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| Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u played music, marched and celebrated Freedom, Jesus and Aloha Kekua at Merrie Monarch. Photo by Pam Taylor |
HIGH TECH AEROSPACE PROJECTS would likely be attracted to the Big Island under a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Bob Herkes that passed the state Senate last week and the House of Representatives earlier in March. Tax breaks and additional incentives are scheduled for negotiations between House and Senate.
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| Lowell Kalapa, of the Tax Foundation of Hawai`i |
The committee report says that “development of an aerospace high technology district on the island of Hawai`i will create an environment where major aerospace and lunar transportation companies will want to come for research, to test equipment and technologies, and to work collaboratively with the University of Hawai`i to engage in clean, high technology research and development. The development of and investment in the aerospace industry offers great potential for sustainable long-term economic growth that will help bring investment to Hawai`i and create high paying, sustainable, high technology jobs.” The aerospace district would be located within or near Hilo. The head of military affairs for the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce, the University of Hawai`i and others wrote letters of support.
Lowell Kalapa, of the Tax Foundation of Hawai`i, had another view. His testimony: “While it appears that it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the development of aerospace high technology businesses, singling out businesses for preferential treatment merely confers preferences for those businesses at the expense of all other taxpayers. Concurrent efforts must be made to improve Hawai`i’s business climate to enhance the economic prospects for all businesses. The creation of such districts is merely an abdication of government’s responsibility to create a nurturing and supportive business climate so that all businesses can thrive in Hawai`i and provide the jobs the people of Hawai`i need.”  |
| Prabu Segaran counsels a patient on her medications. |
GAMMA THETA CHAPTER of Phi Delta Chi at UH-Hilo’s School of Pharmacy hosted more than 70 people at its second annual Miloli`i health fair on Saturday, April 7. Students offered free cholesterol and diabetes screenings as well as blood pressure monitoring. Attendees had an opportunity to speak with a pharmacist one-on-one about their results and any medications they may be taking. In addition to the health fair, activities for children included an Easter egg hunt, egg decorating and an opportunity for them to make things to take home. Live entertainment by the band Hi-Town added to the festive atmosphere. The free event included lunch and raffle prizes. “We are very excited to have been able to bring our services to Miloli`i and look forward to continuing our relationship with their community,” said organizer Matthew Sasaki.
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| Ka`u Hospital Emergency Department has a new Ambulatory Treatment Area. Photo by Julia Neal |
A NEW SERVICE AT KA`U HOSPITAL is the Emergency Department Ambulatory Treatment Area, where patients can get scheduled care for things like IV therapy, tube changes and special medication administration. The area keeps patients from having to travel to Hilo or Kona. “It is a very long drive from Ka`u and a hard one if you aren’t feeling well,” said Nona Wilson, Ka`u Hospital’s director of nursing. To get treatment, a patient’s outside physician makes a referral call to the hospital’s Emergency Department physician. Once the treatment has been approved, the ED nurse calls the patient to schedule the appointment. “EDATA services at the hospital have become really important to many people in our community who have serious health conditions,” said hospital director Merilyn Harris. The service is even being used by visitors calling to schedule appointments for medication delivery while here. For more information, call 932-4200.
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| Brandy Shibuya Photo by Pam Taylor |
COFFEE BERRY BORER RESEARCH from experiments in Kona and Ka`u is presented at Pahala Community Center tomorrow at 6 p.m. Dr. Elsie Burbano discusses Kaolin powder, a new preventive treatment against the CBB, and the efficacy of different trapping methods available in Hawai`i. Visiting agribusiness student Karla Casco, from Zamorano University in Honduras, discusses potential economic losses and costs and benefits of the fungal treatment Beauveria bassiana. Andrea Kawabata, coffee and orchard crops extension agent from University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, gives updates on the next Hawai`i Local & Immigrant Farmer Education/Risk Management Hawai`i event on June 9. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more, contact Didi at 808-887-6183 or mddiaz@hawaii.edu.
THE MERRIE MONARCH PARADE in Hilo yesterday saw Ka`u Coffee Growers Co-op marching with its floats. Three of the Ka`u Coffee farmers are headed to Portland, Oregon this week to accept awards for being named three of the top ten coffees in the world by the Coffees of the Year competition at the annual Specialty Coffees Association of America convention. They are Willie Tabios, Lorie Obra and Trini Marques. Also going to Portland is Brandy Shibuya, who won the latest Miss Ka`u Coffee title, Ka`u Coffee Farmers Cooperative president Gloria Camba, Ka`u Coffee marketer and land manager Chris Manfredi and a crew from Ka`u Coffee Mill.
THE MERRIE MONARCH PARADE in Hilo yesterday saw Ka`u Coffee Growers Co-op marching with its floats. Three of the Ka`u Coffee farmers are headed to Portland, Oregon this week to accept awards for being named three of the top ten coffees in the world by the Coffees of the Year competition at the annual Specialty Coffees Association of America convention. They are Willie Tabios, Lorie Obra and Trini Marques. Also going to Portland is Brandy Shibuya, who won the latest Miss Ka`u Coffee title, Ka`u Coffee Farmers Cooperative president Gloria Camba, Ka`u Coffee marketer and land manager Chris Manfredi and a crew from Ka`u Coffee Mill.
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| Lorie Obra, Trini Marques, her granddaughter Calaysa and Gloria Camba celebrated Ka`u Coffee at Merrie Monarch. |
KAHU RADIO marched in the Merrie Monarch Parade yesterday with a float of musicians, announcers and supporters including Demetrius Oliveira and members of his band, along with Bobby and Phoebe Gomes. KAHU Radio founder Wendell Kaehuaea said he and staff are celebrating the expansion of the reach of KAHU into Ocean View. Kaehuaea, however, said he is stepping down from broadcasting on the radio station until the upcoming election season is over, as he is running for state Senate against Rep. Bob Herkes and others.
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| KAHU Radio announcers and musicians entertained the crowds at Merrie Monarch Festival yesterday. Photo by Pam Taylor |
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