Advertiser Staff
Orchid growers to plan strategy
HILO, Hawai‘i — Hawai‘i’s orchid producers, who produce $13.36 million worth of wholesale plants annually, will gather in Hilo next weekend to discuss foreign competition.
The Hawaii Orchid Growers Association will conduct a statewide conference next Friday through Sunday at the Hawai‘i Naniloa Hotel.
Neal Okamoto, president of the group, said despite "considerable room for growth," the more than 100 growers are facing challenges.
He identified them as "new foreign-owned nurseries in California and Asian growers."
The meeting also will focus on best greenhouse designs and the best varieties to plant, Okamoto said.
More information is available at either (808) 965-9299 or 982-7538.
Fumes interrupt Maui planners
WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County planners were back on the job yesterday after foul odors forced them out of their building for parts of the past two days.
The odors, from chemical treatments used in Tuesday’s servicing of the air conditioning ducts in the county annex building, lingered yesterday, and officials found temporary office space for the planners in the main county building next door.
The annex building, which houses the Planning Department and the Land Use and Codes Division, was closed when employees felt nauseous and had headaches from the smell of chlorine dioxide used in the air conditioning maintenance.
A member of the Maui Fire Department's hazardous materials team assessed the condition of the building Wednesday and found no problems. The county, which brought in industrial-size fans to clear away fumes, is expected to reopen the Planning Department today.
Kaua’i college receives grant
LIHU‘E, Kaua‘i — The Mid-Pacific chapter of the International Test and Evaluation Association has contributed $5,000 to Kaua‘i Community College for the development of a high-tech classroom.
The money was raised at the association’s 1999 workshop on Kaua‘i, said workshop coordinator Dave Nekomoto, retired executive officer at the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.
Drowning victim was from Austria
LIHU‘E, Kaua‘i — A 57-year-old Austrian who died while swimming at Polihale Beach on Feb. 16 has been identified as Werner Lindinger.
Police said an autopsy indicated Lindinger had drowned. He reportedly was swimming with a companion shortly after 4 p.m. when a rip current pulled him out to sea. Surfers were unable to revive him.
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