In Celebration of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards May 27

Basically Books has several Music Events scheduled:

with Keawe on Saturday, May 19th at 1 pm.

For more information please contact Christine Reed at 961-0144

Surf Break Café Riding the Wave of Mobile Technology

Coffees are hand-pressed the old fashioned way. Photo by Nate Gaddis.

Posted on May 2nd, 2012
on Big Island Now

by Nate Gaddis

Malissa Thompson is betting on hand-pressed Italian coffee, free Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere to filter working professionals away from the competition.

The owner of Surf Break Café since 2008, Thompson self-financed the move to a larger location in order to provide a 700 square foot indoor seating area and sidewalk tables to her busy customers. With mobile technology on the rise, she saw an increased need for indoor space tailored to an internet-heavy lifestyle.

“Many businesspeople don’t need a permanent office now but want a place to get work done, and we’ve got people coming in here to hold board meetings,” explains Thompson, who offers free high-speed wireless internet service to her customers.

The indoor seating area is 700 square feet and tailored for the high-tech worker crowd. Photo by Nate Gaddis.

Thompson, a digital media entrepreneur who relocated from Los Angeles to the Big Island in 2003, had a difficult time finding the new location for her café.  Describing the challenge, she recalls “I was shocked to discover a lack of commercial space in downtown Hilo. The majority of the commercial real estate here is owned by just a few people.”

A new site for the business was eventually secured across from the historic Palace Theater on Haili Street. Thompson signed a five year lease for the 1100 square foot space, and began what she thought would be a two week renovation. Due to unforeseen permitting challenges, it would be seven months before the café could open its doors, finally doing so in February of 2012. The delays proved costly, but Thompson notes, “We’ve been very busy, and we’re getting back on our feet.”

Thompson secured a site for the cafe opposite the Palace Theater. Photo by Nate Gaddis.

Inside the café, local artwork and an ocean-blue floor color convey an island theme. But when it comes to selecting beans for the café’s beverages, Thompson chooses to steer clear of Hawaiian-grown coffee.

She explains that locally produced varieties are too mild for the single and double-pressed espressos that are the focal point of the establishment. “We want to serve coffee you can really sink your teeth into,” says Thompson, who currently purchases beans from Lavazza, a high-end Italian coffee importer that helped pioneer the blending process in the early 1900s.

Due to customer requests, Thompson soon plans on keeping the café’s doors open past their current 3 p.m. closing time. In addition to providing existing clients an evening gathering place, she hopes to lure moviegoers from the adjacent Palace Theater.

Although there are several locally-owned coffee establishments nearby, Thompson sees Starbucks as her main competitor. To set her operation apart, Thompson ensures all of the café’s food items are made-to-order, stating, “we don’t do frozen breakfast sandwiches”. She is also quick to point out the lack of automated espresso makers at the café, noting “We hand press everything the old-fashioned way, no pushing a button and then watching it come out of a machine.”

One big challenge facing the Surf Break Café is a shortage of convenient parking. Thompson acknowledges that at times nearby stalls are hard to find, and observes an increase in the overall level of activity in the downtown area. The café owner is optimistic about the increased bustle, attributing part of it to tourism, and noting “Downtown Hilo is really coming alive again.”

The Surf Break Café is located at 17 Haili Street, Hilo

Espresso shots start at $1.75, while burritos and sandwiches start at $6.95

Current hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 808-934-8844

The name “1916” is a tribute to the year the Big Island grocery chain was founded and the year Yukiwo Taniguchi, the first son of company founders Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, was born.

Yukiwo Taniguchi is the father of KTA’s current President and CEO Barry Taniguchi.

For Executive Vice President Derek Kurisu, who created the Mountain Apple Brand label in 1994, the new label is a way to honor the people who built KTA Super Stores.

“Barry’s father and his brother, Tony [former president of KTA Super Stores], were always very concerned about people,” Kurisu said.

Kurisu started working at KTA as a high school student bagging groceries at the downtown Hilo store. He then worked stocking shelves and in the meat and produce department before attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa    .

Later he would return to Hilo to work as the meat and frozen food buyer for KTA and eventually led the entire purchasing department. Kurisu became executive vice president for the company in the mid-80s.

Mountain Apple Brand, which was created to assist Big Island businesses as sugar companies went under, now offers 240 products, working with 60 different business partners.

Kurisu said the goal is to offer more than 60 products under the 1916 label by the centennial celebration.

Lynn Nakagawa covers labor and workplace issues, banking and finance, higher education and technology for Pacific Business News.

Park kicks off 25th anniversary of World Heritage with After Dark program,

                                  Apr. 24

Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i  – U.S. Geological Survey botanist and

author Linda Pratt will present the story of the amazing and beautiful

native flowering plants, both endemic and indigenous, that thrive in

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.  The program, “Hawaiian Flowers: A

Celebration of World Heritage,” is a special After Dark in the Park

presentation on Tues., Apr. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center

Auditorium.

Because it’s National Park Week (Apr. 21-29), there is no fee to

enter the park.

In 1987, Hawai‘i Volcanoes was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage

Site due in part to the high number of endemic species it protects. This

year, the park celebrates its 25th anniversary of  World Heritage

inscription by offering a series of special programs about the natural and

cultural resources in the park.

The park is one of only 21 World Heritage sites in the United

States, and 936 worldwide. Today, people from around the world come to

experience its natural and cultural wonders, found nowhere else on earth.

Pratt is co-author of the book, Hawai‘i’s Plants and Animals:

Biological Sketches of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

-NPS-

(See attached file: Native Flowers are a Global Legacy.doc)(See

attached file: Mint Stenogyne calaminthoides.jpg)

NPS Photo by Jay Robinson: the endemic Hawaiian “mintless” mint

thrives in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

HILO DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION & PACIFIC TSUNAMI MUSEUM PRESENT

EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI WORKSHOP

Business Preparedness

Wednesday: April 04, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Pacific Tsunami Museum; 130 Kam Av.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

• The March 11, 2011 Japan Earthquake/Tsunami was a warning
• Protecting employees, customers is your duty
• Protecting irreplaceable business assets
• Learn about a phenomenon that is an ever-present threat 

Speakers:

• Jim Kauahikaua, Scientist-in-Charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
• Gerard Fryer, Geophysicist at thePacificTsunamiWarningCenter(PTWC)
• Benedict Fuata, Administrator; John Drummond, Administrative Officer,HawaiiCountyCivil Defense                                                                                   

  Topics: *Can a disaster like what occurred in Japan, happen here?  *How much notification time is 

                  PTWC equipped to provide? *Definition of Advisory, Watch, Warning, All-Clear?  *Difference 

                  between Local vs. Distant tsunami? *What does earthquake swarming indicate? * Does

                  the depth  of the hypocenter impact its magnitude?  * Is the evacuation zone safe?

                  *Evacuation process * Business evacuation procedures * Siren sounding * Post process

     Executive Director Donna Saiki, PacificTsunamiMuseum: Many a visitor to our exhibit have

left in awe to the power of Mother Nature.  In 1946 and 1960 Hilo was ground zero from past tsunamis. Scientists have reiterated time and again, “its not if, but when?”  Please join us and learn how to best

prepare your business at this workshop.

SEATING IS LIMITED!  SIGN UP TODAY!

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Per Person Workshop Fee (includes light refreshments at Bayfront Coffee, Kava & Tea Company):

$7 for DIA Members/$12 for non-members

Three or more people from same business: $5 for DIA member/$7 for non-members

Not a member? Join the DIA and fees will be waived for one representative from your company!

Business Name_________________________________________________________________________

Name(s) of Person/People Attending _______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Contact email and phone number ___________________________________________________________

Please make check payable to DIA and mail or drop off to329 Kamehameha Ave.Hilo,HI96720

by Friday, March 30, 2012

Membership/Questions? askalice@downtownhilo.com or call 935-8850

            Did you see the images of the areas inJapanthat were hardest hit after the world’s worst ever earthquake and tsunami disasters one year later?  It was shocking to see the land scrubbed clean of all life. These images were almost as shocking as those that flashed across our screens while we prepared for and in some cases evacuated from tsunamis we knew were coming toHawaiiand Downtown Hilo. Have we learned that earthquakes and tsunamis are unpredictable and have we learned to best prepare?

            Over the last two years two major earthquakes (2010Chileand 2011Japan) sent most of Downtown’sKamehameha Avenuebusinesses evacuating to high ground and had some folks shaking their heads, decrying the excessive tsunami evacuation measures when no significant impact was felt here. Even after seeing the power and the results of both those quakes and tsunamis in their country of origin and the fair amount of damage in the Kona/Kohala area, it seems some people just don’t get it.  They are really the ones who need the upcoming Earthquake/Tsunami Business Preparedness Workshop presented by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and thePacificTsunamiMuseum, but every business will benefit by taking it.

            The workshop is being organized by Stafford Oyama, chair of theDIA’s Public Safety Committee to offer business-specific assistance and disaster preparedness education. The museum supports the event as part of April’s Tsunami Preparedness Month. The most prominent experts in the fields of earthquakes, tsunamis and disaster preparedness will present including Jim Kauahikaua, Scientist-in-Charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Gerard Fryer, Geophysicist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC),  Benedict Fuata, Administrator and John Drummond, Administrative Officer, Hawaii County Civil Defense. “Many a visitor to our exhibit has left in awe to the power of Mother Nature. Participants in the workshop will hear directly from the experts, scientists who have reiterated time and again, ‘it’s not if, but when’ so please join us and learn how to best prepare your business,” said museum executive director Donna Saiki.

            The dynamic presenters at the workshop will share the power and fury of these disasters, an ever-present threat here in the middle of thePacific Ocean. If what happened last year inJapanisn’t enough to convince the naysayer how important it is to be prepared, how about the potential loss of employees and customers, or the loss of irreplaceable business assets?  Can a disaster like what occurred inJapan, happen here? How much notification time is PTWC equipped to provide? When is the evacuation zone safe?  These questions and more will be addressed and a handbook will offer a take home guide for preparedness.

The per person workshop fee is $7 for DIAmembers and $12 for non-members and includes light refreshments at Bayfront Coffee, Kava & Tea. If three or more people from the same business register the fee is $5 for DIAmembers and $7 for non-members.  Not a member? Join the DIAand fees will be waived for one representative from your company. Registration forms and membership applications are available at the HiloInformationCenterat the Mooheau Bus Station or by contacting the association at the information below. Deadline for registration is Friday March 30^th and seating is limited so sign up early to guarantee a space. Every business owner, manager and/or employee that works in a tsunami inundation area will take away valuable and potentially life saving information.

DOWNTOWN EVENTS:

            Let’s Grow Hilo community work days are held on the last Sunday of the month with the next one on March 25^th.  Meet at theEastHawaiiCulturalCenter at2 p.m. and joinDIA’s edible and non-edible landscape beautification program. Over 100 pounds of taro and purple sweet potato were dug up, cleaned up, cooked and served at the Hilo Harvest Festival last Saturday and donated to a homeless shelter.  The public is encouraged to support the program at the workday or by donating money, tools, plants, mulch, etc.

            EHCC exhibits the 24^th annual Young at Art show through March 28 and if you’re in need of some hope and inspiration, be sure to check out these works of creative youngsters onHawaii Island. Gallery hours are10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and while admission is free, donations are always appreciated.

            The 48^th annual Merrie Monarch is coming to town next month with a week’s worth of Hawaiian culture centered on the hula starting with a free Hoolaulea on April 8^th at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium at 9 a.m. If you haven’t gotten tickets to the three nights of competition (April 12, 13, 14) its probably too late but catch the free Hoike performances on Wednesday April 11^th at 6 p.m. and of course be Downtown for the colorful Merrie Monarch Royal Parade on Saturday April 14^th beginning at 10:30 a.m. TheDIA is working to spruce up the town preparing for the thousands of visitors from all over the world so give us a call if you’d like to help show off our historic little Downtown Hilo!

Around Downtown is written by Alice Moon, executive director of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association. Call Moon at 935-8850 or e-mail askalice@downtownhilo.com to share news about issues, events and activities.  Be sure to visit http://www.downtownhilo.com/ and http://www.ourdowntownhilo.com/ to keep up and comment on programs, projects and events.

This week long festival kicks off on Sunday, April 8, 2012 thru Saturday, April 14, 2012.

For more information www.merriemonarch.com

WE NEED YOU!!

Become an active organic gardener and help beautify, and enrich downtown Hilo. Lets Grow Hilo work days are the last Sunday of every month in front of the East Hawaii Cultural Center at 2 pm. For more information about this program contact the Hilo Information Center or email Sam Robinson at letsgrowhilo@hotmail.com or follow them on Facebook.