Big City Diner Coming to Windward Mall In Spring of 2015

A new Big City Diner restaurant is coming to Windward Mall in Kaneohe in the spring of 2015.  The locally owned and operated restaurant chain currently has locations in Kaimuki, Kailua, Ward Centers, Waipio and Pearlridge and serves what they describe as Asian-American comfort food. Land Muraoka, the owner and president of Big City Diner stated that they are currently working on plans to convert the 5,411 sq ft space in Windward Mall and will soon be hiring employees for this location. The Windward Mall restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining.

Richard Chang, the general manager for Windward Mall, stated, "With their awesome selection of local options and warm customer service, Big City Diner will bring an exciting new flavor to Windward Mall. We are thrilled to continue to expand our options for shoppers, which in addition to Big City Diner includes new seasonal kiosks and shops like Hali Hali Rides and See's Candies."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-6-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Hawaii Facing a Physician Shortage

According to a report issued by the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, the state of Hawaii is currently facing a physician shortage of approximately 700 doctors and that number is expected to double by 2020.  The report noted that Hawaii currently has 2,795 doctors but needs 3,537. Furthermore, the state has half the number of specialists necessary to support Hawaii's population.

The growing shortage is being caused by a high number of doctors from the Baby Boomer generation retiring, and the fact that the state of Hawaii does not train enough doctors in house to keep up with the demand.  As a result, Hawaii is constantly trying to recruit new doctors from the mainland, who are frustrated with the higher cost of living that Hawaii has to offer.  Josh Green, the state Senate Health Chairman, stated that he hopes to work with other lawmakers to expand the John A. Burns School of Medicine by at least 15 to 20 percent to help meet the needs of the Hawaii.  Green commented, "We need to work with a team to get more people to commit to primary care. If people continue to leave the islands, our system will crash."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-6-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
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Lava Threatens Big Island Residents in the Kaohe Homestead Subdivision

Lava from the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is now just 0.8 miles away from the Kaohe Homestead subdivision, and experts warn that it could reach houses within the next five to seven days.  The Hawaii County Civil Defense Administration estimates that there are more than 30 families who live on the rural and agricultural lots in Kaohe Homestead, and have been working to help them to prepare for evacuation.  This lava flow is the first to threaten homes since 2011, and is moving at a slow, but steady pace of 820 feet per day.  This potentially means that it could reach Highway 130, approximately 4.2 miles away, in about a month's time.

Most of the residents in the Kaohe Homestead subdivision are taking the news in stride. They refer to the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele, and state that she is doing what she does. Piilani Kaawala, of neighboring town Pahoa, stated, "You cannot change the direction. It's Mother Nature. What we need to do is work together and help each other out. That's the only way we're going to survive the lava flow is if we work together and share aloha." Ihilani P. Niles of Puna added, "Pele is our kupuna. She is our ancestor. Like my tutu said, knock it off already. Sorry to you guys, but we're not diverting her. If she feels like she needs to clean her house, let her clean her house."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-5-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Big Island of Hawaii Neighborhood Concerned About Lava

The Hawaii County (Big Island of Hawaii) Civil Defense has raised their lava threat level for Puna residents from a lava watch to a lava warning.  A lava warning is the highest alert level, meaning that a hazard eruption is imminent, underway or suspected.  Less than one mile away from the Kaohe Homestead subdivision a lava flow is threatening to not only destroy homes but also to potentially cut off the only access point for residents of the neighborhood.  Civil defense officials are encouraging residents to review their evacuation and emergency plans, though did state that as of Wednesday afternoon, the flow posed no imminent threat to the area.

The evacuation of area livestock has already started.  It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of animals that might need to move.  Sidney Singer of the Good Shepherd Foundation in Puna stated that all owners of livestock and pets should begin making plans now to find refuge for them.  The Civil defense will hold another meeting at 6:30 PM on Thursday at Pahoa High School to update residents.  Interested parties may also go to hvo.wr.usgs.gov or to hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts for additional and updated information.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-4-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Bankruptcy Filings Decrease by 18.5 Percent In August 2014

According to a report issued by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, a total of 137 cases were filed in August, which represented an 18.5 percent decrease as compared to the same month a year prior.  This marks the 14th straight month of decline on a year-over-year basis.  George Dunn, a Honolulu bankruptcy attorney, commented, "It appears the economy is improving right now and the federal government is doing a lot of things to help that in terms of keeping interest rates low. Jobs are a little bit better now than in the past and people are being more careful in creating less debt. I'm working less than 40 hours a week. It's kind of a good thing for me because I needed a break. It's kind of slowed down the last 15 or 20 months. Between the period from 2009 to 2011, I was working 80 to 90 hours a week, and I'm still recovering."

Dunn added, "The federal government might be creating a bubble. With the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates low for the foreseeable future, it looks like this (declining bankruptcy trend) could go on for one or two more years. I've been doing bankruptcies since 1988 and have been through these cycles over the years where the economy goes up and falls apart and then goes back up. So I'm expecting another crash. I don't know when it's going to be, maybe one or two years from now, but I'll be ready."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-3-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Island Air CEO Paul Casey to Step Down and Dave Pflieger to Take Over

Island Air has announced that Paul Casey, the CEO for the airlines for the past 16 months, will be stepping down on October 1, and David Pflieger, the president and CEO of Silver Airways, will take over his position.  Casey will be given an advisory role on Island Air's board of Directors.  This news has come as a surprise to members of the airline community.  Peter Forman, a local aviation historian, stated, "That's a big surprise. The work that Mr. Casey has begun is not completed yet. He has had a very difficult culture change to bring about at Island Air and it's been successful so far. But the work is not done yet and someone needs to continue his work. I sincerely hope that Paul Casey remains actively involved with the airline because the airline needs his involvement."

Casey mad the following official statement, "It has been an enjoyable experience to work with the ownership and employees of Island Air as we rebuilt the company from the ground up. It would not have been possible without their support and commitment, and I look forward continuing this progress in my new role as a senior adviser to the board." Regarding the hiring of Pflieger, Mike Boyd an airline consultant stated, "He's a good choice. There aren't many regional independent airlines left in America, and he comes from one of the survivors.  (Larry) Ellison is a success-focused businessman, and after buying Island Air, it makes sense to bring in high-powered people to run it."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-3-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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Cinnamon's to Open Restaurant in the Ilikai Condominium and Hotel in Waikiki

Cinnamon's, whose original restaurant opened in 1985 in Kailua, will be opening its second location in Hawaii this November at the Ilikai Condominium and Hotel in Waikiki.  The restaurant will be open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on most weekdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  Alexander Nam, the company president, stated, "We've been looking for two years. Kailua's pretty much doing all it can. We can't really expand in that space anymore. We get a lot of people from town side, Leeward side and tourists, so it just made sense. We're proud to be able to go to Waikiki and offer a more accurate reflection of Hawaii and the islands versus the plastic aloha that's already out there. We have no idea what to expect. We're just excited to get in and see what the reaction is. It took 20 years to become an overnight success (in Kailua)."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-1-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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