Wednesday, March 26, 1969 | Volume II, Issue XII
ON THE COVER
“Milk Prices Skyrocket”
By Jim Langdon
The latest blow to the household budget came this week with the implementation of a new price list from Meadow Gold Dairies affecting all major Kona grocery outlets and supermarkets.
The result to the consumer is an 8-cent-per-gallon price increase on Grade AA milk.
Virtually all Meadow Gold dairy products have undergone the price hike with the exception of yogurt. Juices distributed by the dairy have increased in price as much as 10 cents per half-gallon.
Big Island Meadow Gold manager Yatsuo Fuke of Hilo said the price increase was due to added production costs.
Will Excelsior Dairy be far behind? The dairy’s island manager Jimmy Aburamen wouldn’t say yes or no, but gave a strong hint of things to come.
“Our company is currently making an overall study of our present price structure. We have not increased our prices as of now, but of course, anytime a competitor implements a change in price structure, it calls for a re-evaluation of our own operations,” he said.
“Swedish Ship To Arrive Tuesday”
No byline
The Swedish ship Kungsholm will arrive in Kona Tuesday and anchor off Kailua Bay. But when she arrives, she will be minus her passengers. The passengers will disembark the ship early Tuesday morning in Hilo and motor to Kona, taking in a tour of Hilo, Volcano, Punaluu Black Sand Beach and the City of Refuge on the way.
Upon arrival in Kona, they will be hosted to a luncheon at Hale Halawai with a Hawaiian musical program by Iolani Luahine. In the afternoon, the passengers will board the Kungsholm and sail for Kealakekua Bay where a wreath will be thrown in the water in memory of Captain James Cook.
The Kungsholm is on a 200th anniversary cruise in memory of Cook. The cruise is following the trail of Captain Cook in the Pacific.
On board the Kungsholm is the oldest usable canon in the world and plans are to fire three volleys in memory of the voyager. The cannon was taken from the Swedish warship WASA, which sank in Stockholm Harbor in 1628. A plaque to be placed on the monument in Kealakekua Bay will be presented by Dudley Williams, resident British Consul in Honolulu.
“Air Hawaii To Halt Kona Service; Hilo ‘Villain” In Isle Move”
No byline
Effective April 1, one less airline will service Kona, and the bulk of the blame apparently lies in Hilo.
That’s the verdict from John Embry, advertising director in charge of public relations for Air Hawaii, who revealed the airplanes plans to discontinue Big Island service.
According to Embry, Air Hawaii is throwing in the towel on the Big Island primarily due to inadequate accommodations at the Lyman Field terminal in Hilo. He contended that while there is space available, it is not available to Air Hawaii, which has a desk at the airport that is situated outside the terminal.
“Even the Coke machine has a better position at the terminal that Air Hawaii,” Embry said.
The situation in Kona is much more satisfactory, according to Embry, both from the standpoint of traffic and accommodations.
Embry also said that lack of traffic and weak response to the airline’s shuttle service were also factors in the decision to half service to the Big Island.
Asked if the new Keahole Airport and its projected tourist traffic might lure Air Hawaii back to the Big Island, Embry said: “Yes, the new airport might very well affect our situation later on. In fact, I’m sure we’ll be back eventually.”
Nonetheless, both Kona and Hilo offices will close their doors April 1.
“Bay Hearing Dominated By Opposition”
No byline
Plans for the establishment of a Kealakekua Bay marine life conservation district drew a barrage of criticism and opposition Friday at a public hearing conducted by the state.
Some 75 Kona residents, predominantly bay area landowners, attended the hearing, with the overwhelming majority of those testifying soundly opposed to the state plan.
Not present was Maxwell Doty, University of Hawaii marine biologist who conducted the state survey of the bay.
As a result, many of the technical questions from the floor regarding the conservation plan remained unanswered, prompting some to question the validity of the meeting.
OTHER NOTABLE HEADLINES
“Plans For South Point Airport Are Announced”
No byline
Harl Hass of Kahua Kalae, a Honolulu firm, has announced plans for the development of a private airport at South Point in a request to the Planning Commission last week to grant a special permit for the project.
The 5,000-foot-long, 100-foot-wide runway, if developed, would be located in the area of an old World War II military airstrip. Hass announced that homes for staff personnel, hangars, gasoline stations and garages have also been planned for the development.
FAA approval of the airport has been received, according to Hass. It may be used by medium-sized jet planes as well as by air taxis. The airport is estimated to cost $200,000.
“Japanese Ban On Isle Papayas To Be Lifted, Effective April 1”
No byline
Rep. Spark Matsunaga last week announced that Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regulations prohibiting the importation of Hawaiian papayas will be lifted effective April 1.
The Hawaii lawmaker had discussed the matter personally with Prime Minister Eisaku Sato during a recent trip to Japan.
The amended regulations apparently carry a proviso that the fruit must be inspected in Hawaii by an inspector from Japan. The Japanese government has indicated that it is prepared to dispatch such an inspector to Hawaii upon receipt of an appropriate request from the state government.
Weekly deals:
At Kamigaki Store: Betty Crocker’s Potato Buds, 16.5 ounces for $0.69; Bumble Bee Alaska Sockeye salmon, 7.75-ounce can for $0.59; and Nestle’s Quik, two pounds for $0.69.
At Kona Realty Co.: Three bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home with a two-car garage in the Alii Kai subdivision for $31,000.
Featured films:
At Kona Theatre: Ayako Wakao in “One Day At Summer’s;” James Dean and Stewart Martin in “Bandolero!;” and “The Brotherhood” starring Kirk Douglas. For adults only, “Venus In Furs.”
At Aloha Theatre: Dean Martin and George Peppard starring in “Rough Night In Jericho” and “Pretty Poison” with Tuesday Weld and Anthony Perkins.