Strauss also executed a major investment in new technology, using a federal stimulus grant to link remote facilities to enable better care coordination for patients, more efficiency for physicians and staff, and improved cash flow.
Hawaii and Ka’u banks plan merger
The Ka’u Federal Credit Union Board has announced the merger of Ka’u Federal Credit Union with CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union effective Feb. 1.
“The merger with CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union is in the best interest of our members and will ensure continued credit union services for the members and all of the people of Ka’u,” said Board Chair Sharon Moore-Fisher.
CU Hawaii has about 24,000 members with assets exceeding $225 million. Once the merger is finalized, CU Hawaii will have more than 27,000 members and $235 million in assets.
Once merged, there will be eight credit union branches located around the Big Island in Hilo, Keaau, Kailua-Kona, Pahoa, Naalehu and Pahala.
Mokulele to offer flights to London
HONOLULU (AP) — An airline that serves routes between the Hawaiian Islands has received federal approval to offer charter service to London out of Illinois.
Mokulele Airlines’ parent company Mokulele Flight Services Inc. says it has approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct weekly nonstop charter flights from Rockford, Ill., to Honolulu and London.
The service will operate under Charter World Solutions, doing business as Mokulele Tours. The first flight from Rockford to Honolulu will be in April. Flights from Rockford to London will begin in May.
Mokulele Flight Services Chairman and CEO Ron Hansen says Chicago Rockford International Airport is paying Mokulele $1.4 million to fly to Honolulu and London for a year.
Sheraton resort names new guest manager
Pyramid Hotel Group has promoted Liana Meldrum to the position of Guest Services Manager at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, a 22-acre oceanfront resort on the Big Island.
“Within a short period of time, Liana has proven her passion for Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa and our guests,” said Area Managing Director and General Manager Steve Lindburg. “We are happy that she has accepted the challenge of this new position and will bring her ‘local-girl knowledge’ and skill set to work every day to help insure that the needs of our guests are met and exceeded.”
Meldrum began at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in 2010 as a Front Office Guest Service Agent. Her role was expanded to include training new hires and supporting Starwood Preferred Guest initiatives. In her position as Guest Services Manager, she will report to the Front Office Manager and work to surpass the expectations of arriving guests.
Meldrum is a graduate of Konawaena High School and holds a bachelors degree in travel industry management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Health provider names new COO
AlohaCare, Hawaii’s third-largest health plan, has appointed Paul Strauss to the newly created position of chief operating officer, effective Feb. 6. In his new position, Strauss will be responsible for overseeing all nonclinical internal operations and related management team members.
Since 2006, Strauss has served as chief executive officer at Hilo-based Bay Clinic, which operates eight Family Health Center service sites caring for residents of East Hawaii.
Under Strauss’ leadership, Bay Clinic experienced a 29 percent increase in patients and a 46 percent increase in patient visits, while staffing went from 95 in 2006 to 155 today. Strauss dedicated much of his time to nurturing relationships with academic partners and, as a result, Bay Clinic now hosts more than 200 interns each year.
Strauss also executed a major investment in new technology, using a federal stimulus grant to link remote facilities to enable better care coordination for patients, more efficiency for physicians and staff, and improved cash flow.