People say Honolulu is just a big, small town. Not much goes unnoticed. Especially when the state’s most powerful politician meets privately with the leaders of the state’s largest commercial enterprise, HMSA, and the second-largest healthcare provider, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, both of which have said they want to combine operations.
That’s what took place on Wednesday evening at Morton’s, the Steakhouse, at Ala Moana Center.
Mark Mugiishi, president and CEO of Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), arrived first and was escorted into a private room off the main dining area and bar. Next came Ray Vara, president and CEO of Hawai’i Pacific Health (HPH). Then Gov. Josh Green arrived and was escorted to the private dining room where he greeted the other two. At that point, the ornate, black doors were closed behind them, and other diners at one of Honolulu’s top restaurants could only wonder about what was being discussed…