February 21, 1999
Big Island energy project leads to expanded work force plus training

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

A local job training effort more than doubled its workforce in one program this month, providing hope not only for the workers but also for those seeking a locally manufactured system to generate electricity and hot water.

Max Goldberger, deputy director for science and technology at HCEOC (Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council), described the program, which uses glass vacuum tubes about five feet long and four inches or so in diameter.

As so often happens in science, one project leads too another. The HCEOC project started as a hot-water system and progressed to an electrical generator. "HCEOC began experimenting with thermoelectric systems. We evaluated three systems of evacuated tubes originally meant only to generate hot water," Goldberger said. "George Yokoyama -- head of HCEOC -- asked me to investigate building a tube to generate electricity and produce hot water.

"HCEOC began experimenting with thermoelectric systems. We evaluated three systems of evacuated tubes originally meant only to generate hot water," Goldberger said. "George Yokoyama -- head of HCEOC -- asked me to investigate building a tube to generate electricity and produce hot water.

"We now are working on producing our own tube that can run in the daytime on solar energy and at night it can be switched over to whatever fuel is available."

Seishi Okabayashi runs the HCEOC production facility near Hilo Harbor where tubes are made, aluminum cut, and the whole thing assembled with a parabolic mirror and tracking device.

Charlie Narida is foreman on the energy project. He has been with the program for four years prior to which he worked for Hamakua Sugar as a diesel mechanic.

Russell Omija is Narida's assistant. Previously, Omija worked in HCEOC frog project. He learned all the energy production technology on the job.

The total staff of the project until this month consisted of Okabayashi, Narida, Omija and an RSVP volunteer. Since entering the production phase, a welder has been hired and six people have entered the training program.

"We want to create jobs. We take unemployed people, people on welfare, and provide the job training," Goldberger said.

"We've just started to go beyond experimentation and into production," Okabayashi said. Semiconductors are sandwiched within the tube then one side is heated and one side cooled. Water passes through the tube, producing hot water, and the heat generates electricity.

"The bigger the difference in temperature, the higher the voltage," Okabayashi said. "The electricity can be used directly or stored in batteries."

One unit produces approximately 200 watts therefore to produce one kilowatt, one would need five units of the tube, mirror and tracking device. Common household use is 2 to 3 kw. A clothes washer about 200 watts, a dryer, 1 to 2 kw, according to Okabayashi.

A new production facility will be built near the HCEOC headquarters on Rainbow Drive. Okabayashi and Goldberger hope it will be completed in three to four months.

"We will expand the factory and sell tubes. It all depends on how competitive we can be. Maybe we can become cheaper than photovoltaic," Goldberger said. "We need people with special talents for this project."

Already Goldberger has found an experienced glass blower.

"People from the Subaru telescope have said they will help to build the "black box" - the brain to move the parabolic mirror (under vacuum tube) to follow the sun by computer," Okabayashi said.

Another product from the factory is a thermoelectric generator Model 100 (watts), which runs on propane.

"There are no moving parts. It makes no noise," said Goldberger. "You can have a little generator as if for camping. It charges a 12 volt battery and gives hot water for showers."

Cost of thermoelectric generator model 100 watt is around $400 and cost of theremoelectric evacuated tube model is $500 per unit.

Goldberger, a genuine rocket scientist, formerly was research director for Pioneer in Manchester, Connecticut. He came to Hawai`i 12 years ago to help Yokoyama on a solar array in Panaewa. He has worked on energy projects for more than 30 years.

In the late 1960s, Goldberger received a patent on a 100-watt fuel cell, which ran on hydrazine and converted chemical energy directly to electricity.

"There are lots of isolated places where you need power - but there's no power line to supply it," David N. Abrams said in 1970 when he was president of Pioneer. "For example, to monitor pipelines across the desert or Arctic tundra, for microwave relay station in the Andes - or for two-way radios on offshore drilling rigs."

"The Big Island is kind of like Singapore after World War II," Goldberger said citing that country's government-supported efforts to develop high tech industry. "They looked for something that took little material and gave high value."

Okabayashi was a maritime captain, working on large vessels such as oil carriers and LPG tankers for 15 years. He then worked in an office on the US mainland for almost 10 years, four in Indiana and six in Seattle.

"I was looking for Paradise. Hilo looks different than other places in Hawaii," Okabayashi said.

Comparing himself to Goldberger, he noted, "I am not a true scientist, but I'm a good operator."

The three tube models evaluated included a short tube (four feet long) from France; six-foot tube from England and now produced on the east coast by Thermomax; and six-foot tube with larger diameter from Japan (Nippon Electric). The Japanese model is a direct heater in that water goes through the whole tube. The European models take generated heat to top of the tube and heat water at a condenser so water doesn't go through the tube.

For more information, contact Okabayashi by e-mail energy@interpac.net or telephone Goldberger at HCEOC, 961-2681.

Waste management studies

Recycle Hawai`i, working with County of Hawai`i Department of Public Works data, just completed the first step in a one-year solid waste project: a full cost accounting for the county's municipal solid waste.

"The results indicate we are paying nearly $80 a ton, excluding commercial and household hauling costs. 74 percent of that cost is covered by taxpayers, hidden in the property tax.," said Laurel Dekker, executive director of Recycle Hawai`i. "For 130,000 people on the island, the cost equates to $90 per person per year. When the Hilo landfill closes due to full capacity, the costs will be significantly higher. Then current management and cost recovery, or payment, systems will no longer be appropriate."

A Recycle Hawai`i project, a series of public informational meetings, is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with the community to find a waste management system that meets community goals and covers necessary costs. Partners include EPA, County of Hawai`i Department of Public Works, State of Hawai`i Department of Health and an ad hoc Hawai`i Island Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

For more details, look at the web site www.recyclehawaii.org or contact Dekker at laurel@recyclehawaii.org or write P. O. Box 4847, Hilo HI 96720 or telephone 961-2676.

E-school conference

The 2nd annual technology in education conference will be held on O`ahu at the Sheraton Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian Hotels Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12. The conference also will be available on-line.

Keynote speakers include Jeffrey Hong, a Kailua High School graduate currently with Microsoft Consulting Services Southern California/Hawai`i; Dr. Sara Armstrong, director of content for the George Lucas Educational Foundation; and David Katz, global education industry manager at 3Com Corporation.

There are more than 50 one-hour sessions available that do not require advance registration and 12 two-hour workshops with limited enrollment that do require advance registration. Topics include Project Marsville, technology and telecommunication for teachers, collaborative music -- Hawai`i and Samoa, partnerships for workforce development, Federal grants and funding, multimedia secrets and global learning networks.

Poster sessions, exhibits and social time round out the agenda.

The conference is sponsored by the Hawai`i State Department of Education E-School, GTE Hawaiian Tel, PSRTEC, PREL, Microsoft and MHPCC.

On-line registration is available at www.k12.hi.us/~eschool and the cost is $55 per day or $10 for on-line conference. If you have questions, contact Vicki Kajioka at vkajioka@k12.hi.us or Donna Shiroma at dshiroma@k12.hi.us or fax requests to (808) 733-4730.

Other activities

Today (Feb. 21) is the fifth annual poultry symposium until 4 p.m. at Komohana Agricultural Complex.

A don't-miss-it event to get on your calendars early is the Big Island Association of Nurserymen 19th annual spring plant sale at Edith Kanaka`ole Tennis Stadium Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6. Hours are Friday 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a BIG one, filling the huge stadium with all kinds of plants.

"New plants featured include a tropical rhododendron from Kauai, a new `ilima, several new bromeliads, a new impatiens called `Orange Glow' that looks like and orchid and 14 varieties of `awa," said Allie Atkins of Lehua Lena Nursery.

"The BIAN sale will feature both drought tolerant plants while still supplying our rainy day favorites. Fruit trees, blooming annuals, house plants, native Hawaiian plants, orchids, herbs and day lilies are all part of the biggest plant sale on the Big Island."

Applications are available for the 8th annual Math-Science conference to be held Wednesday, March 17, at UH-Hilo from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The conference "Into the World of Tomorrow" is for seventh-grade girls and is sponsored by the American Association of University Women and the Girl Scout Council of Hawai`i.

Volcanology, air traffic control, field archaeology and aquaculture are among 26 workshop choices. Speakers are all women prominent in their fields.

A maximum of 125 girls can be accommodated. A nominal registration fee is required and scholarships are available.

For further information, contact intermediate school counselors, or for girls in home schooling programs, contact coordinators Alberta Lindsay, 961-4688, or Alberta Dobbe, 935-3130.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to focus@hawaii-island.com

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February 14, 1999
Washington looking at farmer problems caused in food-stamp change

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Mike Rankin, operator of Hilo Farmers Market, has returned from Washington DC where he attended an invitation-only meeting with government officials working to solve problems with the new Electronic Benefits Transfer program (EBT) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"It was an honor to participate with this group of government and private sector folks who know there are problems with the program and are working to fix them," Rankin said.

The recent round table was set up by USDA Under Secretary Shirley R. Watkins of the Food Nutrition and Consumer Service. Fifteen individuals from across the nation, four of whom are connected to Farmers Markets, were brought to the meeting by USDA.

Rankin was asked to attend as the innovator of a nationally unique way to use a specially designed card in place of food stamps, which are no longer issued. The pilot project involves an arrangement approved by the federal government and state agencies.

No final solution was reached by those attending, but Rankin expressed optimism that the problem has high-level attention and there seems to be determination to solve the difficulties the new EBT program has posed for small farmers across the nation.

In addition to the 15 invitees, USDA round table participants included representatives from the Food Nutrition and Consumer Service, Rural Development, Agricultural Marketing Service, Farm Service Agency, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Office of the Chief Economist and Research, Education and Economics agencies. More than a year ago, local farmers' market managers began expressing concern that the EBT system would adversely affect both customers and farmers in markets where electricity and telephone lines were not available to run the point-of-sale machines. After the program was implemented in June 1998, many vendors at the Hilo Farmers Market reported a steep decline in sales. Ulf Wiel-Berggren's fruit stand noted sales were off 15 to 20 percent and Charlotte Hamada estimated fish sales were off as much as 40 percent. In late-June 1998, state director of Human Services Susan Chandler met with farmers and customers on the Big Island. Efforts to find a solution picked up speed. In September 1998, a six-month pilot program approved by the USDA allowed EBT customers to obtain "coupons" at a central location where one point of sale machine and a telephone line were installed for use in the Hilo Farmers Market.

"Sales are coming back," Rankin said, "but I think it will take a full year to get back to where we were."

National credit union award to Ka`u

Congratulations to the Ka`u Federal Credit Union on receiving the Louis Herring Credit Union Philosophy in Action Award from the Credit Union National Association, the first Hawai`i credit union to receive this national recognition.

Manager Bernard Balsis cited the hard work and team effort of all the staff and volunteers. Ka`u Federal Credit Union expanded financial services in the district of Ka`u opening a new office in Ocean View. In addition the Pahala office went on-line. The home office is in Na`alehu.

Other activities

The economic development committee of the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce will hear about the state of the dairy industry on the Big Island and throughout the state at the committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Ed Boteilho of Cloverleaf Dairy in Kohala, Ben Sadeghi of Island Dairy in Ahualoa, Ernest Souza of S&S Dairy in Ka`u and Cooperative Extension Service agent Michael DuPonte will be on hand for the luncheon meeting at noon in the Sandalwood Room II, Hawai`i Naniloa Resort. Contact Lorraine at the Chamber for reservations, 953-7178.

The Big Island Woodworkers Guild annual West Hawai`i Wood Show continues through Saturday, Feb. 20, at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

Awards were presented in furniture, turning and sculpture categories as well as a special category for work using locally grown introduced species to promote sustainable forestry, which was sponsored by the Hawai`i Forest Industry Association.

For more information on the Guild and future shows, contact Tai Lake, 324-1598, or Steve Hicks, 885-7769.

Computer game wizards will want to check out the Quake II tournament at Bytes and Bites, 223 Kilauea Avenue, in Hilo on Saturday, Feb. 20, starting at 10 a.m. Entry deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Entry fee is $15. Prizes will be awarded: $50 for first place, $25 for second place and $15 for third place. For more details, contact Dave at Bytes and Bites, 935-3520.

Wonderful music starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Kilauea Theatre Saturday, Feb. 20, featuring the swing slack key of Hanalei Trio with steel guitarist Ken Emerson plus opening tunes from Volcano's own Rupert Tripp. Season tickets now are on sale at the Volcano Art Center, a very good idea given that Puamana, founded by Irmgard Farden Aluli, will perform Saturday, March 13.

Call 967-8222 for information and a 1999 season brochure.

The fifth annual poultry symposium, sponsored by the Big Island Game Breeders Association in cooperation with UHM-CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, will be held Sunday, Feb. 21, at Komohana Agricultural Complex from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guest speakers include Bill Keller, director of public relations and past president of the United Game Breeders Association. Poultry competition follows the morning presentations with judging by Dr. Cordel Chang.

For more details, contact Mike DuPonte, 959-9155.

Sunday, Feb. 21, the Hawai`i Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society meets at the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo. Picnic lunch at noon followed by meeting at 1 p.m.

"The zoo under Tilthon Sugi's direction is becoming a world class rain forest botanical garden," said club president Mitch Mitchell. "A magnificent palm collection of more than 100 plants donated by the Hawai`i Island Palm Society is now well established. The Bamboo Society also is making great progress with their plans. We will have a chance to tour what these societies have done and discuss possible ways our group might participate." For more details on vireya rhododendron growers and membership information, contact Mitchell at 967-7209.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to kt@hawaii-island.com

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February 7, 1999
February brings a flush of parties, festivals and joy to Big Island folks

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year's, Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras celebrations quickly approach.

Island-wide, there are activities for every interest to please your honey.

Consider an evening of jazz with Bay City Bop Friday, Feb. 12, at Fiascos in Hilo at 5 p.m. The quintet appears upstairs. Members are "Gheeza" McGhee, percussion; Robin Jensen, sax; Mark Mallory, keyboard; Michael Martin, drums and Ed Michel, bass.

"We've played together off and on for three or four years and really enjoy each other's company," said Gheeza. "Bay City Bop was formed recently. We'll be at Fiascos on Fridays for several weeks."

Fiascos owner John Clark said, "We learned about Bay City Bop through our sound man. They appeared at Borders in Hilo and many people mentioned how good they were." "I was weaned on jazz on the east coast," Gheeza said. "I want to do what I enjoy for money instead of having a job to support my love for music. Many years ago when I moved to the Big Island an old timer told me 'If a man starves on this island, he's a fool.' There's abundance here.

"Many people are not aware of the history of jazz. Those who appreciate the music are very loyal."

Call 935-7666 for further details and reservations. Cover charge is $3 and dinner service is available.

How about an evening of rock and roll? Ralph Black and Mid Life Crisis appear at Fiascos Saturday, Feb. 13, and at the Mardi Gras Grand Ball Saturday, Feb. 27.

Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday" or "Shrove Tuesday" or, locally, "Malasada Tuesday," is the day before the beginning of Lent. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 17, but Hilo's 13th annual Mardi Gras will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26 and 27.

King David Reed, owner and manager with his wife Christine of Petroglyph Press, Old Town Printers and Basically Books, and Queen Patty Sue Nielsen, co-owner and manager of Orchid Village Restaurant in Waiakea Villas, will preside at festivities in the Palace Theatre Friday and at the Mardi Gras ball Saturday.

The Orchid Village Restaurant will be the site for the gala ball, which runs from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Money raised from all activities will benefit the Palace Theatre and the East Hawai`i Cultural Center. The celebration is co-sponsored by Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and Hawai`i County Department of Research and Development.

Contact the Orchid Village, 933-7600, Nielsen, 969-3398, or Reed, 935-8927, for more information and reservations.

Roussel's at Waikoloa Village, which is not usually open for dinner on Sundays, will open on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) for "Sweetheart" dinner specials starting at 5 p.m.

Usually, Spencer Oliver, one of the originators of Hilo's celebration, would plan a Mardi Gras festivity, but "we just got too busy this year. We'll be back on top of things with our annual St. Patrick's Day golf tournament and corn beef and cabbage dinner in March."

Call 883-9644 for details and reservations.

Some super bargains on special stuff?

Major Carol Ganot and her tireless staff announce the grand opening of the new Salvation Army Thrift Shop in the old True Value Hardware store in Waimea Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Among special items are Wind on Water wardrobe and accessories, furniture, appliances, jewelry, designer clothing, shoes and handbags.

The Thrift Shop will be open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, call 885-0508.

If your Valentine is enamored of Hawaiian arts and crafts, a quilt show in Waimea and a lauhala gathering in Kona might be just the right thing.

Waimea's 27th Hawaiian quilt show, sponsored by Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14, at Kahilu Town Hall. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday with free admission.

This year, quilters from throughout the state and US mainland are expected to participate. Nearly 40 never-before-seen quilts and wall hangings by Waimea quilters will be featured along with six antique quilts including two historic Hawaiian flag quilts and two treasured pieces from Scott Seymour's family collection.

Sarah Keahi Kao`o Smythe, Scott Seymour's maternal grandmother, briefly was imprisoned with Queen Lili`uokalani. Sarah posed as a feather lei maker, but was, in fact, a kahuna. Both Seymour quilts were made by her. One depicts his tutu's association with the queen as the design depicts electric chandeliers at I`olani Palace. Seymour will be on hand to talk about the family quilts.

There will be how-to sessions, pattern tracing and sales of patterns, quilts and quilt kits. Activities also include strolling singers from Waimea's Hawaiian Civic Club and a fund-raising food booth by Punana Leo.

For more information, contact pring@gte.net or telephone Chung Pring, 882-7590. Hawaiian chanter, composer and award-winning recording artist Keali`i Reichel will appear in concert at the Kona Surf Resort Saturday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. to benefit Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona, a non-profit educational group. Organized by Elizabeth Lee, Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona preserves and perpetuates the Hawaiian art of lauhala weaving. Weavers from throughout the state will exhibit and sell their work prior to each concert.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, if there are any left! Contact Cook's Discoveries, 885-3633, Kealoha Sugiyama, 889-0171, or Donna Jensen, 885-7871.

Two days of classes are set for the same time for beginners, intermediate and advanced weavers. Pre-registration is a requirement as there is room for only 100 students. This is a prelude to the annual workshop in May.

For more information on the classes, call 325-5592.

For the horse lovers, activities are scheduled in Waimea and Panaewa.

The sixth annual US Team Roping Championship Hawai`i qualifier will be held Saturday through Monday, Feb. 13-15, at Hale Kea Farms from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This event usually attracts more than 100 teams from throughout the United States.

For more information, contact Zanga Schutte, 885-7881.

Hale Kea Farms annual roping competition begins Saturday March 6 and continues on Saturdays April 17, May 8 and May 29. Contact Zanga Schutte, 885-7881.

The Panaewa Stampede Rodeo will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14, at the Panaewa Equestrian Center. Slack roping starts on Saturday at 8 a.m. followed by the full program at noon. Sunday hours begin at 11 a.m.

Events include "roping, calves, bulls, broncs and barrels," according to Nancy Cabral, who also mentioned onolicious food concessions.

The rodeo is sponsored by the Hawai`i Horse Owners Association with assistance from Hilo Jaycees. Tickets are $5 in advance from the Jaycees or $6 at the gate. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free.

The year of the rabbit will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Hawai`i Naniloa Hotel.. Sponsored by the Chinese Civic Association, the banquet will be prepared by Ting Hao Restaurant. The year of the rabbit officially begins Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Festivities begin with no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by program and dinner at 6:30 p.m. A limited number of "gao" packages and flowering narcissus plants will be available for purchase as well as a commemorative Year of the Rabbit T-shirt designed by Sig Zane.

For more information and reservations, contact Bea Lau, 935-3211.

In Waimea, a Chinese martial arts demonstration, lion dance from store to store and good fortune fireworks by the Au Shaolin Arts School will be held from 4-5 p.m. in the Waimea Center court area Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will continue the celebration Tuesday, Feb. 16, with lion dance, fireworks and a China Moon Buffet Dinner, starting at 6 p.m.

Call 882-5810 for details and reservations.

Also known as the Year of the Cat in Vietnam, the year is "much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger," according to Theodora Lau in The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.

"Good taste and refinement will shine on everything and people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat again. We will act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty."

It's getting mighty close to Valentine's Day to ship flowers to loved one's on the mainland. Try Alika's Big Island Tropical Flower Farms at the web site http://hawaii-island.com/flowers or e-mail alikas@ilhawaii.net or from the mainland call toll-free 1-800-FARMS. Another member of the Hawai`i Florist & Shippers Association is `Ilima Flower, which has a job training program to benefit the handicapped. Contact `Ilima Flowers at (808) 982-9852 in Hawaiian Paradise Park or facsimile (808) 982-7818.

Other activities

A workshop on timber harvesting will be presented by the UH-Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Management on Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Hakalau Community Center.

Plans to harvest 20-year-old eucalyptus and albizia plantations on private, former agricultural lands will be presented along with information on how well-planned harvests minimize environmental impact.

Trees will be harvested and replanted in summer 1999 as part of an ongoing research project into the sustainability and environmental effect of forest plantations.

A team of harvesting specialists will be in Hawai`i and will work with local experts to plan the harvest and present the workshop.

Topics to be covered include past harvest studies conducted by C. Brewer, harvest planning, equipment for use in Hawai`i for harvesting and Hawaii's best management practices for maintaining water quality.

For more details and to register, contact J.B. Friday, forestry extension specialist, located at the Cooperative Extension Service office in Hilo via e-mail jbfriday@hawaii.edu or telephone 959-9155.

Every Wednesday in February from 3-5 p.m., the Puna Outdoor Circle invites children from ages 5 to 11 to join in the Keiki Garden project in Pahoa.

Space is limited and applications are being accepted by calling 965-6626.

Children will be provided with scaled-down tools, seeds and ready-made raised beds, as well as adult supervision, and will be taught to garden organically.

The program has been funded in part by a "Clean Up Green Up" grant from Foodland. Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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January 31 , 1999
Dealing with earthquakes, minimizing damage studied Saturday

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Magnitude six earthquake...thousands injured and dead...damage in the millions... The news could be from Columbia as it was last week or from San Francisco as it was in 1989 -- or from Hawai`i!

All of our islands are subject to earthquakes, some more than others. What can be done to minimize risks and increase our community's ability to respond to such an emergency?

A symposium on earthquakes will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at UH-Hilo Campus Center from 9 a.m. to noon. The symposium is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) and the UH-Hilo Department of Geology with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Topics to be covered include: what causes earthquakes globally and on our island; local earthquake history; Kilauea's fault system; Civil Defense responsibilities; how to prepare your home and your family for an earthquake; and more.

Speakers include Harry Kim of Hawai`i County Civil Defense, Dr. Carl Johnson of UH-Hilo Geology Department, Virginia MacDonald architect and Volcano area resident, Dr. Paul Okubo seismologist with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Afaq Sarwar of Sarwar Structural Engineering.

"We were in Volcano in 1983 when a 6.7 earthquake hit and shook for more than a minute," said Virginia MacDonald. "We were in an older home at the time and never thought we'd get out alive. The home is still there, but I wouldn't want to be in another earthquake in it."

No deaths were reported after the November 16, 1983, earthquake, but damage estimates exceeded $2.5 million in Hilo and in the National Park area, according to Harold T. Stearns in Geology of the State of Hawai`i.

MacDonald noted an additional economic impact. "Following that quake, banks wouldn't loan money on homes in the area for several years. It's not the area that's high risk. It's faulty construction that's high risk."

Proper construction techniques are among topics to be covered at the symposium. MacDonald also mentioned several simple things that can be done to minimize damage within a home such as installing "baby latches" on kitchen cupboards and adding a rim to shelves.

HVO seismologist Paul Okubo praised CSAV for "outreach to increase awareness of natural hazards to which the community is exposed. The more people understand about earthquakes, the more we can improve the community's ability to deal with it in terms of prevention as well as recovery. The symposium will provide a little bit of the science of the process as well as some of the effects."

US scientific observations of Hawai`i County's volcanoes dates back to 1912, according to Okubo, when Dr. Thomas A. Jagger had a small field laboratory affiliated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Hawaiian Volcano Observatory became part of USGS I think in the late 1940s," Okubo said.

What's going on during an earthquake? In Volcanoes in the Sea: The Geology of Hawai`i by Gordon Macdonald, Agatin T. Abbott and Frank L. Peterson has the following description:

"When stress builds up within rocks in the earth's crust, wither in response to tectonic forces along faults or from volcanic activity, the rocks deform by bending. This bending cannot continue indefinitely, however, and eventually the weakest rocks will reach their breaking point and rupture.

"When rupture occurs, elastic energy stored in the rock is suddenly released, partly as heat and partly as elastic waves. These waves are the vibrations we feel during an earthquake. The site of initial failure is called the earthquake focus (or hypocenter), and the point on the surface directly above the focus is termed the epicenter."

The authors describe three basic kinds of earthquake waves. Primary and shear or secondary waves travel only within the body of the earth. When these waves reach earth's surface, both side-to-side and up-and-down motion occurs that then travels across the earth's surface and is known as a surface wave.

"It is the sum of all the motions of the body and surface waves that we feel during an earthquake."

"[Primary] Earthquake waves travel much faster than waves at sea," said Richard W. Hazlett and Donald W. Hyndman in Roadside Geology of Hawai`." "Earthquake waves travel about as far in a minute as a tsunami does in an hour."

The size of an earthquake is described in two ways: intensity and magnitude. The modified Mercalli scale is the most commonly used intensity scale, which describes damage. The Richter scale is the most commonly used scale of magnitude, which describes energy released.

The Richter scale measures surface land movement 60 miles from the epicenter and is logarithmic. That is, a magnitude seven quake moves land 10 times farther than a magnitude six quake, 100 times farther than a magnitude five quake, and so on. On the Richter scale, a magnitude six is considered a destructive earthquake, a magnitude seven a major earthquake and a magnitude eight or more a great earthquake.

The Mercalli scale is quite descriptive in each area from one through 12 (I through XII). For example, a VII, equivalent perhaps to Richter five, says, "Everyone runs outdoors. Poorly built structures considerably damaged; slight damage elsewhere." A Mercalli IX is described as "All buildings considerably damaged, many shift off foundations. Noticeable cracks in ground."

In Stearns geology reference, he noted, "During the 20th century a number of major earthquakes have been recorded. On January 22, 1938, an earthquake registering 6.7, with its epicenter in the ocean north of the Island of Maui, caused more that $200,000 damage on Maui. On August 21, 1951, an earthquake registering 6.75 occurred in the Kona District on the Island of Hawai`i, destroying 20 buildings. On November 29, 1975, an earthquake registering 7.2 occurred in the Puna District causing a local tsunami and killing two people."

The 1975 earthquake, according to Stearns, was " the second most severe in Hawaii's history." The epicenter was near Kalapana and it hit at 4:48 a.m.

"It caused a short eruption in Halema`uma`u and generated a tsunami 18 feet high, which damaged a restaurant and several homes at Punalu`u in the Ka`u District. Total damage from the temblor and wave was estimated at $3 million. The beach at Halape Campground, on the south shore of Kilauea, subsided several feet where 36 campers were asleep. Two men were drowned there and 19 injured. Horizontal changes along the shore amounted to 18.5 feet. The whole south side of Kilauea moved seaward to cause a gain in land area of 28 acres, but coastal subsidence of 13 acres reduced the net gain to only 15 acres. Only the April 2, 1868 earthquake, estimated at 7.7, was stronger."

The great earthquake of 1868 caused a "huge debris avalanche [to] burst from the walls of Wood Valley. It swept away ten houses, and killed 42 people and hundreds of cattle," according to Hazlett and Hyndman. The valley still is known to many local residents as "mud flats."

The Richter scale, named after American seismologist Charles Francis Richter, was refined after 1979. Until that time, a magnitude 8.5 was thought to be the most powerful possible. With the advent of new seismic measuring techniques, a magnitude 9.5 now is considered to be the practical limit.

According to Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia, "On the basis of the newly refined scale, the magnitude of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake has been revised from 8.3 to 7.9, while the Alaskan earthquake of 1964 has been upgraded from 8.4 to 9.2." The Mercalli scale, named for Italian seismologist Giuseppe Mercalli, was introduced at the turn of the 20th century. "Events of intensities II to II [Mercalli] are roughly equivalent to quakes of magnitude 3 to 4 on the Richter scale, and XI to XII on the Mercalli scale can be correlated with magnitudes 8 to 9 on the Richter scale.

"On January 16, 1995, an earthquake severely damaged Kobe, Japan, killing more than 4,000 people and leaving more than 275,000 people homeless. The earthquake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and lasted 20 seconds. On May 28, 1995, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Neftegorsk, Russia, an oil-producing town on Sakhalin Island in the far eastern part of the country. The earthquake caused great destruction, killing more than 2,000 people and demolishing blocks of apartment buildings."

The earthquake symposium speakers will be available for questions and discussion. Coffee and cookies will be served.

The earthquake symposium is the third in a series of natural hazard sessions funded by a FEMA grant. CSAV previously presented seminars on tsunami and hurricanes. Another session on lava flows is tentatively set for April.

For further information on the earthquake symposium, contact CSAV at 974-7631. For more details on HVO, refer to http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov which is its web site.

Virginia MacDonald also is involved in a workshop on building more economically and sustainably to be held in Kona and Hilo in mid-February. The gatherings are sponsored by architects and contractors.

"The University of Hawai`i, with permission, has reproduced a State booklet on what the law requires," MacDonald said. "We will have that material available as well as discuss ways to design with daylight to reduce daytime electric light expenses, ways to design with natural air conditioning, and the least toxic ways to protect yourself from termites."

The workshop in Hilo will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a location to be announced shortly. The Kona session will be held at NELHA Friday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"This and the earthquake symposium are most important for our home builders. You may think you're a crackerjack builder and you've got a perfectly safe house, but if it's not safe, what about your children asleep in their beds?"

For more information, contact MacDonald, at 967-7375

Other activities

February 6 is a busy day all over the island.

Waimea Outdoor Circle's eighth annual plant sale will be held at the New Hope Church Gym next to the Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Be aware, highway improvements are still underway and allow sufficient time for travel. Proceeds from the Outdoor Circle sale will benefit many Waimea beautification efforts including landscaping the new highway improvements, landscaping Anue`nue Playground, and replacing damaged trees.

If you would like to donate plants or volunteer labor for the sale, call Dodie Zuke, 885-7279.

Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 and 7, the Hawai`i High School Rodeo Association Big Island District continues its annual round of competition at Parker Ranch Arena.

"Great rodeo and good kaukau too," said Patty Cook.

The Hilo Orchid Society will meet Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Komohana Agricultural Complex. The program will include a talk by Lloyd DeGarmo on American Orchid Society judging standards.

For more information on the Hilo Orchid Society, membership and programs, contact president Floyd Lundquist at 982-6228.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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January 24, 1999
Founding principles of deep-sea water value marked in Kona

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Deep ocean water seminars, an "open house" at a demonstration facility and announcement of the 1999 honoree are all part of the Common Heritage Corporation's anniversary celebration this week.

"When Senator Richard Matsuura visited the CHC demonstration in 1995, he realized that a world class breakthrough in agriculture had occurred. On the original team of scientists who pioneered the Green Revolution, Matsuura coined the term "Blue-Green Revolution," said John Craven and Jack Davidson of CHC in Makai, a newsletter of the University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College program.

As described on CHC's web site, "Quite simply, black plastic irrigation pipe is embedded in agricultural soil at a depth which corresponds to the root depth of the species to be cultivated. Deep ocean water is passed through these pipes and heavy condensation is induced. A thermal gradient between root and fruit is produced which pumps nutrients into the plant at a rate which is perhaps three times greater than that produced by nature in spring or fall."

Makai noted "Visitors to the CHC facility on Saturday, Jan. 30, will see an integrated system demonstrating the remarkable economies of using the properties of deep ocean water. This system includes use of deep ocean water for fresh water production; air conditioning; chilling fruit, vegetables and fish; cold water agriculture and using the residual cold and nutrients of the deep ocean water for cold water sea vegetable and fish production.

"Although the experimental scale of operations has not permitted quantification of the cost of this form of agriculture, the cost of water for the half acre demonstration farm is negligible. Amortized costs for deep ocean water will run about 10 cents for 1,000 gallons. This compares with about $1.00 per 1,000 gallons in dry climate areas. Of greater significance is the fact that once chilled the ground loses very little heat and the water flow required to maintain this temperature is consequently small."

More than 100 fruits, vegetables and herbs have been tested in the CHC garden. All have rapid growth and high yield with high sugar and aromatic content.

Hours at CHC's demonstration facility Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i Authority (NELHA) at Keahole Point near Kona airport. Hawai`i Sea Grant and the UH Marine Option Program will host two seminars on the application of deep ocean water systems. Thursday, Jan. 28, the seminar will be held in Honolulu at the UH Marine Sciences Building room 100. Friday, Jan. 29, the seminar will be held at NELHA. Both sessions run from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Seminar Leader is Dr. James Sullivan, Director of the University of California Sea Grant College Program who will speak on "Hawai`i's Deep Ocean Water Future." Speakers include Dr. John P. Craven, President and CEO Blue of Common Heritage Corporation, "Lessons from Experience in Installing Deep Ocean Water Systems"; Dr. Joe Van Ryzin, President and CEO of Makai Ocean Engineering, "Industrial Perspective of Deep Ocean Water Systems"; Dr. Ted Johnson, Director of Marine Systems at Lockheed Martin Corporation, "A Complete System for the Revitalization of Haiti"; Dr. Gerard P. Pereira, President and CEO of Energies Naturelles (Energinat, S.A.), "On Knowledge Acquired in Operating the World's First Deep Ocean Water Garden"; and Jon Biloon, Master Gardener, Chief of Operations CHC Demonstration Garden.

The Common Heritage Corporation was established in 1990 by Dr. John P. Craven, for the purpose of developing environmentally sustainable ocean resources for the benefit of the common heritage. Common heritage was legally defined for the first time in the United Nations Treaty on the Law of the Sea, which came into force in 1994, according to the company's web site. The corporation is organized as a profit making corporation of the State of Hawai`i, its mission is to establish self-sufficient environmentally, economically and culturally sustainable communities in coastal zones and islands having access to deep ocean water.

The seabed as part of the "common heritage of mankind" is a principle embodied in the international Law of the Sea treaty negotiated in the 1970s. Craven was director of the Law of the Sea Institute at the University of Hawai`i in the early 1980s.

"From the beginning, the seabed was more than just an issue. It was a vision -- 'the common heritage of mankind.' A leader in the conference spoke of the seabed as affording a chance for small countries to participate in the mainstream of the 20th century. And it afforded a chance to create a cooperative world project," wrote William Wertenbaker in the New Yorker magazine, August 1, 1983., the first of a two-part, extremely detailed review of more than 14 years of negotiations.

CHC's work is enhanced by its developmental facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i (NELHA) and the other facilities of that laboratory for the conduct of pilot and prototype studies.

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i was founded in 1974 by Gov. John Burns and. Craven in his capacity as marine affairs coordinator of the state. Craven continued in the role of sponsor and chairman of the board until 1990. NELHA was converted into an Authority under the Department of Business and Economic Development.

Farmer's Digest named Craven and Jack Davidson, former director of UH-Sea Grant College Program, among agriculture's 25 most influential people for 1998.

Contact Dr. John Pina Craven, craven@aloha.com or Dr. Jack Davidson, jd&nd@inforum.net or write CHC 73-4460 Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy., Kailua-Kona HI 96740, telephone 334-0666.

Craven's deep ocean water experience dates back to his days with the US Navy. In a book now on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list, Blind Man's Bluff, authors Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew describe Craven in his midthirties.

"Talking a torrent, his ideas usually overflowing, Craven was the kind of man who could dissect a blueprint and still have time to spout a few lines of poetry, biblical verse, or one of his endless series of self-scripted maxims of the sea. Sometimes he'd mix verse with maxim and sing the result aloud. He preached fantasy amid military discipline; he carried romance to the mechanics of nuclear war.

"It was a role Craven had been bred to. He was the product of a family that reached back to Moorish pirates on his mother's side and was divided on his father's between Presbyterian ministers and Navy officers yawning in the family pew.

"The Navy brass was the part of the lineage that most of the Cravens liked to boast about, the part that went back to Tunis Agustas MacDonough Craven, who skippered the Civil War Union ship Tecumseh when it was rammed by a Confederate mine during the Battle of Mobile Bay and inspired Admiral David Farragut's memorable cry to the remaining fleet: 'Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.'

"{Craven} became an ocean engineer. From then on, he took to sermonizing about the deep, about underwater maneuvers that most of the Navy passed off as impossible, or at least hugely improbable. He expected no easy converts. But like any minister preaching the coming of a miracle, Craven was drenched in the faith that he would ultimately be proven right."

Blind Man's Bluff "lifts the veil on some of the most secret military operations ever waged by the United States: the war carried out beneath the oceans by crews of brave Navy submariners. This book is a long overdue, well deserved tribute to those unsung heroes of the US Navy's 'Silent Service' with whom I was privileged to serve," said Lt. Comdr. Roy H. Boem, USN (retired), creator of the US Navy SEAL teams.

The book was the subject of a recent Nova episode on public television: "Submarines, Secrets and Spies."

Author Sherry Sontag will be on the Big Island Wednesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 11. She will read from her book and be available to sign copies at Kona Borders Books on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and at Hilo Borders Books Thursday at 7 p.m.

Other activities

The Hilo Council of the Navy League welcomes US Coast Guard Group Honolulu Commander Dee Norton to Hilo Thursday, Jan. 28, with a pot-luck reception in the County Building, second floor, Mayor's lanai from 4 to 6 p.m.

The USCG Cutter Kiska Sailor of the Year for 1998 will be recognized at the reception. New officers for the Hilo Council are president Dee Coates, vice president CPT Neal Herbert USCG (retired), vice president for Coast Guard John Mospens, secretary Lori Miner and treasurer Kathleen Dalessio.

For more information, contact Coates at 775-9727.

The Hawai`i Small Business Development Center Network will present a series of seminars for start-up and expanding small businesses early in February at NELHA conference room. Registration deadline is Friday, January 29.

"How to write a business plan" will be held in two parts Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how to create a customer-focused company as well as how to survive in an external environment over which they have no control.

Several business plan formats that can be used internally and as financial proposals will be presented. Participants will be introduced to three basic financial statements and learn how to use these statements to analyze the financial condition and operation of their business.

"Winning customers through effective marketing" will cover strategies to reach marketing goals and objectives. It will be presented Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.

"Financing options for the small business" will be presented Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. This seminar will cover concepts of risk and various financing options available to both the start-up and expanding business. Advantages and disadvantages of each option will be discussed.

For more information, contact Becky Winters, director of the Hawai`i SBDC Network, at 969-1814.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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January 17, 1999
New rules open ag, tourism, fishing for federal grant considerations

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Loosening of eligibility requirements for the USDA Rural Development business and industrial loan program has brought about a significant increase in loan guarantee awards made by the Hawai`i office, according to Francis J. Blanco, state director of USDA Rural Development.

Rule modifications mean that tourist and recreation facilities including hotels, motels and bed & breakfast establishments; community television services, value added agricultural production and commercial fishing qualify for loan guarantees up to $25 million.

Foreign owned businesses are not eligible nor are golf course developers, charitable institutions, churches or any project likely to result in transfer of business or employment from one area to another.

"There is opportunity here to help some Hawai`i businesses and those looking for an expansion to other Pacific Islands," Blanco said. "We are looking for anything to generate jobs and get people working."

The national agency is charged with enhancing the quality of life for all rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive businesses and cooperatives that can prosper in the global trading marketplace. Rural communities are defined as those with a population of less than 50,000. Priority is given to applications for loans in open country, rural communities and towns of 25,000 or less.

In Hawai`i, the USDA defines all communities outside of Honolulu as "rural." In addition, the local office's jurisdiction extends to Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. The district office is located in Hilo at the Federal Building on Waianuenue.

Prior to the change, the business and industrial loan program capped guaranteed loans at $10 million. The loans were only for Hawai`i ventures, mostly agriculture-related such as aquaculture, nurseries and forestry.

Basic uses for guaranteed loans include developing or financing business or industry, increasing employment and controlling or abating pollution.

One of the 1998 guaranteed loans is to Punahele Professional Building, a medical facility under construction in Hilo.

"This will be a free standing surgery center owned by a substantial number of surgeons in town," said Dr. Allan Takase. "We hope to be in service by August of this year. Ultimately, the facility will create 38 new jobs.

"It will give patients a choice between institutions and a possibly more user-friendly, small facility for out-patient procedures."

Some of the other guaranteed loans include a restaurant in Kahului Maui, a banana farm at Mokule`ia O`ahu, expansion of a 12-room hotel in Koror Palau, construction of a mid-sized enclosed shopping mall in Dededo Guam, working capital for a commercial fishing company in Hilo, construction of a shrimp growout facility at Kekaha Kaua`i, a water park amusement center at Kapolei O`ahu and a rest home at `Aiea O`ahu.

Another effort of USDA Rural Development is the business and industry direct loan program. The maximum loan amount is $10 million. Tourist facilities and community antenna television services are not eligible under this program

Pacific Harvest Seafarms, located on one acre leased from the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i Authority (NELHA), started business in 1997. Owner Benjamin Krause received a direct loan from Rural Development in 1998.

"We raise moi (threadfish or Polydactylus sexfilis)," Krause said. "We are marketing here in the state, overseas and to the US mainland. The fish are not frozen. They are air shipped fresh.

"Most of our customers like to see moi between three-quarters of a pound and one-pound size. Some of the restaurants want smaller fish, but most want the larger size. It takes between six and seven months to grow the fish to three-quarters of a pound.

"The outlook for 1999 is pretty good. We've got more and more orders coming in and I hope we can grow the demand along with the supply."

For more information on Pacific Harvest, call 329-8817.

Another direct loan was granted to Renew Hawai`i to purchase equipment. Andrea Alonzo described the enterprise as being in the business of community recycling, education and promotion.

Renew Hawai`i has a new location at the Hilo landfill on the right-hand side of the lower road leading to the landfill and a drag strip. They have a bonus card program for people who purchase mulch by the truckload -- purchase nine cubic yards and receive the tenth free. For more information, call 895-5665.

A third service of USDA Rural Development is rural business enterprise grants available to counties and private nonprofit corporations serving rural areas.

Hamakua Heritage received a grant to design a courtyard style mini-park with restrooms and parking for the Hamakua Heritage Visitor Center. For more information on the center, call 776-1741.

Hawai`i Island Agricultural Community Committee received a grant to assist with purchasing coffee processing equipment and crop plant materials. For more information on HIACC's distribution center, call 322-8448.

Northern Marianas College received a grant to provide technical assistance and training for small businesses.

Nationwide, the allocation in fiscal year 1998 for business and industry guaranteed loans was one billion dollars. Hawai`i and the Western Pacific were allocated four million. The total caseload in this program was nearly $49 million of which more than $29 million was obligated in fiscal 1998

. The total allocation for direct loans nationwide in fiscal year 1998 was $50 million of which Hawai`i and the Western Pacific were allocated one million. The total caseload in this category was more than $3.6 million of which more than $2.6 million was obligated in 1998.

The nationwide allocation in fiscal year 1998 for rural business enterprise grants was $38,193,000. Hawai`i and the Western Pacific were allocated $100,000.

Another service is the cooperative development program, which specializes in technical assistance to agricultural, aquaculture, artisan and rural producer groups interested in organizing a cooperative. Technical assistance is given in response to specific problems. Work can involve determining the economic feasibility of new facilities or adding new products or services. Advice may be given on the merits of merging organizations or forming new ones.

Tim O'Connell heads the cooperative development program and may be reached at 933-6912.

These services represent a different program than that announced Wednesday (Jan. 13) designating the island of Moloka`i as a rural enterprise community.

For additional information, contact the USDA Rural Development Hawai`i State Office at 933-3019 or 933-3020 or write Federal Building # 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo HI 96720.

Other activities

Today is a big day for UH-Hilo Vulcan Wahines and fans. The new softball field will be opened with grand festivities including a paniolo barbecue, comcert, celebrity softball game and doubleheader debut of the 1999 Volcan baseball team against Sonoma State. Tickets are $10 for the whole day, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

January 20-24 the Senior PGA MasterCard Championship will be held at Hualalai Resort. Gil Morgan defends his title and stake of the $1 million purse against the field of 1998 Senior PGA Tour champions. For more information, call 325-8480.

January 29-31 the Senior Skins Game will be held at Mauna Lani. Four of the Senior Tour's most popular golfers meet on the Kona-Kohala Coast to compete for a purse worth up to $540,000. Golf greats Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Hale Irwin compete in this made-for-television event. For more information, call 885-6655.

The sixth annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is set for Saturday, Feb. 6, at Church Row park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Demonstrations, exhibits, entertainment, Oriental crafts, and food are among planned events.

Demonstrations will include mochi-tsuki, bonsai growing and care and tea ceremony. Entertainment will include Bon dance, hula and taiko (drums).

Food booths planned include manju, bento, mochi, cherry ice cream, teriyaki beef sticks, shave ice and other ethnic foods.

A non-competitive bike tour has been added. For information on the bike tour, call 885-6687.

The Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is a collaborative effort of the Waimea community and Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation, Culture and Arts section.

For more information on the Festival, call Patti Cook at 885-3633.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel.

Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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January , 1999
Quick help available for computer training, internet access

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Your company just added some new software to its capabilities, you are interested in researching a subject on the internet or your children just wrote that they have an e-mail address.

If you can't wait for a semester to start at the university. where do you go for training or to use a computer if you don't have one? There are several possibilities in Hawaii County. One place any resident can use is located at the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS).

"There is at least one computer offering internet access at each library in the public library system," said Maxine Aki of the Keaau Public and School Library. "The HSPLS regulations allow 50 minutes per day per person for internet access, but no e-mail. The purpose of this access is mainly for research, a chance to look at what the internet has to offer."

One appointment per week is allowed at HSPLS and the rest of the time is on a walk in basis. No individual instruction is available. Contact the library system through the internet at www.hcc.hawaii.edu/hspls/ or telephone your local branch.

In downtown Hilo, David Martin opened Bytes & Bites, an internet "cyber cafe" at the corner of Kilauea and Pohahawai Avenues, 16 months ago. Individual and group classes are offered.

"We have nine PC-based computers available for business and recreational use," Martin said. "It's a nice mix. We get students when school is closed for a holiday and we get visitors, especially from the cruise ships. Recently some folks from Holland came in to check their e-mail and communicate with home."

Bytes & Bites is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Among services offered are internet access, games, resume writing, scanning of photographs, and self-taught software courses.

"My wife and my best friend decided I didn't have enough to do," said Martin. "I'm trained as a bookkeeper and was installing programs for clients on O`ahu. I found the commute too much of a burden and we opened this business in September of 1997."

Martin offers training for businesses that have installed new programs.

"We are very user specific," Martin said. "We don't think you need a six-hour class in electricity before you can turn on a switch. The basics of most programs can be covered in a very short time."

One business making use of the facility was Koehnen's Interiors.

"We purchased a new computer system," said store manager Karyl Franks. "Bytes & Bites gave all of us our lessons on the new word processing program and showed us how to integrate that information into our spread sheets.

"They are extremely patient, very professional and well-versed in all programs. They accommodated our schedule and put all of us at ease. Bytes & Bites has a relaxing, homey atmosphere and their rates are fantastic. I would recommend them to anybody."

Prices range from $8 for one hour to $100 for a 20-hour block of time. Gift certificates are possible if you'd like to help someone get started. Ink jet printers, black-and-white and color, are available.

"Some people have decided that it's more economical for them to come in here than it is for them to buy their own system," Martin said. "You need to analyze your monthly usage."

One customer told Martin, "This is great. I can go on vacation and not have to worry if my system will be there when I get home."

Operating in an air-conditioned, carpeted space, Bytes & Bites offers a "nerds delight" selection of Starbucks coffee, chilled green tea, soda and snacks.

"Some folks come in for 45 minutes to an hour daily," Martin said. "Professional development courses and technical courses available offer preparation for certification exams."

Contact Martin by e-mail bytes@hotmail.com or telephone 935-3520.

Another location is Dawn Hurwitz's Huna `Ohana Books, Gifts and Cafe in Pahoa.

"We started up about two months ago offering two Macintosh computers for internet access, word processing, spread sheets and e-mail," Hurwitz said.

"The hourly cost is $6 and club rates are available at $15 per month, which allows up to an hour a day and additional hours at $4 per hour. We bill in increments of 15 minutes."

E-mail is the most popular use among her customers, according to Hurwitz.

"We recommend free e-mail accounts through Yahoo because it is very simple to use. Visitors can, through Yahoo, check their home e-mail."

Hours at Huna Ohana are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Hurwitz by e-mail hunaohana@yahoo.com or telephone 965-9661.

Adventure challenge

The 10th annual Big Island Adventure Challenge will be held Friday and Saturday (Jan 15 and 16) involving nearly 300 Junior ROTC cadets and adult sponsors from throughout the state.

"This is a major JROTC competitive experience, which pits the elite of each JROTC unit in the state against one another in a series of grueling events," said senior Army instructor Lt. Col. Ralph W. Simmerman, US Army (retired).

Friday's events at the Hilo High School campus include one-mile swim, rappelling, rope-bridge construction, first aid, orienteeting and the Army physical fitness test. Saturday, a Crater Rim hike and run will be held in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Teams are graded on their ability to stay together. The team that crosses the finish line the fastest as a group wins.

"Traditionally, nearly all JROTC high schools in the state send at least one six-person team to this event and most send multiple teams," Simmerman said. "This is a co-ed competition."

For more information, contact Simmerman at 974-4071 or facsimile 974-4036.

Hamakua Ditch

The lower Hamakua Ditch watershed plan and draft environmental impact statement will be discussed Monday (Jan. 11) at 7 p.m. in the Honoka`a School Cafetorium.

"Representatives from the Hamakua Soil and Water Conservation District, Mauna Kea SWCD, State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will be present to describe the project's features and effects and to answer questions," according to a release from Wayne Subica, district conservationist in the USDA NRCS Hilo field office.

For more information, contact Subica at 933-6955.

Taro conference

The Waiahole Taro conference and festival, in the planning stages, is set for March 18-20. The focus will be on water resources.

To assist or contribute your manao, contact Nana I Na Maka Hou by e-mail at namaka@lava.net or telephone the Key Project (808) 239-4810.

Waimea on the web

Matt Pearce, computer maven at Waimea Instant Printing, and Micki Forbes have created a web site for the North Hawaii area.

The site includes the Waimea Community Association newsletter, Tutu's House schedule, clubs, businesses, weather, and Waimea scenes by photographer Peter French.

Kamuela.com accepts calendar and business information, which can easily be added by the user at no charge. Congratulations Matt and Micki on a great new service.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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Focus on the Economy
Hawaii Island Economic Development Board

January 3, 1999
Economic opportunities on wish-list for 1999

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

A new year begins with many resolutions to do things differently in 1999 than we did in 1998. Among this year's hopes are plans to improve economic development opportunities through state legislation.

A recent memo from Representative Bob Herkes (D-4th district, Puna and Ka`u) to majority leader Rep. Ed Case (D-23rd district, Manoa) outlines major economic development concerns.

Among items to be discussed at the next legislative session, according to Herkes, who chairs the House economic development committee, are:

1) reduction of the cost of living for state residents;

2) improvement of the business climate;

3) increased development of eco-tourism;

4) hard drug deterrence and

5) "workfare" programs for those on public assistance.

"We need to stop taking money from peoples' pockets," said Rep. Herkes, who will continue efforts to reform Hawai`i's insurance regulations as they relate to homeowners and car owners.

"We need to eliminate the Hawai`i Hurricane Relief Fund, retaining some of the monies, up to $30 million, to provide low cost loans for the purpose of hardening buildings against high winds," Herkes said. "On the Big Island that should relieve homeowners of the expense of hurricane insurance."

Historically, the Big Island hasn't suffered a direct hit from a hurricane since at least the late 1870s. Herkes frequently has called for the development of hurricane risk zones as is done on the mainland with tornado risk zones.

"Scientists have estimated that the return probability of an `Iniki strength hurricane is 134 years. The Hawai`i Hurricane Relief fund was established as a `temporary' measure in 1993. Since then, Hawai`i homeowners have paid in excess of $450 million in hurricane coverage without any home being damaged by a hurricane.

"I also think we need to reform auto insurance making it optional. National studies show that those states that have optional coverage have much lower accident rates and much lower accident claims than those states with mandatory insurance. States that require mandatory coverage generally see an increase in `uncovered' motorists, that is motorists driving without any insurance at all."

Mandatory automobile insurance has resulted in higher insurance rates meaning that fewer people can afford it according to the National Coalition of Insurance Legislators.

On home insurance, Herkes has lead battles to require that HPIA expand coverage in lava zones one and two to equal coverage offered in other areas of the state.

"The State Insurance Commissioner has advised me that a rate schedule is being developed. Our next battle will be the proposed rates and I will urge the Insurance Commissioner to hold public hearings in Puna before approving any new rates."

In addition, Herkes proposes changes to improve the business climate in the state.

"I think that the consumers in this state pay an unnecessary cost for everything that is trucked or carried by a licensed carrier. Studies have shown that there is sufficient competition in place that motor carriers do not have to be regulated.

"That regulatory load should be removed from the PUC so that they can spend more time on issues such as telecommunications and electrical power," Herkes said.

Higher trucking rates mean higher prices on everything carried by a licensed trucker, according to Herkes.

"We need to look at places we can reduce the tax burden on our citizens. The first place will be on the regulatory side by reducing the load on businesses.

"When there is talk about reducing government, we cannot talk about school teachers, public health, prison guards, or public safety," Herkes said. "We need to look at the cost of government on business.

"It is interesting to note that business has long complained that they are over regulated, but when the legislature talks about deregulation, the first sectors to come in and testify against change are those business sectors that are regulated. Business deregulation would lead to more active competition. This is certainly true in telecommunications.

"We have seen what happens when we allow competition in the telecommunications industry in long-distance rates, particularly inter-island rates, and allowing active competition for local exchange service will lead to increased business activity, better service and lower rates," Herkes said.

"The Legislature has passed two major bills that help business. The first was a commission to look at the regulatory burden for state approval of building projects. We need to call for a report from that commission on its progress.

"The second bill was a regulatory flexibility act which is designed to simplify all state and county rules and regulations affecting business. Governor Cayetano needs to be urged to appoint a commission called for in the act so that they can begin their work," Herkes said.

"The Legislature also needs to fund the position of Small Business Defender called for in the act.

"Most businesses in the state are unaware of the opportunities that these two pieces of legislation provide for reducing the cost of doing business here."

Among other economic development issues, Herkes calls upon the legislature to act "to strengthen laws on selling, distribution and possession of hard drugs so that Hawai`i develops the reputation of being a bad place to be in the hard drug business.

"Nearly 80 percent of our inmates are incarcerated for hard drug related crimes," Herkes said. "The enemy is not marijuana. The enemies are those drugs that cause violence.

"This impacts our families and our public safety daily. It's not only an economic problem, it's a social problem and it's not going to go away until we are wiling to commit the resources

"We need to strengthen Hawai`i laws so that the risk of manufacturing and distribution, sale and possession for sale far outweigh the benefits of those drug sales.

"We also need to increase our efforts in rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration."

Herkes noted that among economic development issues is encouragement of eco-tourism enterprises.

"We all talk about support for eco-tourism, but until we are willing, at the state level, to change the land use rules and regulations to allow small inns and lodges as a permitted use on agriculture lands, we are not truly supporting the eco-tourism effort.

"The development of small inns and lodges has the possibility of getting local residents back into the ownership and management of tourist related facilities."

Additionally, Herkes hopes the Legislature will "encourage businesses to employ individuals on public assistance through a program whereby the state continues to carry, on a decreasing ratio, some public assistance costs."

Further, Herkes hopes the state will "establish a `workfare' program utilizing licensed contractors and construction personnel, together with individuals on public assistance, to construct public facilities."

To communicate your input to Rep. Herkes, e-mail rherkes@aloha.net or telephone the toll-free state number, 974-4000 extension 6-6531 or write State Capitol # 422, Honolulu HI 96813.

Vireya meeting

The Hawai`i chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will meet Sunday, Jan. 17, at noon in the Orchid Village Restaurant, a different date than was previously announced by the group.

Vireya growers are asked to bring cuttings and plants. Program includes the society's annual meeting and election of officers.

For more information, contact Mitch Mitchell at iiwi@aloha.net or telephone 967-7209.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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December 27, 1998
Peace, health, prosperity top Big Islanders' hopes for New Year

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

With a serious election year safely behind us, many Big Island folks are quick to express very positive hopes for 1999, an attitude that we hope will be self-fulfilling.

As an example, Marilyn Nicholson of the Volcano Art Center "hopes the Big Island continues to gain a reputation as a place for healing, a place for culture and a place for many diverse small businesses to thrive. We already have a good beginning."

Among organizations working to expand the awareness of the Big Island as a healing place is the Five Mountain Medical Community. Together with the Hawai`i Island Rural Health Association, Five Mountain invites the public to share breakfast and talk story about North Hawai`i community health issues Wednesday, Jan. 13, 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Little Juice Shack in Waimea.

For more information and to make reservations, contact Betsy Cole by e-mail fminfo@fivemtn.org or telephone 885-9227.

"Good health is so basic," said Eric Weinert of Plant It Hawai`i in Kurtistown. "I have to start my hopes for the new year there. It may sound like a cliche, but I hope for peace among men. I hope we can learn to treat each other with respect."

One of Weinert's enterprises is Island Fruits along the Volcano highway.

"All we sell is locally grown produce. In the new year, we'll establish an educational center there with greenhouses, a hydroponics demonstration pond and more."

Rod Thompson of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin said, "Peace on earth would be nice and all of us working to foster peace and well-being in Hawai`i is a good way to start."

Christine Reed of Basically Books in Hilo hopes for "continued peace and prosperity for all of us."

Alan Okinaka of GTE Hawaiian Tel said, "I'm hoping that businesses in the world will find out what a wonderful place the Big Island is to do business. We've got great people, loyal and dedicated and skilled. We have a wonderful infrastructure. We have all the ingredients to realize the governor's vision that we are the crown jewel of the islands."

UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng noted "the University Research and Technology Park located close to our university currently houses the base facilities for many of the observatories on Mauna Kea: Joint Astromony Centre, Subaru National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, California Institute of Technology Sub-millimeter Telescope, Gemini Observatory and the Institute for Astronomy. The Park offers many exciting employment opportunities, internships and collaborative research opportunities for our students, faculty and the local community.

"Forming partnerships with industries to invest in our beautiful island will benefit both the university and the local community. I am eager to create new opportunities for all of us."

Bob Saunders who chairs the science and technology committee for the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board said, "I hope we learn to be a more tolerant community, learn to listen to people with different points of view."

Patti Cook of Cook's Discoveries in Waimea said, "I hope in the New Year that we can all treat each other a little less harshly."

C. Brewer's J.W.A. "Doc" Buyers, recently named president of the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, is an all-around Big Island booster.

"I'm grateful for three very strong signs in the Big Island's economy. This past year there was eleven percent growth in diversified ag, almost 100 percent growth in the cruise business and, in an old-line business -- tourism, five percent growth.

"My hope for the new year is that we will add to diversified agriculture, especially in herbal products for health such as kava. With an anticipated doubling of cruise business, I hope to see a return to the aloha spirit and enthusiastic greetings of the boat days of old. I also hope the University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will relocate from O`ahu to this bread basket, the Big Island."

Long time reporter Hugh Clark of the Honolulu Advertiser said, "Anybody who has lived here as long as I have hopes we've turned a corner in our economy. It's been a bad ten years except for what little bit of promise we've gotten out of Kona direct flights to Japan."

Michelle Zane Faridi of Hana Hou in Hilo said, "I'm hoping that the economy will really turn around and help everyone."

Tom English, treasurer of W. H. Shipman Limited, hopes "that our Legislature will indeed focus on the economy and not be distracted by other things."

Executive chef Spencer Oliver of Roussels in Waikoloa said, "Our hope is that troubles in the Gulf will not escalate and that tourism to the islands remains steady and grows."

Already Oliver is making plans for a golf tournament and Super Bowl party on Sunday, Jan. 31, and Mardi Gras in February.

Bernd Bree of Bree Garden Restaurant in Waimea kicks off the New Year with a new choice in dining.

"On Saturday, Jan. 2, we're going to start serving a family-style dinner," Bree said. "This is something I noticed on the mainland and it works really well for a group of four or more. We'll bring a big bowl of soup to the table with smaller bowls and a ladle, a big tossed salad and salad plates, garlic bread, four entree selections, choice of pasta and dessert for $14.95 per person."

High tech news

The annual Pacific Telecommunication Conference will be held on O`ahu Sunday, Jan. 17, through Thursday, Jan 21.

For more information, reference the web site www.ptc.org

The Hawai`i High Technology Development Corporation is using the web site www.hitechhawaii.com as a clearinghouse for follow-up on the high tech forum in October. "We will be setting up various discussion groups to solicit input in helping develop action plans," said Frank Fukunaga, acting executive director and CEO. The action plans are designed to establish Hawai`i as a science and technology center.

For more information, e-mail Fukunaga at frank@htdc.org or telephone (808) 539-3601.

Vireya meeting

The Hawai`i chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will meet Thursday, Jan. 21, at noon in the Orchid Village Restaurant.

For more information, contact Mitch Mitchell at iiwi@aloha.net or telephone 967-7209.

Orchid Society officers

The Hilo Orchid Society will hold its annual installation banquet Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Hawai`i Naniloa Resort. Outgoing officers, including president Bill Bergstrom will be recognized.

New officers to be installed are president Floyd Lundquist, vice president Stan Dinsmore, secretary Noni Sanford, corresponding secretary Marlene Lundquist and treasurer Alexander McKyton. 1999 Directors include Jane Awa, Bill Bergstrom, Larry Hirata, Vinnie Shishido and Yasuji Takasaki.

For more information, contact Richard Smith at 322-8084.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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December 20, 1998
Shopping locally will help for last-minute gifts

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

So here it is, right down to the wire on holiday shopping. If your list still has some pukas to fill, several local business owners would like to suggest that the best gift of the season is something that was made right here.

"The best gift always is something that was made in Hawai`i," said Patti Cook of Cook's Discoveries in Waimea. "Be it children's books, clothing, jam or jewelry, local products are made with aloha."

Cook's Discoveries is located in the old Spencer building, 885-3633. Holiday gift baskets are a specialty here. Lunch or afternoon tea after shopping is a pleasure in the adjacent Maha's Cafe.

Michele Zane Faridi of Hana Hou in Hilo agrees. "When you're looking for something special, the best gifts are made right here in Hawai`i. My current favorite is handpainted silk dresses by Two Sisters Silk, an artist in Waimea. Her latest includes silk and velvet -- plush and lush."

Hana Hou is located at 164 Kamehameha, 935-4555.

Christine Reed of Basically Books in Hilo suggests a world globe or the recently published Atlas of Hawai`i as a family gift.

"It's important to be able with your children to look up places that appear in the news, to get a better understanding of where those places are in relation to where you live."

E-mail Basically Books at reedbook@interpac.net or telephone 961-0144. From other islands and the mainland, call toll-free 1-800-903-6277.

Alika Williams of Big Island Tropical Flower Farms chimes in, "The best gift is fresh cut Hawaiian tropical flower bouquets. For shipments to locations east of the Rockies via Federal Express, Tuesday (Dec. 22) is the last day or via Express Mail, Wednesday (Dec. 23)."

Phone Alika's at 982-5231 in Hawaiian Paradise Park, check the web site www.hawaii-island.com/flowers or e-mail alikas@ilhawaii.net or from the mainland call toll-free 1-800-32-FARMS.

Music? Ku`ulei Ahuna (Simply Said) has a new CD, Love Knows No Color and so do Kekuhi Kanahele (Kekuhi) and Ledward Ka`apana (Hawai`i I Ka Pu`u Wai). Ledward appears today (Dec. 20) at Borders Books in Hilo at 4 p.m. to premiere his latest work.

Borders closes early at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Christmas Eve.

A special meal out with your honey?

Spencer Oliver of Roussels at the Waikoloa Village Golf Club said, "A new lunch and clubhouse menu will be served all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday."

Creole dinner specialties are featured in Roussels' dining room Tuesday through Saturday.

Bree Garden Restaurant in Waimea has something new on the menu. Executive chef Bernd Bree has a family from Guadalajara helping in the kitchen.

"We now have authentic Mexican food for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.," said Bree. "We're closed for lunch on Saturdays and open for dinner. On Sundays, we're open for brunch and closed for dinner."

Special menus are planned at Bree Garden Restaurant for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve too. Call 885-8849.

Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Lodge already has a waiting list for dinner Christmas Eve. Now is the time to make plans for future dates in the historic building with the Friendship Fireplace. See them on the internet at www.kilauea-lodge.com or telephone 967-7366.

Good deals? The Pink Elephant on Kamehameha Avenue has extended holiday shopping hours Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Christmas Eve, hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Sales from the Pink Elephant benefit scholarships and charities funded by the Hilo Woman's Club. Contact store manager Marlene Lundquist, 935-4095, to arrange for donations. Pick-up and delivery available.

Value added ag products or crafts?

The Hilo Farmers' Market opens early on Wednesday (Dec. 23). Macadamia nuts, coffee, jelly, wreaths, and ornaments are among many offerings.

Vendors at the newly opened Ali`i Gardens Market Place on Ali`i Drive in Kailua-Kona offer fresh flowers, produce and crafts. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Something for the garden? Renew Hawai`i has moved just a little bit past its old spot along the lower right road leading to the Hilo landfill and drag strip. Mulch is $10 per cubic yard or $1.50 for a 3/4 cubic foot bag. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and they have gift certificates!

Something special for the kids? Vacation Recreation, a Kona Family YMCA camp, starts tomorrow (Dec. 21) and continues through Thursday, Dec. 31, with the exception of Christmas Day.

Children from five to 13 years of age can be registered for the whole program or for one day by contacting the Kona Family YMCA in the old industrial area at 74-5606 Pawai Place.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Drop off and pick up at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel tennis area. Advance registration is necessary.

The cost is $150 for the whole program or $25 per day. Membership in the YMCA is required. If the family is not a YMCA member, an additional $10 will be charged, which covers membership for an entire year.

For more information, telephone 329-9622.

How about giving to those in need? Food bank and hot meal programs need your help all year long. Perhaps it's a sign of how distressed some people feel when folks steal from a food pantry as happened at Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church earlier this month. "We've been serving hot meals and packing food boxes the last Friday of every month since March," said pastoral assistant Marie Roberts. "We average about 130 hot meals and 25 food boxes per month. If there's an emergency need, we try to fill that.

"The church community is here to serve those in need. All anyone has to do is call and ask. Breaking in is not necessary. Our community continues to pray for those who have removed things from this property."

Malia is located in Keaukaha at 326 Desha Avenue, telephone 935-9338.

Friends of the Library need your help in Hilo, Kona, Hamakua, Waimea and Kapa`au. Friends' book and magazine sales raise funds to support library programs, money that is otherwise unavailable.

A recent Honolulu Advertiser story noted the Board of Education's approval of the governor's budget for libraries.

"No money for books through 2000," said one former teacher and active Friend. "That makes four years with no money for books except overdue fines money."

Fines are placed in a special fund and are allocated to libraries throughout the state on a percentage basis. Libraries with higher usage get more.

May all the joy of this holiday season continue into the new year.

Mac nut insurance

The deadline for macadamia nut growers to apply for crop catastrophic insurance in either nut or tree categories is Thursday, Dec. 31.

"The policy covers all varieties of macadamia nuts," according to Bill Murphy in the November-December issue of Pacific Nut Producer.

"Macadamia nut insurance is available in the major producing areas of Hawai`i and a policy must be purchased by Dec, 31, 1998 for the 2000 crop year. The acreage becomes insurable when the trees have reached the fifth growing season after the year set out. In addition, the trees must have produced an average yield of at least 190 pounds of wet in shell nuts per acre in the previous year."

The macadamia program coverage is basically the same as for almonds.

"The 2000 crop year price election for macadamia nuts is $.75 per pound. The producer pays a subsidized premium for the Additional Coverage protection. There is a flat rate per county which is reflective of the risk associated with macadamia nut production in the area."

Macadamia trees are insurable one year after being set out in the field. The tree insurance program differs from the nut insurance program in several ways.

"The dollar amount of insurance offered varies by the age of the trees and coverage level, from a minimum of $482 per acre for one-year old trees to a maximum of $6,562 per acre for nine-year old or older trees in Honolulu County."

For additional information and assistance, growers should contact the Hawai`i Macadamia Nut Asociation via e-mail at mehos@kamuela.com/treecrops or telephone 322-0935 or write P. O. Box 1390, Kealakekua HI 96750.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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December 13, 1998
Native plant use for landscaping shows growth

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Public demand and state legislation have increased landscape usage of native plants during the past five years.

A new Hawai`i Plant Source Guide published by University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) updates the 1993 Directory of Sources for Native Hawaiian Plants, published by the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

The new guide lists 98 Hawai`i nurseries, 39 of which are on the Big Island, and 140 plants "considered desirable as houseplants and landscape plants for Hawai`i or that provide lei materials."

State legislation more than four years ago required a percentage of landscaping at newly constructed state projects to be native plants. This includes everything from trees such as loulu and `ohi`a lehua to hedges such as a`ali`i to ground cover such as hinahina or `ilima papa.

In addition to native plants, other non-native plants have been added to the guide. Listings include common and scientific names of each plant.

"The plants were chosen as representative of what most people think of as `Hawaiian' plants, but most of them have been in introduced since Polynesian contact."

Some plants that may fall into this category are bozu, cigar flower, crown flower, stephanotis and orchids.

Editors and contributors to the guide include James Hollyer and Margaret Josephson of CTAHR, Kathleen Fetters of the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Bill Char of Native Books & Beautiful Things, Roxanne Adams and Winston Morton of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Puanani Anderson-Wong of the Native Hawaiian Conservation Society (`Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi) and Kerin Lileeng-Rosenberger of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, among many others.

The guide lists nurseries, contact person, mailing address, telephone, facsimile and e-mail plus and a listing of plants available. The guide also provides information on which nurseries are Hawai`i Department of Agriculture certified for export.

"Nurseries were asked if they give discounts to hula halau," said the editors. "Some halau grow or may want to start growing some of the plant materials they use. Even if a nursery did not indicate a discount, there is no harm in asking about discount programs."

Among Big Island nurseries with more extensive listings are the Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, e-mail kathleen@bishop.bishop.hawaii.org or telephone 323-3318; Nina Gutmanis and Louis Bauguess' Grow Native Corporation, telephone 968-8350; Kelly Greenwell's Hawaiian Gardens, e-mail hawngard@gte.net or telephone 329-2774; Mike and Lori Higgins' The Plant Place in Waimea at 334-6252; Allie Atkins' Lehua Lena Nursery in Keaau at 966-7975, and John and Donna Rozett's Pacific Plantsource in Hawaiian Paradise Park, e-mail jrozett@hilo.net or telephone 966-8778.

Copies of the guide are available from CTAHR for $5 plus shipping. Bulk orders, sets of 10, are available for $30 plus shipping. Contact the publications and information office by e-mail ctahrpub@hawaii.edu or telephone (808) 956-7036 or write 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore Hall 119, Honolulu HI 96822.

In a recent annual report on flowers and nursery products, the Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS) noted that "Hawai`i Island growers accounted for more than one-half of the State's total wholesale value of flower and nursery products in 1997. "The Big Island's 312 producers generated $35.5 million in wholesale sales, three percent more than 1996."

Anthurium remained the number one floriculture crop statewide, according to the HASS report. "Out-of-state shipments from the Big Island, which produces more than 99 percent of the state's anthuriums, totaled 703,300 dozen in 1997. Big Island's total out-of-state shipments were four percent more than 1996. Mainland destinations, which made up about 54 percent of the Big Island's exports, were two percent higher than 1996. Foreign shipments increased seven percent from the previous year."

Kaho`olawe update

Native plants are needed to revegetate Kaho`olawe island in Maui County, according to Ka Wai Ola O OHA, the monthly newspaper of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

"Almost the entire top third of Kaho`olawe's 45-square miles is barren, brick-red hardpan, a cement-like layer of subsoil that ordinarily lies several feet below the topsoil. The island began losing its topsoil in the mid-1800s when sheep and cattle overgrazed the vegetation," said writer Heidi Meeker.

The United States "and our allies used Kaho`olawe as a target and military training range" between 1941 and 1990, according to Hawai`i Navy News, the weekly newspaper of Pearl Harbor.

Former President George Bush ordered a halt to the bombing. In 1993, Congress ordered the Navy to return the island to the state of Hawai`i and in 1997 the Navy awarded a contract for cleanup of the island.

More than 40,000 plants will be needed in the next six months.

Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) restoration ecologist Paul Higashino noted that many people have volunteered to grow plants for the effort.

"At this time, it is better if we purchase the plants, because they have to grow under specified conditions to prevent contaminating Kaho`olawe with nematodes, ants and other alien organisms."

Meeker noted that, "During the past 12 months Higashino has planted roughly 4,000 native plants in areas already cleared of ordnance. He found that plants could survive their critical first few months on Kaho`olawe if they were planted next to what looks like a quart-size milk carton of DRiWATER, a Maui-made mixture of water and cellulose with the look and consistency of clear Jello.

It dissolves slowly, watering the plants gradually for a month. Michael Sarich of Agro Environmental donated more than 1,100 quarts of DRiWATER to KIRC.

An article by Bob Brewin on Geographic Information Services used in the restoration project can be found at the web address http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?.id=28398 which also includes links to a Kaho`olawe Island site, Bishop Museum photographs and the US Navy cleanup project.

New marina directory

The Hawai`i Ocean Industry & Shipping News 1999 Hawai`i marina directory, a statewide guide to facilities, suppliers and services, is available. Contact them at ocean@lava.net or write 928 Nu`uanu Avenue, # 506, Honolulu HI 96817.

Holiday happenings

Today from 1-1:30 p.m. the West Hawai`i Dance Academy presents selections from "The Nutcracker" at Waimea Center.

Today also is the last polo Sunday of the season. Waiki`i gates open at noon and games start at 1 p.m.

Breakfast and photos with Santa will be held at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel at the Ocean Terrace Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. Call 882-7222 for reservations.

Have you ever fantasized about shopping for Christmas presents while wearing your pajamas? Several Waimea merchants will be wearing their pjs too on Wednesday evenings through 9 p.m.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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December 6, 1998
Funding and expertise will be sought for farming

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Big Island agriculture is growing rapidly and successfully but it needs all the help it can get in both funding and expertise.

As the new year approaches agricultural interests are marshaling their forces to "bring home the bacon" in the form of budget recognition at every government level.

When the state Legislature convenes in January the Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF), Hawai`i Forest and Communities Initiative (HFCI) and the Hawai`i Forest Industry Association (HFIA), among others, will invite support for several items, many of which impact Hawai`i County.

A legislative package was adopted by Farm Bureau at its state convention, held this year in Kailua-Kona. There are nearly 2,000 farm family members of HFBF in ten chapters throughout the state. The Big Island has four chapters with 700 members.

A major appropriation of $2 million in Hawai`i Department of Agriculture farm loans will be sought to benefit agricultural businesses in economically depressed areas. In the 1998 session, $2 million was appropriated and all of the funds were loaned out in less than a month. Farmers in depressed areas still are seeking affordable loans.

An appropriations will be sought for $30,000 in matching funds for macadamia nut research. Primarily, this would fund research programs for long-term variety trials on insect pest management programs.

The state's 1997-1998 macadamia nut harvest was estimated at a record 58 million pounds net, wet-in-shell, by the Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS). There are 700 macadamia farms surveyed by HASS with a total of 20,200 acres planted in crop, much of that in Hawai`i County.

Another Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding request will seek $750,000 for major repairs to the Hamakua Ditch. In addition, HFBF delegates voted to support legislation seeking $180,000 per year for general maintenance of the Hamakua Ditch. Support also will be sought for repair of waterlines in Wood Valley near Pahala.

Other bills to be introduced include requests for an appropriation of $70,000 to fill the position of ornamental plant specialist in the Cooperative Extension Service and $20,000 to develop control measures for phytophthora diseases on landscape plants.

Approximately half of the state's ornamental plant industry is located in Hawai`i County, according to HASS reports.

The Farm Bureau also will support the reintroduction of a land use bill, SB 2063, to insure that the definition of unique lands includes taro lands and Kona coffee.

The Hawai`i Forest and Communities Initiative, begun three years ago following the governor's conference on forestry held on the Big Island, seeks an appropriation from the state of $400,000 to match previously appropriated federal funds.

HFCI seeks to build economic development and diversity through forestry, to develop land stewardship that is responsive to community values and to create community partnerships and educational opportunities.

Michael Robinson is HFCI coordinator and may be reached at 1-888-943-4335.

The Hawai`i Forest Industry Association supports passage of a bill proposed by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. There is an established special fund -- the forest stewardship fund.

Currently income derived from forest reserves or the products thereof or the sale of tree seedlings from state nurseries goes into the general fund instead of into the forest stewardship fund.

"Existing budgets allow the state to replant only 60 acres a year," said HFIA director Andrea Beck. "We would like to see this additional income go in to the established fund allowing for more replanting to be done each year. Maintenance, weed control, education and other activities also could be supported."

Beck is available at the HFIA office, now located at 162 Kinoole Street # 101. The new office telephone is 933-9411.

Other action at the state Farm Bureau convention included the election of officers: Kona coffee grower and processor Douglas Duarte is president, Moloka`i corn seed producer Tom Hill vice-president, O`ahu hog farmer Harry Choy treasurer and Maui vegetable farmer Jack Banks secretary. Big Island chapter presidents are Cyrus Wagatsuma (Hilo), Yoshito Takamine (Honoka`a), David Oshiro (Kohala) and Roy Honda (Kona).

The Big Island Farm Bureau administrative assistant Diane Ley is available at the new office, 969-4876.

A recent publication from UH-College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service (UH-CTAHR CES) calls vegetable crops "an industry in transition."

Much change has been noted during the past few years. Acreage for vegetables "more than doubled within a couple of years in O`ahu, as new operations were established in former plantation lands. The increased acreage in central O`ahu resulted in production acreage losses for some crops in other locations such as Moloka`i, Kula [on Maui] and Waimea [on the Big Island]."

Some vegetable crops have the lion's share of the state's market demand. More than 60 percent of the market consumption of bittermelon, burdock, cabbages, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, ginger, American parsley, radish, Oriental squash, sweet potato, watercress and watermelon is grown locally, according to the UH-CTAHR CES report. In addition, between 40 and 59 percent of the market supply of snap beans, sweet corn, dasheen, bell pepper and taro are grown locally. This area indicates "some potential for increased local production, but possible high price volatility. The potential exists to target market windows."

Less than 40 percent of purchases of broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, celery, head lettuce, pungent onion, Chinese pea, pumpkin, romaine, zucchini, tomato and potato is grown locally. The report suggests this indicates a "higher potential to grow locally,' but questions "whether this can be done competitively in Hawai`i, compared to lower production costs on the mainland."

The top vegetables produced in Hawai`i, ranked by farm-gate value, are Chinese cabbage, head cabbage, cucumber, bulb onion, green onion, bell pepper, sweet potato, taro, tomato, watermelon, watercress, herbs (all) and ginger root.

For more information, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service office. In Hilo e-mail Dwight Sato dwights@hawaii.edu or telephone 959-9155. On O`ahu, e-mail Randy Hamasaki rth@hawaii.edu or telephone (808) 247-0421. On Moloka`i, e-mail Alton Arakaki ARAKAKIA@AVAX.CTAHR.HAWAII.EDU or telephone (808) 567-6833. On Maui, contact Robin Shimabuku shimabukur@AVAX.CTAHR.HAWAII.EDU or telephone (808) 244-3242.

Vegetable factoid: "The number of fruit and vegetable items stocked in supermarket shelves doubled from 1992 to 1996, increasing from 276 to 552 stock-keeping items," according to The Packer, Aug. 11, 1997.

Help support the Big Island economy by doing your holiday shopping locally. Here are a few opportunities:

Tammy Yee, author of Baby Honu, will be at Basically Books on Kamehameha Avenue from 11 to noon Saturday, Dec. 12, to autograph her new book and display artwork.

Waimea artist Pat Hall will read from and sign her new book, The Kona Town Musicians, on Red and White Night in Hilo Friday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Basically Books also is the spot to find newly updated topographic maps. The US Geological Survey published, for the first time in 15 years, new maps for `Anaeho`omalu, Hilo, Honoka`a, Waimea, Kukuihaele and Mahukona. The maps are dated from 1995 to 1997 and replace maps published between 1981 and 1983.

Other section maps will be available, "but the progress of updating is unpredictable," Reed said. "Anyone wanting to be informed when new editions of specific sectionals arrive can make a request by calling 961-0144. Outside of the island of Hawai`i, call toll-free 1-800-903-6277."

The Kona Community Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5:30 p.m. ending at Lanihau Center. A holiday lei contest will be held earlier the same day at Lanihau from noon to 2 p.m.

The 10th annual Christmas at Kona Village is set for Saturday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The elegant garden party is sponsored by the ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs de Cuisine Association and benefits West Hawai`i Community College culinary arts program.

Contact Cathy Smoot Barrett, 329-2522.

Every Friday, Kona Wine Market features wine tastings from 3 to 7 p.m. "Good wines, great prices and you can even choose cigars to go with your brandy," said Marni Herkes of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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November 29, 1998
Property tax auction shows smaller than expected list

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

A much smaller group of properties than anticipated will be offered at the real property tax auction Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Back in June, nearly 250 properties were offered at the tax auction of which 161 remained delinquent by the time of the auction. That was the largest sale in recent memory. Nearly $600,000 was collected during that two-day foreclosure sale, which does not include money the county collected from property owners who paid delinquent bills before the auction.

At that time, it was anticipated that 1,800 properties would be delinquent and offered at the December auction.

"We sent notices to 1,400 owners then got down to 200 owners of which 52 will be advertised for the December auction," said Gary Kiyota tax administrator. "We are very happy with the list we have now."

As of deadline on this column, 46 properties were still on the list for auction in December.

"It's not my job to go around foreclosing on people. It's my job to collect the tax," Kiyota said. "I'm very glad that people have the wherewithal to pay off their delinquencies."

Deputy Finance Director Kalani Schutte noted that property tax delinquencies are a problem for the county.

"The delinquencies run about $10 to 12 million a year, so there's a lot of room for improvement," Schutte said. "We've got more land area in our county than in any other and we've got more than 100,000 some odd parcels. Sometimes a payment plan can be worked out so people can catch up."

Schutte noted the complexity of foreclosing for back taxes.

"I never realized how complicated it is until I got here," Schutte said. "There's a lot of research to be done, owners to be notified by certified letter, newspaper advertisements to be placed. It was too hard last time [the June sale] to do such a large number so we've split it into two groups. Another sale will be held in May."

The 15 parcels that did not attract bidders at the June sale most likely will be offered at an auction late next year, according to the real property tax office.

"We will look at those properties that are delinquent for more than three years as of July 1998 for the May 1999 sale," Kiyota said.

Bidders are expected to pay at least the upset price, a total of back taxes, penalties, interest and a portion of the cost of bringing the parcel to auction. No parcels will offered for less than the upset price.

Purchasers do not receive title to the property until a year passes. Current owners have one year to recover the property by paying the auction buyer the amount paid plus 12 percent.

The auction will be held Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Seven Seas Lu`au House beginning at 9 a.m. Kiyota advised certain precautions.

"People should bring a certified check in whatever amount they intend on bidding. The certified check should be written in their name. Then if they're not successful, they can redeposit the check easily.

"If the bidder is successful, the check can be endorsed to the county. Do not come with cash or travelers check, although that's acceptable payment. It's not something I would recommend. A certified check offers better security to the bidder."

All but one of the properties on the current list are in Puna. June's sale covered Puna and Ka`u with a few in North and South Kona.

"It was kind of silly to have that big an auction in June. Previously, I've gotten some further documentation from the Real Property Tax office by this time, but I don't have anything on my purchase at the June sale yet except my receipt," said Roy Hale of Hilo. "I pay close attention to these sales and try to find something I can afford. It's been at least a year since I've seen any more than just a few properties from areas other than Puna and Ka`u up for auction."

A word to the wise: Thursday, Dec. 31, is the deadline for filing exemption claims, both for resident property owners and for those who may have become disabled since the last exemption filing date. Forms for exemption claims are available from tax offices in Hilo and Kona. Disability exemptions require more paperwork and should not be put off until the last minute.

Resident homeowners with an exemption on a home they have sold during the year must move their exemption to their new residence. People who have purchased a home during 1998 must file their own exemption claims on or before the deadline. The previous owner's exemption does not continue.

New Atlas of Hawai`i

The long-awaited third edition of the Atlas of Hawai`i is now in bookstores across the state. The first edition was printed in 1973 and the second in 1983.

"The Atlas relies on certain statistics that are collected with the census so it should have come out earlier. Better late than never," said Sonia Juvik of UH-Hilo Department of Geography.

"The thing to note about this new edition is that it's not simply an update of the old edition. It's a totally new atlas that addresses many of the old topics in new ways."

For the first time, UH-Hilo staff headed up the complicated project. James and Sonia Juvik are editors and Tom Paradise is chief cartographer.

"It was quite something for UH-Hilo's small geography staff to take this on, especially considering our teaching load," Juvik said.

The team included several other cartographers and Noreen Parks as coordinator.

"What was challenging was accessing the large number of contributors -- about 80. One needs a certain familiarity, intimacy of place. It would be hard for an outsider to come in and do this," Juvik, a 30-year resident of Hawai`i, said. "We as geographers working in Hawai`i for so long have become familiar with the place but also with others who have made significant contributions to place, people and culture. The benefit of their work is here too."

Book signings are scheduled for Basically Books in Hilo Friday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m.; Borders in Hilo Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m., and Borders at Ward Center in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 12.

Friday, Dec. 11, also is downtown Hilo's Window Walk and people's choice window display contest. Carolers, tree lighting at the Palace Theatre and other activities are planned.

"Your ballot is your entry into a free drawing for prizes," said Christine Reed of the Historic Hilo Twon Merchants. "The drawing will be held at the Kress Building center stage at 8:15 p.m. and you must be present to win."

Other activities

The science and technology committee of Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board meets Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council conference room starting at 10 a.m.

The future of commerce in Hawai`i will be the subject of a panel discussion at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Lyman House Memorial Museum, a different date than previously published.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Speakers include Bank of Hawai`i economist Paul Brewbaker and professor of business administration at UH-Manoa David McClain.

For further details, contact Lyman House at 935-5021 or HICC at 935-7178.

The 8th annual Pahoa Christmas parade and Ho`olaule`a will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade route begins at the Pahoa Dump Road and ends at Pahoa High School. Parade grand marshal is Uncle Robert Keli`iho`omalu and some units include Hawai`i County Band, Miss Hawai`i, Hiccup Circus and Santa Claus.

"The outrageous Honolulu comedian Augie T., whose CD recently hit the stores, will be in the parade and on stage at Pahoa High School," said event coordinator Bob Williams.

"The Ho`olaule`a benefits vendors, the community and PTSA," Williams said. "It's an exciting day with Christmas gift items, plants, fresh local produce, fantastic food, live music, animal rides and games."

Entertainment includes Ernie Cruz & Friends, Kekuhi Kanahele and Halau Hula Kamakani Hali Ala O Puna among others. There is no admission charge.

Additional parade entrants and authentic crafters should contact Williams, 965-2150.

Another place to buy local for the holidays is the Kona Historical Society museum annual Christms sale. "A Paniolo Christmas at Kalukalu" begins 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

The museum gift shop also will be open Sunday, Dec. 6 and 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 323-3222.

The 38th annual Waimea Christmas parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Lani Olsen is co-chairing the Waimea Community Association and Parker Ranch co-sponsored event with her daughter, Kalae Kawamura.

"Waimea old timers have fond memories of the town's nighttime parades," she said. "We are inviting families, groups, clubs and organizations throughout the island to participate by carrying candles, flashlights, glow-in-the-dark hula hoops -- you name it. There also will be lighted floats, mounted units, riding clubs, old cars, low-riders and a few motorcycles," said Olsen.

The parade begins at Keck Observatory headquarters and moves along Mamalahoa Highway to Parker Ranch Shopping Center.

Waimea's three shopping centers -- Parker Ranch Shopping Center, Parker Square and Waimea Center -- will join the festivities with entertainment before and after the parade.

There is no charge to participate in or watch the parade. Everyone is asked to bring a non-perishable canned food donation and drop it off at one of the review stands along Mamalahoa or at the parade's starting area. Waimea Salvation Army will distribute food donations to deserving residents throughout the holiday season.

For more information, contact Olsen, 885-4395, or Kawamura, 885-2167.

Four Waimea homes and Parker Ranch headquarters will be decked out in holiday splendor and open to the public as part of Kahilu Theatre's first annual "Christmas in Waimea" home tour from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6.

"Our tour will offer a rare glimpse of Christmas in Waimea -- past and present," said Laurajean Coleman, who chairs the benefit.

The tour includes Pu'uopelu, the historic home of the late Richard Smart, owner of Parker Ranch. The classic dining room will be "dressed" for Christmas using Smart's favorite French crystal and hand-painted china.

It is surrounded by classic English gardens that blend roses, gardenia, lilies and monstera with jacaranda, norfolk pine, eucalyptus and `ohi`a trees.

Parker Ranch's new headquarters also will be open to the public for the first time. This features koa furniture as well as paintings and sculpture collected by Smart and his ancestors.

Guests on tour are invited to "drop in" to Kahilu Theatre before, during or after visiting homes for refreshments. The lobby will be filled with Christmas greenery and holiday wreaths for sale until 6 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by calling Kahilu Theatre, 885-6868, or at Cook's Discoveries and Bentley's Home & Garden.

For information, call Kahilu Theatre.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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November 22, 1998
Give thanks for our island's rich bounty

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Each dawn brings the chance to give thanks for life and the wonderful gift of spending it in these islands. This week offers us the opportunity to go beyond the mundane mahalo and give special thanks to those who make each moment in paradise possible.

Thanks to all in the health care professions who strive to keep us whole and mend us when we're broken. Thanks to all the Hospice volunteers who pour their spirits into our last days.

Thanks to all those who seek public office, exposing every moment of their private lives to public scrutiny. Inauguration of the newly elected Hawai`i County Council will be held at noon Monday, Dec. 7, in the Hilo Civic Center.

Mahalo to all the staff of every elected official -- people who keep everything moving.

Thanks to the farmers and ranchers, farmers markets and grocery stores, fine restaurants and cafes who bring us the best Island Fresh food.

Thanks to the teachers from the earliest grades through life-long learning courses. You spark our minds.

Thanks to all local media professionals who bring us news of the accomplishments of our children, news of the workings of government and news of economic development issues, to which we should pay attention.

Thanks to all media professionals who remind us of our paradise and spread the news internationally of what a wonderful place this is to live and visit.

The November-December issue of National Geographic Traveler is to be commended for both David Yeadon's article on the Big Island and inclusion of Hawai`i ports of call in the 75 Best Cruises cover story.

Yeadon's article begins by calling the Big Island "magic" for "a beguiling strangeness.

"Something enticing is happening and a sense of aliveness eases through my hike-weary frame. Cool breezes wisp through the tops of the red-flowered `ohi`a trees in this dense, dwarflike forest filled with deep, moist shadows and unfamiliar birdcalls.

"Fern trees with tightly scrolled fiddleheads reach for the canopy through lush scrub still dripping from one of the day's countless mini-showers -- sudden, warm sprinklings that sometimes last barely a minute."

Thanks for the rain, whenever it falls, giving life to our island. As one of this column's fans often has said, "After the drought earlier this year, I will never complain about the rain again."

Yeadon's article continues to express the conviction that "the Big Island possesses a heritage where the deep, rich rhythms of the Hawaiian heart still beat."

Mahalo to Yeadon for recognizing the special place we call home. Especially because he recognizes our island offers "a micro-continent that encompasses twelve of earth's fourteen climactic regions."

In the same issue of National Geographic Traveler, the cover story deals with 75 best cruises, offering advice from experts on where to go and what to know this year and next.

The Hawai`i section of the cruise article mentions Holland America Line, American Hawai`i Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

"HAL's sole vessel in these waters in 1999, the Statendam (passenger capacity: 1,613), is the right ship in the right market: a classic cruiser in a destination with warmth and charm."

Statendam will be in Hilo Friday, Nov. 27.

American Hawai`i Cruises' SS Independence, passenger capacity 1,021, was refurbished in 1994. A sample itinerary includes Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, Hilo and Kona. SS Independence calls in Hilo every Thursday and in Kailua Bay every Friday with an additional special day in Kona Sunday, Dec. 27.

Norwegian Cruise Line also is mentioned in the Traveler cover story. Norwegian Dynasty, 800 passengers, will call on Kailua Bay Tuesday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 12, and Tuesday, Dec. 22, in Kailua Bay. Norwegian Dynasty will call on Hilo Friday, Nov. 27, Monday, Dec. 7, Friday, Dec. 18, and Monday, Dec. 28.

Described by Traveler as the "quintessential luxury cruise ship" is Crystal Harmony, 700 passengers, which will call in Kailua Bay Sunday, Dec. 20, and in Hilo Sunday, Dec. 27. Also in Kailua Bay are Legend of the Seas on Christmas Day, and Silver Cloud, 500 passengers, on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Legend of the Seas, 1,100 passengers, arrives in Hilo on Christmas eve.

Another national magazine recognizing Hawai`i is Garden Design's November issue.

"From boyhood on, Leland Miyano has made the preservation of Hawai`i's endangered natural wonders a personal quest. His keen scientific mind, artist's eye, indefatigable energy, and ingenuity have transformed an ordinary one-acre suburban lot on O`ahu into a lush, green microcosm," according to prize winning poet W. S. Merwin.

"Passion's Habitat" describes painter and sculptor Miyano's 17-year transformation of the lot at Kahalu`u "into a marvel of botanical and horticultural opulence, an unfurling microcosm, a maze of fronds and stones, shadows and flowers."

Thanks to Governing magazine for the recently published State & Local Sourcebook for 1998. In an article on America's billion-dollar governments, the "number of states, counties, cities and special districts has grown to 103."

Using information from the US Census Bureau, the listing cites general revenue, population, revenue per capita, full-time equivalent employees and employees per 10,000 residents. The states of California and New York top the list followed by New York City. Hawai`i is 39th, immediately following Alaska (39) and just before Utah (40). Alaska is the only state in the top 40 with a population under a million. At 601,411 people, Alaska's population is slightly more than half the 1,172,654 population listed for Hawai`i. Per capita revenue in Hawai`i is listed as $4,312 and in Alaska $8,788.

Other sections of the sourcebook deal with state and local revenue, property taxes, spending, and addresses for public decision makers

Governing is published by Congressional Quarterly and may be reached via e-mail mailbox@governing.com or through its web site www.governing.com or by writing 1100 Connecticut Avenue NW #1300, Washington DC 20036.

Most of all, thanks to all who publish, contribute to and read this column. We appreciate your comments for future efforts.

A word to the wise:

Those seeking to ship floral boxes to the mainland will want to know that there is an expected rise in Federal Express rates from 3 to 10 percent as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. On Thursday, Dec. 3, ballots will be counted in the Federal Express pilots' labor union vote. Some shippers feel there is the possibility of a strike and urge early orders.

Other activities

The 23rd annual Hilo Christmas Fair will be held by the Big Island Sustainable Communities Association Saturday, Nov. 28., at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The future of commerce in Hawai`i will be the subject of a panel discussion at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Lyman House Memorial Museum. The discussion is part of a continuing series celebrating the centennial of the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by a grant from the Hawai`i Committee on the Humanities, lectures are free and open to the public.

For further details, contact Lyman House at 935-5021.

The last two UH-Hilo Focus on Agriculture classes of the semester will feature cooking presentations by Kay Okuda and Dr. Terry Shintani.

Okuda, of Kay's Lunch Counter, will appear Thursday, Dec. 3. Dr. Shintani, founder of the Wai`anae Diet, will appear with Suzy and Ivan Kawamoto of MOA Hawai`i Thursday, Dec. 10.

The course is televised on community access channels statewide. Focus on Agriculture begins at 7 p.m.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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November 15, 1998
Tsunamis, agriculture and health seek your attention

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Serious issues move to the fore this week with an anniversary celebration for Cooperative Extension Service, a tsunami symposium and an interactive health program -- all free.

Cooperative Extension Service has been part of the land-grant college and university system since 1928. The outreach program of UH-CTAHR (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources) began in Hawai`i 70 years ago and celebrations of that anniversary are planned statewide.

Big Island festivities will be held during an open house at Komohana Agriculture Complex, 875 Komohana Street in Hilo, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The open house will feature activities for children and adults, home gardeners and commercial farmers.

Demonstrations in the kitchen conference room will include coffee roasting with Eric Notley and Japanese tea processing with Dr. Francis Zee at 10 a.m., techniques for air-layering tropical fruit trees with Dr. Mike Nagao and harvesting heart of palm with Notley at 11 a.m., heart of palm cooking and tasting at noon with Michael Crowell and Lesley Hill, and fruit tree grafting with Nagao at 1 p.m.

Big Island range-fed beef, "Silver Bullet" corn on the cob, CTAHR papaya varieties and pineapple shave ice are among the many foods available Saturday. A video on transgenic papaya, developed by CTAHR and resistant to ringspot virus, will be shown at 1 p.m. with Melvin Nishina.

During the open house, gardeners may bring in plants, insects and soil for free identification, disease diagnosis or pH testing by staff of the Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center. In the same area, children can peek at "Compost Critters" with the help of magnifying lenses and insect identification posters.

4-H club members will be selling vegetable seedlings and flowering bedding plants. Palauan and other taro huli, UH super sweet corn and UH anthurium cultivars also will be available.

Home composting and recycling, `awa production, fruit fly and miconia control, and the latest CTAHR publications are among many other exhibits and displays.

For more information, contact extension agent Debbie Ward, 959-9155.

Cooperative Extension Service began in order to disseminate information gleaned from research at agriculture experiment stations. The original legislation creating land-grant colleges dates back to the Civil War.

The mission of land-grant colleges, as set forth in the Morrill Act of 1862, was "to teach agriculture, military tactics and the mechanic arts as well as classical studies so that members of the working classes could obtain a liberal, practical education."

The Hatch Act of 1887 added experiment stations and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created Cooperative Extension Service.

The Territory of Hawai`i was excluded from the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act but the "University of Hawai`i developed its own version of an extension program," said George Alstad and Jan Everly Friedson in a 1982 history of CES. "It was the basis of a successful appeal to Congress for Hawai`i's inclusion in the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act. After several years of struggle, this jointly financed program took effect in November 1928."

Early extension work was influenced by the Great Depression. Pineapple, which had seen several boom years, suddenly was a luxury item. National legislation imposed a quota system on shipments of sugar from Hawai`i, causing further disruption in major agricultural industries in the Territory. CES agents concentrated on diversifying agriculture.

"A survey in the Kona coffee district revealed that up to $8,000 worth of fresh vegetables were being shipped into the area each year at a time when the coffee industry was at its lowest economic ebb. Agents persuaded small farmers to establish home gardens, and several were persuaded to undertake market gardening on a small scale, with the result that practically all vegetables consumed in the district were locally grown," according to Alstad and Friedson

"In addition, 500 pounds of choice graded tomatoes were shipped weekly to the Honolulu markets along with other vegetables, chickens and eggs."

On the east side of the island, extension efforts at that time were directed toward "the introduction of new forage varieties and new fertilization programs to increase the productivity of forage crops as livestock feed."

The economic setbacks of the depression years brought the need for increased self-sufficiency to the fore. This was reinforced by the maritime strike of 1936-37 and by World War II. According to Alstad and Friedson, agricultural economists who studied the effect of the maritime strike found, "Imports of food from foreign countries immediately increased and continued to increase as the strike went on, despite the high duties paid. The day-to-day expectation of settlement prevented even heavier imports, with dealers fearing subsequent losses on stock of duty-paid merchandise when normal conditions were restored.

"Considerable quantities of apples, potatoes, onions and other perishables were imported on Canadian vessels. Large imports of rice from Japan were unloaded at Honolulu and other ports. A large shipment of California oranges and lemons came by parcel post. By special arrangement, another shipment of California citrus fruit was brought in on a US Army transport ship."

When war broke out in Europe, Governor Joseph B. Poindexter noted, "Rapidly changing international situations emphasize the increasing importance of food production in Hawai`i. To grow in the Territory more of the food which is consumed here is not only sound economics at the present time but is a patriotic service in which all may engage. The Agricultural Extension Service of the University, whose workers are in intimate daily contact with the farmers, bears a definite responsibility for the success of this program with which the public is so genuinely concerned."

In May of 1941, director of the University Agricultural Experiment Station J. H. Beaumont said in an article printed in The Maui News that the stations were ready "to render valuable aid should an emergency program be forced on the territory" and added the efforts were "directed toward developing diversified crops and the program is focused on the problems of subsistence and local market crops" with an emphasis on cattle.

At that time there were nine field offices: Wailuku, Hilo, Kohala, Kealakekua, Lihu`e, Kaunakakai, Honolulu, Wahiawa and Kane`ohe. The first agriculture experiment station was established in 1907 when the University of Hawai`i, then known as the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, opened.

Today there are field offices and experiment stations in Hilo, Honoka`a, Waimea, Kona, Lalamilo, Malama-ki, Volcano, Waiakea, Hamakua, Lihu`e, Kapa`a Kahului, Kula, Ho`olehua, Honolulu, Kane`ohe, Pearl City, Wahiawa, Puamoho, Waimanalo.

According to Alstad and Friedson, 1979 marked a turning point. "As part of the College's reorganization plan, the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station were merged administratively under the name Hawai`i Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. The joint objectives are to promote new knowledge in the agriculture and human resource disciplines; to carry out multidisciplinary programs in resource development in Hawai`i and other tropical areas; and to provide statewide, county-based programs and services that will help people and organizations solve social and economic problems."

Tsunami symposium

The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) and the Department of Geology at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo present a tsunami symposium on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. The free gathering will be held in the Campus Center, rooms 306-307.

Speakers will present information on a variety of topics including what generates a tsunami, local history, and Hawai`i's warning system and evacuation procedure.

Speakers include Dr. Daniel Walker of the Tsunami Memorial Institute, Dr. Gerard Fryer of UH-Manoa, Harry Kim of Hawai`i County Civil Defense, and a representative from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A special guest also will share a personal tsunami experience.

Following the presentation audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions, obtain literature and educational materials, and visit the American Red Cross resource booth. The symposium is sponsored by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

For additional information, please call Kim Sides, 974-7631.

Health in Paradise

Straub Foundation and Tutu's House present Health in Paradise: Can Disease be Prevented at Pukalani Stables in Waimea on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Eight visiting lecturers will join several local experts to cover topics such as "Can Diabetes be Prevented?", "Is a Glass of Wine Good for you?", "Travel Related Diseases", "Is it Possible to Change the Physician's Behavior?", "Wellness Programs for Cutting Health Care Costs" and more.

Advance reservations are suggested. Call Tutu's House in Waimea, 885-8336.

New offices

Congratulations to the Hawai`i Forest Industry Association on opening an office in downtown Hilo. HFIA is located at 162 Kinoole Street #101 in the Savio Building just a block and a half away from the Federal building.

The new telephone number is 933-9411. Executive director Andie Beck has assistance from Joel Quebec and Chris Oswald.

HFIA's commodity marketing study, performed by consultants Margules Poyry Pty Ltd of Australia, will be presented to Hawai`i County Council members Tuesday (Nov. 17) at 1 p.m. Recommended products and processing options for eight different introduced hardwoods will be discussed.

Presentations also are scheduled for Kaua`i Wednesday (Nov. 18) and O`ahu Thursday (Nov. 19).

The Big Island Farm Bureau opened an office at 190 Kamehameha Avenue, #1, with full-time staff Diane Ley. The new telephone number is 969-4876.

Other activities

Wednesday (Nov. 18) the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry economic development committees will hear from Cora Lum, acting director of Corrections, on plans for a prison on the Big Island. The meeting will be held at noon in the Moku`ola Room at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Contact HICC for reservations, 935-7178.

Cruise ship schedule

Norwegian Dynasty, 900 passengers, spends a day in Hilo Monday (Nov. 16) and returns Friday, Nov. 27, Monday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 18. The Dynasty will be in Kailua Bay Saturday (Nov. 21) and again Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Norwegian Star, 1,300 passengers, arrives Monday, Nov. 23, for a day in Hilo and returns Sunday, Nov. 29. Statendam, 600 passengers, was in Hilo for Veterans' Day and returns Friday, Nov. 27, when Norwegian Dynasty also will be in port. Statendam calls on Kailua Bay Tuesday, Nov. 24.

The Independence calls every Thursday in Hilo and every Friday in Kailua-Kona.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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November 8, 1998
Events in Kona, Hilo and Waimea energize November

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The fall harvest calendar is crowded with activities and opportunities for education and enjoyment.

Perhaps the largest is the 28th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which continues through Saturday, Nov. 14, celebrating 170 years since the first planting of ornamental coffee trees in Kona. The community celebration includes a bowling tournament today and self-guided driving farm and mill tours tomorrow and Tuesday.

Activities on Wednesday (Nov. 11) include the Gevalia cupping competition, an art exhibit, golf tournament and the Kona Coffee Council annual dinner and benefit auction.

Thursday (Nov. 12) the International Lantern parade & cultural program begins on Alii Drive at 6 p.m.

Friday (Nov. 13) the Kona Coffee Council will provide guided tours of working coffee farms and mills. Lunch and transportation are included in the $25 fee. Call 328-9120 for reservations. The KTA Super Stores professional and amateur recipe contest entries will be available for tasting after 6 p.m. judging in the Keauhou Shopping Complex. The Kona 4-H Federation will coordinate karaoke night at the Kona Hongwanji Hall starting at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14, is the big final day of Festival activities. The Miracle Mile race takes off from the Royal Kona Resort at 8 a.m. with a finishing line at Kailua Pier. The Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate grand parade wends its way from Kailua Gym to the Royal Kona Resort starting at 9:30 a.m.

Heritage Park and international market will be held at Hale Halawai from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. including lei contest, ikebana floral displays, entertainment, crafts, art and ethnic foods.

Also scheduled on Saturday are a Pioneers' luncheon and Mahalo recognition dinner. For further information, contact Current Events at (808) 326-7820 or e-mail greatpr@ilhawaii.net or http://www.konacoffeefest.com

Today, Peter Merriman celebrates his 10th anniversary in Waimea by establishing Merriman's Culinary Scholarships. A fund raiser to help kick off this tuition assistance for Big Island students planning a food service career is set for 3 to 6 p.m. at Kuhio Hale.

"Students from all Big Island high schools and both West Hawai`i and East Hawai`i Community College Culinary Schools were invited to submit favorite recipes using ingredients produced, rised or harvested by Big Island farmers," said good food enthusiast Gene Erger. "Twelve finalists were selected and paired with mentor-professional chefs who will assist in preparing 250 servings of the dish for this tasting. Each guest chef also will create their own favorite recipe for tasting. All ingredients are furnished by Merriman's as a salute to the farmers and ranchers who supply the restaurant with premium fresh products year-round."

Tickets are $15 and proceeds will fund the scholarship program.

Tuesday (Nov. 10) Pauline King of UH Manoa history department will speak on "World War II and Hawaiian Commerce" at 7:15 p.m. in the Lyman House Memorial Museum. The lecture is part of a continuing series celebrating the centennial of the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by a grant from the Hawai`i Committee on the Humanities, lectures are free and open to the public.

For further details, contact the Chamber, 935-7178, or Lyman House, 935-5021.

Tuesday evening also offers Reeftalk at the Thelma Parker Memorial Library in Waimea from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Topic of this month's presentation is "Coastal erosion and shoreline management in West Hawai`i."

Captain Wayne Awai and fire rescue specialists Ty Medeiros and Keith Laeha will bring recipes from the Waiakea Fire Station to the televised Focus on Agriculture course Thursday (Nov. 12) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The emphasis of this semester is on cooking with locally grown products.

The program appears live on cable channels 4 and 13 on the Big Island, 55 and 21 on O`ahu and 10 on Kaua`i. It is rebroadcast by Maui Community College Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m.

For more information on UH-Hilo College of Agriculture courses, contact Dean Jack Fujii jfujii@hawaii.edu or telephone 974-7393.

Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 12-14) the 7th annual Winter Wine Escape will be held at Mauna Kea Resort. Celebrity chefs from New Orleans and Chicago join local culinary stars in a Year of the Paniolo celebration. For more information, call 880-3023, the food and beverage office at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

The International Film Festival comes to the Big Island Nov. 13-20. Among selected Hawai`i documentaries is "An Uncommon Kindness: the Father Damien Story" by Stephanie Castillo, former Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter in Wailuku Maui.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, the documentary will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Hawai`i Naniloa Hotel.

The 6th annual Taro Festival is set for Saturday (Nov. 14) at Honoka`a Gym from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Kathleen Baker, 775-0043.

Every Sunday through December 13, polo is played at Waiki`i. Gates open at noon and games start at 1 p.m. For information, call 885-8986.

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce business tips for breakfast program will offer "What's ahead in 1999" Thursday, Nov. 19, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Royal Jade Garden restaurant. Participating will be Diane Quitiquit, director of Hawai`i County's Department of Research & Development and member of the newly formed Hawai`i Tourism Authority, and Tom Whittemore, senior vice president of First Hawaiian Bank.

To register, contact the Chamber at konakcc@gte.net or telephone 329-1758.

The Hawai`i Small Business Development Center, a partnership program between UH-Hilo and US Small Business Administration, will present a seminar on "How to Write a Business Plan" Part I on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Part II on Thursday, Nov. 19, at UH-Hilo Manono Campus Multi-Purpose Room from 9 a.m. to noon. Fee for each session is $25.00 or $40.00 if you attend both sessions.

How to Write a Business Plan, Parts I and II, will cover the important issues that a start-up or expanding business needs to consider.

Part I will cover the narrative portion of the plan. Topics that will be covered include reasons for writing a business plan, development of the plan and different formats of the plan.

Part II will cover the financial part of the plan. The three major financial statements will be discussed. Participants will be introduced to the cash flow statement, the income statement, the balance sheet and financial ratios through hands-on activities. A calculator is recommended.

The SBDC also will present a seminar on "Financing Options for the Small Business" on Friday, Nov. 20, at UH-Hilo Manono Campus Multi-Purpose Room from 9 a.m. to noon. The seminar fee is $25.

The three-hour seminar will introduce participants to the various types of financing available to small businesses. Advantages and disadvantages of each type of financing will be discussed. Participants will learn about the "5 Cs of Credit" as well as how to prepare the financial proposal required by lending institutions.

The seminars will be presented by Becky Winters, the Hawai`i SBDC Network Center Director. Space is limited, and pre-registration and pre-payment are strongly recommended. Call 969-1814 for additional information.

Kona Krafts in Kealakekua will hold its annual bazaar Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fundraising event helps "continue programs to help persons with disabilities achieve a more independent lifestyle in our community," according to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

New publications

A bulletin with map updating the Saddle Road project is available through the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. E-mail requests to clipper@interpac.net or telephone 966-5416.

For those who were unable to attend the outstanding `awa conference in August, videotapes of the seminar now are available from the Association for Hawaiian `Awa (AHA). The two-tape set includes speakers' presentations and farm and nursery tours.

The speakers were Kepa Maly on cultural perspectives, Qun Yi Zheng on market needs, Dennis McKenna on kava as a natural relaxant, Mike Zelko on plant nutritional needs and Vincent Lebot on a Pacific overview.

The set is $30. The association also seeks tax-deductible donations for research.

Jeri Ooka of UH Manoa-CTAHR said in a recent AHA newsletter, "For every dollar contributed to this AHA effort, Hawai`i Agriculture Research Center (formerly Hawai`i Sugar Planters Association) can obtain three dollars in matching funds from the state. All results of the research will be public information."

Researchers interested in conducting `awa work should contact Ooka at jeri@hawaii.edu or telephone her Kaua`i office, (808) 822-4984.

For further information on AHA, to make a donation for research or to order the conference videotapes, write the Association for Hawaiian `Awa, P.O. Box 636, Pepe`ekeo HI 96783.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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November 1, 1998
International expertise aids local fruit growers

 ÒÒ! By K. T. Cannon-Eger

So many of the tropical fruits grown here come from far away. Rambutan is indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia. Durian is possibly a native of Borneo and is popular throughout southeast Asia. Soursop and papaya come >from tropical America. Carambola is a Malaysian tree common in India and China.

Longan and lychee come from China. More than 500 varieties of mango are known in India, according to Marie Neal's In Gardens of Hawai`i.

The value of many of these fruits has increased substantially since 1991, according to the Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS). In the case of rambutan, acreage planted has increased from 65 acres in 1991 to 95 acres in 1997, as reported in the most recent HASS annual report for specialty fruits. Rambutan farm value rose from $3,600 in 1991 to $716,000 in 1997. Lychee farm value rose from $17,500 in 1991 to $206,400 in 1997.

It is all the more important, as our island's specialty fruit acreage expands, for local farmers to consult with others who grow these fruits in other parts of the world. That was made possible by the Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers at its eighth annual conference in mid-October. More than 130 people gathered at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Conference participants came from Thailand, Malaysia, Florida, Saipan, Australia and all over the state.

Yan Diczbalis, a researcher with Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, was the keynote speaker and a participant right through the conference farm tours. Diczbalis has done extensive work in the cultural practices for rambutan, durian and mangosteen.

He brought a wealth of printed material on rambutan characteristics and cultivars, fertilization and fertigation, growing and marketing, and post harvest handling.

"Rambutan is indigenous to the hot, wet and humid equatorial tropics of Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia)," said Diczbalis. "It was first introduced into Australia late last century and interest in clonal material developed after the 1960s.

"Since then, more than 50 varieties have been introduced from Southeast Asian countries. It was introduced into the Northern Territory in the early 1980s," said Diczbalis and co-author T. K. Lim, where "rambutan thrives and fruits in areas around Darwin and south to Adelaide River.

"More than 50 cultivars have been introduced from Southeast Asia, but several have been erroneously labeled or misidentified. About 15 are popularly cultivated in commercial orchards in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Most of these varieties have been vegetatively propagated by inarching or bud grafting.

"Insects such as domesticated and native bees are the main pollinators."

In commenting on fertilization types, Diczbalis said, "Our crop monitoring studies show that rambutan requires more nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) than phosphorus (P) especially during fruit development. A suitable fertilizer for fruiting trees should contain N:P:K in the ratio 10:5:9. It should be chloride free."

Rambutan also requires macro-elements, such as calcium and magnesium, and micro-nutrients such as iron, zinc and boron and sometimes manganese.

"Organic fertilizers such as animal manure should only be used as supplements because they are very low in macro-elements and large amounts are needed to equate to inorganic fertilizer," Diczbalis said. "However, they should be used to improve soil structure and water holding capacity as well as soil fertility.

Windbreak trees are necessary. Some trees used in Australia include neem (Azadirachta indica), Casuarina, Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and mango (Mangifera indica), which should be established before planting the rambutan.

Two major pests in Australia are not here in Hawai`i: Rainbow lorikeets and flying foxes. Diczbalis shared advice with growers on how to handle other pest problems such as fruit fly, caterpillars, ants, mealy bugs, borers and mites.

Regarding harvest, Diczbalis said rambutan "has to be harvested when ripe. Harvest should be done in the early morning or late evening. Care should be taken during harvesting to avoid rough handling"

He recommended placing crated fruit in the shade and rapidly transporting the crates to the packing shed where fruit should be "sprayed with cool water to dissipate field heat."

Marketing and development of value added products was discussed by Letitia Uyehara of the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, Wayne Katayama of Kilauea Agronomics, Jennifer Weinert of Island Fruits and Carol Yurth of the Honoka`a `Ohana Kitchen.

Uyehara noted that approximately 30 percent of total tropical specialty fruit production is culls, a situation that is not unique to the industry but is of concern to most commodity groups.

Salad dressings, sauces, fruit juice, jams and jellies, pudding mixes, soup bases, cookies and candy were among potential products she named.

"We need to partner with our bakeries to develop breads and pastry items with tropical fruits when in season," Uyehara said. "I know that our ice cream makers have all said they would be more than willing to develop some ice cream flavors featuring exotic fruits. A great sorbet has been developed with the Ka`u oranges as an example."

She suggested stronger interaction between grower groups and the Hawai`i Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA). HFMA members commercially produce locally manufactured products.

"They are the people that have the manufacturing issues wired," Uyehara said. "They know the cost and problems related not just on the processing side, but also the marketing of products from Hawai`i. They have had to change their labeling and improve their packaging to be more globally competitive.

"They buy supplies in bulk to cut down their cost of production. They are in the process of establishing a consolidation center on the mainland to take advantage of cheaper shipping rates going out of Hawai`i by combining like or compatible loads here."

Uehara recommended a program of improved consumer awareness as a more immediate and important step. In a recent survey, prepared for the Florida Tropical Fruit Industry, wholesalers and retailers cited the lack of educational or promotional materials as a major impediment to increased sales.

"It was recommended that the industry develop a promotional kit containing a variety of point of purchase materials such as price cards, recipes, posters and ad slicks," she said. "Also any special educational efforts targeted at the trade should be valuable so that produce workers would be knowledgeable and could recommend these `new' fruits to first time buyers.

"In another study by researchers at Cornell it was found that supply, availability, profit potential, nutritional information, vendor support, ripeness information and preparation and recipe information were important factors in wholesalers and retailers deciding whether to carry a new product or not. And more than 76 percent of them felt that the burden of providing this information rested with suppliers or commodity trade organizations."

She shared a value-added story of a third generation peach grower in Northern California.

"His family has about 80 acres of peaches growing on two farms and they also have a roadside fruit stand, which they have had for many years. When he and his brother came into the family business after college, they decided to try a few new things. They started to make peach smoothies, which they sold at the stand and did very well, so they tried other value added products such as peach jams and salsa and a peach pie.

"The profit made from these products is several times what they make from selling a case of peaches. The fruit stand is still what attracts people, but the profits are made from those value added products."

For more information on the recent conference and future programs, contact the Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers through the web site http://kamuela.com/treecrops or e-mail mehos@kamuela.com or telephone 322-0935 or write P. O. Box 1390, Kealakekua HI 96750.

Other activities

Tuesday polls open for the general election at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

A workshop for anthurium growers will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Tropical Connection's farm in Pahoa followed by presentations at Komohana Ag Complex. For more information and to register for the free seminar, contact Kelvin Sewake at the Cooperative Extension Service, 959-9155.

Dr. Ramon De La Pena of the University of Hawai`i on Kaua`i will present a slide illustrated lecutre on taro production in Hawai`i and the Pacific to open the sixth annual Honoka`a Taro Festival. The program begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the Honoka`a Gym.

The festival kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, and continues to 4 p.m. with music, hula, poi eating contest, largest lehua (wetland and dryland) taro root contest, children's games, food booths and cultural exhibits.

For more information, contact Honoka`a Business Association president Kathleen Baker by e-mail kat@aloha.net or telephone 775-0043.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, which receives partial funding from the Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development and GTE Hawaiian Tel. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HC 1 Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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