Santa gets in some stand-up paddling during his annual July vacation at Kona Village Resort. (Photo courtesy of Current Events)

Santa’s here, Santa’s here. Yup, he’s making his holiday season rounds, including a bunch of appearances on Big Island.

Of course, Santa makes a second, secret visit to Hawaii each July. He and Mrs. Santa rest and relax at Kona Village Resort. No word on where the elves and reindeer vacation …

Following is a list of holiday events and activities. If you know of an event not listed, please shoot us an e-mail at news@hawaii247.org or go ahead and add it directly to the calendar.

Check back for updates …

Saturday, Dec. 19

* 7-11 a.m., Breakfast with Santa at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Breakfast with Santa at the resort’s Convention Center. Keiki activities include holiday lei making, holiday card painting, cookie decorating and hula lessons; $28 for adults, $18 per child (under 2 is free). Contact: 886-1234

* 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Convention Center  - Holiday Arts & Crafts

Artists and craftspeople offer ceramics, pottery, jewelry, oils and watercolors, quilts, glasswork and beadwork, koa wood and photography. Music with Moses.For further information, call 326-4152.

* 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., Kona Coast Shopping Center – Photos with Santa

The family can participate in Christmas drafts. Entertainment will be provided by St. Michael’s Choir, Kahikina’s Ukulele Class and the Kealakehe High School Dance Company. Free photos with Santa will be offered and can be picked up Dec. 22 at Blockbuster Video.

* 10 a.m.-noon, Queens’ MarketPlace – Photos with Santa

Aa $5 per photo donation will go to Hawaii Island Food Basket and help make sure no child goes hungry during the holidays. Keiki photos with “Kanakaloka” will be taken in The Studio — an air-conditioned function space adjacent to the Queens’ MarketPlace Food Court. Created especially for the holidays by Queens’ staff, the setting features a sandy beach, surfboards, slippers and star-sprinkled coconut palms. For more information, visimt www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com or call 886-8822.

* 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Santa and Snow, Kealakekua Ranch Center

A huge pile of snow will be available for all the keiki. Santa will be arriving by fire engine and available for free photos. Live entertainment by Na Opio O Kahikolu and Hula by Na Kai Kamahina O Keakua Kie Kie. There will be bouncing fun and crafts, with balloon magic by Joy. Contact Carol Moore at 988-0224 or mooreideas@hawaii.rr.com

* 11 a.m.,  Kealakekua library hosts Christmas program

Kealakekua Public Library will offer “A Special Christmas with the Aloha Performing Arts Company” in the adult reading area. The theater-style performance will feature dancing and singing. The Friends of the Libraries, Kona is sponsoring the program, which is suitable for all ages. Contact the library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed. For more information, call 323-7585.

* Noon-3 p.m., Parker Ranch Center – Santa photos

A free photo with Santa will be offered with mahalo donations accepted to benefit North Hawaii Hospice and Waimea Lions Club.

* 1-4 p.m., Kona Stories Book Shop, Kainaliu – Free Pictures With The Grinch. Everyone is welcome to come take their holiday pictures with the Grinch. Bring your own camera or the ladies at the bookstore will use theirs and e-mail you a copy. Free goodies and a holiday family movie. For more information, call 324-0350.

* 7:30 p.m., Aloha Theatre. APAC presents ‘A Christmas Story.’

Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the ’40’s, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good ‘ol Santa Claus himself. Reserved seating tickets: $18 Adults; $15 Seniors (65+); $15 Students/Children (3-18). For more information, visit apachawaii.org, call 322-9924 or e-mail info@apachawaii.org

Sunday, Dec. 20

* 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 2nd annual “He Mau Makana No Na Ohana” (Gifts for a Family) Toys for Tots

A fun filled day at Kamehameha Park, Kapaau, North Kohala. Attendees are asked to make a donation of a new unwrapped gift or a canned food and receive a ticket for a chance to win one of many great prizes. Children 10 years or younger will receive a gift and have a photo taken with Santa, both for free. Entertainment by Pacific Roots, Gino & Kahua, and Island Boyz. Children activities will also be available for free. There’ll be several food concessions. Classic Vehicles/Hot Rods/Motorcycles will be on display. Event is made possible by a grant from Healing Our Island and is co-sponsered by Koa Puna M/C Kohala Chapter and Fig’s Mix Plate. Contact Traci Figueroa at 889-1989 or figs_mix_plate@yahoo.com

* 2:30 p.m., Aloha Theatre. APAC presents ‘A Christmas Story.’

Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the ’40’s, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good ‘ol Santa Claus himself. Reserved seating tickets: $18 Adults; $15 Seniors (65+); $15 Students/Children (3-18). For more information, visit apachawaii.org, call 322-9924 or e-mail info@apachawaii.org

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

iPhone users click here for slideshow
iPhone version of movie click here

Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26, 2009

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims, early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. It eventually became a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.

271 million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys raised in the United States in 2008. That’s not statistically significantly different from the number raised during 2007. The turkeys produced in 2008 together weighed 7.9 billion pounds and were valued at $4.5 billion.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

www.nass.usda.gov/

Weighing in With a Menu of Culinary Delights

49 million
The preliminary estimate of turkeys Minnesota expected to raise in 2008. The Gopher State was tops in turkey production, followed by North Carolina (39 million), Arkansas (31 million), Virginia (21 million), Missouri (20 million) and Indiana (15.9 million). These six states together would probably account for about two-thirds of U.S. turkeys produced in 2008. (The number of turkeys produced by Virginia and by Missouri are not significantly different from one another.)

709 million pounds
The forecast for U.S. cranberry production in 2009. Wisconsin is expected to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 400 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (190 million). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington are also expected to have substantial production, ranging from 16 million to 54 million pounds.

1.8 billion pounds
The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2008. North Carolina (874 million pounds) produced more sweet potatoes than any other state. It was followed by California (437 million pounds) and Mississippi (335 million pounds).

1.1 billion pounds
Total production of pumpkins produced in the major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. Pumpkin patches in California, Pennsylvania and New York also provided lots of pumpkins: Each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

If you prefer cherry pie, you will be pleased to learn that the nation’s forecasted tart cherry production for 2009 totals 284 million pounds. Of this total, the overwhelming majority (220 million) will be produced in Michigan.

2.5 billion bushels
The total volume of wheat — the essential ingredient of bread, rolls and pie crust — produced in the United States in 2008. Kansas and North Dakota accounted for 27 percent of the nation’s wheat production.

794,777 tons
The 2008 contracted production of snap (green) beans in major snap (green) bean-producing states. Of this total, Wisconsin led all states (320,200 tons). Many Americans consider green bean casserole a traditional Thanksgiving dish.

Source: The previous data came from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

www.nass.usda.gov/

$9.2 million
The value of U.S. imports of live turkeys from January through July of 2009 — 99.3 percent from Canada. When it comes to sweet potatoes, however, the Dominican Republic was the source of 60.7 percent ($2.8 million) of total imports ($4.7 million). The United States ran a $5.8 million trade deficit in live turkeys during the period but had a surplus of $23.1 million in sweet potatoes.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

13.8 pounds
The quantity of turkey consumed by the typical American in 2007, with a hearty helping devoured at Thanksgiving time. Per capita sweet potato consumption was 5.2 pounds.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Tables 212-213

www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

The Turkey Industry

$3.6 billion
The value of turkeys shipped in 2002. Arkansas led the way in turkey shipments, with $581.5 million, followed by Virginia ($544.2 million) and North Carolina ($453 million). In 2002, poultry businesses whose primary product was turkey totaled 35 establishments, employing about 17,000 people.
Source: Poultry Processing: 2002

www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i311615.pdf

$3.8 billion
Forecast 2009 receipts to farmers from turkey sales. This exceeds the total receipts from sales of products such as barley, oats and sorghum (combined) and peanuts.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service

www.ers.usda.gov/Data/farmincome/finfidmu.htm

The Price is Right

$1.33
Retail cost per pound of a frozen whole turkey in December 2008. Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 717

www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Where to Feast

3
Number of places in the United States named after the holiday’s traditional main course. Turkey, Texas, was the most populous in 2008, with 456 residents, followed by Turkey Creek, La. (361) and Turkey, N.C. (272). There are also nine townships around the country named Turkey, three in Kansas.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013960.html

factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet

www.census.gov/popest/cities/cities.html

5
Number of places and townships in the United States that are named Cranberry or some spelling variation of the red, acidic berry (e.g., Cranbury, N.J.), a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry township (Butler County), Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2008, with 27,194 residents. Cranberry township (Venango County), Pa., was next (6,795).
Source: Population estimates
www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013960.html

www.census.gov/popest/cities/cities.html

28
Number of places in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. Plymouth, Minn., is the most populous, with 71,486 residents in 2008; Plymouth, Mass., had 55,705. There is just one township in the United States named “Pilgrim.” Located in Dade County, Mo., its population was 128 in 2008. And then there is Mayflower, Ark., whose population was 2,231 in 2008.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013960.html

117 million
Number of households across the nation — all potential gathering places for people to celebrate the holiday.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2008

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

MEDIA RELEASE

The 2008 Pahoa Holiday Parade.

The 19th Annual Pahoa Holiday Parade commences at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 in old Pahoa Town. Watch the always-colorful parade in this eclectic Puna town, and then head down to the Pahoa High and Intermediate School for the Hoolaulea, featuring island fare and entertainment.

Motorists should note Old Government Road, the main street in the town of Pahoa, will be temporarily closed for the Pahoa Holiday Parade from approximately 9:30 am to noon. The road closure will be from Apaa Street (the rubbish dump road) to Kaohe Homestead Road (the intersection leading to the Pahoa High and Intermediate School). Parade participants will line up along Apaa Street, entering from Kaohe Homestead Road.

To participate in the Pahoa Holiday Parade, pick up and drop off entry forms at Puna Style, 965-7592; Puna Buy and Sell, 965-7296, or Jeff Hunt Surfboards, 965-2322, by Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Edwards Hunt

Labor Day 2009: Sept. 7

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?
155.1 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2009.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Employee Benefits
83%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

77%
Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as
one of their employment benefits.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 634 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Our Jobs

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation Number of employees
Teachers 7.2 million
Chief executives 1.7 million
Janitors and building cleaners 2.1 million
Computer software engineers 1.0 million
Aerospace engineers 137,000
Electricians 874,000
Registered nurses 2.8 million
Social workers 729,000
Clergy 441,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists 773,000
Chefs and head cooks 351,000
Customer service representatives 1.9 million
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 373,000
Firefighters 293,000
Roofers 234,000
Pharmacists 243,000
Machinists 409,000
Musicians, singers and related workers 186,000
Artists and related workers 213,000
Gaming services workers (gambling) 111,000
Tax preparers 105,000
Service station attendants 87,000
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers 751,000
Welding, soldering and brazing workers 598,000
Farmers and ranchers 751,000

Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

7.7 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 589 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

288,000
When do they sleep? Number of moonlighters who work full time at two jobs.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 589 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.4 million
Number of self-employed workers.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 585 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

22.5 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in educational services, and health care and social assistance industries. Among male workers 16 and older, 11.3 million were employed in manufacturing industries.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

28%
Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 582 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

4
Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 9 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 591 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.3 million
Number of independent contractors.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 588 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

15.7 million
Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Alaska, Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state. North Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 3 percent.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 644 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

-10.8%

Percentage decline in employment in Elkhart County, Ind., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage decline among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Maricopa, Ariz., posted the largest numerical job loss over the period: 67,100.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

3.2%
Percentage increase in employment in Yakima County, Wash., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage increase among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Harris, Texas, posted the largest numerical job gain over the period: 26,500.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

5.7 million
The number of people who work at home.
Source: 2007 American Community Surveyhttp://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Another Day, Another Dollar

$45,113 and $35,102
The 2007 annual median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

$1,552
Average weekly wage in New York County (Manhattan), N.Y., for the third quarter of 2008, the highest among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Rutherford, Tenn., led the nation in growth of average weekly wages the third quarters of 2007 to 2008, with an increase of 17 percent ($124).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

Hot Jobs

53%
Projected percentage growth from 2006 to 2016 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (587,000). Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 598 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Early, Lonely and Long — the Commute to Work

17 million

Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. These early birds represent 13 percent of all commuters.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

76%
Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 10 percent carpool, and 5 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

31.5 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work for residents of New York state. New York residents had the most time-consuming commute in the nation, followed by that of Maryland residents with 31.1 minutes. The national average was 25.3 minutes.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

3.4 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day. Source: 2007 American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

52%
Percentage of workers 16 and older living in Virginia who worked and lived in different counties, the highest rate in the nation.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

The Fourth of July 2009

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
<http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab.html>

307 million
The nation’s population on this July Fourth.
Source: Population clock <http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>

Fourth of July Cookouts

More than 1 in 4
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 19.3 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2009. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (9.4 million) and Minnesota (7.3 million) were the runners-up.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

6.8 billion pounds
Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2007. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (4.7 billion pounds) or Kansas (4.1 billion pounds).
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

6
Number of states in which the revenue from broiler chickens was $1 billion or greater between December 2006 and November 2007. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

About 4 in 10
The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 39 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2008. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 61 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

Please Pass the Potato Salad
Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Half of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

More than three-fourths
Amount of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2008 that came from California. This lettuce may end up in your salad or on your burger.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

More than 7 in 10
The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from California or Florida, which combined accounted for 71 percent of U.S. tomato production last year. The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 96 percent of forecasted processed tomato production in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

Florida
The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (861 million pounds). Other leading producers of this popular fruit included California, Texas and Georgia, each with more than 500 million pounds.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

78 million
Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 1200 <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab2006_2009.html>

Fireworks

$193 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2008, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($202 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $28.1 million in 2008, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($5.8 million).
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$17.3 billion
The value of U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks in 2002.
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i325998t.pdf>

Flags

$3.4 million
In 2008, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3.0 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$569,400
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2008. Belgium was the leading customer, purchasing $186,400 worth.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$349.2 million
Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i314999t.pdf>

Patriotic-Sounding Names

31
Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in their name. The most populous one as of July 1, 2007, is Liberty, Mo. (29,993). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

• Thirty-one places have “eagle” in their name — after the majestic bird that serves as our national symbol. (Places include cities, towns, villages and census-designated places.) The most populous such place is Eagle Pass, Texas, with 26,285 residents.
• Eleven places have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Mo., with 110,704 residents.
• Five places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, Calif., with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
• There is one place named “patriot” — Patriot, Ind., with a population of 190.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the Fourth of July in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, population 26,472.

Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012242.html> and
American FactFinder <www.census.gov>

The British are Coming!

$112.4 billion
Dollar value of trade last year between the United States and the United Kingdom, making the British, our adversary in 1776, our sixth-leading trading partner today.
Sources: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/top/top0812yr.html>

MEDIA RELEASE

All public libraries will be closed on Thursday, June 11 to observe the 2009 King Kamehameha I Day Holiday.

Visit the HSPLS website at www.librarieshawaii.org for public service hours or call your local library.

MEDIA RELEASE

All public libraries will be closed in observance of Easter Sunday (April 12).

A couple of the ladies over at the Hawaii House Blog got into the holiday spirit earlier this week at the House Christmas Party. Here’s a sample:

JINGLE BILLS (to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Dashing to the beach, with a surfboard on his truck
Looking for the Finance Chair? Shoots, you’re out of luck!
Even though we’re poor, he’s making spirits bright
He’s on the corner ringing bells, for your loose change tonight.

Jingle bills, Jingle bills, send to Speaker Say
Even though, he might say “no”, file them anyway.
Jingle bills, jingle bills, how many bills will fly?
Just don’t ask for money, or in Finance they will die.

Now the pressure’s on. What we gonna do?
Gotta make majority package sound like something new.
Bills for every cause, beneath the Christmas tree
And if that fails, just say this word: sustainability.

Jingle bills, Jingle bills, send to Speaker Say
Oh what fun it is to draft throughout the night and day
Jingle bills, Jingle bills, hope is in the air
Tis the season to be glad, unless you are a Chair.

— Find out more:
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