Office of Hawaiian Affairs relocates

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Resource Center in Lihu‘e will move to a new home Friday.

The new location is in the Lihu‘e Plantation Building at 2970 Kele Street, No. 113, behind First Hawaiian Bank. (The office was previously located at the Lihu‘e Town Center at 3-3100 Kuhio Highway).

The move will take place Wednesday and Thursday. While the move is in progress, staff will be on-site at both locations. The move will be complete and the new location ready for business on Friday.

The Lihu‘e branch office provides outreach services to OHA constituents on Kaua‘i, including information on OHA programs and services; accepts payments on OHA loans; processes applications for the OHA Hawaiian Registry Program; and accepts Kau Inoa applications.

Kaua‘i is represented on the OHA board by Trustee Donald Cataluna.

The office is staffed by community resource coordinator Kaliko Santos and clerk Noalani Oba. Office hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excluded.

The office telephone number, 241-3390, will not change.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. announces second quarter earnings

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Hawai‘i Region reported a loss of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2009, which represents a negative 0.7 percent return on revenue. By comparison, net income of $1.5 million, which represents a 0.7 percent return on revenue, was posted in the same period last year.

Kaiser Permanente continues to expand its products and services to provide health care options for the entire community. The health care provider also remains committed to investing in new technologies for its members and the community.

Kaiser Permanente recently introduced the nation’s most technologically advanced mobile health vehicle to the Big Island. The mobile clinic advances Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to make health care more accessible and convenient for its members and employers. The vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art digital mammography unit.

Lihu‘e families in need offered potential financial makeover

Gradient Financial Group announced recently that Nelson Secretario, financial service professional for the Lihu‘e market, will assist in its search of deserving families in the Lihu‘e area who are in need of financial assistance. Gradient is awarding financial makeovers to families across America through its Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program, helping them get back on their feet in a troubled economy.

The Gradient Gives Back campaign kicked off May 18, in Topeka, Kansas, and May 19 in Minneapolis, Minn., with Donald Trump’s original “Apprentice” Bill Rancic, leading the national search. Rancic will be working with Secretario to identify Lihu‘e families with immediate financial needs.

Beginning now until Dec. 31, Gradient will select numerous families across the U.S. to receive comprehensive financial makeovers, utilizing Gradient’s financial resources, expert financial team, third-party affiliates and its partnering financial services professionals.

Gradient awarded the first financial makeover July 2009 and will award the last by Dec. 31. 

To learn more about Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program and to nominate families in the Lihu‘e-area, visit www.gradientgivesback.com/nelsonsecretario

Xoom Escrow and Escrow America Bank customers cautioned

The Hawai‘i Division of Financial Institutions, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, has identified Xoom Escrow Bank and Escrow America Bank as entities that may be illegally operating as financial institutions.

Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to report Xoom Escrow Bank and Escrow America Bank as entities operating without authority in the State of Hawai‘i.

Xoom Escrow Bank has been reportedly conducting banking activities from the Web site www.xe-bank.com. This entity is purportedly headquartered in Hawai‘i and is a subsidiary of a company by the name of Bristol Group of Companies. This information has not been substantiated. Xoom Escrow Bank does not have authorization from the FDIC or the State of Hawai‘i to operate as a financial institution in the United States. Any business activities conducted with or through Xoom Escrow Bank should be done cautiously.

Escrow America Bank has been reportedly conducting banking activities from the Web site www.escrow-americabank.com. This entity is purportedly headquartered in Hawaii and is affiliated with a company by the name of Escrow America Bank Group. This information has not been substantiated. Escrow America Bank does not have authorization from the FDIC or the State of Hawai‘i to operate as a financial institution in the United States. Any business activities conducted with or through Escrow America Bank should be done cautiously.

To report information concerning this matter call Lynne Himeda, Deputy Commissioner of the Hawai‘i Division of Financial Institutions for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 808-586-2814.

Public input sought through sustainability blog

The Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan consultants recently launched a blog with the purpose of informing and educating the community on local energy issues, while also offering them an opportunity to provide input for the plan.

The blog is an extension of the outreach that has already occurred for the plan, including an online survey completed by over 100 community members and stakeholder meetings that took place in April and May around the island.

Visit www.kauaienergysustainabilityplan.blogspot.com for more information.

Hands-on farmer training program in Kilauea begins next month

“Seed to Table,” a farmer-training program based in Kilauea, provides hands-on experience and classroom instruction in the living art of farming. It is suited to the challenging growing conditions of Kaua‘i’s semi-tropical environment. Under development for the past few years, this program brings together tried and true systems designed to train a new cadre of professional farmers for Kaua‘i’s evolving agricultural industry.

In partnership with Kaua‘i Community College, the training is offered twice a year as part of the College’s Food Industry Career Pathways program. Students participate for a minimum of 15 hours per week in a combination of interactive academic classes and hands-on learning on a productive organic farm that serves as the practical training site. The Fall 2009 Seed to Table training will begin on September 15 and continue for a 12-week period ending on December 17. The Winter 2010 session begins March and runs through May.

Space is limited.

To receive an application packet contact the Office of Continuing Education and Training at Kaua‘i Community College at 245-8318. Applications should be submitted by August 31.

Tuition for the 12-week training is $900 payable by check to “University of Hawaii” or via credit card by calling 245-8318.

For more information contact Jillian T. Seals at 828-0800 or via e-mail at seedtotable@yahoo.com.