Barbara Abe

Hawaiian Airlines and The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii have formed a partnership that will include having airline employees volunteer for conservation projects.

Hawaiian Airlines also will promote The Nature Conservancy's message of environmental preservation through its onboard "Hawaiian Skies" video program, as well as other communication channels. In addition, Hawaiian is providing The Nature Conservancy with a $10,000 gift to support its Corporate Council for the Environment - money that will be used for educational outreach programs. The partnership is part of the airline's 80th anniversary celebration.

The volunteer effort kicks off July 18 with Hawaiian employees helping remove invasive foreign plants from the Waikamoi Bird Loop on Maui. Other projects are planned for the Big Island, O'ahu and Kaua'i.

(Read more at the HonoluluAdvertiser.)

The Nature Conservancy since 1951 has been using science and partnerships to protect Earth's most important natural places. It is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Their accomplishments:

• Protected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide - and we operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
• Have more than 1 million members.
• Work in all 50 states and more than 30 countries - protecting habitats from grasslands to coral reefs, from Australia to Alaska to Zambia.
• Address threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, and marine ecosystems.

Hawaii is such a special place, and such an endangered one with constant threats from species disappearance to Maunalua Bay pollution, that Hawaiian Air's commitment is very encouraging and exemplary. Our thanks to Hawaiian Airlines.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

Personal income in Hawai'i grew at the fastest rate of any state in the first quarter, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 0.8%. Hawaii's rise was driven by earnings growth in the federal civilian and military sectors because of first-quarter pay raises as well as some initial hiring for the 2010 Census. The average personal income nationally fell 0.5 percent as earnings in 37 states declined.

When adjusted for inflation, the state's personal income actually declined and is expected to continue to fall during the year. State employees will be furloughed in a measure to cut costs in the state budget, and these will translate to about a 14% salary reduction.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has forecast a 1.1 percent drop in real personal income this year that doesn't take into account the proposed furloughs. Without the inflation adjustment, DBEDT is forecasting a modest 0.1 rise in personal income this year.

Real estate in Hawaii Kai is holding steady, and there are some great buys available. Visit my web site to obtain a Free Relocation package, and contact me for real estate market data for Hawaii Kai.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

As the Hawaii pet shelters fill with unwanted dogs and cats because their owners can't afford the pet food, it seems timely to figure out how to cut expenses. Cooking for your dog or cat isn't so unusual. Many people make at least pet treats, even if they still use commercial main courses.

Rick Woodford, of Portland, OR, taught himself pet nutrition when his best friend, Jackson, developed lymphoma and stopped eating. After studying pet cookbooks, comparing ingredients to USDA nutrient charts, and reading veterinarians' reference books, he started cooking Jackson's food. Jackson started eating, and neither has looked at commercial dog food in several years.

In Hawaii, with transportation adding such a larger percentage to the cost of our food, saving even in small ways makes sense. Woodford suggested, "The average American househould throws away hundreds of dollars worth of food every year. Before it goes bad, see if it can go in the dog or cat bowl."

Although we've been conditioned not to feed our pets people food, he says we need to define people food. "An apple is not people food," he says, "but apple pie is. Share ingredients, not foods."

There's no doubt cooking for your pet using leftover ingredients and bulk foods can save money, but use balanced recipies and supplements, especially calcium. Here are 4 good pet nutrition books:

* Canine & Feline Nutrition: a Resource for Companion Animal Professionals. Linda P. Case, Daniel P. Carey, et al. Mosby Inc. $45.
* The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog. Wendy Volhard. Howell Book House. $19.
* K9 Kitchen. Monica Segal. Self-published. $21.90.
* Home-prepared Dog & Cat Diets. Donald Strombeck. Wiley-Blackwell. $42.99.

Woodford is writing his own book on making your pet's food. Read his suggestions at OregonLive.

Visit the pet page on my web site for resources on bringing your pet to Hawaii and keeping him/her happy in the Islands. Consider joining Hui 'Ilio, the non-profit organization that spearheaded the creation of the Hawaii Kai Dog Park. And contact me for any information about your pet in Hawaii. It's a subject close to my heart.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com

The John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i has been awarded the maximum eight-year accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a national accrediting organization.

To achieve this ranking, the school was evaluated by site inspections; clinical educators and practioners, underwent extensive reviews of records; and interviews with faculty, staff, and students.

This is a validation of the quality of the UH School of Medicine and something about which our entire community can be proud.

If you are considering relocation to Hawaii Kai or anywhere on Oahu, visit my web site to request a free Relocation Guide to our island paradise.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
www.movetohawaiikai.com
barbara@barbarashawaii.com

Going into effect July 1, Hawaii's new law affects 1) only Oahu and 2) bans "hand-held mobile electronic devices" while driving. "Hands-free" devices will be allowed. Many residents are unaware of the new law or think police will give warnings for awhile.

But, Honolulu police plan to ticket drivers who are not in compliance with the new law. The Honolulu Advertiser reported yesterday that "Maj. Thomas Nitta, commander of the HPD's traffic division, said his officers will ticket drivers caught with electronic devices in their hands while driving. It will then be up to the drivers to prove to a judge that they should not have gotten a ticket, Nitta said."

The fine is $67 for a first offense, with additional penalties to $500. There is no grace period before July 1. Honolulu police have set up a page on their Web site, www.honolulupd.org, to try to clarify details of the law. The Advertiser wrote, "According to information provided by Honolulu police yesterday, a 'mobile electronic device' is 'any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing wireless and/or data communication between two or more persons or of providing amusement, including but not limited to a cellular phone, text messaging device, paging device, personal digital assistant, laptop computer, video game, or digital photographic device.' The law does not prohibit the use of audio equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purposes of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of the motor vehicle, or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of a motor vehicle. Use is considered any time you have a device in your hand."

Read the full Advertiser article for exceptions and public reation. Meanwhile, don't use a hand-held cell phone or PDA after June 30.

Barbara Abe, Realtor
www.movetohawaiikai.com
www.barbarashawaii.com