Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Farm reaps holiday bonanza

One beneficiary of this year's shortage of imported Christmas trees was Helemano Farms, which saw a surge in sales of the Norfolk Island pines grown at its Central O'ahu plantation.

Owner Aaron O'Brien said yesterday he had sold about 2,000 trees so far this season, a 30 percent to 40 percent increase from the same time last year. Many buyers made the drive out to the tree farm in Whitmore Village after coming up empty at tree lots in town that carried firs and pines shipped in from the Mainland, he said.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Californian Long wins 'Eddie'

When it comes to winning big-wave surfing contests, Greg Long is no longer a long shot. A victory in the world's most revered big-wave contest proved it yesterday. Long capped a near-perfect day with a perfect ride that led him to victory in the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Pipeline Masters on today; wave-face heights 10-18 feet

The opening day of the Billabong Pipeline Masters is on today at the Banzai Pipeline off Ehukai Beach.

Wave-face heights are in the 10- to 18-foot range.

Surfers expected to compete today include Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Sunny Garcia, Shane Dorian, Jamie O'Brien and Dusty Payne.

The Pipeline Masters is the final event of both the 2009 ASP World Tour and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Both titles will be decided at the Pipeline Masters.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Lighting Up Haleiwa for Christmas and Parade this Friday 6 PM

Aloha Members and Businesses,

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual "Christmas in Historic Haleiwa" event is on Friday, December 11th. It will consist of the Christmas parade starting at 6 PM, Photos with Santa at the North Shore Marketplace from 4:00 to 5:30 PM and after the parade until 8 PM. The parade will include up to 40 units. We also encourage the merchants to offer specials, sidewalk sales/events and demonstrations and stay open until 9:00 PM especially that night.

· Participate in the Parade. It's not too late to enter the parade. Go to www.GoNorthShore.org for more information and to apply to be in the parade by tomorrow noon. We still need at least two convertibles to carry VIP's! If you have one or know someone who has a convertible, please call me at 637-4558 or cell 342-8557.

* Be a donor. We need monetary donations of any size to help defray the costs of insurance, printing, and candy for Santa to give out, etc. Donations to the Chamber are completely tax deductible and are much needed to support our many efforts. Make your check out to the "NSCOC" and mail to the above address.

· Advise customers to arrive and park in Haleiwa by 5:30 pm and that the parade will be over around 7:15 pm to avoid not being able to get to or from your place of business due to the street closure for the parade.

For more information or to participate, call the Chamber at 637-4558 or contact the following coordinators:

Parade: Antya Miller 342-8557

Town Lighting & Contest: Layne Larson 637-1780

Visit with Santa: Marianne Abrigo 637-3511

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Eddie Aikau big-wave contest on alert

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest is on alert for a possible day of competition tomorrow or Tuesday at Waimea Bay. Wave-face heights are projected to be in the 40- to 50-foot range, which would meet the requirement to run the prestigious contest.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser