Focus on the Economy -- 29 June 1997 [Sun]
Prophet Zarquon
Focus on the Economy
Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board
-----------------------------------------
For publication Sunday, June 29, 1997
Pest ID, soil tests by UH-CTAHR popular at Hort Show
By K. T. Cannon-Eger
Raymond Uchida and Brian Bushe had quite the popular booth at this
year's 13th Annual State Horticultural Show. Located outside the plant
display and sale area last weekend, the two Cooperative Extension Service
researchers were collecting tightly bagged soil, pest and plant samples
for identification or testing.
Uchida, coordinator of UH-Manoa CTAHR CES agricultural diagnostic
service, and Bushe, research associate in Hilo, said they were busy both
days of the Hort Show and sometimes there was a line of folks waiting for
information.
"We had lots of questions on slugs and roaches," said Uchida.
Bushe agreed noting, "more insect problems were brought in than
disease questions. It was interesting to note we did not have as many
questions as we used to get about crab spiders."
"The most common problem identified this year," Uchida said, "was
damage caused by mites and thrips. We saw scarring of tomatoes, eggplant
and bell pepper."
Inside Kanaka`ole Stadium were the stars of the show: the
anthurium competition winners.
"My favorite thing about this year's show," said former president
of the Hawai`i Anthurium Industry Association (HAIA) Dan Hata, "is I had
enough time before the opening to photograph the winners. I had the place
all to myself.
"The breeders category is really important. We need new varieties
and cultivars to stay in business, to survive. This category provides a
place for growers to bring something they brought up from seed. It will be
different again next year."
Stanley Oishi of Big Rock Anthurium took first place in the
Breeders Showcase with a light green/yellow as yet unnamed anthurium.
Alvarado Farms took second and third place.
Best Commodity Group display award went to the Big Island
Association of Nurserymen for their nearly unnamed booth -- an old
plantation house facade featuring a recirculating "waterfall" from the
rusty rain gutter and zoris by the screen door. The brick path and wooden
fence were lined with bedding plants.
Other award winners include Alvarado Farms for Best in Show with
an Oshiro Red Obake and first place plaques for red obake, orange, brown,
other obake, and splash/blush anthurium; Pacific Paradise Anthurium with
first place plaques for blush obake, red, orange obake, white obake, pink,
miniature and novelty anthurium; Floral Resources with first place plaques
for white, pink obake, tulip type and amnicola type anthurium; Big Rock
Anthurium with first place plaques for coral/salmon and speckled
anthurium; and Pacific Floral Exchange with first place plaques for
coral/salmon obake and green anthurium.
"There were more plants entered by more growers than last year,"
said Eric Tanouye of Green Point Nurseries. "About 30 growers entered 332
large potted anthurium."
Back in the plant sale area, growers found varied interests.
"I ran out of pua kenikeni trees," said John Rozett of Rozett's
Nursery in Hawaiian Paradise Park. "We brought in two truckloads of plants
and Saturday afternoon I was down to the last half a truck."
Rozett's Nursery, which offers landscape design, is on 28th Street
off Kaloli, 966-8778.
"The Doge of Venice daylily was the most popular seller this
year," said Marina and Charles Trommer of Hamakua Gardens in Ninole. "A
yellow mini was close behind in popularity."
Trommer's nursery may be reached at 963-6340.
Roger Pflum of Water Gardens of Hawai`i helped create a club
display in the front part of the stadium and, with other members, offered
plants and services in the commercial area. Ponds, containers, fish and
water plants are among the items available. For further information,
contact Pflum in Kea`au at 966-6250 or Elda Yoshimura at 935-0689.
"The best thing about the show is contact with people interested
in palms," said Jeff Marcus of Floribunda Palms & Exotics in Kurtistown.
"They come by the nursery after the show to see a wider range of varieties
and sizes."
Marcus may be reached at 966-8003.
"People were coming from across the hall, attracted by this
color," said Akiko Masuda about David Shiigi's bromeliad Guzmania Puna
Gold.
It's a striking solid yellow star-shaped flower patented by
hybridizer Shiigi whose Bromeliads of Hawai`i may be contacted at
959-6598.
An example of the island way, Masuda was helping Shiigi who was
called away from the show suddenly by family matters. Masuda operates
Akiko's Buddhist Bed & Breakfast in Wailea near Hakalau.
"Everyone is welcome. You need not be Buddhist to stay in this
85-year old home. Old timers say the main road once passed through this
village and it was a half-day buggy ride from Hilo."
Akiko's Buddhist B&B is near the 15 mile marker north of Hilo.
Phone 963-6422 or write P. O. Box 272, Hakalau HI 96710.
Fourth of July
There's lots of paniolo activity all over the island this holiday
weekend.
The Ka`u Roping and Riding Association sponsors three days at
Na`alehu Arena beginning with slack roping at noon Friday (July 4).
Saturday and Sunday rodeo events begin at 11 a.m.
Advance tickets are $5, $6 at the gate, with children 12 and under
admitted free. Tickets are available at Miranda Country Store, from Donna
at S & S Dairy or by calling Tom LaPera 929-8494 or Diane Omija 929-7295.
Parker Ranch will hold its 36th annual Fourth of July Horse Races
and Rodeo Friday (July 4) at the Parker Ranch race track. Gates and
concession stands open at 11 a.m. Events begin with a Grand Entry of
paniolo at 1 p.m. and continue through 4 p.m. Events include straight and
relay races, team sorting, double mugging, team roping and wild cow
milking.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Parker
Ranch. Emcee will be Les "the General" Keiter. Admission is $5 per car or
$2 per person for bus riders and walk-ins. Paniolo attire is encouraged.
In Kohala, a day-long community celebration will be held Friday at
Kamehameha Park with lots of music and food to celebrate the district's
multi-ethnic heritage.
The 6th annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race will launch 2,000
rubber ducks at Kings' Lake behind Kings' Shops in Waikoloa Beach Resort
starting at 3 p.m. Each duck is sponsored by a $5 donation to benefit the
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai`i. The first 50 duckies to
finish win prizes.
All day games, clowns, balloons and magic will be on hand for
children at 10 p.m. Hawaiian music begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 8:30
p.m. Call Debbie Palmery 886-8811 for details.
Friday, the Lehua Jaycees celebrate their 25th year sponsoring the
fireworks display from Coconut Island in Hilo. They pledge new kinds of
fireworks for a show that will be bigger and better than ever.
Coconut Island will be closed all day Friday beginning at 5:30
a.m. to enable set up. The display begins at 8 p.m. and is visible all
along the Bay Front area.
Fireworks at Kauna`oa Bay by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel begin
around 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday (July 5-6) the First Old Timers' Rodeo will be
held at Honoka`a arena from noon until pau. Sponsored by the newly formed
Mauka Makai Country Club, composed mainly of Big Island 40+ paniolo.
Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the gate.
Children 12 years of age and under admitted free. For more
information, contact president Mike Hanohano at 885-4036 or DeeDee
Keakealani at 885-5045.
Coming events
Friday through Sunday, July 4-6, the third annual Dolphin Days
will be held at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Call Vicki Kometani at 885-1234
for details.
Saturday (July 5) the outrigger canoe regatta at Hilo Bay will be
sponsored by Puna Canoe Club. Contact Greg Henkel, 965-7899, for details.
Saturday, July 12, the outrigger canoe regatta at Anaehoomalu will
be sponsored by Waikoloa Canoe Club. For details, contact Diane Bobek,
883-9074.
Saturday, July 19, Moku O Hawai`i Outrigger Canoe Racing
Association championships will be held at Kawaihae Harbor starting at 8:30
a.m. with 36 events. Kawaihae Canoe Club is the host.
Saturday, August 2, the 45th annual state outrigger canoe
championship races will be in Hilo Bay. The last time the state
championships were held here was 1991. More than 10,000 people from 65
clubs are anticipated to attend. There are 11 clubs on the Big Island with
a total membership approaching that of O`ahu's more numerous clubs.
Races begin at 8:30 a.m. with 36 events scheduled all day from
quarter-mile to two-and-a-half mile races. Information and registation for
either championship event is available from Moku O Hawai`i president Maile
Mauhili, 935-0067 message phone, or write to 395 Todd Avenue, Hilo HI
96720.
"This is a great boost for our economy over here," said Mauhili.
"Paddlers fill the hotels and other visitor accomodations, buy gas and
food, and go shopping."
Dog Day Afternoon
The annual Dog Day Afternoon, a benefit for the Hawai`i Island
Humane Society, will be held in the Shipman House on Reed's Island Sunday,
July 13, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Culinary Crusader World Cuisine by Leslie D. Hershhorn of Volcano
will provide gourmet pupus and delicious desserts. Music by the Randy
Skaggs Trio, a silent auction and tropical wines round out the afternoon.
Tickets, which sell out quickly, are available at the Humane
Society in Kea`au, the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo on Keawe, Kilauea
Vet in Kea`au, Aloha Vet in Hilo and A Touch of Aloha Florist on
Waianuenue Avenue.
The three-story historic Victorian home was built in 1899 and has
an excellent view of Hilo Bay. Newly renovated by W.H. Shipman's great
granddaughter Barbara Ann Blackshear Anderson and her husband Gary, the
mansion reopened as a bed and breakfast.
Farm Fair exhibits
Agricultural exhibit space is available at the 1997 Big Island
Farm Fair to be held at the Old Kona Airport Park September 4-7. An
attendance of more than 25,000 people is anticipated at the annual event.
"Exhibit spaces are offered to commercial and non-profit groups.
Commercial sales are encouraged, however, only agriculturally related
items will be permitted," said organizer Diane Ley.
"Other scheduled activities include a country market and livestock
show. Demonstrations and promotional displays will highlight agricultural
services and products such as farm machinery, fertilizers, livestock,
aquaculture, nursery plants and cut flowers. Carnival rides, games and
free entertainment also will be available."
For additional information or to register, call the Big Island
Farm Bureau at 968-6951.
Focus on the Economy is a weekly column on science, technology, business
and agriculture provided by the Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board.
Readers with announcements or questions are invited to write to K.T.
Cannon-Eger, HCR 1, Box 5164, Kea`au, HI 96749-9511, phone 966-8565,
e-mail bill...@gte.net or web site www.hotspots.hawaii.com/h4economy.html
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