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GMO debate has been missing economic impacts

A great deal of information has been shared on the issue of genetically modified (or engineered) organisms in preparation for the ballot question this election, but up until this week no study had been released on the economic impact of the seed industry to Maui County's economy. In order to round out the debate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, commissioned noted Hawaii economist Paul Brewbaker, principal at TZ Economics, to publish a report on the "Economic Aspects of Maui County's Seed Industry." This week that report was shared ...

Best of Maui applications launched

Sandwich Islands Publishing Co. Ltd., a family-owned company that has published the "Best of Maui" hard-bound visitor guide for more than 30 years, recently has launched Best of Maui applications for Apple and Android devices.The free applications, available at the Apple App Store and Android (via Google Play) are compatible with the iPhone and iPad as well as Android phones and tables, a news release said.Visitors can use the interactive map in the apps to find local businesses, as well as points of interest that include beaches, parks and museums.There also are links to navigation or ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 7, 2014

Puna home sales fall after storm, lavaHONOLULU - Mother Nature is taking a toll on home sales in the Puna district on the Big Island.The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports home sales in September fell almost 23 percent in Puna following Tropical Storm Iselle and a lava flow that continues toward Pahoa.The decline in Puna contributed to a decline on the rest of the Hawaii Island by nearly the same number, according Hawaii Island Realtors, an industry organization that tracks sales.Real estate officials say that while sales are down, the price of homes is going up.Home prices in Puna ...

Business/In Brief • Oct. 4, 2014

Maui Medical Group hires doctorDr. Chasity Edwards has been hired at Maui Medical Group.Edwards, who specializes in obstetrics/gynecology care, was most recently at Chesapeake Women's Center in Annapolis, Md. In 2001, Chesapeake Family Magazine named her one of the top 100 physicians in Annapolis, according to a news release.She also worked as a gynecologist/obstetrician at the OB&GYN Center in Frederick, Md.She is licensed to practice in Hawaii and Maryland. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of ...

Reading of proposed amendment shows how it would hurt Maui County farmers

Many in the anti-genetically modified organism movement tout that the ballot initiative they are supporting will not hurt farmers, but there are horrendous penalties included in the 10 pages of charter amendments they are proposing. Unfortunately, all the public will see is the ballot question, which many already feel is confusing. It reads:MAUI: Voter Initiative: Genetically Engineered OrganismsShould the proposed initiative prohibiting the cultivation or reproduction of genetically engineered organisms within the County of Maui, which may be amended or repeated as to a specific person ...

Black Press buys Big Island and Washington newspapers

HONOLULU - The owner of Hawaii's largest newspaper bought two daily publications on Hawaii's Big Island and several newspapers in Washington state.Oahu Publications, which owns the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, said Wednesday that it is buying West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald from Las Vegas-based Stephens Media.Oahu Publications, a subsidiary of Black Press, also owns The Garden Island newspaper on Kauai.The purchase of The Daily World of Aberdeen, Wash., and three weeklies by another Black Press subsidiary closed Wednesday. The Hawaii sale closes Dec. 1.The chain now owns ...