Hawaii’s largest telephone company expects to emerge from bankruptcy in 30 days

Hawaiian Telcom emerging from bankruptcy soon

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s largest telephone company says it expects to emerge from bankruptcy in 30 days.

Hawaiian Telcom made the statement Thursday while announcing its reorganization plan has been approved by the state Public Utilities Commission.

The company says it now must finalize agreements and documents that are necessary to exit Chapter 11. It filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2008.

In June 2009, Hawaiian Telcom filed a reorganization plan that it says reduced its debt from $1.1 billion to $300 million.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court orally confirmed the plan last November and issued written confirmation Dec. 30.

Hawaiian Telcom CEO Eric Yeaman says the company will develop products and services to meet customers’ changing needs.