BUSINESS BRIEFS
March papaya harvest up from '07
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's fresh papaya production totaled 2.5 million pounds in March, down 7 percent from February, but up 7 percent from March 2007, according to the local office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
More than half of the March harvest — 1.3 million pounds — was shipped out of state.
Cumulative sales for the first three months of the year were 8.1 million pounds, up 18 percent from the same period a year ago.
Papaya growers are expected to report receiving 50 cents a pound for fresh fruit in March, 7 cents a pound more than February and 3 cents a pound more than the same month a year ago.
Orchards experienced mostly sunny and dry weather in March, the NASS said. Growers were able to catch up on their regular field maintenance schedules. Increased efforts were made to control the aphid population, to limit the spread of the papaya ringspot virus during the warm and dry period.
AUW CREATES YOUNG LEADERS GROUP
Aloha United Way is creating a Society of Young Leaders to engage emerging leaders under the age of 45 in "philanthropy and community caring."
The group will consist of approximately 30 individuals who are representative of various industries, including, but not limited to, legal, real estate, retail, finance, marketing and non-profit.
Membership is open to anyone in a leadership position between the ages of 18 and 45. Members are required to volunteer 28 hours a year for various community service projects.
For information on how to become a Young Leader, call 536-1951 and ask for the marketing department.
MATSON'S MIL JOINS SMARTWAY
Matson Integrated Logistics has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
MIL has also earned the EPA's highest score for fuel efficiency and environmental performance. MIL is a unit of Matson Navigation Co., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc.
MIL qualified for the program because it moves 70 percent of its freight volume with SmartWay rail and truck carriers. In addition, the majority of that volume was moved by intermodal rail, with all of the rail carriers used being SmartWay partners.
Launched in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of fuel per year. The Partnership has more than 450 members.
DINER RAISES $6,500 FOR DIKITO KIDS
A campaign by Big City Diner to raise money for four 'Ewa Beach children whose parents died in a murder-suicide last month, has passed the $6,500 mark.
Company officials said they continue to receive donations to help Blayne, Brelyn, Bronlyn and Brenna Dikito. A $1,000 check was received Thursday from Hilo resident Wade Tanaka, according to a news release.
Police have said Domingo Dikito shot his wife, Della, then himself in their home April 25. The children range in age from 8 to 18.
The donated money is being turned over directly to the four children to help them pay their $2,600 monthly mortgage, meet utility expenses, buy food and pay daily expenses.
Big City Diner also enlisted the support of Verizon Wireless, which donated four cell phones for the children to communicate with each other, other family members and counselors.
