Hawai'i Pacific Health's bond rating has been raised by Moody's Investors Service because of improving financial performance.

Hawai'i Pacific, the state's largest health care provider through four hospitals, said Moody's raised its rating to A3, Moody's seventh-highest rating for long-term debt. It had been at Baa1, or the eighth highest.

The nonprofit health care provider said the upgrade was the result of four years of improving operating performance and resolution of several debt structure issues.

Hawai'i Pacific's operations include Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, Straub Clinic & Hospital and Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

HAWAI'I HOMES HIGH IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Hawai'i's homes are the most energy efficient in the nation on average, according to a ranking by Microsoft Corp.

The software giant compiled a list of average energy-efficency scores for homes in each state and found Hawai'i homes came in at 81. That compared with the national average of 61.

Called Hohm Scores, the analysis compares a home's actual and potential energy efficiency. Microsoft said its www.microsoft-hohm.com website makes available scores by ZIP code, city and state.

"The Hohm Score provides an easy way for anyone to measure their home energy efficiency, and compare it with others," said Troy Batterberry, Microsoft Hohm product unit manager.

"If each of the 60 million households improved their Hohm Score by five points, collectively that would equal an estimated $8 billion in savings a year."