• Real estate sales plunge on Kaua‘i • Tentative agreement between ILUW and Young Brothers • Kialoa’s 6th annual student scholarship awards • ‘Ohana health plan launches new Medicaid services • Choice Mart, Big Island puts Real estate sales plunge
• Real estate sales plunge on Kaua‘i
• Tentative agreement between ILUW and Young Brothers
• Kialoa’s 6th annual student scholarship awards
• ‘Ohana health plan launches new Medicaid services
• Choice Mart, Big Island puts
Real estate sales plunge on Kaua‘i
According to MLS sales statistics, the number of residential homes sold on the island dropped nearly 55 percent last month, while vacant land sales dipped 57 percent and condominiums 65 percent.
Tentative agreement between ILUW and Young Brothers
A tentative agreement has been reached on a six-year union contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and inter-island cargo company Young Brothers, Ltd this week.
This agreement, which must still be ratified by ILWU members who work for the shipper, covers over 200 longshore industry workers statewide. Ratification of the agreement is scheduled to begin on Kaua‘i on Feb. 21, to be followed by Hilo on Feb. 25, Kawaihae on Feb. 26 and Honolulu on Feb. 27. Ratification will wrap up with a joint meeting of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i union members on March 3, after which an announcement will be made on results of the vote.
ILWU members at Young Brothers Ltd. include longshore, freight clerks, clerical and maintenance workers.
The union co-spokespersons for negotiations were ILWU International Vice President Hawai‘i Wesley Furtado and ILWU Overall Longshore Unit Chairperson Nate Lum.
Kialoa’s 6th annual student scholarship awards
Kialoa is sponsoring the Sixth annual Live Like You Paddle student scholarship. The ten winners will receive a free Kialoa outrigger paddle with a value up to $229. Students should be 18 or under. We are looking for students to express how Hawaiian values are learned, expressed and enhanced by participating in the ancient sport of outrigger canoe paddling or outrigger canoe racing.
This is a scholarship with an attitude – because it doesn’t matter how good you are in school. We are not grading your project on spelling or grammar, and we are not judging your artistic ability. However, you have to show us how much you love paddling and that you understand how important it is to Hawaiian values like Laulima (cooperation), Kuleana (responsibility), Kokua (helping), Ohana (family), and Ha’aha’a (humility).
Visit www.kialoa.com/Paddle-Scholarship.asp to learn how to enter. Please direct questions to sales@kialoa.com We encourage teachers, coaches and parents to make sure that students are aware of our scholarship, since many qualified students may not know about this opportunity.
‘Ohana health plan launches new Medicaid services
On Feb. 1, ‘Ohana Health Plan began serving more than 20,000 Hawai‘i residents who qualify for the state’s QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program. The launch of services presents a new focus on health care for the state’s low income seniors and people with disabilities.
Through this new program, each ‘Ohana member is paired with a service coordinator who helps the member to easily access a variety of health care providers. ‘Ohana service coordinators are trained health care professionals who help members evaluate their health care needs, evaluate care options and coordinate care through primary care physicians. They also understand and embrace the multi-cultural demographics of the members to ensure that medical and lifestyle needs are met.
‘Ohana’s provider network currently consists of over 1,200 primary care physicians and specialists who are ready to serve its members. There are also numerous additional providers who have reached agreements with ‘Ohana and plan to serve as part of the network. ‘Ohana has 21 hospitals in its provider network, including Kapi‘olani Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Queen’s Medical Center, Straub Hospital and neighboring island hospitals. The network also includes adult foster homes, nursing facilities and personal assistants.
To facilitate members’ transition to the new plan, ‘Ohana will continue to pay for all medically necessary services covered under the current Medicaid fee-for-service program during the transition period as defined per the QExA contract, even if the providers are not part of its network. ‘Ohana will then continue to recruit non-participating providers into its network.
For more information about ‘Ohana Health Plan and its services visit www.ohanahealthplan.com and www.ohanacares.com
Choice Mart, Big Island puts fresh fruit forward
Choice Mart Grocery Store in Kealakekua Ranch Center is dedicating the first aisle in the produce section to locally grown citrus and other fruit.
Choice Mart’s well-known dedication to local growers took a step forward Monday morning Feb. 2 when the store changed the produce section to feature locally grown citrus, rambutan and pineapple on the first aisle when customers walk into the store.
The store also tested the brix or sugar content of imported oranges and local oranges finding the local citrus had a higher sugar content and better taste.
Starwood to promote Hawai‘i values
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i is set to embark on a multi-city journey spanning 42 cities in four countries to promote the distinct, unrivaled experiences one can only enjoy on the Hawaiian islands, and importantly, to highlight the great value and how affordable an escape to Hawai‘i truly is.
More than 40 Starwood associates will visit United States cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Chicago and New York, in addition to the international cities of Tokyo, Sydney and Vancouver, to, in true Aloha spirit, invite people to share the unique experiences that only Hawai‘i has to offer.
Starwood Hawai‘i comprises 11 hotels and resorts located on or just footsteps away from some of the world’s best beaches on the islands of O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i’s Big Island.
The Starwood Hawai‘i team will be meeting with travel agents, meeting planners and travel wholesalers, in addition to participating in the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Destination showcase events in key cities. They will also meet with editors of travel trade and consumer print, online and radio and television broadcast media outlets accompanied by Starwood’s talented new chefs from its island resorts.
For further information visit www.starwoodhawaii.com
