Hawaii is the happiest state to live

February 18th, 2010 by Malia Leilani Meenderman

Hawaii topped the list as the happiest state in the country to live according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index poll for 2009.  The poll collected data from some 350,000 people across the country to arrive at a well being score for each state.

The well-being score for each state is an average of six sub-categories, including: life evaluation (self-evaluation about your present life situation and anticipated one in five years); emotional health; work environment (such as job satisfaction); physical health; healthy behavior; basic access (access to healthcare, a doctor, a safe place to exercise and walk, as well as community satisfaction).

Volunteer to count our humpback whales

January 28th, 2010 by Malia Leilani Meenderman

Volunteers are needed to count our humpback whales.  The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary will use these volunteers to count whales from various shoreline locations on O’ahu, Kaua’i and the Big Island this Saturday, and on Feb. 27 and March 27.  All counts are to be in the morning hours beginning at 8am. If want to help sign up online  www.sanctuaryoceancount.org

In addition, another count is scheduled on Feb 27 by the Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui.  To help on this count email researchdirector@pacificwhale.org.

Credit Suisse says to expect home sales to ramp up as early as February

January 27th, 2010 by Malia Leilani Meenderman

Credit Suisse says that despite the slow down in the existing home sales numbers released by the National Association of Realtors this past Monday, to expect a ramp up in sales to come as early as February .  In part, this comes because of the urgency of the tax credit and that mortgage rates remain low at about 5%.

“This should lead to higher closings from April through June”