Monthly Archive for December, 2010

Maui Land & Pineapple Co Inc Closes Above 200-Day Moving Average, Hits $4.95 – American Banking News

Published on December 31, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.

Shares of Maui Land & Pineapple Co Inc (NYSE: MLP) closed above its 200-day moving average on Friday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $4.50 and last traded at $4.95.

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. consists of a landholding and operating parent company and its principal subsidiaries, including Maui Pineapple Company, Ltd. (MPC) and Kapalua Land Company, Ltd. As of March 29, 2010, the Company operated in two segments: Community Development and Resort. Revenues from its two segments, Community Development segment and Resort segment accounted for approximately 39% and 59% of its consolidated revenues respectively during the year ended December 31, 2009. On November 2, 2009, the Company ceased its agriculture operations.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co Inc (NYSE: MLP) traded up 10.13% during mid-day trading on Friday. The stock has a 52 week low of $2.05 and a 52 week high of $8.20. The company has a market cap of $93.8 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of N/A.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co Inc (NYSE: MLP) Closes Above 200-Day Moving Average, Hits $4.95 – American Banking News

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State: Clear standing water to avoid mosquitoes

Published on December 31, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


HONOLULU – After recent rains, the state Department of Health is urging people to clear standing water from areas where mosquitoes breed.

The precaution is aimed at preventing the appearance in Hawaii of mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as dengue fever, which has increased to epidemic levels this year in parts of the United States and the tropics and subtropics.

“Reducing the mosquito population can prevent the spread of serious illness from infected persons to others by way of biting mosquitoes,” said Keith Ridley, acting director of the Health Department. “Fortunately at this time, dengue fever, West Nile virus, malaria and other mosquito-transmitted illnesses are not endemic in Hawaii. We all must do all we can to protect our islands against these possible threats to public health.”

This year, five cases of dengue fever contracted outside of the state by travelers who became ill during their stay in Hawaii were investigated by the department. In 2009, six imported cases were reported, and in 2008 there were 14 imported cases.

Mosquitoes transmit the illness to people when they bite them. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, severe headaches, eye, joint and muscle pain, and rash. The rash typically appears on the hands, arms, legs and feet for three to four days after the fever begins. The symptoms usually go away within one to two weeks.

Sometimes people with dengue fever can develop blood-clotting problems, a condition called dengue hemorrhagic fever, a serious illness with abnormal bleeding and very low blood pressure. Continue reading ‘State: Clear standing water to avoid mosquitoes’

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Big Isle man charged in theft of exotic fruit

Published on December 30, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


A 56-year-old Hilo man was charged with felony theft for stealing fruit from a Big Island farm in Hilo.

Hilo police arrested Gary Pavao at a Kaiwiki Road farm after he was caught with 14.7 pounds of longan allegedly taken without permission.

Hilo police responded to a call at 8:27 a.m. Monday and found the farm’s owners had held a trespasser allegedly caught with the fruit.

Police said that Pavao was linked to two other thefts of fruit from the same farm.

Pavao was charged with three counts of second-degree theft.

He made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court yesterday and remains in custody at the Hawaii County Correctional Center in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Longan is a tropical fruit related to the lychee.

Big Isle man charged in theft of exotic fruit – Hawaii News – Staradvertiser.com

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Mizuna is a flavorful herb perfect for New Year’s tradition

Published on December 29, 2010 in Cooking, General Ag News and Notes and Vegtables.


This week you’ll see lots of mizuna at farmers markets and in supermarkets. Also called pot herb mustard or Japanese mustard, mizuna is a traditional ingredient in island versions of ozoni or rice cake soup consumed on New Year’s Day by families of Japanese ancestry.

Mizuna has feathery, somewhat spiky dark green leaves and a narrow white stalk. Its crisp flavor is somewhat reminiscent of mustard. Mizuna is often used in soup and stew preparations and in stir-fry mixtures, holding up well but shrinking in volume as it cooks. Buy twice as much as you think you’ll need.

Young mizuna greens are often used in mesclun, adding a nice spice to these salad mixes. Young or mature, mizuna can be eaten raw and is an excellent addition to salads throughout the year.

Hawaii food writer Joan Namkoong offers a weekly tidbit on fresh seasonal products, many of them locally grown. Look for “Fresh Tips” every Wednesday in the Star-Advertiser.

Mizuna is a flavorful herb perfect for New Year’s tradition – Hawaii Features – Staradvertiser.com

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Deal means 20 years in Kimura case

Published on December 29, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


WAILUKU – Wailuku businessman Lloyd Kimura pleaded guilty to four counts of securities violations in 2nd Circuit Court on Tuesday morning.

Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza accepted a plea agreement by which Kimura will be sentenced to two 20-year terms and two five-year terms, to run concurrently.

However, it was revealed in court that Kimura also plans to enter a plea to as-yet unannounced federal charges in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Jan. 5.

Cash-only bail of $110,000 was imposed but deferred until Jan. 6, to make it simpler for Kimura to travel to his federal arraignment.

Kimura’s Maui Industrial Loan & Finance Co., also known as Maui Finance, failed this year. He filed for business and personal bankruptcy, listing liabilities of about $23 million.

It took about 40 minutes for Kimura to plead guilty, but he had to speak only a few words: “yes” and “guilty” as Cardoza read through the formalities to make sure he understood the charges and waived his right to have his case presented to a grand jury or to have a trial.

Kimura, 61, spoke in a low, even tone. After it was over, he said he had no comment. Continue reading ‘Deal means 20 years in Kimura case’

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Maui businessman enters guilty plea to securities violations

Published on December 28, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


WAILUKU Wailuku businessman Lloyd Kimura pleaded guilty to four counts of securities violations in 2nd Circuit Court Tuesday morning.

Judge Joseph Cardoza accepted a plea agreement by which Kimura, 61, will be sentenced to up to two 20-year terms and two five-years terms, to run concurrently.

However, it was revealed that Kimura also plans to enter a plea to as-yet unannounced federal charges in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Jan. 5.

Kimura’s Maui Industrial Finance Co. failed earlier this year. He was charged with making false or misleading financial statements, and with prohibited securities practices — defrauding two couples of amounts exceeding $100,000 each.

Maui
businessman enters guilty plea to securities violations – Mauinews.com |
News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor’s Information – The Maui News

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Maui businessman accused of Ponzi scheme charge

Published on December 25, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


State prosecutors have charged a Maui businessman accused of running a Ponzi scheme with two counts of making false or misleading financial statements and two counts of prohibited securities practices.

The state attorney general’s office said Thursday that Maui Industrial Loan & Finance Co. President Lloyd Kimura filed false or misleading statements in documents for his company.

It also alleges he defrauded two couples of at least than $100,000.

Maui Industrial has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Kimura has filed for personal bankruptcy.

Maui Industrial’s bankruptcy trustee has sued 25 of the company’s investors to recover funds, alleging the money they received was the fruit of a Ponzi scheme.

Kimura could not immediately be reached for comment.

Maui businessman accused of Ponzi scheme charged – Hawaii News – Staradvertiser.com

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Charges filed against Maui businessman

Published on December 24, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.

WAILUKU – The state attorney general has charged Maui businessman Lloyd Kimura with two counts of prohibited securities practice and two counts of making false or misleading financial statements.

The complaint was announced in a news release Thursday evening. It had been filed in 2nd Circuit Court on Monday.

Kimura’s attorney, Phil Lowenthal, said he had been talking with prosecutors for months to reach a settlement in the collapse and bankruptcy of Kimura’s businesses.

Kimura waived a grand jury, so the charges were presented as an information, not an indictment.

Kimura, 61, is president of Maui Industrial Loan & Finance Co. and for many years operated Lloyd Y. Kimura Inc., a certified public accounting firm.

The complaint alleges that between June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2009, Kimura filed false or misleading statements and omitted statements required by law on behalf of Maui Industrial Loan. These had been filed with the Financial Institutions Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The complaint also alleges that between February 2007 and June 2009, Kimura, in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of any security, employed a scheme to defraud people in amounts greater than $100,000.

Prohibited securities practice is a class A felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years or a fine of $50,000 or both. Making false financial statements is a class C felony with a maximum penalty of five years or a fine of $20,000 or both. Continue reading ‘Charges filed against Maui businessman’

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Seabury Dirt Devils winners

Published on December 22, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


OLINDA – The 4-H Dirt Devils of Seabury Hall will represent Hawaii in the Conservation Awareness Program national competition May 4 to 6 in Oklahoma City. The four-member team is raising funds to attend the event.

Sixty-five high school students representing Baldwin, Kamehameha Maui, Lahainaluna, Maui High, St. Anthony and Seabury competed Oct. 19 at Maui Tropical Plantation in the Maui contest that tests students on how to classify soil, analyze the slope of land and recommend best use of lands.

The 4-H Dirt Devils advanced to, and won, the state competition Nov. 30 at Kunia, Oahu.

The Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts co-sponsors the local and state contests with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of each island, in cooperation with the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To help the team travel to Oklahoma, contact Maggie Kramp of the Maui Soil and Water Conservation District at 871-5500, ext. 101, or e-mail maggie.kramp@hi.nacdnet.net.

Seabury Dirt Devils winners – Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor’s Information – The Maui News

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“Grown on Maui” Agriculture Tour: Connecting People to Their Food

Published on December 21, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Haliimaile Pineapple.


“Grown on Maui” Agriculture Tour: Connecting People to Their Food

Guided tour meets at Whole Foods and begins with continental breakfast. First, tour Hali’imaile Pineapple Company, then enjoy a gourmet lunch at O’o Farm, followed by lavender chocolate gelato and a tour of Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm. Returns to Whole Foods at 3:00pm. Developed by Hawaii AgriTourism Association and Akina Aloha Tours. Destinations are subject to change, but will always feature locally-grown produce.

Phone: Akina Aloha Tours 808-879-2828

Cost: $130

“Grown on Maui” Agriculture Tour: Connecting People to Their Food

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Hawaiian Grown TV – Maui Onions – Kula Country Farms Video

Published on December 20, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Vegtables.

Maui Onions have long been considered among the best and most flavorful onions in the world. The Maui Onion only grows in the deep red, volcanic earth on the upper slopes of Haleakala, Maui’s world-famous dormant volcano.

Maui onions are a variety of sweet onion which are widely cultivated on the Hawaiian island of Maui, although they can be grown in other regions as well. Like other sweet onions, Maui onions lack the sulfur which causes the strong odor and sharp taste associated with onions. The State of Hawaii has invested a great of money in marketing their famous onion variety, putting it on par with Vidalia onions from Georgia, another sweet onion variety. Many markets carry Maui onions in season, along with other sweet varieties, and if you live in a temperate zone, you may be able to grow some yourself.

Hawaiian farmers claim that a true Maui onion must be grown on Maui, because this distinct onion cultivar flourishes best in the rich volcanic soil of Mount Haleakala, the dormant volcano which dominates the landscape of Maui. The volcano’s rich, distinctive red soil may well be responsible for the distinctive sweet flavor of the Maui onion, although the warm weather on the island probably has something to do with it as well. Continue reading ‘Hawaiian Grown TV – Maui Onions – Kula Country Farms Video’

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Poisonous Holiday Plants ? Or Urban Legends? « The Wired Gardener

Published on December 17, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Poinsettia.

a post from Jessica Story, Meadowbrook Farm

Poinsettias are NOT poisonous, they are the most studied decorative plant ever and no toxic effects have been found. In 1919 a 2 year old child of an army officer was found dead under a Poinsettia tree in Hawaii with poinsettia leaves in her hand. The investigation cleared the plant, but the record was never set straight and it has become an urban legend.

In nearly 23,000 recorded cases of Poinsettia ingestion, no life-threatening effect has ever been reported. The equivalent of a child eating over 600 leaves was tested and found to have little or no effect. Vomiting and diarrhea, while unpleasant, is the most likely result for a child or animal that did consume the leaves.

Interesting note-the Poinsettia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society have a long history together-the first public introduction of the plant was at the first Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show in 1829)

Like a number of common houseplants, many common holiday plants are mildly toxic, but are so foul-tasting that ingesting enough to cause harm would be difficult. Holly and Mistletoe probably pose the most risk, because the berries can be swallowed whole. Jerusalem Cherry is extremely toxic and should be avoided in households with young children. Ornamental peppers may cause discomfort like any other hot pepper, but are not toxic.

Other common “toxic” holiday plants (safe to use, just use common sense too!)

Amaryllis

Cyclamen

Christmas Cactus

Yew, as cut greens

Juniper berries on cut greens

Paperwhites

Have you ever had a problem with children or pets eating any of these holiday plants?

Poisonous Holiday Plants ? Or Urban Legends? « The Wired Gardener

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Newsroom: Facts for Features & Special Editions: Facts for Features: The 2010 Holiday Season

Published on December 16, 2010 in Christmas Tree and General Ag News and Notes.

Christmas Trees and Decorations
$488.5 million

The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China between January and August 2010. China was the leading country of origin for such items. Similarly, China was the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States ($28.2 million worth) during the same period.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

Newsroom: Facts for Features & Special Editions: Facts for Features: The 2010 Holiday Season

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Haina sawmill project is pau

Published on December 15, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Sugar Cane.


A judge has ruled in favor of a lender in a foreclosure suit on a former Pacific Northwest logger who attempted to turn the former Haina sugar mill in Honokaa into a sawmill.

Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara entered judgment Dec. 8 against Haina Properties LLC and Robert J. Marr, known as “Barefoot Bob.” The ruling clears the way for a liquidation sale of the mill property.

Haina Mill Mortgage Lender LLC, a Delaware limited liability -company, filed the foreclosure suit in June 2009, claiming that Haina Properties and Marr — manager of Haina Properties and owner of the 49-acre mill property — defaulted on a $4.785 million loan taken out Sept. 27, 2007, plus an additional $379,000 borrowed May 2, 2008.

All told, Marr owes almost $6.2 million to Haina Mill Mortgage Lender, counting principal, interest, fees, taxes and expenses.

Also named as defendants in the suit were Kamehameha Schools and Hamakua Land Partnership LLP as owner and lessee, respectively, of Standard Oil Road, the access road to the mill. In addition, the county was named for property tax purposes.

Marr bought the 49-acre mill property for $3.3 million in October 2007. He told area residents that the mill — which closed as a sugar mill in 1994 — would provide 110 jobs paying $12 to $25 an hour, and would run in an environmentally-responsible manner. Continue reading ‘Haina sawmill project is pau’

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Pasha Given Shipping Go-Ahead

Published on December 14, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.


Pasha Given Shipping Go-Ahead
Young Brothers warns of consequences.

The Hawaii state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) gave Pasha Hawaii Transportation Lines the all-clear on Dec. 2 to begin their interisland shipping – denying Young Brothers their appeal to keep Pasha out of the interisland cargo market.

The PUC stated that allowing Pasha to operate on an interim basis will “foster fair competition in the intrastate shipping industry,” according to the PUC’s interim order. They also stated that having more cargo carriers is positive for customers, so service could continue if “existing services are disrupted.”

However, Young Brothers maintains that Pasha is “cherry-picking” profitable routes and that the PUC is not maintaining its own regulatory standards.

Young Brothers is required to serve all ports in Hawaii, and uses its larger ports to subsidize smaller, less profitable routes such as Molokai and Lanai. Pasha currently sends cargo from the mainland to Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo, and requested to operate between Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai in March 2009.

Roy Catalani, Young Brothers vice president of strategic planning and government affairs, said they will be filing an appeal with the Intermediate Court of Appeals. In addition, he said they plan to file a “motion for stay” – asking the court to stop the effectiveness of the PUC decision until the court makes its decision. Continue reading ‘Pasha Given Shipping Go-Ahead’

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Herbicide Field Day on Goosegrass Control

Published on December 14, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Golf.


To: Golf Course & Landscape Industries
From: Norman M. Nagata, Extension Agent

A test was conducted on November 9 at Waiehu Municipal Golf Course to evaluate the efficacy of several herbicide mixes used by superintendents and new combinations to control goosegrass. On November 22, another test was conducted to observe the effects on using Revolver and Roundup at different rates for goosegrass control. You are invited to a field day to observe the results of these two tests.

Herbicide Field Day on Goosegrass Control

Date: December 17, 2010 (Friday)
Time: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Place: Meet at Waiehu Golf Course “Service Entrance” (6th tee) next to Waiehu Beach Park & Baseball Field located at the end of “Lower Waiehu Beach Road” (MAP) at 10:45 am. We will then car-pool to the test site at the 17th tee. Continue reading ‘Herbicide Field Day on Goosegrass Control’

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