Business briefs for July 9, 2004

Friday, July 9, 2004 | 10:56 a.m.

Sales, construction begin

Marriott Vacation Club International, the vacation ownership division of Marriott International Inc., announced Thursday the start of sales and construction for its first timeshare resort in Nevada.

Marriott's Grand Chateau will include 888 units in four, connected, 38-story towers at 75 E. Harmon, just east of Las Vegas Boulevard near the Hawaiian Marketplace. Opening prices range from $10,140 to $29,900 per week of deeded ownership, depending on the season purchased. Occupancy for the first tower is slated for October 2005.

Insurer files plan to enter Hawaii market

HONOLULU -- A Las Vegas-based health insurer has filed a proposed rate plan in its effort to enter Hawaii's health care market.

Summerlin Life & Health Insurance Co. would be the first health insurer to enter the Hawaii market in at least a decade.

Summerlin initially will introduce three plans for businesses -- two comprehensive health plans and a preferred provider organization, or PPO, plan, officials said.

Summerlin expects to eventually unveil a plan for individuals and one specifically for children.

Details of Summerlin's rates weren't released.

Summerlin would compete against the state's two main health insurers -- the Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser Permanente.

HMSA has more than 60 percent of the Hawaii market and Kaiser 25 percent. The rest is taken by the Hawaii Management Alliance Association and University Health Alliance, according to state Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt.

"Consumers will now have some added choices," said Paul Tom, president of Honolulu-based Benefit Plan Consultants and chairman of the state's Prepaid Health Care Advisory Council. But he said he doesn't know how much of an impact the newcomer will have.