BUSINESS BRIEFS
Island papaya production increases
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's papaya production rose to 29.8 million pounds last year, a 14.6 percent increase over 2006, the local office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported.
There were 2,050 acres of papaya planted at the end of December, down 13 percent from the same time a year earlier. Harvested area totaled 1,255 acres, up 10.6 percent from a year earlier.
Papaya growers received 37 cents per pound for fresh fruit in December, up from about 36 cents a year earlier. Lower temperatures and cloudy skies delayed fruit development and ripening in December, according to the report.
The statistics service also said growers increased spraying efforts to limit the spread of disease, such as ring spot virus.
'LEMON LAW' COMPLAINTS FALL TO 66
Consumer complaints under the state's "lemon law" covering new autos fell to 66 last year, compared with 77 in 2006, according to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
At the same time, the value of refunds fell to $490,000 last year from $1 million the prior year. The law helps consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles and have repeated problems getting them repaired under warranty.
Toyota and Honda had the fewest number of complaints compared with their market share.
Toyota had a market share of 30 percent and received five complaints, or 7.6 percent of all complaints. Honda had a market share of 14.5 percent and also received five complaints.
Ford had a market share of 8.9 percent and received 12 complaints, or 18.1 percent of all complaints. General Motors had a market share of 8.8 percent and also received 12 complaints.
Y. HATA HIRES DALLAS CONSULTANT
Y. Hata Corp., the state's largest food wholesaler, has hired Dallas-based industry consultant IRM Corp., the two companies announced yesterday.
IRM said its "Discovery by IRM" system will allow Y. Hata to "take static business data and turn it into actionable business intelligence."
IRM said nearly 200 food and beverage manufacturers and distributors use its Discovery system.
MONEY FREED UP FOR LANA'I HOSPITAL
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $250,000 to design upgrades for Lana'i Community Hospital, including renovations to the emergency room, construction of a new waiting room and the installation of new doors.
The project will be managed by the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation, which oversees 12 public hospitals across the state.
The project cost, including construction and new equipment, is estimated to be $1.2 million, of which the remaining $950,000 will be requested by HHSC at a later date.
Design is scheduled to be completed in July. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in September and be completed in April 2009.
Lingle also released $159,800 to buy diagnostic equipment to upgrade imaging lab systems at Hilo Medical Center, one of five public health facilities on the Big Island overseen by the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation.
Currently, hospitals on the Big Island only offer basic cardiovascular services and diagnostic tests. Patients are sent to O'ahu for any advanced cardiac care, such as catheterization.
The new equipment will provide the Hilo Medical Center with additional diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including the ability to provide some cardiac catheterization services. The equipment purchase is scheduled for this month.
