pay for in-store and in-app purchases at more than 200,000 participating stores nationwide.

In November, Bankoh introduced Apple Pay for Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii Elite MasterCard customers.

BMW headlines monthly auto gathering

The exotic new BMW i8 will be part of the Kars at the Kurb display at the next Auto Lunch Bunch gathering at noon Wednesday. A BMW series 4 Grand Coupe from BMW of Honolulu also will be part of the display.

Luncheon speaker Dave Rolf, executive director of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, will preview the First Hawaiian International Auto Show in March (see Page B7). Lunch costs $13, payable upon entry to the second-floor dining room, and includes tax, tip and unlimited self-serve iced tea. Orders will be taken until 12:30 p.m., after which regular menu prices will be charged. Parking costs $1 per hour and is allowed between the 400- and 500-numbered rows of boats. Reservations are needed and can be made via Ed Kemper at 225-2965 or edracers@aol.com.

On The Move

» The Honolulu Board of Realtors has named Suzanne Young as its new chief executive officer. She will succeed Rochelle Lee Gregson, who had announced her retirement in December 2014. Young has been with the Honolulu Board of Realtors for a number of years, serving in various positions such as education administrator, professional standards administrator as well as membership and communications director. She also worked as an area office manager for Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties for six years.

» Royal Hawaiian Center has hired Aaron J. Sala as its director of cultural affairs. He previously worked in various instructional positions in the University of Hawaii system, including as an assistant professor of Hawaiian music and ethnomusicology. Sala also served as a cultural and programming consultant for more than 10 years with a wide range of organizations, including Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the World Indigenous People’s Conference on Education, the East-West Center, Walt Disney Entertainment and the Center for Hawaiian Music and Dance.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: