December 7, 1997
Buy local is the best advice for island holiday shopping

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Shopping for the holidays is always a challenge but Big Island businesses offer the best opportunities for finding just the right thing for every taste and budget.

This column will concentrate on holiday shopping suggestions for food items to include in gift baskets for business or personal presents.

George Bettencourt and Carol Ann Jitchaku of Paradise Gourmet in Prince Kuhio Plaza near Waldenbooks feature such local wonders as the "Azookie Cookie" from Shishido Manju Shop, jellies, Kona coffee, hot sauces, crack seed, taro and sweet potato chips.

Stop by their kiosk or phone them at (808) 959-2339 for special orders.

Penny and Tip Davis' Broke the Mouth has moved to 374 Kino`ole Street across from the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald building in Hilo, one block from their former location across from the Hilo Farmers' Market. Available are several dressings and sauces from local produce such as the popular Magado (macadamia nut-based) Sauce and Starfruit-Sweet Potato Salad Dressing in addition to baked goods from Hilo Rising. New products include Jammers -- fresh local fruit jams of `ohelo and guava with no additional sugar or pectin.

"It's not set firm like most jams so you can just jam it on your pancakes, waffles or ice cream," said Penny.

Mango-papaya, and poha-pineapple are the other two new "jammer" combinations.

New store hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., web site www.brokethemouth.com or phone them at (808) 934-7670.

Joan Desilets of Kona Wine Market at the King Kamehameha Mall, 75-5626 Kuakini Highway, (old airport side of the corner of Kuakini and Palani) offers a selection of baskets starting at $30 including 100 percent Kona coffee, a cup, chocolate covered spoon, and coconut wood coffee scoop packed in a lauhala or banana leaf basket.

Other possible selections include macadamia or taro pancake mix, syrups, white honey, jams or a whole basket full of local snacks including double chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

Friday (Dec. 12) at 7 p.m. the Kona community chamber orchestra will carol through the shopping center starting at 7 p.m. Kona Wine Market will feature wine, champagne and chocolate tastings that evening. Or contact them by phoning (808) 329-9400.

Kona Wine Market is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Sundays when hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Cook's Discoveries at the Spencer House in Waimea (next to McDonalds) carry a wide range of locally produced agricultural value-added products including lilikoi butter, `ohelo jam, spicy Pacific marinade, sunrise papaya seed dressing, Kona estate coffee, macadamia nut oils, Kona coffee jelly, and their famous cookies -- Triple Chocolate Chunk and Captain's Cookies (Bill Cook's favorite).

An addition to a gift basket might include Kauila Maxwell or Theresa Hohu printed tea towels, Tutu Nene hot pads or pot holders, painted mugs, Hawaiian motif cookie cutters and Christmas ornaments.

Cook's Discoveries is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and may be reached at (808) 885-3633.

Entertaining for the holidays? Think of contacting Island Grinds, the lunchwagon ladies at Hilo Bay, who have a new illustrated booklet with all their offerings priced reasonably. In addition, a delicious new basil vinaigrette is available in 22-ounce corked bottles.

Contact Lisa or Norina at (808) 964-5392.

Looking for something special to add to that gift basket? Try Basically Books for books, maps, mouse pads, rubber stamps, cookie cutters and kids' stuff such as glow-in-the-dark stars and planets at their new location at 160 Kamehameha Avenue.

Basically Books may be e-mailed at reedbook@interpac.net or phoned at (808) 961-0144. From outer islands and the mainland, call toll free 1-(800)-903-6277.

The long-time Hilo stop for perfect maps also will try to find out-of-print books about Hawai`i. Extended holiday hours are from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. weekdays, Saturdays 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Many historic downtown Hilo shops will keep the same extended holiday hours including, for the cost conscious, the Hilo Woman's Club Pink Elephant thrift shop at 216 Kamehameha Avenue.

Contact Marlene Lundquist at (808) 935-4095 to arrange donations or volunteer. The larger site allows the Hilo Woman's Club to accept donations of furniture.

Another established local venture has a new location on Kamehameha Avenue. Hana Hou island treasures by Michele Zane-Faridi has moved from Kalakaua Avenue to 164 Kamehameha. Phone (808) 935-4555 or fax (808) 935-0309 for quality antique clothing, furniture, framed prints and new woven hats.

Processed island food products are available at grocery stores and many farmers' markets. Look for the KTA Super Stores' Mountain Apple brand in Hilo, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona and Puainako. Kea`au Natural Foods carry several locally produced items including Lean Green Foods' tempeh burgers and chili.

Hilo Farmers' Market is open across from the Mo`oheau Park bus terminal Wednesdays and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to after 3 p.m. Folks interested in booth space should contact Mike Rankin at (808) 969-9114.

The Kona Farmers' Market is held Saturday and Sunday at Kaiwi Square from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Contact (808) 961-9094. The Kailua Village Farmers' Market is held across from Hale Halawai on Ali`i Drive Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For details, call (808) 329-1568.

In the Ka`u district, look for O'Suzanna's Farmers' Market every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Highway 11 at Road to the Sea or telephone (808) 936-9451. The Ka`u Farmer's Market is held in Pahala at the old Pahala Clubhouse Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Phone (808) 928-6429.

In Pahoa, "Caretakers of Our Land" Farmers' Market is held Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon at Sacred Heart Church parking lot. Call Cherie Hamilton at (808) 965-8963. The Akebono Farmers' Market is held on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In Volcano village, try the Farmers' Market at Cooper Center Sundays from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Contact is Betsy at (808) 967-7209.

In Waimea, the Hawaiian Homestead Market features produce, flowers, baked goods, potted plants and crafts at Kuhio Hale every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. Contact (808) 885-5672. The Kamuela Farmers' Market welcomes donations to the Hawai`i Island Food Bank at Parker School every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Contact (808) 775-0239.

Another popular item for gift giving is local recipe collections. A Friends of the Library Big Island recipe book will be available at all Hilo public libraries for $12.50. The cover features watercolor artwork by Marian Berger of Volcano.

"More than 300 recipes from librarians and friends of the library cover everything from local style fast and easy dishes to potpourri," according to Jane Webb, president of Friends of the Library.

The Kona Coffee Cookbook is available from the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival designed and printed by Island Heritage Press. More than 160 pages, with history and delightful watercolors, cover everything from how to make a perfect cup of Kona coffee to desserts. Cover art is by Ron Genta and divider page watercolors by Keith McGuire.

Check in to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival web site at www.konacoffeefest.com, write P.O. Box 1112, Kailua-Kona HI 96745, e-mail info@konacoffeefest.com or telephone (808) 326-7820.

Coming events

Wednesday (Dec. 10) cut flower growers and shippers should attend the marketing workshop in Hilo at 7 p.m. in the Komohana Ag Complex. Contact Kelvin Sewake, (808) 959-9155 for further details.

Saturday (Dec. 13) Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center of West Hawai`i, Prevent Child Abuse and West Hawai`i Family Support Center sponsor a 9 a.m. breakfast with Santa at Kuhio Hale (Hawaiian Homes Hall) in Waimea. Volunteer clerical help and donations needed. Contact Pegi Scully, (808) 885-1777.

Meanwhile, bearing in mind the day and date, when you see a person serving in or retired from any branch of our military service today, please say "Thank You" for all that they do.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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 30, 1997
Floral, nursery sales growth boosts our economy

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Floriculture -- cut flowers and foliage -- and potted nursery plants are important and growing segments of our state's economy. The Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS) estimates the annual wholesale value to the state at $70 million. Nearly half of that comes from the Big Island.

"The Big Island's 316 producers generated $34.7 million in wholesale sales (in 1996), six percent more than 1995," said the HASS annual report.

Beginning in 1992, HASS figures include only producers having total sales of $10,000 or more. HASS counted 690 farms having sales in 1996.

"We love using tropicals, but not just because of their longevity and incredible size," said Las Vegas Mirage Hotel floral manager Gale Neely. "Their bold colors and curious character reflect the intense energy of Las Vegas. And they're great for business -- they make such an impact. People remember the Mirage and its fresh tropical flowers."

Floral designer Jeff Miklos of New Jersey said, "Whether towering and dramatic or graceful and romantic, flowers from Hawai`i have one character trait in common: confidence. And it's their confidence that makes a large arrangement even more immense than its size."

Alika Williams of Alika's Big Island Tropical Flower Farms said, "We've seen a steady increase in sales over the past five years. A major factor has been our 1-800-32-FARMS number.

"Quality of service and quality of product on receipt are most important," Williams continued. ""You can promise a customer anything, but you have to deliver quality product and follow up with quality service or they won't call you back."

"The tropical touch is the ultimate way to send warm wishes for the holidays," said Raymond Tanouye, president of the Hawai`i Tropical Flower Council and operator of Mountain Meadows Inc. "We're eager to continue the Council's efforts to educate and encourage designers to use more Hawai`i tropicals."

As part of this effort, the Council and Florist magazine are sponsoring a design contest -- "Exotics Everyday." In the judging phase now, the contest seeks to encourage FTD Association members and employees to use Hawaiian tropical flowers for nonholiday occasions such as birthday, anniversary, congratulations or friendship.

The finalists' designs will be pictured in the February issue of Florist when readers will vote for the winning design. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and a trip to Southfield, Michigan, for a four-design photo shoot to be published in the June edition of Florist magazine.

FTD florists gathered in Honolulu for their national convention in August. Following the convention, more than 10 percent of the participants came to the Big Island to tour farms and packing houses. At an HTFC gathering in Wailoa State Park, assisted by the County of Hawai`i Department of Research and Development, florists were treated to lei making lessons.

"It was Kalapana Tropicals Mindi Clark's idea," said Eric Tanouye of the Hawai`i Florists and Shippers Association. "There were fresh orchids on every table with lei needles and cord. They learned to string single and double lei as well as how to make haku."

The florists also learned how to use smaller tropicals in corsages, boutonniere and bouquets. Potted orchids and bromeliads lined every table and were given to the visiting florists.

Volcano's culinary crusader Leslie Hershhorn catered the affair which was complimented by Hilo's local brew -- kegs of Mehana dark beer and light ale.

Another national publication, Professional Design Magazine, has devoted its entire November/December issue to Hawai`i tropical flowers. Full-color photographs of floral arrangements by four top designers are featured with credit to the HTFC for providing flowers.

The HTFC has posters and other printed material available to help growers sell more flowers. Approximately 3,000 flower posters are on hand with a minimum purchase of 50.

In addition to the poster, HTFC has a supply of portfolios with information on the care and handling of anthurium, proteas, tropicals, dendrobiums and potted plants. These items are available at special prices too with a minimum purchase of 50.

Contacts are Mindi Clark on the Big Island, (808) 966-6642, Terrie Roberts of Sunset Tropicals on Maui at (808) 875-1211, Steve Sico of Garden Isle Flowers on Kaua`i at (808) 823-0426, and Creighton Mow of Orchid Plantation on O`ahu at (808) 259-5445.

The HTFC publishes a quarterly newsletter in cooperation with the state Department of Agriculture. The newsletter is distributed to flower growers and shippers, interested government officials and affiliated commodity groups. If you wish to be on the mailing list, please contact your island representative. On O`ahu call Ken Vincent at (808) 259-7826. On Maui call Carver Wilson, (808) 878-1218. On Kaua`i call Steve Sico at (808) 823-0426 and on the Big Island call Eric Tanouyeof Green Point Nurseries at (808) 959-3535.

In California, Macy's stores will feature all Hawai`i products in April 1998 including flowers. Shippers interested in this event should contact their island HTFC representative.

Other efforts include a new web site and a marketing workshop.

The Hawai`i Tropical Flower Council contracted with Alohaweb Communications of Hilo to provide a permanent site "to increase the volume of sales and bring new customers," according to the organization's November newsletter.

The site -- http://www.htfc.com -- lists flower growers and shippers, HTFC officers, and complete sections dedicated to each commodity group: anthurium, orchids, protea and tropicals. Enhanced listings and electronic business brochures are possible. Contact is Larry Joseph of Alohaweb Communications via e-mail alohamaster@alohaweb.com or write 280 Ka`iulani Street, Hilo HI 96720.

Dr. John Halloran, extension specialist in marketing with UH Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), and Kelvin Sewake, county extension agent in cut flowers, will conduct a marketing workshop presenting OmniTrack research results. A discussion of the pros and cons of the strategic plan will follow.

"This session will focus on studies regarding US retail florists, attitudes and awareness of US consumers, and a suggested strategic plan for marketing Hawai`i's flowers," said Sewake.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Komohana Agricultural Complex in Hilo from 7 to 9 p.m.

For details, contact Sewake at (808) 959-9155, e-mail ksewake@hawaii.edu or fax (808) 959-3101. On Oahu, contact Halloran at (808) 956-7692.

Another session is planned after the new year to deal with industry feedback on a computer database program and a hands-on demonstration of the program.

Coming events

In December the UH-Hilo College of Agriculture Focus on Agriculture televised class schedule on Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. includes Mac and Nee of Sawade Thai Cuisine (12/4) and Beth-Ann Nishijima of Nori's Saimin and Snacks (12/11).

Thursday (Dec. 4) Light up a Life at Parker Square in Waimea. This benefit for Hospice includes community singing, a bell choir and refreshments. It's a great way to kick off the holiday season.

The annual Pahoa Schools Ho`olaulea starts up Saturday (Dec. 6) with a parade through town at 9 a.m. ending at the school. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be "a killer musical entertainment line-up," according to career counselor and event coordinator Bob Williams. "Albert Mahi and the Paradise Band, Sudden Rush, Kolea, Brother Walter and his Tropical Rhythm Band and a guest appearance by a Na Hoku award-winning artist will be featured in addition to the talents of our own school groups and local halau."

The free annual ho`olaulea also offers food booths, children's activities and a giant craft fair.

"This is one of our School-to-Work projects," said Williams. "The Junior Achievement program will have Christmas craft items and plants for sale."

Groups interested in entering the parade or setting up a booth at the fair should contact Williams, B.J. Snyder or Luana Jones at (808) 956-2150.

Saturday (Dec. 6) the Waimea Christmas Parade, Parker School gingerbread house bazaar and village flea market begin at 10 a.m. The parade route begins at Church Row and ends at Waimea Park. Contact the Waimea Community Association at (808) 885-1539 for information.

December 5 through 13, the fourth annual Hamakua Music Festival will include jazz, blues, classical and Hawaiian music. The festival includes school performances, master classes for music students and scholarships for music education. Advance tickets are available for $10 at Byrd's Audio ($15 at the door), $12 for seniors and children under 12. Call (808) 775-8255 for details.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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 16, 1997
Macadamia recipes pose tough choice for judges

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

"It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it," said Honolulu Magazine editor John Heckathorn as he stared at his judge's plate stacked with macadamia nut pie and cake samples.

More than 500 recipes from 26 states and two foreign countries were entered in the second annual Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut recipe contest. A panel of professional chefs winnowed the selection to 70 finalists in eight categories: breads, salads, entrees, cakes, pies, cookies, candies and other desserts.

A field of 26 judges made its way around the tables at the large conference area of Nani Mau Gardens where the Hilo Harvest Moon Festival was held in late October. The festival celebrates harvest season of one of the state's major export crops.

During the 1996-1997 crop year, from 680 farms, many of them on the Big Island, more than 19,200 acres were harvested representing a wholesale value for raw macadamia nut kernels of $69.8 million, according to the Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service.

"You look like a real dessert taster to me," said Heckathorn looking at this writer's full plate.

"Gosh, everything is so good," said Carl Okuyama of Sure Save Markets. "How do we choose?"

Taste, texture, appearance and the overall presentation all were factors for judges of every category. The unanimous choice of the judges for both pies and cakes was Waikoloa's Dalo Dela Paz, later revealed as the pastry chef of the Four Seasons Resort on the Kohala Coast. The recipe for his elaborate layered Mac Nut Opera Cake is included later in this column.

Following judging, selections were opened to the public, who filled the room.

The results of the open competition are:

Entree, Stephen Marquard of the Outrigger Hotel Marshall Islands for macadamia nut and wai nui encrusted opakapaka with pandanus burrie blanc and breadfruit relish. The graduate of Michigan State, who worked on the Big Island before his present position, was awarded $250 by the Hawaiian Natural Water Company.

Salad, Thomas Viernes of Kamuela for Pipikaula and Waimea greens with roasted macadamia nut oil, chili ginger vinaigrette. He received $250 from Lone Palm Sprouts Company.

Breads, Elaine Hirai of Captain Cook for Mauna Loa bread with mac nut honey butter. The outstanding presentation on Hirai's entry included elegantly scripted "title cards" written on the leaves of an Autograph Tree (Scotch Contract). Her awards included $250 from Punalu`u Bakery Company and $1,000 from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company as the Grand Prize winner.

Cakes, Dalo Dela Paz of the Four Seasons Resort was awarded $250 from HFM Food Service for Mac Nut Opera Cake.

Pies, Dela Paz won $250 from Hawaiian Fresh Egg Farm for Mac Nut Cream Pie.

Cookies, Kay Cabrera of Waikaloa created "Millionaire's Shortbread," which drew you-have-to-try-this raves from judge Patti Cook. Cabrera received $250 from Meadowgold Dairies.

Candies, Diane Halferty of Tucson, Arizona, was awarded $500 by Guittard Chocolates for double macadamia nut crunch.

Desserts, Violet Tasaka of Honolulu's Mango macnut mochi garnered $250 from Kemo`o Farms.

Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro presented a special trophy for a new category, Mayor's Choice, to Casey Nonaka of Kealakekua for her sweet potato ginger cheesecake with macadamia nut crust. Derek Kurisu of KTA Superstores took second place in the celebrity recipe challenge. KITV News anchor Gary Sprinkle once again took first place with a macadamia nut dessert involving a liberal dose of rum.

Amateur and professional chefs wishing to enter next year's competition should have written recipes ready before the end of August. Contest coordinator is Gene Erger of Waimea, (808) 885-0018.

Other activities included in the growing event included free entry to Nani Mau Gardens for the day, a plant sale and country store, a papaya rolling contest, entertainment and several children's events. All in all, a most happy day for farmers and fans of the heart-healthy macadamia nut.

Mac Nut Opera Cake

by Dalo Dela Paz

Ingredients (five steps)

Yellow Sponge Sheet Cake

1 1/2 quarts eggs plus 1 pint egg yolks

4 pounds sugar

3 pounds cake flour

1 pound melted butter

Opera Ganache

3 pounds 4 ounces chocolate (Couveture)

two pounds five ounces milk

one pound one ounce butter

1 1/2 ounces mocha paste

3 ounces mac nut liquor

12 ounces diced mac nuts

Mac Nut Syrup

1 pint water

2 pounds sugar

2 ounces mac nut liquor

Opera Glaze

15 ounces chocolate (couveture)

2 pounds three ounces coating chocolate

6 ounces salad oil

Mac Nut Buttercream

1 1/2 quarts buttercream

3 ounces mac nut paste

Preparation (five steps)

Sheet Cake:

Whip eggs, yolks and sugar on high speed until fluffy.

Fold in cake flour, then fold in butter.

Bake at 350 degrees (F) until done.

Opera Ganache:

Chop chocolate.

Boil milk, butter, mocha paste and add to chocolate.

Add liquor and mac nuts to chocolate and cool.

Mac Nut Syrup:

Boil water and sugar.

Add liquor when above mixture is cooled.

Opera Glaze:

Melt chocolates and stir in oil.

Mac Nut Buttercream:

Whip up buttercream with paste until smooth.

To assemble Mac Nut Opera Cake (12 steps)

Spread melted chocolate onto bottom of chilled sheet cake.

Cut the sheet to fit a square or round ring-type mold.

Moisten the layer with mac nut syrup.

Place a layer of ganache about 3/4 inch thick onto the cake.

Top with another piece of sheet cake and moisten again.

Spread a layer of mac nut buttercream about 1 inch thick over the second layer of cake.

Place a third layer of sheet cake on top and moisten with syrup.

Spread a very thin layer of mac nut buttercream to make the cake even on top.

Cake should just come out to the edge of the ring or mold.

Chill cake.

Glaze with opera glaze.

Cut with hot knife and serve.

Coming events

The Ka`u Federal Credit Union will open a satellite office inside the Kahuku Country Market in the Ocean View Town Center tomorrow (Nov. 17).

"This is the first financial institution to open its doors to the growing population of Ocean View," said manager Bernard Balsis.

President of the Ka`u Federal Credit Union board Janet Rychner expressed excitement about the expansion because "this exemplifies the credit union philosophy of people helping people. We can show the world what a real community-based financial cooperative can do."

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) provided a $5,000 grant to assist with the purchase of new computer equipment. NCUA is considering other financial and advisory aides. The new office will be staffed by Joe Whitney, a long-term resident of Ocean View.

"I am committed to the local community," said Whitney. "By providing professional financial services, the residents will benefit from the view point of convenience and the security they will have from a solid institution helping with their financial needs."

At the same time, services are being improved at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union office in Pahala. On-line services mean members will be able to do almost all financial transactions in Pahala without having to go to the Na`alehu office.

The credit union was chartered in 1938 as an employee credit union of the Hutchison Sugar Mill. It became community chartered in 1966. In 1996, it received low income community development credit union designation from NCUA.

Business hours in Ocean View will be 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except certain holidays. For further details, contact the Ka`u Federal Credit Union by e-mail to kaufcu@gte.net or phone (808) 929-7334.

Happy 50th anniversary to UH-Hilo. A food product expo will be held on the university library lanai Thursday (Nov. 20) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A cooking demonstration will be offered by interim Chancellor Dr. Bill Pearman and the Golden Anniversary cookbook will be on sale.

A celebratory reception is planned for 6 p.m. Friday (Nov. 21) at the Campus Center. Heavy pupus will accompany a video presentation of UH-Hilo history. Cost of the reception is $15.

Festivities move to the College of Agriculture farm in Panaewa on Saturday (Nov. 22) with entertainment, a fun run, hay rides, food booths and balloon animals for the children.

For further details, contact the office of University Relations at (808) 974-7642 or 974-7567.

The Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce will hold it's monthly Business After Hours social at the Shipman House Bed & Breakfast on Reed's Island. Shuttle service will be available from Mo`oheau Bus Depot. For further information and to make reservations, contact the Chamber office at (808) 935-7178.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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 9, 1997
Military helps Big Island economy as well as statewide

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The impact of the United States military on the economy of our state is pretty easy to spot on O`ahu, but not always recognized on the neighbor islands.

On the Big Island, Pohakuloa Training Area, the Coast Guard Patrol Boat Kiska, units of the Hawai`i National Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, Kilauea Military Camp recreation facility, recruiters, military aircraft operations, and increasingly frequent visits to ports by US Navy ships all impact our local economy.

Pohakuloa certainly covers the largest area and is the largest tactical training area in the Pacific. An estimated $51 million a year is spent on local purchase of supplies, equipment and services according to an economic impact survey conducted in 1995.

The first edition of The Big Island Data Book & Newcomer's Guide notes "the federal government has a strong presence in Hawai`i largely because of the military and the land it controls. The Hawaiian islands are the only major land mass for thousands of miles in any direction, so it's likely to remain of national strategic importance."

In addition there is the Peregrine Foundation funded by the US Army for protection of the alala (endangered Hawaiian native crow).

Perhaps the biggest expenditure to come will be in design and construction of an improved Saddle Road.

Public hearings on the draft environmental impact statement for Saddle Road, the only access to Pohakuloa Training Area, will be held in December. The West Hawai`i hearing will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Royal Waikoloan King's Ballroom from 7 to 10 p.m. The East Hawai`i hearing will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at UH-Hilo from 9 a.m. to noon. More information is available on the web site www.saddleroad.com

All interested parties are invited to send remarks on the draft to the Western office of the Federal Highways Administration, 555 Zang Street, Lakewood CO 80028, Attention: HPD-16E Saddle Road.

Approximately 175 young men and women join the regular Army or Army Reserve each year, according to local US Army recruiters. This is one way for our young people to receive job training and built up savings for college. The US Navy, Hawai`i Air National Guard and US Air Force also have recruiters on island. They will be busy this week with the annual College and Career Fair in Hilo and Kona and a Girl Scout-sponsored military career day in Hilo.

Nearly 20 men and women are on active duty with the USCG Patrol Boat Kiska homeported in Hilo. Several are here with their families. Some housing is provided by the Coast Guard and other homes are leased. Fuel for the ship is purchased locally. Lease rent is paid on the office in the Customs Building and for parking space at the pier.

Perhaps the most publicly noticeable expenditure is when the cook goes shopping at local grocery stores!

While the more than 8,000 military aircraft operations at Hilo and more than 9,000 at Kona reported by the State Department of Transportation may not have a direct impact on our economy, they do affect airport personnel and services hiring requirements.

A growing segment of the economy is US Navy ship visits to Kona and Hilo. This weekend a Ticonderoga class cruiser the USS Lake Erie will visit Kailua-Kona. Contact the Kona Council of the Navy League, Judy Alderson president, at 322-6696 for details.

The USS Willamette, a Cimarron class fleet oiler, originally scheduled to arrive in Hilo on Friday (Nov. 14) has been called to emergency refueling duty and now is scheduled to arrive Saturday (Nov. 15) morning.

The ship's captain, Commander Nori Ann Reed, and a ship's complement of nearly 220 officers and crew will be in port through Sunday evening.

Free public tours of the ship will be offered at Pier Three Saturday from 9 a.m. (depending on arrival time) to 1 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further details on the ship visit, contact the Hilo Council of the Navy League, K.T. Cannon-Eger treasurer, 966-8565.

Another impact is seen in the volunteer community projects accomplished by visiting ships' crews. During the past two years, pavilions at Leleiwi Park have been re-roofed, Gilbert Carvalho Park ball field improved, weeds pulled in downtown Hilo, floors at the old Henry Opukahaia School near Kea`au were cleared of old carpeting and tile in preparation for the new Hawaiian language high school, and the Children's Advocacy Center in Hilo was repainted.

When the Willamette was last in Hilo, crew members rebuilt the bridge at Happiness Park. This trip, they will be working with the Hilo Council of the Navy League, the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, police cadets and the County departments of parks & recreation and transportation to refurbish Mo`oheau Park bandstand and bus station.

USS Willamette is coming to Hilo to support a military career day Saturday (Nov. 15).

"Gaining Skills, Growing Strong," a day featuring success stories of women in the military and demonstrating training and educational opportunities, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the National Guard Armory (near Hilo Airport). Dignitaries invited to attend include the Girl Scout Council of Hawai`i 1997 Women of Distinction awardees Lieutenant General Carol A. Mutter, US Marine Corps, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Washington DC (to be represented in Hilo by Major Carol A. McBride); Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, US Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Pentagon (to be represented in Hilo by Colonel Coral Wong Pietsch); Rear Admiral Veronica Zasadni Froman, US Navy, Commander of San Diego Naval Base; Colonel Ann M. Testa, US Air Force, Commander, 15th Air Base Wing, Hickam Air Force Base; and Commander Kathleen M. Donohoe, United States Coast Guard, Commander USCG Group Honolulu.

Also attending will be the Girl Scout Council of Hawai`i 1997 Military Trailblazer honoree Brigadier General Frances I. Mossman, US Air Force retired; and Elinor Johnstone Ferdon, national president of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

Activities geared toward the young women of Hawai`i County include one-on-one sessions with the dignitaries and enlisted personnel, tasting MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), applying camouflage paint, and experiencing equipment from medical services to a HMMWV.

Aircraft will be on display and open for tours nearby at the old Hilo Airport (freight area). Included are a Blackhawk helicopter, an Air National Guard KC-135 Air Refueling Tanker and a Coast Guard helicopter.

Special tours of the USS Willamette are planned for participants in the Girl Scout-sponsored event from 1 through 4 p.m.

Transportation will be provided from some outlying districts. Contact Alberta Dobbe at the Girl Scout office in Keaau, 966-9376, for the bus schedule.

"Gaining Skills, Growing Strong," sponsored by Girl Scout Council of Hawai`i, is free and open to the public. Support for the event has been provided by Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro, Hawai`i County, Units of the Hawai`i National Guard, Pohakuloa Training Area, US Coast Guard Group Honolulu, Hilo Council of the Navy League of the United States, VADM and Mrs. Robert K.Y. Kihune, Sen. Malama Solomon, Sen. Andy Levin, Rep. Bob Herkes (D-Puna, Ka`u), Rep. Eric Hamakawa (D-S. Hilo & Puna), Rep. Jerry Chang (D-S. Hilo), Councilman John Ray, Aloha Blooms Inc., Floral Resources/Hawai`i, Shipman House Bed & Breakfast, Meadow Gold, Cannon & Eger Public Relations, Professional Secretaries International, Kia`i Kai Bed & Breakfast, Hale `Ohi`a Farms, and the UH-Hilo Athletic Boosters (partial listing).

Coming events

November 13 through 15 the Winter Wine Escape will be held at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Call 880-1111 for details.

The Hawai`i Lama Association will meet Saturday (Nov. 15) at Waimea's North Hawai`i Community Hospital beginning at 11:45 a.m. For more information, please call Linda Lee Cavis at (808) 326-7103.

Saturday (Nov. 15) Hawaiian games will be held at the Keauhou Beach Hotel beginning at 10 a.m. Includes `ulu maika (bowling with stone), ihe pahe`e (short spear throwing), `o`o ihe (spear throwing), hu (spinning top), pala`ie (loop and ball) and moa pahe`e (sliding darts). Call Kathryn Salomon at (808) 322-2441 extension 218 for more information.

The Kona County Farm Bureau and UH Cooperative Extension Service will co-sponsor a panel discussion on agricultural thefts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the CES office in Kainaliu.

State Representative Paul Whalen, a former deputy prosecuting attorney, and Community Policing Officer Stanley Haanio will discuss current laws pertaining to ag thefts, what farmers and ranchers can do to minimize theft, and proposed changes in State law.

The public is welcome to attend. Contact Virginia Easton Smith at (808) 322-2718.

Celebrate "Christmas in the Country" Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center Gallery.

Dietrich Varez will be on hand to autograph his prints. Makaloa weaving demonstrations will be offered on the Gallery porch.

Call (808) 967-7565 for information.

The Big One! The 22nd annual Hilo Christmas Fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Edith Kanaka`ole Tennis Stadium. More than 100 vendors, a wreath contest, door prizes and continuous entertainment make this a Hilo Thanksgiving tradition. For more information, contact Big Island Sustainable Communities Association, (808) 966-6977.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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 2, 1997
Ag export assistance program offers free advice

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Western United States Trade Association and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service will offer an export readiness program in Honolulu and Hilo this week.

"If you are serious about exporting for the first time and have a possible export market for your product or if you are expanding to a new export market and want some help, this is an excellent opportunity to get free consultation from an experienced export consultant," said James Nakatani, chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

"This export readiness program will match you with an experienced consultant who will assist you in assessing your level of export readiness and help you research, plan and develop a target export market for your company's product(s). The program is absolutely free. It requires only your time and commitment."

Mike Doherty, president of the Emerald Empire Group, will lead the workshop. His international business consulting company specializes in start-up ventures, international problem solving and special market assistance.

The program agenda includes such topics as negotiating with the buyer, quoting prices, distribution of your product in a foreign country, consumer trends, and competition. In addition the workshop will cover export programs and assistance available from local, state, federal and foreign sources. These programs provide exporters with matching funds to promote branded products, market research reports, buyer lists, how-to-export expertise and more.

Following each seminar, Doherty will hold one-on-one consultations with companies interested in individual assistance. He will help new-to-export companies assess their level of export readiness. Doherty will be available to discuss export strategies with those companies already exporting.

The Honolulu seminar schedule is tomorrow (Nov. 3) from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Agriculture Board room, 1428 South King Street. One-on-one consultations will be held Monday afternoon, Tuesday all day and Wednesday morning.

The export readiness program moves to Hilo Wednesday (Nov. 5) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nani Mau Gardens, 421 Makalika Street. A no-host buffet dinner will be served.

One-on-one consultations for Big Islanders will be held Thursday and Friday beginning at 8 a.m. at a location to be determined.

Please make reservations by faxing the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture at (808) 973-9590. If you have questions, contact Calvin Lee at (808) 973-9594 or Ann Miyamoto (808) 973-9592.

Coming events

Tomorrow (Nov. 3), eight Federal agencies will offer a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) one-day seminar on grant opportunities for Hawai`i's high tech small businesses. A second workshop on writing successful grants and individual meetings to discuss specific proposals also are scheduled.

The event will be held at the Royal Waikoloan Hotel beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing through 6:30 p.m.

The seminar is sponsored by the state High Tech Development Corporation (HTDC) and the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. A registration fee of $60 includes resource material, luncheon and a reception.

Participating agencies are Department of Defense, Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Energy, NASA, National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and special panels on venture capital financing and the National Technology Center.

Richard Henderson, president of HIEDB, said "We are pleased to co-sponsor this fifth SBIR conference. We're seeing excellent returns to Big Island-based companies interested in getting their technology innovations to the commercial production stage in disciplines from agriculture to remote sensing."

Henderson urged all Big Island high-tech firms to enquire with HTDC regarding conference participation.

More than $20 million in Federal funds has been allocated to Hawai`i firms through the SBIR program, many of them based on the Big Island. To register, contact Sybil Tsukamoto of HTDC at e-mail sybilt@htdc.org or phone (808) 539-3845.

Tuesday (Nov. 4), the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce will hear from the Honorable Jim McLay, former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. Currently a consultant to national and multi-national companies, McLay will speak on "Changing an Economy by changing its public sector."

The meeting will be held in the Crown Room, Hawai`i Naniloa Resort, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $18 for members, $23 for non-members. Call Lorraine at the Chamber, 935-7178, for reservations.

McLay will deliver the keynote address at "Building a sustainable tuna industry in the Pacific Islands," an 18-nation conference at the Maui Prince Hotel Wednesday through Saturday (Nov. 5-8).

"Just as Hawai`i is exploring ways to restructure government, improve the business climate and better utilize its resources, so too are the island nations of the Pacific," said Diane Zachary, president of Maui Pacific Center, conference organizer.

"In addition to providing great information, our conferences give Hawai`i businesses and consultants an excellent vehicle for acquainting the Pacific island countries with their products and services."

Private sector and government leaders will discuss island goals, policies, financing, and regulatory issues related to their abundant marine resources. Among many speakers will be representatives of Asian Development, the World Bank's Foreign Investment Advisory Service, South Pacific Forum and US National Marine Fisheries Service. The conference also will include presentations by local and international experts in fisheries and industry development, workshops, informal discussions and social activities.

The three and a half day conference will take place at the Maui Prince Hotel. The registration fee of $595 (day rate of $195) includes conference materials and conference meals.

For more information or to register, contact the Maui Pacific Center by e-mail to info@mauipacific.org or telephone (808) 875-2310 or fax (808) 879-0011.

Tuesday (Nov. 4) Dr. David Perry, emeritus professor of ecosystem studies and ecosystem management at the College of Forestry of Oregon State University will speak at 7 p.m. in the UH-Hilo Campus Center room 306. Dr. Perry's lecture will deal with forestry, communities and the environment on the Big Island with a scientific perspective on sustainability.

The free lecture is open to the public. For further information, contact Dr. Walter Steiger via e-mail wsteiger@hawaii.edu or at UH-Hilo, 974-7649.

Another forestry presentation will be made by Andrea Gill Beck, executive director of the Hawai`i Forest Industry Association, at the Waimea Exchange Club's noon luncheon meeting Friday (Nov. 7). Ms. Gill Beck will speak on what it takes to develop a successful diversified forestry industry in Hawai`i.

The meeting will be held at Bree Garden Restaurant. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance by calling program co-chair Bill Cook, 885-7502.

The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes will hold a vog and laze symposium Friday (Nov. 7) from 9 a.m. to noon in the UH-Hilo Campus Center.

The free symposium will cover what vog is and what you can do to protect you and your family from its effects, according to director Don Thomas. Jeff Sutton of Hawai`i Volcanoes Observatory will offer an overview. Meteorologist Jim Morrow will speak on how vog and laze move and what it is when it arrives in various locations. A physician and a representative from the state Department of Health also are on the agenda.

The same information will be covered in a West side symposium Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kona Surf Resort Kamehameha Ballroom. For further details, contact 974-7631.

The University of Hawai`i at Hilo College of Agriculture and the University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH-CTAHR) will hold a workshop and field tour on non-circulating hydroponic culture of plants Friday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no registration fee, however participants do need to sign-in at the registration desk at the UH-Hilo College of Agriculture Farm in Panaewa between 8 and 9 a.m. to receive an information packet and order lunch (optional).

Field tours continue Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Waiakea Experiment Station up Stainback Road and at the Volcano Experiment Station. For further information, contact Dwight Sato, 959-9155, or Bernie Kratky, 974-4105.

Destination Hilo will hold a silent auction and membership drive Friday (Nov. 7) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hawai`i Naniloa Resort Crown Room. Call 935-5294 for details.

Friday (Nov. 7) downtown Hilo celebrates the 12th annual Black and White Night from 6 to 9 p.m. with entertainment at the Kress Building main stage and activities all over downtown. Keiki and adult costume contests, window display contest, food and prizes are among events planned.

For more details, call Diane Ley at the Downtown Improvement Association office, 935-8850.

Saturday, Nov. 8, the fifth annual Taro Festival will be held at the Honoka`a Gym complex from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Educational exhibits, entertainment, a poi eating contest, farmers' market, craft and food booths, and children's games are planned. The winner of the poi eating contest will receive a poi machine donated by Pai`ai Poi Systems.

Contact Kathleen Baker at 775-0043 or Earl Nakashima at 775-9400.

Coinciding with this event is Taro Days at Cook's Discoveries in the Spencer House in Waimea. Exhibits, talk-story time, taro sampling and kulolo tasting are among events planned.

This whole week is Kona Coffee Cultural Festival time throughout the districts where 100 percent Kona coffee is grown. Many details on the state's oldest food festival were given in last week's column. For more information, check out the web site at www.konacoffeefest.com or look for the magazine-size Festival program.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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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October 26, 1997
Kona coffee -- "Island Grown, Hawai`i's Own"

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Mythology would have us believe that coffee was discovered by an Arabian goatherd who noticed how frisky his flock was after eating red berries from a glossy green-leafed bush.

Botanical evidence indicates the origin of coffee arabica was on the plateaus of central Ethiopia, several thousand feet above sea level.

Whether you believe the folk tales or the botanists, there's no denying coffee's importance as a morning beverage and an economic force.

Coffee's place in Big Island agriculture is celebrated annually with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, the oldest food festival in the state. Held this year from Saturday (Nov. 1) through Saturday, Nov. 8, the Festival begins with a coffee picking contest at Greenwell Farm Saturday (Nov. 1). Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the contest begins at 8 a.m.

Also on Saturday (Nov. 1), Kona Coffee History will be featured at the Kona Historical Society's museum and at Uchida Coffee Farm. Tours of the farm are free Saturday only. During the rest of the week, reduced ticket prices are available to those wearing Kona Coffee Festival buttons.

Buttons feature this year's theme "Kona Coffee -- Island Grown, Hawai`i's Own" graphically represented by Puna artist Amy Young.

Jean Hull and the culinary students of West Hawai`i will serve up a feast next Sunday (Nov. 2) beginning with reserved seating at 10 a.m. and open seating from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kona Surf Convention Center. Contestants in the Miss Kona Coffee pageant will serve as event hostesses.

A Big Island Marketplace featuring estate-grown Kona coffee and other local products opens at the Kona Surf Convention Center at 9 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 2).

Tuesday (Nov. 4) and Friday (Nov. 7) the Kona Coffee Council offers farm and mill tours. Air-conditioned buses will leave from the Royal Kona Resort at 9 a.m. Reservations are required and tickets are $25 which includes a gourmet lunch prepared by Hull's student chefs.

"Visit working farms and mills to learn about the culture of Kona coffee and see the processes involved in getting a ripe, red coffee cherry made into a cup of gourmet 100 percent Kona coffee," said Cecelia B. Smith of the Council.

Call 328-9120 for farm and mill tour reservations.

The Kona Coffee Council also holds its annual dinner and benefit auction during the Festival Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Royal Kona Resort at 6 p.m. Tickets ($25) are available at the Kona Wine Market in Kailua-Kona or Ted's Kona Theater Cafe in Captain Cook.

Proceeds assist in promoting 100 percent Kona coffee at trade shows throughout the world.

Thursday (Nov. 6) beginning at 9 a.m. the Gevalia Kona Coffee cupping competition enters the final round at Kona Village Resort. Previous winners include Keokea Kona Farm, Kona Kulana Farms, Perry Estate Farms and Wailapa Organic.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival's Grand Parade is set for Saturday, Nov. 8. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., entrants will follow Dr. Chisato Hayashi from the new Kona Gym along Alii Drive to the Royal Kona Resort.

Dr. Hayashi, 95, was the fist local-born physician to leave Kona for medical school and subsequently return to practice. He attended to the medical needs of scores of Kona coffee farmers and their families beginning in 1934.

For information on entering the Grand Parade, sponsored by Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, contact David Miyashita at 329-3519.

During and after the parade, an international market will offer demonstrations, hands-on activities, international foods and entertainment at Hale Halawai until 2:30 p.m.

These are but a few of the many events scheduled for a great Festival. Check out the web site at www.konacoffeefest.com or look for the Festival program for more details.

The August coffee report from Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS) notes that 1,960 acres are planted in coffee on the Big Island, up 10 percent from the previous year.

"Harvested acreage is estimated at 1,620 acres, up 18 percent from the previous season and the highest amount in five seasons," said the HASS report. "Newly bearing acreage accounted for part of the increase, but stepped up activity in rejuvenating previously unharvested acreage also was a factor. Strong farm prices in recent seasons have spurred interest in harvesting all the coffee that is available.

"Most growers and millers in the Kona area of the island are anticipating the harvest of a larger crop during the 1997-1998 season. Generally beneficial weather during the winter months resulted in good flowering throughout the Kona district. A dry April and May apparently did not severely affect fruit set and development.

"Harvesting of the 1997-1998 crop was underway by late-July. Initial deliveries were small, but quality was reportedly very good. No problems were encountered with floaters."

Coming events

Today (Oct. 26) the East Hawai`i Rose Society will meet in the garden of president Les Sakamoto at 2 p.m. Members and those interested in membership are asked to phone 934-7963 for detailed directions to the home off Kaumana Drive past Wilson Store.

Chicken skin scary stories are featured at Borders Books, Music and Cafe in Hilo today (Oct. 26) at noon. P.J. Neri will read from The Shark Man of Kapu Bay, The Missionary's Ghost and The Curse of Pele.

Friday (Oct. 31) it's Happy Halloween time at Borders with costume and pumpkin carving contests beginning at 6 p.m. Call 933-1410 for more details.

Tuesday (Oct. 28) the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business Tips for Breakfast session with Jerry Hirata, economic development specialist with the Small Business Administration, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Paniolo Country Inn in Waimea. There is a $5 charge for coffee, juice, rolls and fruit. Reservations are recommended by tomorrow (Oct. 27) by phone, 329-1758, or fax, 329-8564.

Thursday (Oct. 30) the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Lanihau Center will hear "How to increase revenues through store and office design" at a breakfast session from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Royal Jade Garden Restaurant. Speakers include architects Terry Cisco and Bob Nespro, shopping center manager Jim Lightner and Sue Moss of Trans-Pacific Design.

Reservations are recommended by Wednesday (Oct. 29) by phone, 329-1758, or fax, 329-8564.

Friday, Nov. 7, downtown Hilo celebrates the 12th annual Black and White Night from 6 to 9 p.m. with entertainment at the Kress Building main stage. Keiki and adult costume contests, window display contest, food and prizes are among events planned.

For more details, call Diane Ley at the Hilo Main Street/Downtown Improvement Association office, 935-8850.

Saturday, Nov. 8, the fifth annual Taro Festival will be held at the Honoka`a Gym complex from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Educational exhibits, entertainment, a poi eating contest, farmers' market, craft and food booths, and children's games are planned. The winner of the poi eating contest will receive a poi machine donated by Pai`ai Poi Systems.

Contact Kathleen Baker at 775-0043 or Earl Nakashima at 775-9400.

Coinciding with this event is Taro Days at Cook's Discoveries in the Spencer House in Waimea. Exhibits, talk-story time, taro sampling and kulolo tasting are among events planned.

Saturday, Nov. 15, bring the family and spend "A Day in the Taro Patch" with Kia Fronda in Waipi`o Valley. Advance reservations and 4-wheel drive vehicle required. Call Tutu's House at 885-6777 for details.

SARE proposals due

A reminder to those involved with integrated systems of plant and animal production practices: the deadline for submitting proposals to USDA the Hilo Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Programs is Wednesday (Oct. 29).

The purpose of grant efforts should be site specific applications "that will, over the long-term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends; make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

Additional funding may be available through the USDA EPA Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE) program.

Final selections will be made by May 1, 1998. For further details, contact Rhonda Miller, program manager, Ag Science Building, Room 322 at Utah State University, e-mail rlmiller@cc.usu.edu or telephone (801) 797-0351.

All calls for proposals can be obtained electronically at http://www.ext.usu.edu/wsare/

Focus on Ag

The television schedule for UH-Hilo College of Agriculture's course Focus on Agriculture for Thursdays in November from 7-8:30 p.m. on cable public access channels features resident chefs using local produce.

Featured are: Henry Shiroma and Scott Saia of Scruffles (11/6), Bill Salvador of Hawai`i Naniloa Resort (11/13), and Sam Araki of Kuhio Grill (11/20).

Tutu's House in Waimea

"Surfing Seniors" is a hands-on way to learn to use the internet with Joan Campbell on Wednesdays in November (5, 12, 19 and 26) from 9 to 10 a.m. at Tutu's House in Waimea's Parker Ranch Shopping Center. Cambell and Waimea school student Kaui Kalani also lead "Kids on the Internet" for ages 10 to 13 on Wednesdays in November from 2 to 3 p.m.

Visit Tutu's House calendar on the web at http://www.planet-hawaii.com/future

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board with 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, HCR 1, Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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October 19, 1997
State wide meetings interest farmers, ranchers, researchers

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Several items of interest to farmers throughout the state crowd the calendar in the next few weeks.

Friday through Sunday (Oct. 24-26) the 7th annual Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers conference will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Keokea Maui.

Noble Hendrix of Homestead, Florida, will address growers on the topic of sustainable techniques including water management and pesticide reduction. He grows lychee and other tropical fruits. John Mood, an Aloha Airlines pilot and forester who farms 35 acres on the Hamakua coast, will speak on integrated orchards.

Field trips are planned to Maui Land and Pineapple's diversified crops including blueberries, raspberries, asparagus and organic pineapple.

Ola Pono Health Farms, a certified organic fruit orchard and the site of a hybrid solar dehydrator, also is on the tour schedule.

For details and to register, contact Ellen Mehos 322-0935.

"Hawai`i tropical specialty fruit sales for 1996 totaled one million pounds," according to the annual report published by the Hawai`i Agricultural Statistics Service (HASS). This is 21 percent lower than 1995. "Decreases in star fruit, lychee and specialty pineapple output contributed to most of the decline in fruit sales. Star fruit, mostly processed, accounted for almost 28 percent of the total sales. Partially offsetting the decline in sales were atemoya, mango, rambutan and cherimoya."

HASS shows 580 acres in tropical specialty fruit, with 270 acres in Hawai`i County and the rest split among Kaua`i, Maui, Moloka`i and O`ahu. The number of acres planted state wide increased from 415 in 1995. The number of farms also increased from 115 in 1995 to 130 in 1996, 80 of which are on the Big Island.

"More planting intentions for 1997 are expected for lychee, mango, rambutan and specialty pineapple," according to the HASS report.

Saturday (Oct. 25) the Hilo Macadamia Harvest Moon Festival will be held at Nani Mau Gardens from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. On the schedule are children's crafts and games, a country store and plant sale, food booths, entertainment, cooking demonstrations and a recipe contest.

For more information, call 934-0990.

"Hawai`i's 1996-1997 macadamia nut crop is estimated at a record 56.5 million pounds net, wet-in-shell, 5.5 million pounds above the last crop year," according to HASS. "Improved weather in the major growing areas, maturing orchards and higher prices increased nut production."

Farm prices were up and kernel recovery was higher. Farm price averaged 78 cents per pound, four cents more than last year's average. Macadamia nut kernels totaled 14.3 million pounds compared to 11.4 million pounds last year.

"The farm value for the 1996-1997 crop is estimated at $44.1 million, 17 percent greater than the previous year due to the higher production and prices," according to HASS. "The equivalent wholesale value was $69.8 million with an average wholesale price of $4.68 per pound."

The 50th annual Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation convention will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 28-31. A joint effort with several commodity groups is planned as is a trade show. Charter members will be honored at the Golden Anniversary.

"This celebration is not only for leaders in the Farm Bureau," Grant Hamachi, president of the HFBF said. "The 50th anniversary celebration also represents a period of transition for the Farm Bureau and for the agricultural industry statewide. No longer are sugar and pineapple the primary commodities driving the agricultural industry. The focus now is on the smaller, yet largely diverse commodity based industries. This is an exciting yet very uncertain period as established and new agribusinesses begin to find themselves in this agricultural awakening."

Panel discussions involving all commodity groups in the state will focus on post harvest treatment methods, food quality and affordable surface shipping rates.

Tours of the Hawai`i Agriculture Research Center and UH-College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources facilities are planned as well as a heavy equipment show.

The Hawai`i Beef Industry Council, Hawai`i Cattlemen's Council and Hawai`i Pork Industry Association among others have joined in this effort.

Commodity groups are invited to a special workshop on unifying the voice of agriculture Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel. The meeting is free and open to the public.

"The purpose of the meeting is to work collaboratively with commodity groups to identify common issues and develop a plan of action to those most important issues," Douglas Duarte, HFBF vice president. "Commodity groups are asked to come prepared to discuss three questions. First, what are your most important issues? Second, of these issues, which need a collaborative effort to be addressed effectively? Third, in what ways will your group participate in this effort?

Contact HFBF at (808) 848-2074.

In preparation for the state convention, the Hilo County Farm Bureau meets Thursday (Oct. 23) at 7 p.m. in the Komohana Ag Complex room B. Members and interested folks will hear from James Nakatani, chairman of the State Board of Agriculture, on Department of Agriculture programs. Nakatani will be available to respond to industry questions and concerns.

For details, contact Diane Ley at 968-6951.

Saturday, Nov. 1, through Saturday, Nov. 8, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival fills the island calendar with activities, contests, displays and a parade. Check out the web site at www.konacoffeefest.com or contact Current Events at 326-7820 for more information.

A delightful guide is available at major hotels, offices of the Hawai`i Visitors and Conventions Bureau -- Big Island Chapter, Hawai`i County Department of Research & Development offices, First Hawaiian Bank branches on the west side, and many area shops including: Lava Java, Kimura's Lauhala Shop, Kona Wine Market, Holuakoa Cafe, Hilo Hattie stores in Kona and Hilo.

Coming events

Today (Oct. 19) Keith Adams of New Plymouth, New Zealand, will speak to growers of vireya rhododendrons at the Komohana Ag Complex from 1-4 p.m.

A slide-illustrated lecture is planned featuring plant hunting trips to Sabah Borneo and other locations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Today (Oct. 19) Kane`ohe-based author Constance Han Stewart will read from her latest published work Lost in Paradise at Borders Books in Hilo at noon.

Also at Borders, Leon, of Leon and Malia, and David "Kawika" Kahiapo will perform selections from their CD Slack Key Praise at 2 p.m.

Free hunter education classes will be held from 5:45 to 9 p.m. for four consecutive sessions Wednesdays and Thursdays (Oct. 22 and 23, 29 and 30) at the Waimea Civic Center. Sponsored by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the classes will cover firearms and archery safety, survival and first aid, wildlife identification and conservation, hunting rules and regulations, game care and outdoor responsibility.

Persons interested in attending must pre-register. Contact Keith King or Tessi Iha at 887-6050.

The first Big Island Retail conference will be held Friday (Oct. 24) at the Mauna Lani from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required. E-mail the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce at konakcc@gte.net or phone 329-1758.

The Kohala Cultural Country Fair will be held Saturday (Oct. 25) at Kamehameha Community Park in Kapa`au from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be ethnic foods, crafts, entertainment, games and exhibits. Sponsored by the Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation. Call 889-5532 for further details.

Hawai`i Preparatory Academy's annual Pumpkin Patch Picnic will be held Sunday (Oct. 26) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the HPA upper campus. Pick your special Jack o'Lantern from more than 500 pumpkins growing in the patch. Create a scarecrow to take home.

Proceeds benefit the school. For more information, call 329-3201.

Ka`u Farmers' Market

Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until pau (approximately 11 a.m.) fruit, vegetables, coffee, cut flowers, taro and other goodies are available from Ka`u area farmers at the old C. Brewer clubhouse in Pahala.

Sponsored by Huliau O Ka`u, the community-based economic development corporation, the market has booths available to growers and crafts people for a maximum of ten percent of the first $50 of sales. To reserve space or find out more information, contact Rowena Puakela at 928-6429 or Albert Ledergerber at 928-6255.

Blue-green revolution

"The manipulation of seasons, photoperiods and microclimates is creating a breakthrough in tropical agriculture dubbed the Blue-Green Revolution," Priscilla Billig said in an article in Makai, the University of Hawai`i Sea Grant newsletter.

"For the first time since its founding in 1990, the Common Heritage Corporation (CHC) will open its cooperative garden for public demonstration on Saturday (Oct. 25) at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i at Keahole Point on the Big Island. The quarter-acre plot has yielded more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs -- all having a surprisingly high sugar content and aroma.

"The garden uses cold seawater pumped from an ocean depth of 2,000 feet and run through black plastic irrigation pipes embedded in the soil at root depth. As condensation occurs, the plants are watered. The temperature difference between the root and the fruit pumps nutrients into the plant, much like Mother Nature does in Spring or Fall. This manipulation produces three or four harvest cycles in one year -- a veritable Super Spring 365 days a year."

UH-Sea Grant provided seed money for CHC's initial test crop of strawberries. To find out more, go to the web site at http://www.aloha.com/~craven/

Design course offered

A permaculture design course will be held at Hui Ho`olana, a 77-acre retreat center at Kala`e Moloka`i. The two-week intensive course in sustainable systems design will be taught by Michael Pilarski of Friends of the Trees Society, horticulturist Douglas Bullock, Bruce Hill manager of Kanahena Farm Nursery, and horticulturist and educator John Valenzuela.

Course graduates will be certified as Permaculture Design Trainees and after two years experience will be eligible for Applied Permaculture Design diplomas. Single day attendance also is available for a reduced fee.

Contact Hui Ho`olana at P. O. Box 99, Kualapu`u HI 96757 or telephone (808) 567-6430.

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

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

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October 12, 1997
Volcano artists find inspiration, gallery sales

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

One of the more well known communities of Big Island artists is in the Volcano area. Writers, dancers, painters, ceramicists, jewelers and woodworkers there find inspiration in their surroundings and venues for display and sale.

"My inspiration comes from living in a rain forest," said Ira Ono. "Volcano Village is blessed with so many artists, writers and dancers that I'm right in my element."

In addition to contemporary paintings, collages and sculpture, Ono is known for collectible ceramic masks, "garden goddesses," Japanese paste paper journals and Hawaiian dream boxes. His latest creation is the "Ono Yoyo."

On the Big Island, his work is carried by the Volcano Art Center, Showcase Gallery, Under the Koa Tee, Woodworkers Gallery in Honomu, Pevian Logic and Ets'ko in Hilo. On other islands he is represented in the offerings of The Village Gallery and Maui's Best, the Contemporary Art Museum and Martin & MacArthur.

"Economically, it's a challenge. Contemporary art is more difficult to sell than realistic art," Ono said.

He supplements sales by teaching and consulting.

"I'm part of the Artists in the Schools program and just returned from Lana`i. I recently taught classes at Hui Noeau and Kaunoa Senior Citizens Center on Maui and the Temari Institute in Honolulu. I'm also a contractor with the Small Business Development Center at University of Hawai`i at Hilo and consult with people wishing to start up art or craft businesses."

He will participate in the annual Christmas Craft Fair at Edith Kanaka`ole Tennis Stadium Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15.

Ono is one member of the Volcano Village Artists' Hui, which will hold its annual open house and sale at artists studios Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Pam Barton is another member of the Hui, a paper maker and basket weaver who teaches classes.

"Everybody's a basket case so it's not hard to get a basket making class together," Barton said. "Paper making has had a resurgence in the past eight years, in part because of the growing interest in recycling.

"The Volcano Art Center Gallery is a great draw and its been in business for quite some time. Classes they offer sometimes are full with waiting lists and sometimes nothing. There are transition times like before or after Christmas or right after school lets out or just before school begins. There's nothing right before tax time."

Barton also noted that East Hawai`i is "fortunate because we have two facilities offering display venues to artists. One is owned by the state and one by the county: Wailoa Center under the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the East Hawai`i Cultural Center on lease from County."

Marilyn Nicholson, executive director of the Volcano Art Center founded in 1974, said one of the reasons for its success is "the tremendous number of visitors we have during the course of a year. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park attracts more than a million visitors. From that, we have between 150 to 250 Gallery visitors a day, 80 percent of which come from out of state and the remaining 20 percent split among neighbor island and local visitors."

In the VAC annual report it is noted that the Gallery pays artists between $350,000 and $400,000 for "the work we sell on their behalf each year.

The VAC Gallery will hold its annual Christmas in the Country display and sale Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5p.m.

"What we are most excited about is the new site for Volcano Art Center facilities. Although the Gallery will stay where it is near Kilauea Visitors Center in the Park, and we will continue to use Kilauea Theater in KMC for performances, we will move most of our staff and educational programming to buildings constructed on the new site," Nicholson said.

The 7.4 acre site, on long-term lease from the State of Hawai`i, is on Old Volcano Highway on the Park end of Volcano Village. For details on VAC class schedule, Elderhostel program and membership, contact Nicholson at 967-8222.

Dietrich Varez, Brad Lewis and Avi Kiriaty are among many of the Volcano Art Center Gallery success stories. All have gone on to international renown.

One new offering is "Click Hawaiian Art" from the collection of Varez, which offers 180 images for computers on CD-ROM or diskette for $99. Contact Coconut Info through the web site www.coconutinfo.com or telephone (808) 947-6543 (voice) or 947-6544 (fax).

Happy Birthday

Wish a sailor Happy Birthday on Monday, Oct. 13. The US Navy is 222 years old. Visiting Hilo Harbor for the occasion is USS Frederick (LST-1184), which arrived Friday. Tours are open to the public today (Oct. 12) from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. and Monday (Oct. 13) from 9 to 11 a.m.

The officers and crew have a busy schedule visiting area high schools, fixing up Carvalho Park, volunteering with the Big Island International Marathon (today in Hilo), plus finding time for soccer, golf and softball.

Island Grinds, Hilo's bayfront lunchwagon, celebrated two years in business Friday with an ono lilikoi cake. Norina Page, Lisa Werner and the gang are back on the beach after taking on a film cast and crew catering job for Lani-Loa -- The Heavenly Passage.

To get a menu with the weekly specials by fax or place an order for delivery within the HIlo area, call 895-0625 after 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Five Mountain update

The Five Mountain Medical Community has a new executive director, Betsy Cole, and new address. Cole may be reached via e-mail at FMinfo@fivemtn.org or telephone 885-9227. The web site is http://www.fivemtn.org and postal address is 65-1235 A Opelo Road, Haina Cottage #2, Kamuela HI 96743. Facsimile number is 885-9863.

Floriculture marketing

A series of three workshops will be held statewide to present the results of a marketing study by OmniTrack. The three-year study focused on wholesaler and retailer perceptions of Hawai`i's cut flowers and potted plants.

The project was funded under a USDA Federal Floriculture Research grant to assist Hawai`i's floriculture industry in marketing and promotional efforts.

Hilo's first workshop in the series will be held Wednesday (Oct. 15) at Komohana Agricultural Complex from 7 to 9 p.m. Among topics to be discussed is computer program development for an industry database and an update from the Hawai`i Tropical Flower Council by new president Raymond Tanouye.

Presenters include Dr. John Halloran, extension specialist in marketing with the University of Hawai`i at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH-CTAHR) and Kelvin Sewake, county extension agent in cut flowers.

Part one of the series for O`ahu residents will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, in Honolulu at the Department of Agriculture board room and for Maui growers Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Cooperative Extension Service building on the Maui Community College campus.

Subsequent workshops (schedule to be announced) will cover industry strategic plan pros and cons and a hands-on demonstration of a computer database program.

For further details, contact Sewake by e-mail ksewake@hawaii.edu or telephone 959-9155. On O`ahu, contact Halloran at (808) 956-7652.

HTFC new officers

Congratulations to the new officers of the Hawai`i Tropical Flower Council. Serving terms from 1997-1999 are president Raymond Tanouye of Mountain Meadows, vice president Clarence Ono of Kona Orchids, secretary Terrie Roberts of Sunset Tropicals in Kula Maui, and treasurer Eric Tanouye of Green Point Nurseries.

Aloha and fare thee well to Linda Huffman, former executive director of HTFC, who has relocated to the Atlantic coast to be near her grandchild.

Coming events

Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26, the seventh annual Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers conference will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church hall in Keokea, Maui. Contact Ellen Mehos 322-0935.

Be sure to put the Hilo Macadamia Nut Festival at Nani Mau Gardens on your calendar. The all-day event, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, includes selection of winners in a recipe contest by a panel of 25 judges.

"We received more than 500 recipes from Hawai`i, the mainland, Canada and the South Pacific," said contest organizer Gene Erger. "A panel of professional chefs selected 70 finalists."

The public may view judging from theatre seating at 9:30 a.m. After prizes have been awarded, the viewing audience can taste the finalists' entries.

At 11 a.m., the Celebrity Recipe Challenge will pit last year's winner, KITV's Gary Sprinkle, against Erica Kauffman, 1997 Miss Hawai`i, Councilman Aaron Chung, entertainer Carol Dabney, entertainers Willie K and Amy Gilliam, KTA Super Store executive Derek Kurisu, Hilton Waikoloa marketing manager Vicky Kometani and KBIG news director Russ Roberts.

Contact Jeanne Herbst 966-9301 for further details of the festival or Erger at 885-0018 on the recipe contest.

The 50th annual Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation convention will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel October 28-31. A joint effort with several commodity groups is planned as is a tradeshow. Contact HFBF at (808) 848-2074.

Another "must go" annual event on the Big Island is the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival November 1 through 8.

An elegant guide to all the activities, with cover art by Keith McGuire, is available. Contact Current Events 326-7820.

Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 5-6, the Kona Coffee Art Show will be held under the hau tree arbor at Kona Village Resort.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HCR 1, Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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October 5, 1997
Art fills the soul and, on Big Isle, pocketbooks too

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The artistic communities of the Big Island are many and varied. Several artists have reported finding great inspiration here. They also are finding markets for their work.

"This is probably the easiest location in my career," said Kathy Long of Waimea. "Normally, it takes three years to get re-established. An artist can be really well known in one locale, but when you move, it's starting all over again.

"Here in Hawai`i, however, the press is open to doing articles on artists, the state supports the arts as do the communities and tourists," Long said. "Art is such a good investment, especially if you buy what you like. Art is portable and easy to sell. It will be in your living room longer than your sofa."

Artists in Hawai`i who Long would love to collect include Macario Pascual, Harry Wishard and Hiroki Morinoe. Her move to Waimea from Houston several years ago was actually a homecoming.

"I lived on the Big Island as a kid. Moving was even better than coming home. Hula kahiko was not seen when I left. The first time I saw it was at Halema`uma`u for the opening of Aloha Festivals.

"Now, the island offers much more rich environment culturally. People are taking pride in their many cultures. Waimea has such a wonderful mix."

Long is well known for her portraits of the Kanaka`ole sisters and Halau O Kekuhi produced as posters by the Big Island Chapter of the Hawai`i Visitors Bureau. The first of a series, Hula Halau, originally sold in the late 1980s for $65 with the poster framed in koa.

"It's $550 now, if you can find one," Long said. "Economically, this is an excellent location. We benefit from the return traveler who develops an appreciation for Hawai`i.

"Art is a business," Long said. "When people bring their children to me for classes, I always suggest business classes be taken too. And it's a great business. You can keep doing it. It's not something you have to retire from and you can do it anywhere. You get to do things that are creative, make people happy and be surrounded by beauty."

Long learned early the benefits of art as a career. Her mother is Mary Koski.

"In my early teens, watching her, I learned you can have a career and a family too."

Koski, creator of "The Stowaway Fairy in Hawai`i," will appear at Borders Books in Hilo Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. to personalize copies of her books.

Long's husband Bertil has been curator at Parker Ranch's historic home Puopelu for the past 10 years.

"Kathy and I met in high school in Finland," said Bertil. "My degree from the university is in art history. At Puopelu, we get as many as 20,000 visitors in a year. It's an incredible art collection."

The home and neighboring Mana Hale are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for major holidays. Among projects celebrating Parker Ranch's 150th anniversary are restoration and expansion of the gardens.

Kathy continued that venues for artists are sometimes hard to find.

"There are about 25 galleries around the state [representing local artists]. O`ahu is the hardest place [for local artists to find entry]," Long said. "I've been really lucky. I don't have a bad story to tell. I've never been cheated by a gallery or by a client. Hawai`i is one of the best places in the world to paint. You can do anything -- landscape, floral or even Western." Puna makai display artist Allen Morelli agrees with Long regarding availability of venues and the business of art.

"We are so happy Peavian Logic exists in Hilo and provides a venue for local artists," Morelli said.

He and several collaborators prepared window displays depicting local scenes and featuring Barbie dolls -- one for Merrie Monarch Festival in 1996, one at Christmas last year and two recent windows featuring Kehena Beach and Keawe Street stores. The Keawe Street scene remains in the right front window and will get new characters from time to time. Watch for some Halloween treats and tricks. The left window display now features the work of Patrick W. McKinney.

"It's surreal and fun," said McKinney. "Everything in the window has leopard spots on them from paper bag art to decorated boxes."

Peavian Logic is described by founder Martin Peavy of Volcano as "a mixture of a gallery and a funhouse." The store features well made old-style childrens' toys, fragrant soaps and lotions and also offers greeting cards by Morelli, Joe Hampton assemblages and Mary Walsh photographs. First opened on Furneaux Lane in 1993, the store relocated to 104 Keawe Street next to Bears' Coffee.

"We want to show more local artists' work," said Peavy, whose own assemblages were recently featured in the Biennial of Hawaiian Artists at the Contemporary Museum of Art in Honolulu.

"The store has gotten great publicity [from the Barbie doll display] and business is walking in the door," Morelli said. "When you follow your heart and do what you love, everything goes well. People react and the money comes. Even with such a simple thing like Barbie, it can become one's livelihood."

Next week: more on the business of Big Island art

Coming events

Today (Oct. 5), continuing the Kanaka`ole legacy is Kekuhi Kanahele, a teacher of Hawaiian language and culture and daughter of Pua Kanaka`ole Kanahele and Ed Kanahele. Kekuhi's compact disc Hohani Mai will be featured in performance at Borders Books in Hilo at 2 p.m. She will be available to sign CDs after the performance.

On hand at 4 p.m., continuing the grand opening weekend festivities, is Nedward "Nicky-Boy" Kaapana with songs from his CDs His Own Man and Second Time Around.

Polo season begins today at Waiki`i Ranch and continues every Sunday through December 14. Gates open at noon and games begin at 1 p.m. There is an admission charge and tailgate picnics are encouraged. Call 322-3880 for further details.

Friday (Oct. 10), the USS FREDERICK (LST 1184) pulls in to Hilo for a gala weekend of touring the Big Island, community service and celebrating the Navy's 222nd birthday. Public visiting hours aboard the landing craft carrier begin Friday at 1 p.m. and continue through 4 p.m. Hours on Saturday through Monday are 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

One of the crew's community service projects while in Hilo will be fixing up Gilbert Carvalho Park with the UH-Hilo Vulcan Wahine softball team on Saturday (Oct. 11). A softball game will follow. A soccer game with the Makule League will be held Saturday after 3 p.m. along Hilo's Bayfront.

Persons interested in assisting Hilo's Navy League and organizations interested in special group tours should contact Hilo Council president John Davis at 935-8575 by Wednesday (Oct. 8). You also may call treasurer K.T. Eger at 966-8565 or email billeger@gte.net.

There are two Newport Class landing craft carriers left in service -- the LaMoure County homeported at Norfolk, Virginia, and the Frederick, which just returned from a four-month Western Pacific deployment that included delivering books, sewing machines, medical supplies and toys to the Kingdom of Tonga as part of Project Handclasp. Crewmembers also provided medical and dental services to the Tongan citizens. Fourteen corpsmen and two doctors treated more than 200 patients in three days.

More than 250 officers and crew are led by Commander Thomas E. Johnston. During the four-month deployment, "Frederick Sailors and Marines steamed more than 17,000 miles through 10 oceans or seas and 12 straits, and visited 12 ports in eight countries," said Ens. Amy Monroe in Hawai`i Navy News. A series of bilateral exercises were conducted "with forces from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The training included mass casualty drills, flight operations, damage control seminars, and amphibious planning and training. The Frederick crew conducted 10 amphibious assaults in three countries."

The Hilo Council of the Navy League is finalizing the ships' visit information binder to be placed on US Navy and Coast Guard vessels in Hawai`i. Big Island enterprises interested in inclusion should contact Bill Eger at 966-8565.

Tuesday (Oct. 7), Don Thomas of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes will speak to the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board Science and Technology Committee at 10 a.m. in the UH-Hilo Campus Center, Room 313. There is a $1 charge for parking on campus. For details, contact Myra Ikeda or Liz Barton at HIEDB, 966-5416.

Tuesday (Oct. 7), the new Kawaihae Harbor Business Association meets from 11 a.m. to noon at Gecko Moon. Future meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at different area restaurants. Call Dee Chapon of the Kohala Kollection Art Gallery, 882-1510, for details.

Thursday (Oct. 9) the Inter-Chamber Golf Tournament will be held at Volcano Golf Course. Tee time is 10:30 a.m. This is the first leg of the quarterly tournaments among the Hawai`i Island, Portuguese and Japanese Chambers. For details and to register, contact Lorraine at 935-7178.

Halloween starts early this year with readings by Rick Carroll from "Hawai`i's Best Spooky Tales." The local-style ghost stories will be shared with students from Waimea Elementary and Intermediate School, Waimea Country School and Hawai`i Preparatory Academy on Friday, Oct. 10.

Carroll will be at Cook's Discoveries for book signing noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and at Borders Books in Hilo at 4 p.m. the same day.

Friday, Oct. 17, the Waimea Exchange Club will hear from Andrew Perala, communications manager of W.M. Keck Observatory, on what's happening at the summit of Mauna Kea. Perala, an honors graduate from Hawai`i Preparatory Academy in 1972, joined Keck in 1992 after college and working as a reporter and editor for the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News where he served on a news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1989.

The luncheon at noon will be held at Bree Garden Restaurant and is open to the public. Reservations are required. Call program co-chair Bill Cook at 885-7502.

Saturday, Oct. 18, the 20th Ironman Triathlon World Championship starts at at 7 a.m. in Kailua Bay with a 2.4-mile ocean swim followed by 112-mile bike race and a marathon (26.2 miles) that finishes on Ali`i Drive.

For the first time in the history of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, the event this year will include divisions for physically challenged athletes. Any competitor, to be an official finisher, must complete the event within 17 hours [midnight]. During the day, there will be limited access along Queen Ka`ahumanu and Akonepule Highways. Drive carefully, please. Call 329-0063 for more information.

Hawai`i Orchid Growers Association third conference will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, to coincide with the 58th annual Honolulu Orchid Society Show and Sale Oct. 16-19.

Contact Robert Burkey or Cassandra Phillips at 968-8825.

Monday, Oct. 20, is the deadline for receipt of entries in the Kona Coffee Art Show to be held in conjunction with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Photographs of submissions and their titles should be mailed to Rita Cowell, P.O. Box 783, Captain Cook HI 96704 or delivered to the Kona Art Center in Holualoa. For further information, contact Cowell at 328-9175.

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

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

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September 28, 1997
Films and photos filling Big Island work schedules

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Hawai`i County is becoming known as the place to come for filming everything from movies to catalog stills.

"For economic development for any venue, this industry produces," said Marilyn Killeri of the Big Island Film Office in Hawai`i County's Research and Development Department. "We're getting more established as a filmmakers destination as our credit list grows."

It's not all Waterworld, the movie that brought an estimated $35 million into the Big Island's economy. Last year Wheel of Fortune, a Japanese prime time travel show, Kirin Beer, a BBC special called Global Sunrise, BBC Golf with Peter Arliss, a Korean travelogue, Smithsonian's Cosmic Voyaging, Discovery Channel's The World of Wonder, National Geographic's Explorer, and two Imax features all brought work to Hawai`i County.

In addition there were commercials for Nike, Reebock, Honda, Pontiac, and Sony. A Jeep commercial in a "rainforest" was shot in a Kapoho backyard and put 30 people to work. A Quantas commercial recreated the end of the Ironman Triathlon and hired 200 extras, according to Killeri. Print ads and catalogs included Nordstrom, Fila, Benson & Hedges, Honda, Land's End and Neiman Marcus.

Tropical Visions Video Inc.'s production VolcanoScapes V -- Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park won a Kahili Award in the HV&CB's Keep It Hawai`i program and a Silver Telly Award in the television documentary programming category on the 18th annual Telly Awards in Ohio.

The tape is a feature presentation at Volcanoes National Park visitor center auditorium and may be purchased there. Other outlets include Volcano House, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, Hilo Hattie stores in Hilo and Kona, Pueo Book Shop in Waimea and Joy's Aloha Wear in Kona.

This year there are even more commercials, parts of series, scenes for feature films, travelogues and so forth, which Killeri estimates will exceed last year's $5 million in business. Among major movies filiming on the Big Island earlier this year was "Krippendorf's Tribe," a production of Walt Disney and Touchstone Pictures.

"It's a clean industry and it puts people to work. They buy supplies, they stay in hotels, they hire caters, and they rent luas, to name a few of the production support needs."

Killeri estimates the film office fields 30 to 50 new requests a month from the industry. The Big Island Film Commission is adding to its data base daily to meet the needs of the industry.

"We want to be able to say "yes" to everything a production company needs," Killeri said. "We're expanding the equipment base. This year we have two grip trucks on island."

This week, production staff for Lani-Loa -- The Heavenly Passage, were seeking an early 1980s silver Nissan four-door sedan, in addition to arrangements for catering, equipment rental and hiring of support staff. The ladies of Island Grinds closed at Hilo Bay on Friday to cater meals for Lani-Loa.

"It's our first movie catering job," said Lisa Werner, "and we're really excited."

Killeri said, "For production support, we are very happy to send out or fax forms to anybody who thinks they could be of service to the film industry from people who rent luas to people who have donkeys to people who own land with a special feature. We're open to new locations and new production support suppliers."

Liloa Willard's landscaped waterfalls are an example of special land features. Close to town and accessible, the site still offers privacy enough for Playboy magazine to lease.

The film office also seeks to add to the data base persons with experience in the film industry -- everything from makeup and lighting to set decoration and acting. The Big Island film office has crew profile and company profile forms that may be requested by e-mail film@bigisland.com or by phoning the County film office at 961-8366.

"We get an awful lot of help from everyone in this community," Killeri said, mentioning the Hawai`i Visitors and Conventions Bureau, hotels and car rental firms. She also said firms dealing with the film industry must be able to accept two givens: they're always in a hurry and they always change their minds.

Killeri hopes to expand the web site http://www.filmbigisland.com to include necessary permit forms, an interactive map and more photographs. Her wish list includes stills from recent productions on the web page and a video of shoots from the Big Island.

"We're constantly trying to show the diversity of the Big Island," Killeri said. "It's a perfect island for filmmaking. Producers and location scouts fall in love with this island. And we've got great people. Wheel of Fortune raved about our crew. When they called a couple of months later they were still complimenting folks here.

"Thirteen climate zones and talent plus the aloha spirit make it all happen."

Killeri went back to school in communications after a first career in counseling. She interned at Channel 2 (NBC) then went into independent production.

"I got captured by the Big Island," she said. "My husband and I moved over here six years ago. I can't think of anywhere else I want to call home."

Navy tour book

Have you got a tour, product, store or place of entertainment that would appeal to visiting US Navy sailors?

Hilo Council of the Navy League, with assistance from the County of Hawai`i Department of Research and Development, is preparing a three-ring binder of information on the Big Island to be presented to each of the 82 ships based in Pearl Harbor. The books will also go to Navy commands and Coast Guard ships.

The object is to encourage more military tourism to the Big Island. Some materials already on hand include the Hawai`i County Data Book, Hawai`i Visitors and Conventions Bureau -- Big Island Chapter maps and drive guides, the new paniolo history and events brochure, and a guide to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

"In previous years, visiting admirals, ship's captains and staff have toured the facilities atop Mauna Kea. Golf and mountain bicycle outings have been arranged for officers and crew. Picnics near hot ponds, rides to church services, hikes to waterfalls and specialized tours of flower packing facilities all demonstrate the variety of experiences and abundant aloha spirit of the Big Island," said project organizer Bill Eger.

"Ships surveyed following a Hilo port visit have reported within two months more than ten percent of the sailors return with their families to see more of the Big Island.

For further details, contact Eger by e-mail billeger@gte.net or telephone 966-8565.

Coming events

Saturday (Oct. 4) The Big Island Press Club celebrates 30 years since its founding in Walt Southward's basement. Charter members Bill Arballo, Hugh Clark, Maxine Hughes, Don Miller, Lillian O'Connor, Kiyoshi Okubo, Southward, Eugene Tao, Jim Wilson, Alice and Ray Yuen, Clift Tsuji and Paul Mannen will be honored at a luncheon in the Kilohana Room of the Hawai`i Naniloa at 11:30 a.m.

For details and reservations, contact Hunter Bishop or Haunani Ogata at 935-6621.

Saturday also is the signature event of Aloha Festivals on the Big Island. An all-day lei making festival will be held at Kauaha`ao Congregational Church, Waiohinu, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets ($25) include all the lei you can make, entertainment, lunch and a tour of the grounds. Tickets are available at Hilo Hattie stores in Hilo and Kona, Sig Zane Designs, Kohala Realty, Cook's Discoveries and at the church. For more details, call (808) 885-8086.

And Saturday is the grand opening of Borders Books, Music & Cafe featuring Bernard Waber's popular children's book character Lyle the Crocodile in the morning for photographs (10 a.m.) and story time (11 a.m.). Author Sandi Takayama and illustrator Esther Szegedy will be on hand at 2 p.m. to autograph their latest book, Sumorella. With them will be Pat Hall, illustrator of Takayama's Musubi Man, Hawai`i's Gingerbread Man.

The Kona Outdoor Circle and the UH-Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will sponsor a Master Gardening Program Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. October 8 through November 19 at the Kona Outdoor Circle building in Kailua-Kona.

Classroom work, guest lectures, field trips, plant materials, soils, pest management, water, fertilization, and maintenance are among items to be covered under the direction of Norman Bezona, UH-CTAHR professor emeritus.

Fees, which include books, materials, field trips and refreshments, are $25 for Kona Outdoor Circle members and $50 for non-members. Enrollment is limited. Contact the Kona Outdoor Circle at (808) 329-7286.

In late October, the Small Business Development Center Network begins a new series of seminars for existing and potential entrepreneurs.

In "First Steps to Entrepreneurial Success," participants will learn how to perform market research, sources of funding for start-up businesses and issues of today's business world.

Part one will be held Tuesday, Oct. 21, and part two Thursday, Nov. 6, in the UH-Hilo Manono Campus multi-purpose room from 9 a.m. to noon.

"Winning Customers through Effective Marketing" will cover organization of marketing activities into a marketing plan and the best ways to reach customers. It will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at the UH-Hilo Manono Campus multi-purpose room.

"Business Planning: Keys to Success" will cover financial analysis and formation of effective and efficient organizations. It will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon in the UH-Hilo Campus Center room 316.

Space is limited, and pre-registration and pre-payment of fees are recommended. Call 969-1814 for additional information.

The Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation will hold its 50th annual convention at the Ala Moana Hotel October 28 through 31. Fellowship night, Wednesday Oct. 29, the convention body has been invited to Washington Place by Governor Cayetano.

For further details, contact the HFBF office in Honolulu at (808) 848-2074.

Hilo port calls

Wednesday (Oct. 1) Star Princess arrives in Hilo Harbor. Sunday (Oct. 5) Legend of the Seas makes her fourth port call to Hilo between visits to Lahaina and Kona. Tuesday, Oct. 7, Tropicale returns to Hilo for her third visit from Vancouver to Kona. Wednesday, Oct. 8, Statendam arrives in Hilo from Nawiliwili on her way to Ensenada. The ship returns Friday, Oct. 24, for another day visit.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, Tropicale stops in Hilo from Honolulu to Kona then Ensenada. Star Princess pulls in Friday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 19. Saturday, Oct. 25, Star Princess returns to Hilo for a day visit.

Focus on Ag

UH-Hilo's College of Agriculture televised course, Focus on Agriculture, appears Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on cable public access channels statewide. The October schedule includes Perry Topo Gigio of Topo Gigio's (10/2), Ted Kuo of Banyan Hibachi (10/9), Kay Okuda of Kay's Lunch Counter (10/16), Derrick Kurisu of KTA Super Stores Mountain Apple Brand (10/23), and Roberto Fisher of Island Bistro (10/30).

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HCR 1, Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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September 21, 1997
Health care holds job, career potential for Hawai`i

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The health care industry holds great potential for economic development on the Big Island according to those involved with Na Kuahiwi `Elima, the Five Mountain Medical Community.

"This field is really new for me," said Diane Quitiquit, director of the County of Hawai`i Department of Research and Development. She and Vivian Ho of Queen's Medical were granted fellowships from Five Mountain to promote recognition of the healing qualities of the island.

"The goals of the organization include improving the health statistics of our region and creating jobs in the health care and healing fields for our people," said Quitiquit.

Toward those goals, president Earl Bakken outlined six points to the Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce economic development committee. Bakken is the inventor, in 1957, of the first external transistorized pacemaker. The energetic electrical engineer remains a director emeritus of Medtronic Inc. in Minnesota and has "retired" to Hawai`i.

According to Bakken, a resource center, hospital, jobs and careers, educational incentives, healing reimbursement and measurement are needed to improve the health and welfare of our people.

"We can provide extremely good health care for our local population and attract patients to the Big Island from throughout the Pacific Rim," Bakken told the Chamber committee. "We can leverage the assets we have here to bring economic growth to our people."

The solutions proposed to the six needs identified by Bakken include Tutu's House as a resource center and the North Community Hospital. Other resources in the Five Mountain region include Lucy Henriques Clinic, the Hawai`i Center for Integral Healing, North Hawai`i Hospice, the Cancer Retreat Center, Elder Spa and resort hotel spa helath and fitness programs.

Already, the North Hawai`i Community Hospital, opened 18 months ago, is attracting clients from other islands. Bakken, president of the hospital's board of directors, envisions "thousands and thousands" of patients coming from other areas creating jobs for residents.

"Most hospitals are built as warehouses for sick people rather than as healing places," Bakken said.

Among differences he cited are the proper orientation of the North Hawai`i Community Hospital building to the world's largest mountain, skylights to keep patients and staff "chronobiologically connected" to the sun, fine food, an excellent music system, a friendly atmosphere and "it doesn't smell like a hospital."

Among the hospital's goals are providing genuinely patient-centered care "within a total healing environment" and "empowering patients and families to become actively involved in their own health care choices."

The Five Mountain Medical Community promotes the integration of mainstream medical approaches with what he terms "complementary" treatments such as healing touch, aromatherapy, lomi lomi and la`au lapa`au.

"The wisdom of the Hawaiian people teaches us that the Waimea area, at latitude 19.5 north, is the center of five mountains producing an energy vortex, mana. The spirituality of Waimea is noticed by visitors from all over who describe a feeling of <@145>home town,<@146> of comfort."

This natural asset was noticed long ago by author Isabela Bird who in 1890 wrote: "The climate of the plain is most invigorating. Waimea, with its cool, equable temperature, might become the great health resort of invalids from the Pacific ... It is truly delightful climate and mode of living, with such an abundance of air and sunshine. My health improves daily.

"Unlike the health resorts of the Mediterranean, Algeria, Madeira and Florida where great summer heats or an unhealthy season comple half-cured invalids to depart in the spring, to return the next winter with fresh colds to begin the half-cure process again, people can live here until they are completely cured, as the climate is never unhealthy, and never too hot."

Bakken also cited the abundance of outdoor activities necessary to recovery.

"Here we can be outdoors all year round. The Caribbean, Florida and Texas all get cold. Here we have no big city, no pollution. Golf and other outdoor activities make this a very attractive place. The hospitals are crowded in Tokyo. Here we can offer the same level of care with more personal attention. It's especially good to note the direct flights (from Asia) are increasing."

Other solutions proposed to the needs identified include incentives for students, medical savings accounts and measurement of results.

"Our young people have to see a future or they won't do well in high school or go on to college. We need to spend a lot of time with our young people showing them why this is valuable for their own health and for the future of the community," Bakken said.

Quitiquit said, "He firmly believes in medical savings accounts, a plan that he implemented in his company."

Bakken calls such savings accounts, "a way to control costs and get people healthy on their own. Managed care is going to fail. It is not managing costs and it is destroying the doctor-patient relationship. Each of us has to become educated about our own health. Conversations with a health care professional should be between adult and adult, not adult and child."

For measurement of results, the Five Mountain Medical Community is working with the public health department on a survey.

Bakken recommended several books including 21st Century Miracle Medicine by Alexandra Wyke of The Economist, Patient PowerG by John Goodman and Gerald Musgrave, and The Water of Life by Rita Knipe.

For further details on the opportunities, check out the web site at http://www.fivemtn.org or e-mail at fivemtn@bigisland.com or write P. O. Box 7079, Kamuela HI 96743, telephone (808) 885-6773.

Coming events

Today (Sept. 21) is the Sam Choy Poke Recipe Contest at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Contact Gloriann Akau, 326-8086.

The blessing and "soft opening" of Borders Books, Music and Cafe was yesterday at the corner of Kanoelehua and Makaala Street. Grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alice Moon is the new store's community relations associate responsible for developing events and activities. Call 933-1410 for more information.

Monday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jerry Konanui will speak on taro with exhibits and sample taro plants at the Mountain View Public Library.

Co-sponsored by the Puna Outdoor Circle and the library, the meeting is free and open to the public. "A Handbook of Kalo Basics" will be available for $3. The 36-page booklet covers planting, care, preparation and eating of taro.

For further information, contact the Puna Outdoor Circle at 965-6626 or the library at 968-6300.

Year of the Paniolo

Governor Benjamin Cayetano declared 1998 the Year of the Paniolo. The Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, working with support from the County of Hawai`i Research and Development Department, State of Hawai`i Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism and the Hawai`i Visitors and Conventions Bureau Big Island Chapter, has produced a brochure detailing paniolo history and the ranching way of life on the Big Island.

A companion website www.rodeohawaii.com is under construction, according to Current Events, and will include a calendar of rodeo, parade and equestrian events.

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HCR 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

September 14, 1997
Aquaculture school breeds shrimp, fish -- and jobs

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

Graduates of the aquaculture program at UH-Hilo have one thing in common, everyone got work with no problem at all.

"Some have gone to work for the state on the mullet project down by Hilo Iron Works," said aquaculture professor Kevin Hopkins of the joint program of the Oceanic Institute and DLNR. Others are at Keahole (ocean science technology park).

"They may not all be here on the Big Island. Some have gone to work for the Oceanic Institute on O`ahu."

Graduates with an entrepreneurial bent have set up their own systems and are in commercial production. Wayne Melchow and Jeff Gomes are two former students, each with an ornamental fish business.

In yet another area, UH-Hilo's coordination with UH-CTAHR Sea Grant College Hamakua aquaculture extension project has trained several former sugar workers.

"We're trying for 20 systems," Hopkins said. "Five or six people in the program are expanding on their own. One tank can supply a neighborhood."

And all this from one half acre on the UH-Hilo 120-acre teaching farm at Panaewa used by seven College of Agriculture programs. The aquaculture program has six to eight more acres into which it can expand.

"We need water to expand," Hopkins said. "The College has had a request in for a well since before I came here more than nine years ago. It's a matter of priorities. When we get a well, the program can expand into ponds."

Aquaculture professor Kevin Hopkins looks over the Russian sturgeon in a research project at the UH-Hilo College of Agriculture farm.

The program began with six collapsible tanks in a shade house and currently utilizes several different sizes and types of tanks.

"Most everything here was built by the students," Hopkins said. "Every student gets experience with commercially important fish."

Koi, Chinese catfish and tilapia are the three main "teaching fish," according to Hopkins. With koi, the use of an artificial grass mat, timing, light and mimicking a flood are all important triggers to spawning.

"Chinese catfish don't spawn very well naturally in Hawai`i," Hopkins said. "They need a change in temperature."

Here, Chinese catfish are given hormone injections, then the eggs are stripped and fertilized externally. Another hormone technology is used with tilapia.

"Male tilapia grow faster so we feed small fish an hormone to convert all to males. We have a special FDA permit for that research."

The technology, now used all over the world, was worked out 20 years ago in Alabama, where Hopkins was part of the original research team. Forty millionths of a gram (40 micrograms) of the hormone is used per gram of feed.

Other projects include guppies to eat mosquitoes, fresh water (Malaysian) prawns, brine shrimp for catfish and algae for shrimp food, and water lilies which involves the community through the Big Island Water Garden Club.

A cooperative student program and research effort is conducted with Maku`u Aquafarms.

"We act as a quarantine station upon request," Hopkins said. "We have a closed water system and keep shrimp long enough to ensure they are virus free."

A major research project involves Russian sturgeon. It took three years to get the permits to bring in sturgeon.

"The thing that will save the sturgeon is the aquaculture industry," Hopkins said. "Yes. Overfishing is happening. We need to overproduce in captivity and make it less attractive to tear up the wild. Hawai`i is the perfect place. We're isolated and we don't have any sturgeon in the wild."

Hopkins would like to add more ornamental fish as he sees a growing market in that area. Money from marketing catfish, tilapia, koi and other fish comes back to run the research farm.

"There's a great potential here," Hopkins said.

He countered those who say there's no future in aquaculture or agriculture in Hawai`i not only with tales of former students but also with a personal story.

"Our daughter is still in school here. She says, `I want to live in Hawai`i and the only way I can afford it is to farm.' She's going into tissue culture and potted orchids. She teases me all the time that soon she'll be making more than I do."

For more information on UH-Hilo College of Agriculture programs, contact the college at 974-7393, e-mail Dean Jack Fujii jfujii@hawaii.edu or write 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo HI 96720-4091.

Coming events

Tuesday (Sept. 16) the Big Island Water Garden Club will hear from Sean Callahan of the Hawai`i Tropical Botanical Garden on the basics of water gardening.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Komohana Ag Complex. For further information, contact club president Elda Rae Yoshimura, (808) 935-0689.

Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 16-17) as part of Aloha Festivals, there will be a canoe building demonstration by Kai`opua Canoe Club on the lawn at Kona Inn from 10:30 a.m to 2 p.m. Hands-on participation. For further information, (808) 331-5521.

Kai`opua Canoe Club also hosts a ho`olaulea Friday (Sept. 19) with music, dancing, entertainment, food booths and the Royal Court. Ali`i Drive will be closed to traffic from King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel to Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. For information, call (808) 326-7246.

Other Aloha Festivals events include the Aloha Friday luncheon with George Naope and the Royal Court at Keauhou Beach Hotel, a ho`olaulea in Holualoa Saturday and paniolo salutes at Lanihau Center, Friday, and in Waimea, Saturday.

The Waimea event promises to be extra special with a salute to the 150th anniversary of Parker Ranch. The paniolo parade begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to stop in Cook's Discoveries and check out the Hawaiian cowboy traditional hat lei contest.

Wednesday through Sunday (Sept. 17-21) the County Fair will be held at Hilo Civic Center.

Friday (Sept. 19) the USDA Rural Development five-year strategic plan final draft will be the subject of an all-day working session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Double Tree Alana Waikiki Hotel `Ohelo Room. RSVP to Steve Payton, administrative director, by tomorrow (Sept. 15) at (808) 933-3015.

Saturday (Sept. 20) the Big Island Dendrobium Growers Association and the Cooperative Extension Service are sponsoring an orchid farm tour with Dr. Heidi Kuehnle. The tour will cover Kalapana Tropicals, Orchid Isle Dendrobiums, Newman's Nursery, Hawaiian Tropicals Direct and Asia Pacific Flowers.

Contact CES agent Kelvin Sewake at (808) 959-9155 or write the association attn: Wally at P. O. Box 4153, Hilo HI 96720.

The marvelously inventive Trash Art Exhibit continues at the East Hawai`i Cultural Center on Kalakaua Avenue in Hilo through Sunday, Sept. 28. Check with the Center for hours at (808) 961-5711.

Hurrah for all the folks who've made it happen for seven years, especially Volcano artist and educator Ira Ono.

Watermelon watch

An August 1997 vegetable crops update on cucurbit (cucumber, zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, etc.) pest control from UH-CTAHR warns of a bacterial fruit blotch in watermelon. This has not yet been detected in Hawai`i, but potentially is a serious disease.

"Pseudomonas pseudolcaligenes subspecies citrulii Schaas et al (not yet determined for certain), was first detected in the Marianna Islands in 1987. In the US, the disease was almost simultaneously detected in 1989 in Florida, South Carolina, Indiana and other eastern states. The disease is still mainly concentrated in eastern states, but already reached Arkansas, Iowa, and is widespread in Oklahoma.

"In August 1994, Asgrow, Petoseed, Rogers and Harris Moran suspended sales of watermelon seed in the US due to bacterial fruit blotch, which can be transmitted by seed. A national committee was then assembled which got all parties together and allowed continuation of seed sales along with proper labels warning growers of the potential risks with fruit blotch. The best method currently available is testing of 10,000 seeds from each seed lot, but no tests can guarantee 100 percent non-infection.

"First symptoms are small greasy-looking, watersoaked areas a few millimeters in diameter. Lessions with irregular margins expand rapidly into large dark-green watersoaked lesions several centimeters in diameter. The entire fruit surface, except the ground spot, may be covered within a few days. A white bacterial ooze may be seen exuding from the fruit."

Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board. Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T. Cannon-Eger, HCR 1, Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511 or phone (808) 966-8565. E-mail to billeger@gte.net

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September 7, 1997
Big Island ag events to combine for spring fest

By K. T. Cannon-Eger

The popularity of the annual Mealani Forage Field Days specialty dinner has grown rapidly, experiencing so much growth that it's stretching its wings.

"Next year, we'll be saluting ranchers and farmers of the Big Island by featuring forage grown beef, lamb and goat plus adding more vegetables and salad fixings," said planning committee member Gene Erger of Waimea. "We hope to involve even more local chefs in the effort to further promote local products by joining with Bank of Hawai`i's Old Hawai`i on Horseback."

Old Hawai`i on Horseback is a huge community celebration in Waimea held in the late spring. Activities in the past have included historical presentations, best dressed cowboy and cowgirl contests, arts and crafts fair, farmers' market, Hawaiian quilt exhibits, horseback pageant, antique carriage rides, paniolo concert, line dancing, paniolo stew cook-off, high school rodeo competitions and films.

Forage Field Days planning committee member and caterer Faith Ogawa said, "From last year to this I've seen an evolution. There was more interest on the part of the ranchers in trying to raise meat for the local market and to please these fine chefs. The quality is improving and I'm excited to think we'll have enough meat to supply the island's restaurants."

What's the big deal about forage fed meats?

"Most of the meat offered for sale in supermarkets comes from animals finished in feed yards on grain. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats are designed to eat grass," said pasture specialist Burt Smith of the Cooperative Extension Service.

"When fed their natural diet, the meat is leaner. These animals are cared for on well maintained pastures and handled with low-stress herding techniques. Further, forage fed meat is locally produced. Grain fed meat comes from the mainland US. By the time it arrives in Hawai`i, it often has accumulated more 'frequent flyer' miles than the average resident."

Yong-Soo Kim of UH-CTAHR Department of Animal Science said, "Diet is one of the most important factors affecting carcass and meat quality. Forage-finished carcasses have less fat that grain-finished carcasses. Considering that consumer demand for lean beef is increasing, the leanness of forage-finished beef will be a strong marketing point."

This year's Taste of the Range event, a fund raiser assisting the livestock producers' education fund, attracted more than 500 people to Prince Kuhio Hall in Waimea. Once again, it was a challenge to get all the way around the room, tasting some of everything.

The island's top chefs received random cuts donated by Hawai`i Natural Meat, Kahuku Ranch, Parker Ranch, Chong Farm, Island Harvest, Kahua Ranch, Yurth Farm, Boteilho Hawaiian Enterprises, Winters Farm, Hawai`i Beef Packers and Palama Meat Company.

Michael Barton of Kamuela Pride helped with delivery of meat and invited chefs into the van to pick whatever fruit and vegetables they wanted.

"It was like the old days of market delivery," said Barton. "The chefs loved it."

Maha Kraan of Maha's Cafe at Cook's Discoveries served Kahuku Ranch top sirloin marinated in a gingered vinaigrette over Kahua butter lettuce and topped with parsley polonaise.

Bernd Bree of Bree Garden Restaurant prepared veal lasagna using carrots, leeks, onions and mushrooms with marinara sauce and three kinds of cheese.

Roussel's Waikoloa offered Beef Grillades in which the beef had been tossed with thyme, garlic, onion, black pepper, cayenne, and paprika. After sitting and searing, onions, celery and green bell peppers were added with stock.

Kevin Nutt of West Hawai`i Foodworks served beef tacos with ginger, scallions and chili sauce.

Four Season's Hualalai chef Michael Goodman created Big Island beef crisps in panko served with roasted spicy chili mayonnaise, herb cheese and goat cheese. A second dish utilized beef cheeks in a Mexican dish with ground cilantro, tomato, and guacamole. "If you're on a diet, you won't like the temptations of this station," Goodman joked.

Roy's Waikoloan prepared a spicy braised lamb tostada served on blue corn chips with lettuce, mozzarella cheese, red onion, red cabbage, poblano peppers, lime zest, cilantro, carrots and red bell peppers.

Bob Bates, supervising producer of KHET public television's show Hawai`i Cooks with Roy Yamaguchi was on hand to film the event and interview chefs. Footage will appear on a future program.

The series is a co-production of Melanie Kosaka Productions and Hawai`i Public Television, with Kosaka as executive producer. Funding is provided by Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, Hawai`i State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Fourteen full-color recipe cards featuring all 26 recipes used on the second season of Hawai`i Cooks with Roy Yamaguchi are available for $8.50 (includes shipping) from Hawai`i Cooks, c/o Hawai`i Public Television, 2350 Dole Street, Honolulu HI 96822. Make checks payable to Hawai`i Cooks.

Mauna Kea Beach's Chris Fagan served a variation on his grandmother's stuffed loin of veal using fontina and Puna goat cheeses, fresh herbs including thyme and Italian style bread crumbs.

"The secret is to grind some of the veal trimmings and add it to the stuffing," Fagan said.

That pasture veal was one of the evening's favorites with Kohala dairyman Eddie Boteilho, state statistician Don Martin, and Volcano resident Mahina Maxey.

Gene Erger raved over Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel's spicy Big Island goat with coconut and basmati rice.

Another crowd pleaser was The Orchid at Mauna Lani executive chef David Reardon's cabbage slaw with crispy mountain oysters. The dish topped the list of favorites for Raymond Kawamata, Bill Cook, Bill Eger and Gene Erger.

Reardon's recipe calls for four mountain oysters to be boiled with one quart chicken stock, a bay leaf and one sprig of thyme in a sauce pan until tender. Let cool and slice thin then julienne. Toss with one cup flour and a pinch of salt and white pepper and fry till crisp and golden brown.

For the slaw, julienne two cups cabbage, one half cup carrots, one half cup snow peas, one half cup red cabbage and one quarter cup cilantro. Combine vegetables with one half cup crispy mountain oysters and one quarter cup chopped macadamia nuts. Top and toss with one quarter cup soy vinaigrette.

For the soy vinaigrette, whisk together one cup salad oil, two cups soy sauce, one cup rice vinegar, one cup mirin, one cup sugar, two teaspoons chopped garlic, one tablespoon chopped ginger, one seeded and diced Jalapeno pepper, one teaspoon sesame oil and the juice of one lime.

Other specialties on hand were beverages from Kona Brewing Company and Wakayama Store.

"This is the first time we're serving ginger ale," said Mattson Davis, general manager of Kona Brewing Company. "It's been so popular that we'll be serving it in the pub at the brewery. We use fresh Hawai`i-grown ginger and of course Hawaiian pure water."

The pub is located on the Pahala side of the North Kona Shopping Center by Zack's Photo. They may be reached by telephoning (808) 334-1133.

Al Wakayama was pouring "out of the ordinary" non-alcoholic beers including Erdinger and Paul Aner. Also on hand was Thomas Kemper root beer.

"We now have this root beer available in kegs for children's parties," said Wakayama, who may be reached at (808) 885-4674.

Coming events