Local Industry News & Notes for Sunday, December 7, 2008

• Freelance copywriter Debra Jason celebrates 20 years in business

• Snorkel Bob’s collects donations for Kaua‘i Food Bank

• Hawai‘i conducts airport screening for flu-like illnesses

• KCC Membership Meeting

• Beekeepers m

Freelance copywriter Debra Jason celebrates 20 years in business

 Freelance copywriter and owner of The Write Direction, Debra Jason, will soon be celebrating her 20th year in business. The Write Direction opened its doors for business on Jan. 1, 1989, in Boulder, Colo. In 2002, Jason made the full-time move to Kaua‘i’s North Shore.

Jason has written marketing materials or provided consulting services to a number of local businesses including Hanalei Colony Resort, Tropical Tantrum and Lahela Ocean Adventures. She has presented marketing seminars and workshops privately as well as to members of the Kauai North Shore Business Council, Kauai Small Business Development Center and the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrating 20 years in business, The Write Direction specializes in writing Web and direct marketing communications. Jason may be reached by phone at (808) 826-1846, e-mail at debra@writedirection.com, or at www.writedirection.com.

Snorkel Bob’s collects donations for Kaua‘i Food Bank

“Customers come into the store all the time asking what they can do with their extra groceries when they go back to the mainland,” says Allen Schipper, Snorkel Bob’s store manager. And so from now through the end of December, Snorkel Bob’s will collect non-perishable foods at its Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and Big Island stores. Those who drop five food items will get a free t-shirt, while supplies last.

Drop off donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Snorkel Bob’s. For more information, contact Joan Lloyd at 808-269-0102.

Hawai‘i conducts airport screening for flu-like illnesses

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and Japan Airlines today conducted the next phase of a pilot project launched this past June to screen passengers of international flights for flu-like illnesses at Honolulu International Airport.

The screening process begins with a questionnaire asking for basic demographic information, recent travel itinerary and illness history including the presence or absence of fever. All information collected is reportedly kept confidential.

Currently, pilots must notify the Honolulu airport tower if they are arriving with a potentially ill passenger on board. The CDV Quarantine Station is called to meet and evaluate the passenger at the gate. Passengers who have fever or respiratory symptoms are asked to undergo flu testing.

For more information contact Judy Kern at 808-586-4418.

KCC Membership Meeting

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce announces its annual general membership meeting and 20th annual silent auction sponsored by Platinum Sponsor High Technology Development Corporation and in partnership with the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club in the Kaua‘i Ballroom, with a registration at 5:30 p.m., to be followed by a silent auction, business networking, pupu and no-host cocktails.

The cost for Chamber of Commerce members is $58 and $68 for guests, at the door.

For more information and to register, visit www.kauaichamber.org or call 245-7363. 

Beekeepers meeting

There will be a beekeepers meeting on Saturday to discuss the varroa mite, and how Kaua‘i’s beekeeping community can help to prevent the infestation of the devastating parasite here.

The meeting will be at Jimmy Torio’s farm lot, 4444 Hokualele Road, maka‘i on Hokualele Road, the third driveway on the left, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Torio at 652-0921.