Kaiser recognized for federal employee health plans
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s health care plan for federal employees has been recognized as “Exemplary,” the highest possible rating, by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, administrator of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program.
Based on data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, qualifying health plans are scored on key clinical and service measures that include breast cancer screening, comprehensive diabetes care, cholesterol management, and mental health treatment. This is the second year Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has been recognized as an Exemplary Federal Employee Health Benefit plan.
Wong develops Ka‘u coffee blend
Hawaii Coffee Co. has introduced Royal Hawaiian Coffee by Chef Alan Wong, which features a 10 percent Ka‘u coffee bean blend.
The blend will now be available in retail stores throughout the state in French roast, medium roast and in vanilla macadamia nut flavors. Hawaii Coffee Co. will also be roasting a 100 percent Ka‘u private label coffee for Alan Wong’s restaurants.
“Everyone has heard about Kona coffee. Through this new product with Hawaii Coffee Co., I hope people discover Ka‘u coffee like I did many years ago in 2007,” said Wong.
Hawaii Coffee Co. purchases more Kona coffee cherry than any other roasting company in the world. Its primary brands are Lion Coffee, Royal Kona Coffee, the Hawaiian Islands Tea Co. and now the Royal Hawaiian Coffee brand.
For more information, visit hawaiicoffeecompany.com.
Island Fish &Chips reopens after remodel
Island Fish &Chips has reopened at Kings’ Shop with an expanded kitchen and menu.
“We are so happy to be back open,” said owner Tiffiny Kost. “Now we are able to offer many more new menu items like shrimp Caesar salad, fish tacos, clam chowder, and fried pineapple with a haupia dip. Plus we have a kid’s menu, Keiki Grindz for ages 10 and under.”
In early December, Island Fish &Chips will add breakfast entrees to its menu.
Hotel employees learn energy saving tips
Hawaii Energy and Mauna Kea Resort have teamed up to present Sharing the Aloha: Energy Efficiency Workshops to educate more than 1,000 Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel employees on energy saving measures.
The workshops were presented by Helen Pelekai Wai, a recognized educator on homeownership and energy literacy, who provided employees effective ways to conserve energy and discussed ideas to adopt these measures at work and home.
Hawaii Energy began offering “Sharing the Aloha: Energy Efficiency Workshops” in 2011 to provide free community education to help residents with escalating energy costs. The workshops are conducted throughout the state.
First Insurance gives $10K for typhoon relief
First Insurance Co. of Hawaii employees opened their wallets to donate $4,385 for typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. The company’s charitable foundation added $5,615 for a total donation of $10,000 to the American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter. It has donated more than $213,000 to Hawaii nonprofits in 2013.
Hawaii Farm Bureau recognizes Onishi
Rep. Richard H.K. Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano, has been named 2013 Legislator of the Year by the statewide Hawaii Farm Bureau.
Onishi has worked towards the passage of legislation to improve agriculture in the state and especially on Hawaii Island. This past session, notable contributions include an appropriation of $800,000 to combat the coffee berry borer infestation, $1.5 million for agricultural livestock feed subsidies, $1.75 million for new farmer and bio security loan programs, and $600,000 for a bio digester to convert food waste to livestock feed. He has also supported $75,000 annual appropriations for Future Farmers of America and 4-H Programs.
Recipients are formally recognized at Hawaii Farm Bureau’s annual meeting.
Hawaii Psychological Assn. honors Walter
Alex Walter has received the Hawaii Psychological Association award for Provision of Psychological Services to Rural Communities for 2013. An awards ceremony was held Nov. 15 in Honolulu.
Walter’s professional history includes years of clinical work and various professional roles as university professor, director of service and training programs, where she designed and implemented internships and post doctoral experiences, and consultant in forensics, neuropsychology and chemical dependency.
She is secretary for Hawaii Island Psychologists Association and she helps facilitate continuing education credits for behavioral health professionals. In addition, she has recently been elected to be the Big Island’s representative to the state.
Tiki artist sues retailer for copyright infringement
Hawaiian tiki artist Brad Parker and his attorneys David E. Smith &Schneider Rothman IP Law Group filed a copyright infringement suit in U.S. District Court in Hawaii against Internet retailer CafePress.com.
Through his Big Island based company Tiki Shark Art Inc., Parker sells his paintings at galleries locally and around the world. In May, the Dubai affiliate of surf goods giant Body Glove ordered from Tiki Shark Art some 25,000 towels featuring Parker’s painting “Forbidden Island.” However, the Middle East company cancelled when it discovered the image was already being reproduced on over 218 items by Internet retailer CafePress.com. The lawsuit claims that CafePress.com removed Parker’s signature, and reproduced and distributed it on consumer goods without his permission.
“It’s unfair and deceptive for someone to take an artist’s work and sell it with no recognition and no remuneration,” Parker said.
CafePress.com Inc. encourages its members to upload logos and images that the company then prints on products such as T-shirts and mugs and sells on its website. For each transaction, the company pays a commission to the member who uploaded the image.
According to the lawsuit, CafePress did not investigate whether its members had licensing rights to Parker’s painting. Tiki Shark seeks injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and damages for the full amount of its losses, plus statutory damages for removing Parker’s signature.
Monthly Business First meetings scheduled
A schedule of monthly Business First meetings has been announced by co-sponsors Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of North Hawaii.
The 5 to 7 p.m. gatherings provide opportunity to network, exchange news and develop opportunities. The meeting will be held this Thursday at Blue Dragon lanai with food sampling, Jan. 7 at The Fish &The Hog, Feb. 4 at Red Water lanai, March 6 at Blue Dragon lanai, April 1 at Red Water lanai, May 6 at Merriman’s Garden, June 5 at Blue Dragon lanai; July 1 at Red Water lanai, Aug. 5 at Merriman’s Garden and Sept. 2 at Merriman’s Garden.
For more information, call Penny Pagliaro of Panalea Corp. at 315-7776.
Subaru makes donation for each car sale
Subaru Hawaii will give to charity $250, up to $30,000, for every new 2014 Subaru vehicle sold from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 through its Share the Love sales event.
Benefiting nonprofits include Hawaii Island Humane Society, American Red Cross-Hawaii Chapter and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii.
The public may visit Subaru Hawaii’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SubaruHI to vote for their favorite participating nonprofit. Subaru Hawaii will award an additional $5,000 to the organization that receives the most likes by Dec. 31.
Hilo Subaru and Kona Subaru will also host a Share the Love day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday where Hawaii Island Humane Society will perform pet services such as nail trims and microchips. Dogs and kittens will also be available for adoption. A $25 Petco gift card and bag of treats is included with every adoption and fees are waived for current Subaru owners or for those who purchase a vehicle during the event. Attendees are also encouraged to donate pet care supplies such as cat litter, paper towels and pet food.
In conjunction with Subaru’s “Share the Love” campaign Hilo Subaru and Kona Subaru are having a clothing drive sponsoring Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii Island from now until Dec. 31. Gently used clothing and small household items may be donated, proceeds are used for the organization’s youth mentoring programs
Dolphin Discoveries raises funds for breast cancer awareness
Dolphin Discoveries hosted a breast cancer awareness event Oct. 24 and donated all proceeds to the Kailua-Kona American Cancer Society annual fund for breast cancer awareness. The donation was made in honor of all people who have been touched by this disease. The event featured snorkeling and viewing spinner dolphins.
“I myself have been touched directly with friends battling this disease and feel grateful that I was able to make a difference today by donating half of our proceeds,” said Claudia Merrill, co-owner of Dolphin Discoveries.