NEWS & NOTES Kaua‘i Hospice to benefit from Meyers’ estate sale A special estate sale showcasing the private collection of the late Sandy Meyers will be held Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. at the family residence
NEWS & NOTES
Kaua‘i Hospice to benefit from Meyers’ estate sale
- A special estate sale showcasing the private collection of the late Sandy Meyers will be held Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. at the family residence located at 6387 Ka‘ahele St. in Wailua. All proceeds from the sale will benefit Kaua‘i Hospice. Meyers, who passed away Feb. 27, was a prominent attorney and longtime member of the Kaua‘i community. The mission of Kaua‘i Hospice leaders and volunteers is to ensure the highest quality of life possible for individuals and their families facing life-threatening illnesses. For more information on the event or Kaua‘i Hospice, please call 245-7277.
Cruise ships calling on Nawiliwili
- Tomorrow, Monday, May 9, the Pride of Aloha, 850 feet long, calls on Nawiliwili Harbor, arriving at 7 a.m. and remaining overnight, leaving Tuesday, May 10, at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, the Amsterdam, 781 feet long, arriving at 7 a.m. and departing the same day at 2 p.m.
Taro production is down
- Leaders in the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Office of the state Department of Agriculture estimate taro for poi production at 1.1 million pounds for the first quarter of 2005, down 7 percent from the first quarter of 2004 and down 24 percent from the five-year, first-quarter average of 1.4 million pounds. Unfavorable weather conditions during the end of 2004 and the first part of this year were cited as main causes for the drop in production. Kaua‘i was heavily impacted by flash flooding in parts of Waimea, while the Hanalei River overflowed its banks, flooding nearby taro fields. In January 2005, poi millers statewide used 350,000 pounds of taro, down 22 percent from December 2004.
Cost-U-Less reports positive results
- For the first fiscal quarter of 2005, leaders at Cost-U-Less, who operate a store in Kapa‘a, reported net income of $734,000, or 18 cents per fully diluted share outstanding, compared to net income of $537,000, or 14 cents per fully diluted share outstanding for the corresponding periods last year. The net income increases resulted from the company’s operating income, as well as a benefit from an insurance reimbursement recorded in other income, and a reduction in interest compared to the same period a year ago, company officials said. For the first 17 weeks of this year, Cost-U-Less officials reported same-store sales rose 6.9 percent compared to 15.5 percent to the corresponding period a year ago.
Community express loan workshop Monday
- Leaders with the U.S. Small Business Administration have developed a loan program to provide financial assistance and technical and management assistance to underserved segments of Hawai‘i’s small business community, which includes women, minorities and veterans. The program will be explained tomorrow, Monday, May 9, in a public meeting from 10 a.m. till noon at the Kaua‘i Community College, Technology Building, room 114. According to Clara Kaneshiro of the Small Business Development Center located at KCC, the workshop will take individuals through a step-by-step process on how to complete the community express loan application. Innovative Bank, Business Loan Express, Central Pacific Bank and Bank of Hawaii officers are offering this loan program. The presenters will include, Kim Hite, SBA business development specialist; Jim Mayfield, Bank of Hawaii business banking manager; Pat Matsumoto, Central Pacific Bank business banking officer; and Wanda Costa, Pacific Gateway Center, a technical-assistance provider. Limited seating is available, and registration is being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact Kaneshiro, 246-1748.
Nurses, acupuncturists can renew licenses online
- State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) officials announced more than 18,000 Hawai‘i nurses and acupuncturists may now renew their licenses online at www.ehawaii.gov/pvlrenew. According to a DCCA spokesman, the program is part of the highly successful effort within DCCA to implement efficient online filing procedures for businesses and professionals. Nurses and acupuncturists are required by law to renew their licenses every two years. During the last renewal cycle in 2003, more than 5,300 nurses (about 36 percent) renewed their licenses online. That was more than twice the number renewed online in 2001.
American follows the fed, raises prime rate
- American Savings Bank officials announced they would raise the prime rate from 5.75 percent to 6 percent. The bank’s move to increase its prime rate followed the Federal Reserve’s announcement last week that it had increased the federal funds rate, also by one-quarter of a percentage point.
The federal funds rate is an overnight bank lending rate that is a benchmark for other shortterm interest rates.
American Savings Bank is Hawai‘i’s third-largest financial institution.
Landscape technician program
- Kauai Landscape Industry Council (KLIC) leaders will be presenting a Certified Landscape Technician Program beginning Thursday, May 26, at Kaua‘i Community College. To register or for more information, please contact the KCC Office of Continuing Education and Training, 245-8318, or KLIC coordinator Diane Hansen at 332-0611.
M. Kawamura Farm Expo is on
- M. Kawamura Farm Enterprises officials are hosting their annual Expo this Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, at the business at 2824 Wehe Rd. in Lihu‘e.
The Expo will run each day from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Lawn and garden power equipment will be on display, with hands-on demonstrations and the chance to ask questions of experts.
- For more information, please call 245-3524.
