The Carlyle Group Names New Phone Company Hawaiian Telcom; Launches Website with FAQs on Sale

Honolulu, HI - Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that Hawaiian Telcom will be the name of the telephone company that Carlyle agreed to purchase from Verizon on May 21, 2004. The Federal Communications Commission approved the purchase in August, and the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission is currently reviewing the transaction. The new name and logo will be used upon approval of the sale by the PUC and the closing of the transaction, expected in the first quarter of 2005.

“The name and logo reflect The Carlyle Group’s commitment to create a local, stand-alone company by returning key functional areas back to the Islands,” said William E. Kennard, Managing Director for The Carlyle Group. Kennard is in Hawaii this week for the Public Utilities Commission public hearings, the first of which is scheduled on Tuesday, October 5th.

The new name and corresponding logo are the result of input from Hawaii’s large and small businesses and consumers. The OmniTrak Group, an independent local market research firm, conducted the research, and Milici Valenti Ng Pack Advertising developed the logo.

“The shape of the logo and the palette of blues and greens create a distinctive look. The round shapes symbolize an endless circle of clear communication, signifying the goal of Hawaiian Telcom to provide a means of unbroken communication for people within Hawaii and beyond. The layout of the circles is an abstract depiction of the major islands of the Hawaiian Island chain,” said Nick Ng Pack, president and CEO of Milici Valenti Ng Pack Advertising.

In addition to the new company name and logo, The Carlyle Group has established a website with frequently asked questions relating to the sale. The website address is www.askcarlyle.com and also allows the public to email their questions.

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