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| Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah present a hula informance Saturday in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Kenji Kuroshima |
JOHN KAI HAS BEEN NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT of Royal Hawaiian Orchards, with offices and orchards in Pahala and elsewhere on the island. He replaced Dennis Simonis, who held the post for more than eight years.
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| Royal Hawaiian Orchards has a new interim president, John Kai. Photo by Julia Neal |
Simonis oversaw the company’s name change from ML Macadamia Orchards, which produced and sold macnuts wholesale. Expansion into a new line of retail products led to the name change to Royal Hawaiian Orchards last year.
Regarding the change in management, Richard Schnitzler, president and co-owner of the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., told Stephanie Silverstein, of Pacific Business News, “I feel that most of the people in our industry — the Hawai`i macadamia nut industry — will feel this was a very positive move for their company. They’ve got some very smart people on (the board of directors), and I think enough has been enough for them with the company losing money and venturing off into some very new and different areas that have some risk.”
Kai has been on the company’s Board of Directors since 2004. He is president of Pinnacle Investment Group, LLC and Pinnacle Media Group, LLC, and branch manager and investment representative of First Allied Securities, Inc.
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TED HONG AND WARREN CHONG discuss how to maintain good employment practices at a labor law workshop tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Hong is an attorney who practices labor and employment law out of his firm in Hilo, and Chong is a partner with Legal Shield, a company that provides legal services to small business owners. Topics include government-relations agencies, payment of wages, child labor laws and independent contractors.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit offers its Palm Trail Hike, Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy, guided, 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. 985-6011
KUMU LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH present a 50-minute narrated demonstration of preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on VAC Gallery’s porch. Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
Regarding the change in management, Richard Schnitzler, president and co-owner of the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., told Stephanie Silverstein, of Pacific Business News, “I feel that most of the people in our industry — the Hawai`i macadamia nut industry — will feel this was a very positive move for their company. They’ve got some very smart people on (the board of directors), and I think enough has been enough for them with the company losing money and venturing off into some very new and different areas that have some risk.”
Kai has been on the company’s Board of Directors since 2004. He is president of Pinnacle Investment Group, LLC and Pinnacle Media Group, LLC, and branch manager and investment representative of First Allied Securities, Inc.
Kai is a graduate of Sacramento City College and attended University of the Pacific from 1983 to 1985. He served on the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai`i and was a director of the Research Corporation of University of Hawai`i, the Hawai`i Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and has served on several nonprofit boards in Hawai`i.
According to its website, “Royal Hawaiian Orchards, L.P. is the largest grower in the world of macadamia nuts. Today, Hawai`i produces about one-quarter of the world’s supply, but Hawaiian macadamia nuts rate tops for premium quality.”
According to its website, “Royal Hawaiian Orchards, L.P. is the largest grower in the world of macadamia nuts. Today, Hawai`i produces about one-quarter of the world’s supply, but Hawaiian macadamia nuts rate tops for premium quality.”
WITH HURRICANE SEASON UPON US, Hawai`i Electric Light Company urges all of its customers to review their preparations for emergencies.
HELCO says the best time to prepare for an emergency is before one occurs. It provides some tips to get started:
The handbook can be downloaded at helcohi.com. Those without Internet access may receive a free copy by visiting Hawai`i Electric Light’s customer service locations in Hilo, Kona and Waimea or by calling 969-0137.
- Gather emergency supplies, such as a battery-powered radio, flashlights, lanterns, and batteries.
- Store enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine for family members and pets to last seven days.
- Before a storm hits or if there is a power outage, unplug all unnecessary electric equipment and appliances until the storm has passed or until power is firmly restored.
- Take time now to plan where to take shelter if your home is subject to coastal storm surges or inland flooding. A list of emergency shelters is available at Hawai`i State Civil Defense Agency at scd.hawaii.gov, or t 733-4300.
- As a tropical storm approaches, listen to emergency TV and radio broadcasts to learn which shelters have been opened. If evacuating, take emergency supplies and remember to shut off electricity at the main breaker or switch.
- Make plans in advance to go to a safe location where electricity will be available if someone in your home depends on an electrically powered life support system and you don’t have a backup generator. Some shelters are designed for people with health needs; just remember to take your own medical equipment and medications.
- Plan to seek safe shelter for your pets. During a tropical storm, pets may not be safe outdoors in doghouses or pens.
The handbook can be downloaded at helcohi.com. Those without Internet access may receive a free copy by visiting Hawai`i Electric Light’s customer service locations in Hilo, Kona and Waimea or by calling 969-0137.
HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL announces June is the time to apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal low-income home energy subsidy.
Applications are taken from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday this month at HCEOC in Na`alehu and on Fridays only at the Old Pahala Clubhouse.
Eligible families are asked to bring originals and copies of their most current HELCO bill; verifications of income for all adults (three months worth of pay stubs, Social Security 2013 benefits letter, pension, disability, unemployment or other regular payments); identification for all household members (driver license/passport and Social Security cards for adults, Social Security cards for children, birth certificates for infants under one year); proof of residence address, such as a rental agreement, property tax or other bill; and Final Utility Termination Notice if they’ve received a shut-off notice from HELCO).
Eligible families are asked to bring originals and copies of their most current HELCO bill; verifications of income for all adults (three months worth of pay stubs, Social Security 2013 benefits letter, pension, disability, unemployment or other regular payments); identification for all household members (driver license/passport and Social Security cards for adults, Social Security cards for children, birth certificates for infants under one year); proof of residence address, such as a rental agreement, property tax or other bill; and Final Utility Termination Notice if they’ve received a shut-off notice from HELCO).
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| Michael Richards |
A NEW SCIENCE CAMP IS SET TO LAUNCH in less than two weeks for local teens entering grades 9 through 12. Home base is at Pahala Plantation Cottages. Science Camps of America takes the learning outdoors, offering first-hand experience in environments ranging from beaches and rainforests to volcanoes and snow-covered mountaintops.
There are still a few spots remaining, and Science Camps wants to fill them by extending financial aid to those who qualify and register by Saturday, June 15.
“The idea is to get teens outside and into the field to truly explore science,” Michael Richards, camp founder and executive director said.” We need to find new ways to engage students and nurture their interests, and in this particular case, we want to focus on science because we have one of nature’s greatest laboratories in our backyard.”
Richards, a local entrepreneur from Kaneohe, said he worried his own grandchildren would become too preoccupied with using the Internet and social media and were spending less time exploring the world outside.
He called upon his past geology teacher, Dr. Floyd McCoy, to help create a solid curriculum for the camp. McCoy, professor of geology and oceanography at Windward Community College, agreed to come on board as director of education.
The first session, Land and Sea, will be held June 22 to July 1 and give campers the chance to examine volcanoes, geology, beaches, reefs and the ocean.
The second session, Air and Space, will be held July 1 to 10 and expose campers to topics including the atmosphere, weather systems, climate change and innovative technologies that address the ever-changing world.
Registration fees include meals and transportation to and from Kona or Hilo airport.
“The idea is to get teens outside and into the field to truly explore science,” Michael Richards, camp founder and executive director said.” We need to find new ways to engage students and nurture their interests, and in this particular case, we want to focus on science because we have one of nature’s greatest laboratories in our backyard.”
Richards, a local entrepreneur from Kaneohe, said he worried his own grandchildren would become too preoccupied with using the Internet and social media and were spending less time exploring the world outside.
He called upon his past geology teacher, Dr. Floyd McCoy, to help create a solid curriculum for the camp. McCoy, professor of geology and oceanography at Windward Community College, agreed to come on board as director of education.
The first session, Land and Sea, will be held June 22 to July 1 and give campers the chance to examine volcanoes, geology, beaches, reefs and the ocean.
The second session, Air and Space, will be held July 1 to 10 and expose campers to topics including the atmosphere, weather systems, climate change and innovative technologies that address the ever-changing world.
Registration fees include meals and transportation to and from Kona or Hilo airport.
Find out more at ScienceCampsAmerica.com or 678-619-0974.
THE FIFTH ANNUAL VOLCANO POTTERY SALE takes place tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The sale features newly created work by twelve ceramic artists of East Hawai`i. Samples of Volcano-grown teas are available courtesy of Tea Hawai`i, with sushi and bentos for purchase from Volcano Hanabi. For more information, see ryhpottery.com/volcano_pottery_sale or call 985-8530.
TED HONG AND WARREN CHONG discuss how to maintain good employment practices at a labor law workshop tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Hong is an attorney who practices labor and employment law out of his firm in Hilo, and Chong is a partner with Legal Shield, a company that provides legal services to small business owners. Topics include government-relations agencies, payment of wages, child labor laws and independent contractors.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit offers its Palm Trail Hike, Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy, guided, 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. 985-6011
KUMU LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH present a 50-minute narrated demonstration of preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on VAC Gallery’s porch. Free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.