HONOLULU – Hawaii Medical Assurance Association (HMAA), one of the largest Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) in Hawaii, has launched its newly redesigned wellness website. When HMAA members log on to their personal account at www.LifeWorks.com, they now have access to faster and easier-to-use features and functions, including an extensive list of health and wellness resources, available 24/7.

“The new HMAA Wellness for Life site has been updated and revamped so that our members can easily find the resources and information they’re looking for, when they need them,” said HMAA Chairman, President and CEO John Henry Felix. “The look of the wellness website is new, but the content is the same, providing members access to a Life Health Assessment and assisting our members with personalized coaching to help them quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress or improve heart health.”

The new site has been updated with a new look; new organization with easier navigation through a vast library of content and interactive tools; enhanced search engine capabilities; clear access to additional services; detailed descriptions of the HMAA Wellness Health Coaching Program; and more eye-catching home page content.

The site was launched in 2011 as part of HMAA’s Wellness for Life program, a free service offered to its 43,000 members as part of its broader effort to help businesses facing economic challenges by expanding and enhancing its line of value-added products and services. The goal of the site is to help HMAA members manage work and personal issues by allowing them to watch short videos and listen to podcasts; read hundreds of articles; use financial and health calculators; email a consultant; subscribe to monthly electronic newsletters; order or download free recordings or booklets; and more.

HMAA Wellness for Life provides health consultations and personal coaching from locally based certified health experts to develop a customized wellness plan; life health assessments that integrate physical, psychosocial and work-life health; interactive online tools that provide vital information to empower members to make better individual health decisions; and incentives and discount programs to increase participation and track results online. No other wellness program currently available in Hawaii provides personal coaching from locally based certified health experts.

HMAA has always been known as Hawaii’s leading provider of superior health insurance benefits for small and medium-sized businesses, and larger employers as well. HMAA’s comprehensive medical plans include alternative benefits such as acupuncture, chiropractic and naturopathic care, as well as life insurance, wellness programs, and dental, orthodontia, vision and prescription drug riders. It offers the best medical plan option for sole proprietors in the state. HMAA’s benefits and rates can be customized for any company. More information is available at www.hmaa.com.

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HONOLULU – (May 16, 2012) – UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, has pledged its support as a Bronze Sponsor of Special Olympics of Hawaii’s Annual State Summer Games.

The Summer Games will take place May 25 to 27 at the University of Hawaii – Manoa campus. More than 1,100 coaches and athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, softball and powerlifting.

“Support from community-minded companies like UnitedHealthcare really allows us to put our focus on the athletes and providing them with the best experience possible for our annual competitions like the Summer Games,” said Dan Epstein, vice president of sports, Special Olympics Hawaii. “All our programs are provided free of charge to our athletes and their families, so support like theirs is critical to the ongoing success of our programs.”

Epstein added that company sponsorships enable Special Olympics Hawaii to continue its mission to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for more than 2,100 individuals with intellectual disabilities in Hawaii.

“UnitedHealthcare is happy to support Special Olympics of Hawaii’s Annual Summer Games for the fourth year in a row,” said Bill Guptail, president of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Hawaii. “Special Olympics brings thousands of Hawaii’s people – both with and without intellectual disabilities – together in the spirit of ‘ohana and aloha and helps change perceptions and attitudes among all involved.”

“Some of our athletes have been in our program since its inception 40 years ago,” Epstein said. “Participation in Special Olympics has truly transformed their lives, providing them with a safe network of friends, acceptance and the opportunity to push their personal boundaries and experience the joy of competition.”

About Special Olympics Hawaii
Special Olympics Hawaii provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in nine sports, conducting more than 50 events throughout the state for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Training and competition begins at age eight, with the Young Athlete Program offered to children from two and a half to seven years of age.

All programs are free of charge to registered athletes, including everything from facilities, equipment, uniforms, housing and transportation as well as meals for events, awards, sports competition, training education and more. For more information on Special Olympics Hawaii please visitwww.SpecialOlympicsHawaii.org.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

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“Hawaii News Now is honored to be a supporter of the local motherhood community and their families,” said Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now. “We believe this partnership will help moms to stay informed about current events and issues.”

Visitors to MomsInHawaii.com will now see a feed directly from Hawaii News Now on the MomsInHawaii.com homepage and other website pages, featuring video breaking news, stories from Hawaii News Now’s Sunrise morning show, weather, sports updates and more.

Meanwhile, the Hawaii News Now website, www.HawaiiNewsNow.com, features a MomsInHawaii.com stream, including supportive mom-to-mom discussions, inspiring mom-blogs, listings of family-friendly events, contests and giveaways, product reviews and more.

“The goal is to make it easy for busy moms to find both information and support,” said Esme Infante Nii, Editor/Host and Chief Executive Mom of MomsInHawaii.com. “The partnership with Hawaii News Now will give our moms easy access to today’s news and the latest developments in parenting, helping them to make more informed decisions.”

In the coming months, the partnership will expand to include appearances by MomsInHawaii.com staff on Hawaii News Now’s “Sunrise” morning show, sharing insightful content from MomsInHawaii.com with viewers.

MomsInHawaii.com is open to everyone, and registration is free and takes just a minute. Facebook users can register for MomsInHawaii.com with just a couple of clicks.

About Moms In Hawaii
MomsInHawaii.com empowers moms by bringing them together, both online and “in real life.”   It provides information, experiences and support to keep moms and their families happy and healthy while adding enrichment and fun to their lives along the way. More information is available atwww.MomsInHawaii.com, on Facebook (Facebook.com/MomsInHawaii), on Twitter (Twitter.com/_MomsInHawaii) and on YouTube (YouTube.com/MomsInHawaii).

The first “Kanikapila in Kailua” performance will take place Saturday, May 19 and feature Waipuna, a Na Hoku Hanohano award nominee. Waipuna is an exciting collaboration of three talented musicians, Kale Hannahs, Matt Sproat and David Kamakahi. The group will perform songs from its award-nominated album “E Ho‘i Mai” and its first album “Mana‘o Pili.”

Other performers scheduled later this year include Kaukahi, Lehua Kalima and Kapena.

Through its grantmaking, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation looks for opportunities to build on the strengths of Windward Oahu communities through support of the region’s rich cultural legacy, its youth and families, and its natural resources. In the spirit of this mission, the Foundation, together with noted Windward Oahu-based musician, Kawika Kahiapo, has created this Hawaiian music performance series.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with some of the most talented musicians in Hawaii,” said Terry George, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. “The people of Kailua will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best music in the state at ‘Kanikapila in Kailua.’”

So come out with the family, pack your beach chairs, pick up dinner and enjoy an authentic Hawaiian music experience! Here are dates of the upcoming performances:

Please note that performances are subject to change. Stay posted by following us on Facebook or Twitter or visit us at www.castlefoundation.org.

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The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, the largest private foundation headquartered in Hawaii, is committed to closing the achievement and preparation gaps in public education so that all Hawaii’s children have access to high-quality pre-K-12 education that prepares them for success in college, career and citizenship. Its grants also focus on restoring nearshore marine ecosystems and strengthening Windward Oahu communities.

HONOLULU – Oahu Publications’ HILuxury magazine earned top honors in the Lifestyle & Alternative Lifestyles category at the Western Publishing Association’s (WPA) 61st Annual MAGGIE Awards. The prestigious black-tie awards gala recognizes the best magazines in the Western United States each year.

Aulani, Oahu Publications’ magazine for the new Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, was recognized for excellence as a finalist in the Best New Publication/Consumer category. Ko Olina, the magazine that takes readers through the enchantment and living history of West Oahu, was recognized for excellence as a finalist in the Annuals & One-Time Custom Publications/Trade & Consumer category.

“We are honored to earn these prestigious awards, which add a new dimension to the quality of the publications that we provide to our readers,” said Dennis Francis, president and publisher of Oahu Publications. “Our magazine division is always growing, and we thank our great team for helping us bring home these honors every year.”

Oahu Publications’ magazine division includes 101 Things to Do (Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Big Island), Aulani, Go Kailua, Halekulani Living, HILuxury,Ko Olina, Luana (Fairmont) and Ola. In January 2012, Oahu Publications launched its newest publication, Waikiki Magazine, highlighting shopping, entertainment and activities in Hawaii’s premier visitor center.

The Western Publishing Association is a nonprofit business trade association dedicated to the advancement of the media publishing industry in the Western United States. More information is available at www.wpa-online.org

Oahu Publications, Inc., is the parent company of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Honolulu’s only daily newspaper and Hawai‘i’s leading provider of in-depth, consistent and credible local news and information; MidWeek, O‘ahu’s most widely distributed weekly publication; and an expanding portfolio of lifestyle and community magazines. For more information, please visit www.oahupublications.com/magazine.

The new MCBH complex will be used as the command operations facility, air passenger terminal, and cargo terminal.  It also includes paving and site improvements associated with the new operations complex and supporting construction.  Construction is expected to begin in late 2012 and is expected to be completed by September 2014.

“dck pacific construction is proud to be a part of this project at MCAS” said Eric Tessem, Sr. VP/General Manager, “We have a strong team of personnel, designers and subcontractors, and we look forward to collaborating with NAVFAC Hawaii to ensure the success of this project.”

dck-ecc’s partnership combines the talents and resources of dck worldwide and ECC, and was created specifically to complete complex, large design-build projects in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific.  This award represents dck-ecc’s fourth win as a partnership. dck-ecc is currently constructing a $128 million contract for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at South Range, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii.

dck pacific construction, a dck worldwide company, has been a builder in Hawaii for over 73 years and, has completed numerous landmark federal projects in the Pacific.  They include the $330 million Hawaii Regional Security Operations Center at NCTAMS Pacific, the $85 million Pacific Command Headquarters at Camp Smith, and Joint Regional Command Marianas in Guam. Currently, dck pacific is constructing two projects at Pearl Harbor.

dck worldwide, LLC provides design-build, general construction, construction and program management, and project development services globally.  For more information please visit www.dckww.com.

Established in 1985, ECC provides a broad range of services to support their clients’ missions, including renewable energy, engineering, construction, design-build, environmental remediation, and munitions response services for Federal clients. ECC has been executing projects in the Pacific since 1995, and has performed more than 100 projects there over the past 16 years. For more information about ECC, please visit www.ecc.net. ECC—Never Compromising Safety

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“We are delighted to promote these two outstanding members of our team,” said Kitty Lagareta, CommPac CEO. “Shauna has done extraordinary work for an impressive number and range of clients, raising their visibility and generating much better awareness of what they do for our community. Morgan’s account management expertise and inexhaustible reserves of imagination and energy have earned her enthusiastic client praise.”

Goya joined CommPac in 2010. She had previously worked 10 years as a copy editor at The Honolulu Advertiser, serving her last couple of years posting breaking news online. She also hosted a popular blog on “weird news” called Odds and Ends and helped lead the paper’s social media efforts. She has continued the Odds and Ends blog independently and is active in social media. Born and raised in Hawaii, Goya is a graduate of Roosevelt High School and the University of Hawaii, where she earned her degree in journalism and speech.

Kaya first came to CommPac as an intern in the fall of 2005. In 2006, she became one of only a handful of former interns ever invited to join the company on a full-time basis and worked for several years in marketing services, where she was involved with many key client projects. In 2007, Morgan was promoted to account executive. She was promoted to senior account executive in 2010 and now to account supervisor. Born and raised in Hawaii, Morgan earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism, with a minor in speech communications, from the University of Nevada.

Communications Pacific is Hawaii’s leading integrated communications company, offering public relations, marketing and community building, including land use and real estate projects and other issues. Hawaii’s “go to” communicators, CommPac is a trusted advisor to clients and partners. It strives not only to bring clients success, but also, in every way possible, to strengthen communities, the economy, and the social and cultural fiber of these Islands. For more than four decades, CommPac has provided strategic – and creative – communications counsel that gets results. It is a member of IPREX, one of the largest international partnerships of independent communications firms in major markets around the globe, providing clients with global reach while working with the local expertise of its award-winning partner firms.

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Shauna Goya, Account Supervisor, Communications Pacific

Morgan Kaya, Account Supervisor, Communications Pacific

]]> http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/10/communications-pacific-promotes-goya-kaya/feed/ 0 http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/10/mcdonalds-restaurants-of-hawaii-donates-17500-to-university-of-hawaii-athletics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-restaurants-of-hawaii-donates-17500-to-university-of-hawaii-athletics http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/10/mcdonalds-restaurants-of-hawaii-donates-17500-to-university-of-hawaii-athletics/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 21:50:36 +0000 alum http://www.commpac.com/?p=1684 Continue reading →]]> HONOLULU – McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii presented a check yesterday for $17,500 to University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow, who accepted the check on behalf of the UH Athletics Department. The money was raised from the Super Sack Big Mac promotion, which ran during the 2011 football season.

“McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has been a longtime supporter of our athletics programs, and we would like to thank them for this generous donation,” said Jim Donovan, UH athletics director. “The funds raised through this partnership will benefit our student-athletes both on and off the field.”

During the promotion, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii donated $500 for each defensive sack the Warriors made on the opposing team’s quarterback. From the start to the end of the season, the Warriors scored an impressive 35 sacks, which generated $17,500 for the Athletics Department. Fans also benefited from the promotion with Super Sack Big Mac Mondays, which added a free second Big Mac^® to every Big Mac Extra Value Meal purchased each Monday following a UH game, regardless of which team won.

“We’re honored to continue this longstanding partnership with the University of Hawaii,” said Miles Ichinose, president of Golden Arches Merchants Association. “We hope the community will continue to join us in supporting the Warriors and UH Athletics.”

Fans will have yet another exciting promotion to look forward to this year, as McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii will again partner with UH Athletics for the 2012 football season.

About McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii
McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has 86 restaurants and more than 5,200 employees in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. In Hawaii alone, the company has 76 restaurants and more than 4,600 employees. McDonald’s total economic impact on the state, directly and indirectly, is about $285 million in spending and nearly 12,000 jobs in the community. McDonald’s prides itself on offering career opportunities to employees, with most managers staying with the company for more than 18 years.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi-enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

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Miles Ichinose, president of Golden Arches Merchants Association, John McNamara, University of Hawaii associate athletics director, Veronica Kaneko, president and managing director of McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii, and Norm Chow, University of Hawaii head football coach

“We are proud to support these hardworking employee-scholars as they pursue higher education and move toward their professional goals,” said Miles Ichinose, president of Golden Arches Merchants Association. “Since 1995, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has been committed to honoring outstanding employee-scholars.”

The scholarship recipients were selected based on academic achievement, community involvement and on-the-job performance. All of the winners plan to attend college this fall.

The McDonald’s Employee Scholarship Program winners for 2012 are:

Carina Aldrich — McDonald’s of Laie
Aldrich is a senior at Kahuku High School and will attend the Brigham Young University.

Asia Di Antonio — McDonald’s of Enchanted Lake
Antonio is a senior at Kailua High School and will attend Windward Community College.

Tyler Hishinuma — McDonald’s of King Street
Hishinuma is a senior at McKinley High School and will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Mary Allete Insong — McDonald’s of Ewa Beach
Insong is a senior at James Campbell High School and will attend Hawaii Pacific University.

Michelle Ross Lorica — McDonald’s of Waianae
Lorica is a senior at Waianae High School and will attend Leeward Community College.

Glory Mae Mationg — McDonald’s of Pearl City Gateway
Mationg is a senior at Waipahu High School and will attend the University of Hawaii – West Oahu.

Shiela Jean Mejellano — McDonald’s of Pearl City Gateway
Mejellano is a senior at Waipahu High School and will attend Leeward Community College.

Jacquelyn Perreira — McDonald’s of Mililani Mauka
Perreira is a senior at Waipahu High School and will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Christine Joy Rioca — McDonald’s of Waikele
Rioca is a senior at Waipahu High School and will attend Honolulu Community College.

Andrew Tansiongco — McDonald’s of Mililani Town
Tansiongco is a senior at Mililani High School and will attend Brigham Young University.

(Photo enclosed)

About McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii
McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has 86 restaurants and more than 5,200 employees in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. In Hawaii alone, the company has 76 restaurants and more than 4,600 employees. McDonald’s total economic impact on the state, directly and indirectly, is about $285 million in spending and nearly 12,000 jobs in the community. McDonald’s prides itself on offering career opportunities to employees, with most managers staying with the company for more than 18 years.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi-enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

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McDonald's Employee Scholarship Recipients

]]> http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/07/mcdonalds%ef%a3%a8-restaurants-of-hawaii-awards-25000-in-scholarships-to-10-employee-scholars/feed/ 0 http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/03/66th-annual-aloha-festivals-set-for-september-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=66th-annual-aloha-festivals-set-for-september-2012 http://www.commpac.com/2012/05/03/66th-annual-aloha-festivals-set-for-september-2012/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 19:57:53 +0000 alum http://www.commpac.com/?p=1666 Continue reading →]]> September 6, 8, 15 and 22 at Various Locations Throughout Oahu

HONOLULU – Entering its 66^th year as one of Hawai‘i’s most highly regarded and oldest cultural celebrations, the Aloha Festivals is proud to announce its theme and events for 2012. The celebration throughout September shares the history and traditions of Hawaii and the unique spirit of aloha with both kamaʻāina (local residents) and malihini (visitors). The theme for this year’s Oahu celebration is “Ho‘onui ‘Ike,” meaning “to increase knowledge, enrich,” whether through formal education, one-on-one mentoring, personal quests or other means.

The “Ho‘onui ‘Ike” theme also honors the legacy of Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop, great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, whose vision emphasizes the commitment to education, productivity and pride in cultural heritage.

“This year, we honor the Hawaiian value of ho‘onui ‘ike, which encourages people to value knowledge and wisdom in hopes of building a better future,” said Paul Tomonari, co-chair of the Aloha Festivals board of directors. “The 2012 Aloha Festivals will explore new avenues to ho‘onui ‘ike throughout Hawai‘i with its cultural events during September.”

Each Aloha Festivals event will capture ho‘onui ‘ike, both perpetuating Island culture and educating all who participate. Please join us in honoring this Hawaiian value with our events.

Following is the schedule of Aloha Festivals events:
All events are free and open to the public. The events are supported by the sale of Aloha Festivals merchandise, which will be sold at all events and at participating retailers (TBA).

Thursday, September 6
Aloha Festivals 2012 Royal Court Investiture, 3:00 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village – The Ali‘i – king, queen, prince and princess – take their place in the royal court. Court members will receive the royal cloak, helmet, head feather lei and other symbols of their reign. Traditional chant and hula kāhiko will highlight the event.

Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony, 5:00 p.m., Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove – Traditional chant and hula mark the official beginning of the Aloha Festivals events. The Aloha Festivals Royal Court will be introduced on the grounds of Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove.

Saturday, September 8
Annual Keiki Ho‘olaule‘a, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Pearlridge Center Uptown & Downtown (co-related event) – Pearlridge will celebrate Aloha Festivals with a variety of activities, demonstrations and continuous stage performances by participating keiki musical groups and hula hālau. The 2012 Aloha Festivals Royal Court will make a special appearance. For more information, visit www.pearlridgeonline.com.

Saturday, September 15
60^th Annual Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a, 7:00 p.m., Kalākaua Avenue between Lewers Street & Kapahulu Avenue – The Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a is Hawai‘i’s largest block party. Thousands of people will take to the streets along Kalākaua Avenue for food, fun and entertainment. Top Island entertainers will perform along with hula hālau while Hawaiian crafts and flower lei will be on display and available for purchase.

Saturday, September 22
66^th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, 9:00 a.m., Kalākaua Avenue from Ala Moana Park to Kapi‘olani Park – A colorful equestrian procession of pā‘ū riders, exquisite floats with cascades of Hawaiian flowers, hula hālau and marching bands will brighten Kalākaua Avenue. The parade will be livestreamed for free at www.channel808.tv/alohafestivals. 

About Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals was first held in 1946 as Aloha Week. Over the past six and a half decades it has become a celebration of Hawaiian culture, integrating the traditions and cultures of the Islands through music, dance, cuisine and art. A board of volunteers coordinates all festivities. Aloha Festivals is funded by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, corporate and private sponsorships, and sales of Aloha Festivals power bands, ribbons and merchandise.

More information about Aloha Festivals and its events can be found at www.alohafestivals.com or by calling 808-483-0730.

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