It would be impossible to describe the "secrets to sucess" in such a short article. But I hope to share some insight on what I think has helped many achieve success.

The former Food Fair Market at the corner of Kilauea Ave and Ponahawai St is under re-construction and nearing completion. Developers James McCully and Michael Shewmaker hope to open by June 1st and have three major occupants for the building. Subway Sandwiches will relocate from their present Keawe St address where they have been since 1990. General Manager Steve Handy Jr. looks forward to locating at the new Hilo gateway and the expanded parking that will be available to his customers...

Trivia: In what state of the United States is coffee grown commercially?
Answer: Hawaii. The Aloha State is the only state in the Union where coffee is grown as a commercial crop.  Hawaii's sub-tropical micro-climates, mountainous terrain and unique volcanic soil characteristics converge to create the perfect conditons for the cultivation of coffee trees.

by Bret Yager
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer

Graffiti taggers beware -- there's a price on your head.

Following a graffiti explosion in downtown Hilo over the past few months, $100 rewards will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who leave a trail of paint and permanent ink markings on buildings, trash cans and benches.

"It's reached epidemic proportions," said Sam Pulu'ole, executive director of the DIA. "Every day I see something new. Some of it is small, some of it big, some outrageous. From rubbish cans to walls. They climb into the strangest places."

Graffiti: Art or vandalism?

The debate continues. Some view graffiti as a form of self expression – “street art” – while others see it as vandalism – "visual pollution”.

Whichever side of the fence you sit on, one thing is for certain. Hilo is no different from many other cities as it struggles to deal with the ramifications of graffiti.

Year 4706

Chinese New Year 4706, which begins Thursday, is the Year of the Rat, which holds a place of honor as the first creature in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The Chinese Zodiac is amusing, but not regarded seriously by the Chinese people.  However, the animal signs serve social functions...

Success is relative and it has a different meaning for everyone, but it most closely associated with profit because no business can survive without funds. However, in order to turn profit, every enterprise has to follow certain steps to lay a strong foundation.

I will be frank.  I am not an "old-timer" of Hilo.  So, I cannot claim to have witnessed the hundred-year flood of of 2000.  Nor can I recall the legendary  knee-deep flood waters on Kamehameha Avenue after a marathon tropical deluge.

I was however treated to my first ever East Hawaii waterfall-filler this past Saturday and Sunday, February 2nd and 3rd.

The super water-spectacle heralded itself with a louder-than-usual pounding on our metal roof on Friday evening as I was just drifting off to sleep.  Throughout the small hours of Saturday morning, I was lulled into a blissful slumber by the persistent percussion of rain and the guttural rumble of thunder.

Sweet but true, honey is making the news again (Hawaii Tribune Herald by Linda Johnston 1/01/08). This natural substance has long been used by the old wise ones for all manner of improving general health complaints. Recently it has come to light again, as more clinical trials continue demonstrating various healing properties of honey very favorably. Most newsworthy at this time, is using "medical honey" successfully in chronic wound and burn care, at a time in history when antibiotic resistant organisms are approaching epidemic proportions in some locations.

Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.