Value-added info available at workshop
Value-added info available at workshop
A workshop titled “Value-Added Innovation for Hawaii Growers: Making the Family Farm Profitable” will help growers hone their skills at adding value to their products and services. The free workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 21 at the Imin Center in Holualoa.
The workshop will give participants insights into a range of subjects such as profitable crops and varieties, price setting for different markets and developing processed products. Participants will leave the workshop with an expanded understanding of adding value to all products and practices while reducing risks and maximizing profits. The presentations emphasize ways to focus efforts at minimal cost for maximum effect, approaches that control risk, and resources for business planning.
The workshop will be led by Craig Elevitch, Ken Love and specialist presenters. Elevitch is an agroforestry educator. Love is co-owner of Love Family Farms in Kona, which produces a range of value-added products including jams, jellies, dried fruits and coffee.
For more information and to register, visit valueadded.info or call 756-9437. The first 30 registrants for each workshop location will receive a free preview copy of the new publication (in press): “Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawaii: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation.” The workshop is produced with funds from the state Department of Agriculture.
Business networkers meeting Wednesday
Alii Networkers Chapter of Business Networking International, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals, is holding a visitor’s day from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Island Naturals in the Old Industrial Area, 74-5487 Kaiwi St., Kailua-Kona.
Anyone interested in attending is welcome. There is a $5 charge for the buffet luncheon provided. Bring business cards. Seating will be limited. For reservations, contact Steven Yamamoto at 930-4673.
Kokua Kailua
slated for March 17
March may bring wind and cold to much of the mainland and even Mauna Kea, but in Kailua Village, Kokua Kailua on March 17 welcomes everyone to enjoy the oceanfront setting from 1 to 6 p.m. Alii Drive becomes a pedestrian-only walkway during Kokua Kailua.
Dozens of island vendors line Alii Drive selling arts, crafts, island coffee and more. At 4 p.m., an afternoon of free entertainment is held on the lawn at Hulihee Palace.
Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, Destination Kona Coast, Kailua Village Merchants Association, Hulihee Palace, West Hawaii Today and Pacific Radio Group. The program is designed to rally support for merchants and restaurants and to remind residents to shop, dine and buy local.
Landscape classes begin April 10
The Hawaii Island Landscape Association and the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service are offering the 2013 Landscape Maintenance Training Program and the Landscape Industry Certification Program to landscape professionals and serious gardeners.
The training course is a 10-week series of classes that may also be taken individually. Topics include: basic botany; tropical plant identification and selection; plant nutrition and soil health; turf care; irrigation basics; pruning trees and shrubs; establishing and managing a landscape; pesticide use and safety, pest identification and control; and math for landscapers.
The classes begin April 10 and run Wednesday afternoons through June 12. The classes are held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Cost for each class is $35 for association members and $40 for nonmembers. The fee for the entire series is $300 for members and $350 for nonmembers.
Space is limited and early registration is suggested. For more information and to register for classes, contact Ty McDonald at the UH Cooperative Extension office in Kona, 322-4884 or tym@hawaii.edu.
Body Glove Cruises
offering more options
Body Glove Cruises is offering an expanded menu of activities to guests in 2013.
In addition to its daily 41⁄2-hour deluxe snorkel and dolphin adventure, whale watching cruises are also available December through April.
Body Glove Cruises Historical sunset dinner cruise travels the Kona Coast to Kealakekua Bay, with a local historian highlighting more than 50 points of interest and historical sites along the way. The three-hour cruises are offered on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
The company has added to its daily snorkel cruise to protected marine sanctuaries, now offering snuba as an upgrade to guests. Snuba allows everyone 8 and older to experience being underwater without all the hassle associated with learning to scuba. With snuba, there is minimal instruction and no bulky gear or certification is needed.
Body Glove Cruises is also available for private and customized charters for corporate events, weddings, scattering of ashes, religious services and theme parties. Kanoa II can be chartered by the hour or by the day for up to 120 guests. For more information, visit bodyglovehawaii.com or call (800) 551-8911.
Matson gives
$25K to REHAB
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation has received $25,000 from Matson in support of its capital campaign for the renovation of the hospital.
REHAB is the only hospital in Hawaii to provide acute rehabilitative care and offers specialized programs such as cardiac rehabilitation, stroke recovery center, women’s rehab center, a senior drivers’ safety program and “Back to Life,” an pain reduction and rehabilitative program for wounded soldiers in partnership with the Veterans Administration. It is also investing in breakthrough neuro-robotics technology and equipment.
To date, REHAB Foundation has received more than 80 percent of the $17.2 million capital campaign goal from private foundations, government, organizations and individuals. The public support phase of the campaign will kick off in conjunction with REHAB’s 60th anniversary later in the year.
NHCH adds volunteer chaplains program
North Hawaii Community Hospital has instituted a new chaplaincy program, consisting of 10 community volunteer chaplains who offer spiritual comfort to patients and family members through the healing process with prayer, guidance and support.
The community volunteer chaplains are invited to “make rounds,” offering spiritual comfort to inpatients, their families and hospital staff throughout the hospital.
Patients may ask for their own pastors; however, if their pastor is not available or the family does not regularly attend church, now a volunteer chaplain will be called. NHCH volunteer chaplains include several religions and the following individuals: Rev. Robert (Bob) Schwarzhaupt and Deacon Larry Ignacio from Annunciation Catholic Church; Kahu Tyrone Reinhardt from Imiola Congregational Church; Buddhist Rev. Franco Acquaro from Amida Hawaii who is a psychologist at NHCH’s Kaheleaulani, a Native Hawaiian Health Program; Buddhist Rev. Kosho Yagi from Kamuela Hongwanji; Christian Revs. Sonny Shimaoka, Noleen Kua Mendes, Sioni Tilini, Peter Finch and Dennis Martin Jr. from New Hope Church.