Mediation center receives $10K donation
The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation recently provided $10,000 to Kuikahi Mediation Center to support the free Rapid Response Landlord Tenant Mediation Program, a joint project with West Hawaii Mediation Center.
Although state and federal eviction moratoriums have been extended, rent still accrues and is due unless there is a plan in place to work things out. To assist with difficult conversations, the island’s two nonprofit community mediation centers are offering conflict resolution services free of charge for residential and commercial tenants and landlords in Hawaii County who have been impacted due to COVID-19.
“Encouraging frank and productive communication is critical now more than ever,” said Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “Landlords cannot afford to lose good tenants, especially given that vacancies may be difficult to fill with so many local businesses and residents in dire financial circumstances. Tenants cannot afford to owe thousands of dollars in back rent, only to be faced 3, 6, or 9 months later with eviction proceedings, business closures, awards for damages and garnishment, ruined credit ratings, bankruptcy, and/or nowhere to live or work.”
Mediation looks for mutually satisfying solutions for both landlords and tenants, with the help of neutral third parties—the mediators. To promote social distancing, mediation is available remotely via phone or video, as well as in person in certain cases with safety precautions.
For more information about the center call (808) 935-7844 or visit www.hawaiimediation.org. In West Hawaii, call (808) 885-5525 or visit whmediation.org.
DE.HI expands mainland distribution, rebranded
as Hawaii Jerky Shop
Products from the locally-owned and operated crispy jerky company now available in nearly 2,500 Rite Aid Stores across the U.S.
Hawaii Jerky Shop is proud to be the first crispy jerky company to launch nationwide with distribution in nearly 2,500 Rite Aid stores across 19 states in the U.S.
Established in late 2016 as DE.HI by three friends looking to revolutionize the snack food industry, Hawaii Jerky Shop is known for its innovative, light, crispy beef and pork jerky available in flavors including chiyaki (chipotle-teriyaki), pepper, garlic, spicy, kalua pig, and Korean barbecue.
“COVID-19 has presented its challenges for the consumer packaged goods industry, but we are very fortunate that we were able to secure this partnership with Rite Aid as it has always been our goal to expand our distribution to the mainland,” said Jason Miyamoto, CEO of Hawaii Jerky Shop. “We hope that our mainland clientele will enjoy a taste of Hawaii even though they may not be able to travel here right now.”
Currently available in more than 200 locations across Hawaii, Hawaii Jerky Shop has come a long way from its modest beginnings, with its first operations beginning out of Miyamoto’s Oahu apartment. The company’s current retail and production facility is located in Honolulu.
Injunction request withdrawn in Volcano golf course saga
A potential legal battle between Kamehameha Schools and the operators of a Big Island golf course who threatened to destroy their business out of spite appears to have been averted.
Kamehameha Schools filed in May a request for an injunction against Kailua-Kona-based corporation Hawaiian International Sporting Club, operator of the Volcano Golf and Country Club, to bar it from any further use of that property.
However, in late June Kamehameha Schools — which leased the land to Hawaiian International Sporting Club in 1999 — withdrew that request, seemingly putting an end to a court case between the two entities.
A preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled to take place Wednesday in the 1st Circuit Court in Honolulu, but was canceled.
A representative of Kamehameha Schools said a statement about the case will be forthcoming later this week.
The Volcano Golf and Country Club permanently shut down abruptly in late May amid the COVID-19 pandemic, four years before the termination of the lease.
Kamehameha Schools’ request for an injunction against HISC accused the corporation’s president, Shigeyuki Tachibana, of repeatedly threatening to destroy the golf course rather than surrender the property to Kamehameha Schools upon the end of the lease. Tachibana also allegedly claimed ownership of the course was tranferred to HISC’s investors earlier this year.
