Hawai'i papaya production fell in April as growers dealt with the impact of disease and insect infestation on their crops.

Papaya production totaled 2.5 million pounds for the month, down 3 percent from March, and down 4 percent from April 2008, according to the local office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

"Disease, insect infestation, poor fruit quality and weed growth were evident in some orchards exposed to higher rainfall in March," the NASS said. However, the rainfall did help new plantings, and more sunny periods later in the month helped crops progress, the agency added.

Growers received 45 cents per pound of fresh papaya in April, 3 cents less than in March, but 6 cents more than a year earlier.

NURSES ON MAUI APPROVE CONTRACT

Registered nurses at Hale Makua Health Services on Maui have ratified a new three-year labor agreement, the Hawaii Nurses Association announced yesterday.

The contract, which covers more than 50 registered nurses at Hale Makua, is effective July 1 and includes a 3 percent annual wage increase, or 9 percent over the life of the contract.

The contract also includes an increase to the dental plan cap, an increase in life insurance coverage and an enhanced tuition reimbursement program. Additionally, nurses will get every third weekend off or be paid overtime for every hour worked during a third weekend.

HONOLULU MAKES 'MOST LIVABLE' LIST

Honolulu ranked 11th on Monocle magazine's 2009 top 25 list of "most livable" cities, the only U.S. location to make the cut.

In addition to a city's retail and restaurant scene, the survey also looked at the ease with which small-business owners can start up operations and planned infrastructure improvements.

"More broadly, we considered the way in which locals and visitors are able to navigate and use everything from public parks to the local property market," the magazine said.

"In our view, places with the best quality of life are those with the fewest daily obstructions, allowing residents to be both productive and free of unnecessary stress."

Ranking above Honolulu from 1 to 10 were Zurich, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Munich, Helsinki, Stockholm, Vienna, Paris, Melbourne and Berlin.

CARGO PROJECT HEARING IN KAPOLEI

An application by Sause Brothers Inc. to build a cargo storage and transit facility near Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor will be the subject of a city and county Department of Planning and Permitting hearing July 29.

The project includes a cargo storage yard, a one-story office building and an individual wastewater treatment system, according to the application.

The hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. at Kapolei Hale. Those wishing to testify may register before the hearing at Kapolei Hale.