Business

New Style for Kualapu`u

Friday, March 15th, 2013

New Style for Kualapu`u

 

There’s a new shop three doors down from Molokai Furniture in Kualapu`u that offers men’s, women’s and children’s Hawaiian wear. Molokai Furniture owner Denise Taueetia opened Denise’s Island Fashion February 25 and has been adding new clothes and accessories as the business develops.

Ashley Keoho, who works at Denise’s Island Fashion, said they’ve ordered basic tops and shorts to sell alongside the classic Hawaiian attire. She said their earrings and cover-ups have been popular so far.

Surrounded by vibrant colored apparel and beach-inspired jewelry, Keoho talks story with customers and offers her eye for style to help with purchases. Taueetia called her young employee a blessing, adding that because of Keoho she is able to bring in clothes that appeal to younger shoppers.…

Elsa’s Kitchen: Sharp new look for old Pork House

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

Elsa’s Kitchen:  Sharp new look for old Pork House

 

Roast Pork House, a favorite dining spot for visitors and locals alike, has added a lot of new perks including free coffee and WIFI since it came under new management. Elsa Salazar Aquino, who worked at the restaurant since it opened over a year ago, purchased the establishment and made some dramatic changes, including a more personable business name and a clean and cohesive new look.

Elsa’s Kitchen, as it now goes by, celebrated its grand opening Monday, March 4. Those who stopped by noticed a number of new changes, including a vibrant new logo that is featured on the front sign and uniforms as well as an expanded menu.…

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

 

Molokai Soaps has its own shop now, and owner Patricia Hammond hopes to bring some pride in residency to Kaunakakai. This means she’s working on beautifying town and encouraging others to follow suit.

She moved her business into a portion of the old Fish and Dive on the main strip of Ala Malama Street. The remaining portion of the former dive shop, though empty, is now a little livelier thanks to Hammond’s initiative.

“This is the first thing you see when you come into town,” Hammond said as she stood outside the store next to her soap shop. “And unfortunately it’s an ugly building.”…

Eat, Drink and be Maika`i: Hotel Lively but No Kitchen Until 2014

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

Eat, Drink and be Maika`i: Hotel Lively but No Kitchen Until 2014

When Hula Shores, Hotel Molokai’s restaurant and bar, burned down last June, there were questions over the business’s future. But thanks to a small menu and some talented kupuna, Hotel Molokai is still serving up drinks, food and entertainment until the new restaurant is rebuilt.

Hotel chef Gene Pike cooks up mahi-mahi, chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs as dinner plates or sandwiches Thursday through Monday from 4 until 9 p.m. Na Kupuna attracts a crowd to the bar each Friday night, and the market that goes along with the event gives vendors a chance to make money and send visitors home with souvenirs.…

Letter – Is Pork and Beef Gone with the Wind?

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

Molokai Ranch wants to raise and market pork and beef. Supposedly the wind energy company Pattern Energy cut its ties to Molokai Ranch and is gone with the wind. Is that the real picture?  When will the Molokai Ranch pig farm start?  Can Molokai people partner and grow the feed?  Depends on world economics.  Does it make “cents” for Molokai residents, private business, the State and Maui County to be partners in rejuvenating west end in water, hotels, golf, etc?  A lot of little can make one big.  Raising pigs and beef on Molokai to feed the world is a good idea — just keep the waste smell from blowing down wind.…

Larry Ellison Buys Island Air

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Larry Ellison Buys Island Air

 

Island Air News Release
Island Air closed the sale of the airline today to a newly formed holding company owned by Lawrence J. Ellison. The sale secures the future of Island Air and its employees.

There are no planned staff changes and Island Air will continue its operations as usual while developing plans for additional planes, routes and services. All current tickets will be honored and all Cloud9 members will retain their status and benefits.

“This is another major investment and commitment to Hawaii,” said Paul Marinelli, vice president of Lawrence Investments, LLC. “We understand the critical importance of transportation in an island state, and we will ensure that Island Air strengthens its role, capacity and service to the people of Hawaii.…

Food Business Basics workshop on Molokai

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Food Business Basics workshop on Molokai

Kohala Center News Release

Value-added and specialty foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse will present his “Food Business Basics: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business” workshop March 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Lanikeha Community Center in Ho‘olehua, Molokai.

The workshop is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product that they can bring to markets, entrepreneurs and restraunteurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products and established producers looking to take their food business to the next level.

Cooperhouse will deliver his three-hour “Food Business Basics” workshops, and then Nicole Milne, agriculture business specialist at the Kohala Center, will present two one-hour sessions focused on financial resources available to Hawai`i farmers as well as strategies for marketing agricultural products.…

State of the County Address

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

The following is Mayor Alan Arakawa’s state of the county address, which he delivered February 20 at the Baldwin High School Auditorium at 5 p.m. Check back soon for some comments from Mayor Arakawa about Molokai specifically. 

 

Aloha and good evening.

Please join me in giving Mr. Dean Wong a round of applause. He had some large shoes to fill in taking over emcee duties this year and he’s done a fine job.

Our last two State of the County events were emceed by the late

Martin Luna, a friend to this administration and our community.

Of course it is impossible not to think of Martin now as we begin tonight.…

Which should you choose…Will or Trust?

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Which should you choose…Will or Trust?

Community contributed

By Maria Sullivan, Attorney

Every week there seems to be a new funeral notice on our local bulletin boards. How often do we say to ourselves, “Oh, they were so young”? For many, death is unexpected, and often putting one’s affairs in order is not a priority.

We all know someone who thought they put their final affairs in order, and after the funeral the family realizes those plans were not enough. The expensive Revocable or Living Trust that Uncle John purchased 10 or 20 years ago did nothing to avoid a court probate. Uncle John paid $1,000 or more for a stack of nice looking legal trust paperwork in a fancy binder or book, but we find out a costly court probate is still required.…

Coffees of Hawaii Celebrates 20 Years of Coffee on Molokai

Sunday, February 17th, 2013

Coffees of Hawaii Celebrates 20 Years of Coffee on Molokai

This year marks 20 years of coffee production on the island of Molokai. Also in 2013, the entire coffee industry in the State of Hawaii celebrates 200 years of producing the crop. Coffees of Hawaii will host a free two-day festival March 15 and 16 at the plantation in Kualapu`u.

Coffees of Hawaii, Inc. (COH) was formed in February 1984, when the first contracts were negotiated with Molokai Ranch to lease the land and base yard facilities in Kualapu`u. In 1986 the first plantings of coffee were completed in two experimental fields. The company planted 600 acres of Arabica coffee on the former pineapple lands in 1988 and conducted its first commercial harvest in 1993.…