Rental rates for Hawaii agricultural land increased this year, while pastureland rates decreased, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rental rates up for Hawaii ag land ADVERTISING Rental rates for Hawaii agricultural land increased this year, while pastureland rates
Rental rates up
for Hawaii ag land
Rental rates for Hawaii agricultural land increased this year, while pastureland rates decreased, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The irrigated cropland rental rate this year, at $330 per acre, was up $45 per acre from the previous record high set in 2012. This is the fifth consecutive year a record-high rate was set in Hawaii.
The state’s nonirrigated rental rate, at $175 dollars per acre, was up 6 percent from 2012. This is the fifth consecutive year a record-high rate was set. Hawaii Island’s rental rate, at $176 per acre, increased 2.3 percent over 2012.
The state’s pastureland rental rate, at $13.50 per acre, was down from $15.50 per acre in 2012 and set a record low for the third consecutive year. Hawaii Island and Maui rates decreased 16 percent while rates on Molokai and Lanai dropped 4 percent from the previous year.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additional information on land values and cash rents can be found at quickstats.nass.usda.gov.
Training helps businesses export
to Japan
Export University 303: Japan Post Trip Seminar is scheduled for Oct. 8 on Oahu.
Featuring Aaron Held, commercial attache at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the seminar will give participants insight into turning Japanese leads into exports. Any company with an interest in the Japanese market is welcome.
The Hawaii Pacific Export Council is conducting the training and facilitating a cost-share program that will award up to $2,500 for eligible companies to travel internationally to conduct business.
To learn more, visit hawaiiexportsupport.com. To register, visit tinyurl.com/EUJapanReg or call Lesley Harvey at 457-7100.
Classes offered
to assist first
time homebuyers
Hawaii HomeOwnership Center is offering online classes to guide first-time homebuyers through the preparation and purchase process. Those taking online classes may complete the coursework at their own pace and convenience.
Managing Your Money and Understanding Credit is offered from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. Friday and again at 5 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 22.
Mortgages, Real Estate and Insurance is slated from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 23.
To register, call (877) 523-9503, email info@hihomeownership.org or visit hihomeownership.org.
The organization provides home ownership information and resources, providing classes about preparing for home ownership, counseling, workshops, referrals and post-purchase services.
Aloha Petroleum
raises funds for MDA
Aloha Petroleum Ltd. recently presented a $10,571 check to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Hawaii Chapter to support the organization’s mission to find a cure for muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.
Aloha Petroleum customers donated $1 or $5 at Aloha Island Mart locations in August, through Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Lei of Hope program. Contributions will help fund Muscular Dystrophy Association’s outpatient medical clinics on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai and Maui. Donations will also be used to help the organization operate a medical equipment closet which provides wheelchairs and other supplies to clients without insurance or who are waiting for prescribed equipment to be delivered.
Kaiser backs
health initiatives through grant
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is supporting several community health initiatives through $122,560 in grant funding.
Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice received $40,560 to advocate participation of eligible state residents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Earned Income Tax Credit.
Hawaii Primary Care Association received $40,000 to support primary care and behavioral health integration for children and youth in community health centers.
Hawaii Department of Education will promote daily physical activity and overall school wellness through a $22,000 grant.
Finally, Honolulu Theater for Youth was given $20,000 to integrate concepts of healthy eating and active living into its production of “Peter Rabbit and the Garden.”
— Movers & Shakers —
Stutts earns
e-PRO designation
Real estate sales associate Debrasue Stutts, of Century 21 All Islands in Waikoloa, recently added the e-PRO certification to her professional offerings.
The class provides Internet training and helps brokers and agents learn how to leverage their people skills through the Internet.
Central Pacific Bank promotes Yoshida
Kevin Yoshida has been named vice president and region manager of Central Pacific Bank.
In his new position, Yoshida is responsible for leading teams on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, helping them meet and exceed the financial needs of their communities, including consumers and businesses.
Yoshida, who resides on Maui, has more than 20 years of banking experience and has been with Central Pacific Bank since 2000. He previously served as vice president and district manager on Maui.
Rhodes is management executive at Hawaiiana
Nora Rhodes was recently appointed management executive at Hawaiiana Management Co., and will serve in Hawaiiana’s Hawaii Island office.
She brings nine years of experience in property management and related administration to the firm.
Most recently, Rhodes worked for Ululani Group Inc. in Kailua-Kona, where her duties included bookkeeping and property management.
Locally owned and operated, Hawaiiana Management Company Ltd. manages over 575 properties, including 40 associations on Hawaii Island.
For more information, visit hmcmgt.com or contact Susan Gregg, director of Hawaii Island operations, at 930-3218, ext. 851, or susang@hmcmgt.com.
Kaiser Permanente achieves top rankings
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was ranked the No. 1 health plan in the state and one of the top 25 health plans in the nation, in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s 2013 report.
The annual report ranks health plans in three categories: Medicare, Medicaid and private (commercial).
Kaiser’s commercial plan landed in the top 6 percent of commercial plans nationwide at No. 25 of 484 plans; its Medicare plan was fifth out of 404 plans; and its Medicaid plan retained its 2012 position at No. 2 of 131 eligible plans.
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was also ranked second in the nation at cholesterol screening and management of patients with cardiovascular disease and controlling blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The health care organization ranked third in the nation at controlling blood pressure for patients with diabetes and fourth at ensuring patients receive a beta blocker treatment after a heart attack.
The study’s methodology and additional rankings are available at ncqa.org.
— New Businesses —
Changes Hair
Salon opens
Kailua-Kona’s newest hair salon has opened in Atrium Court, at 75-167 Kalani St., Suite 103, behind McDonald’s. Changes Hair Salon is open Tuesday through Saturday and offers hair and skin care services in a spa environment.
Owner Tania Orol has more than 25 years experience as a hairstylist and makeup artist. Esthetician Cori Debina has been practicing for more than 14 years and has trained with some of the market’s top skin care professionals.
For appointments, call 936-4908 or 987-7072.
Company offers temporary office, meeting space
Offering office space and conference rooms by the half- or full-day, myKonaOffice seeks to fill a need for business owners and visitors who require a temporary meeting place.
The company will hold a soft launch in October. Office suites, conference rooms and physician rooms will be available, as well as additional services such as Wi-Fi and videoconferencing. The company will offer a discount rate for nonprofit organizations regularly using the facility.
The offices are in Walua Professional Center on Walua Road in Kailua-Kona. For more information, contact manager Robin Bailey at 333-3232 or mykonaoffice@gmail.com or visit mykonaoffice.com.
