Hawaiian Host Group has become the largest grower, processor and seller of macadamias in Hawai'i with its purchase of MacFarms, Kapua Orchards and the Royal Hawaiian brand. Photo from Hawaiian Host Group
THE 4,000 ACRE KAPUA ORCHARDS AND MACFARMS processing plant on the border of Kaʻū and South Kona are acquired by Hawaiian Host Group, the famous confectionary company. Hawaiian Host recently held a blessing for the MacFarm employees. It is one of the largest employers of Kaʻū residents.
Hawaiian Host also owns Mauna Loa and its operating plant in Kea'au as well as another manufacturing plant on O'ahu. Its purchase of MacFarms stock for $26 million makes Hawaiian Host the largest macadamia grower and producer in the state with some 340,000 trees. Hawaiian Host made the purchase from the former Broederbond Australian company, which is now known as Health & Protein Group LTD.
Hawaiian Host President and CEO Ed Schultz issued a statement saying, "The addition of 4,000 acres of macadamia orchards in perpetuity allows us to plan for the long-term in Hawai'i. MacFarms has a long-standing history of producing some of the best macadamia nuts in the world, and we look forward to continuing that tradition. This acquisition will allow us to expand our product offerings and continue to provide our customers with the best-quality products, while retaining great jobs in the state of Hawai 'i."
Macadamia growers in Kaʻū and around the state recently submitted testimony to the Hawai'i Legislature that pointed to Mauna Loa buying nuts from abroad and selling them as a Hawaiian product, while mac nuts lay on the ground on this island unharvested, with company workers on unemployment and smaller growers without a market.
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| Hawaiian Host CEO and President Ed Schultz (center) after purchasing MacFarms. Photo from Hawaiian Host Group |
Hawaiian Host's President pointed out that Hawaiian Host Group employs some 500 people across the state and stated that MacFarms and all of its operations "will remain open due to the popular demand for its products. As demand for its products continues to grow in Hawai‘i, on the mainland, and in Asia, HHG is hiring across locations."
While Hawai'i is well known for macadamia quality and the United States is the country with the second highest consumption of macadamia nuts, U.S. Hawai'i production and exports are outstripped by other countries. In 2021, top exporters of macadamia nuts were South Africa with $277 million exported, Australia $246M, Kenya $101M, Netherlands $39.7 million grown outside of country, and Guatemala $38.2M.
In the same year, top importers of macadamia nuts were China $230M, United States $161M, Germany $85.6M, Vietnam $62.9M, and Japan $51.8M.
The Hawaiian Host President is well known nationwide among confectioners. The National
Confectioners Association issued a statement on April 12 saying it named Schultz its 2023 Advocate of the Year. It says that the award "recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to ensure the confectionery industry has a seat at the table when policy discussions occur at the federal, state and local levels." The Hawaiian Host President received his award at NCA’s 2023 State of the Industry Conference in Miami.
The Hawaiian Host President is well known nationwide among confectioners. The National
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| Hawaiian Host Group acquired land, trees, another operating plant and two more brands, MacFarms and Royal Hawaiian. Image from Hawaiian Host |
Confectioners Association issued a statement on April 12 saying it named Schultz its 2023 Advocate of the Year. It says that the award "recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to ensure the confectionery industry has a seat at the table when policy discussions occur at the federal, state and local levels." The Hawaiian Host President received his award at NCA’s 2023 State of the Industry Conference in Miami.
John Downs, NCA President and CEO, said, “Ed’s leadership and dedication to the industry are exemplified by the outcomes he has achieved for the industry in Hawai'i, making him truly deserving of this recognition."
The statement from National Confectioners says, "In 2022, Schultz worked to communicate important policy positions for the confectionery industry on numerous issues facing the state legislature in Hawai'i. "His strategic engagement and strong relationships gave him a seat at the table to advocate for his company and the broader confectionery industry. His efforts stopped harmful legislation from moving forward, and he continues to educate members of the legislature on issues that impact the industry."
Schultz said, “We must be engaged when new policies are put forward by elected officials at all levels, and I look forward to continuing to share the important role that the confectionery industry plays in our communities and in our great state of Hawai'i.”
Schultz has been President of Hawaiian Host Group since 2018 and serves on boards of Hawai'i Chapter of Young Presidents Organization and the Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
K-9 KIM HAS JOINED THE HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT Area II Vice Section. The newest ilio wahine member of HPD, she is a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who specializes in sniffing out narcotics.
In early March, Officer Stephen Kishimoto Jr., a K9 handler in the department’s Area II Vice Section, traveled to Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana, to select a new canine for the department. He chose K9 Kim after looking at three different canines. Kim was born in Hungary and brought to the US by the training kennel, which specializes in training police dogs.
“Kim’s overall work drive stood out over the other canines,” said Kishimoto.
Kishimoto and his new K9 partner completed an extensive four-week training course at Vohne Liche’s 350-acre facility, during which the young canine learned search patterns and how to identify and signal for specific drug odors during searches.
“Kim’s drive to work and pleasant demeanor makes her a great canine to not only to locate illegal narcotics, but she’ll be a great canine for school and public demonstrations,” said Kishimoto. “She’ll represent HPD well.”
K9 Kim and her training were paid for by Hawai'i branch of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, a part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
K9 Kim replaces K9 Rory, a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel, who retired in August 2022.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
POLICE ARRESTED 22 MOTORISTS FOR DUI during the week of April 10, through April 16. Hawai`i Island police made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One was under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 301 DUI arrests compared with 321 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.2 percent.
To date, this year, there have been six fatal crashes, resulting in seven fatalities. One fatal crash was reclassified—manner of death was due to natural causes and another fatal crash cause of death was due to a traffic collision that occurred the day prior. Another fatal crash ended up with multiple deaths. There has been a decrease of 50 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities from last year. Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
ROADWORK IN THE MILOLI'I, KAʻŪ, VOLCANO AREA has been announced by County of Hawai'i.
April 24-28, weather permitting, along South Point Road, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, from Hwy 11 to the end of the road, the schedule is for mulching of grass and tree trimmings. In Volcano area, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be grading of roadway from end of Chain of Craters Road to first gate. At both locations there will be the potential lane closures; flaggers directing traffic; large trucks and personnel on roadway. Also April 24-28 on Miloli'i Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be installation of pavement parkings on resurfaced roadway, with officers directing traffic and minor delays.
The statement from National Confectioners says, "In 2022, Schultz worked to communicate important policy positions for the confectionery industry on numerous issues facing the state legislature in Hawai'i. "His strategic engagement and strong relationships gave him a seat at the table to advocate for his company and the broader confectionery industry. His efforts stopped harmful legislation from moving forward, and he continues to educate members of the legislature on issues that impact the industry."
Schultz said, “We must be engaged when new policies are put forward by elected officials at all levels, and I look forward to continuing to share the important role that the confectionery industry plays in our communities and in our great state of Hawai'i.”
Schultz has been President of Hawaiian Host Group since 2018 and serves on boards of Hawai'i Chapter of Young Presidents Organization and the Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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| HPD Officer Stephen Kishimoto, Jr. from Hawai'i met K9 Kim from Hungary when they were both at Vohne Liche in Indiana. K9 Kim returned to Hawai'i with Kishimoto to serve as a police dog. Photo from HPD |
In early March, Officer Stephen Kishimoto Jr., a K9 handler in the department’s Area II Vice Section, traveled to Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana, to select a new canine for the department. He chose K9 Kim after looking at three different canines. Kim was born in Hungary and brought to the US by the training kennel, which specializes in training police dogs.
“Kim’s overall work drive stood out over the other canines,” said Kishimoto.
Kishimoto and his new K9 partner completed an extensive four-week training course at Vohne Liche’s 350-acre facility, during which the young canine learned search patterns and how to identify and signal for specific drug odors during searches.
“Kim’s drive to work and pleasant demeanor makes her a great canine to not only to locate illegal narcotics, but she’ll be a great canine for school and public demonstrations,” said Kishimoto. “She’ll represent HPD well.”
K9 Kim and her training were paid for by Hawai'i branch of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, a part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
K9 Kim replaces K9 Rory, a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel, who retired in August 2022.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
To date, this year, there have been six fatal crashes, resulting in seven fatalities. One fatal crash was reclassified—manner of death was due to natural causes and another fatal crash cause of death was due to a traffic collision that occurred the day prior. Another fatal crash ended up with multiple deaths. There has been a decrease of 50 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities from last year. Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
April 24-28, weather permitting, along South Point Road, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, from Hwy 11 to the end of the road, the schedule is for mulching of grass and tree trimmings. In Volcano area, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be grading of roadway from end of Chain of Craters Road to first gate. At both locations there will be the potential lane closures; flaggers directing traffic; large trucks and personnel on roadway. Also April 24-28 on Miloli'i Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be installation of pavement parkings on resurfaced roadway, with officers directing traffic and minor delays.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
TROJANS BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEASON CAME TO A CLOSE on Saturday with a loss to Kohala on the road. Kohala Cowboys beat Kaʻū Trojans after the Trojans won the first set 25-16. Cowboys took the second, third and fourth sets 25-13, 25-19 and 25-18.
Trojans with the most scores were Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia with 19 kills, 32 aces and 4 blocks; Patrick Riehle with 1 kill and 1 block. Vladimir Fedoruk with 3 kills, 2 aces and 1 block, Triton Blanco with 2 kills and 2 aces and Zayden Gallano with 1 kill and 1 block.
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OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Thursday Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See Volcano Evening Market facebook.
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
.png)
OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Thursday Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See Volcano Evening Market facebook.
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
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