Latest news with #Bottles4College
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs on imports raise cost of cut flowers in Hawaii
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Flower season is underway with major floral events and celebrations coming up. Easter was later than usual this year, and Merrie Monarch is right on its heels. Bottles4College hands out scholarships during Windward recycling event 'You blink and then it's May Day, Mother's Day and Graduation, so the next six to seven weeks for the floral industry is going to be a whirlwind,' said Watanabe Floral General Manager Monty Pereira. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. imports over 80% of cut flowers from other countries, and despite having plenty of tropical flowers, Hawaii imports a lot of those too. 'Mostly from South America, Colombia, Ecuador and a lot of orchid lei that you see or orchid base lei all come from Asia,' Pereira some of those countries have been hit with tariffs, or have another 60-day pause until tariffs take effect. Pereira said all the carnations come from Colombia and have been impacted by tariffs. 'For us, it was 10 to 15% on cut flowers from Colombia and Ecuador and it's 16 to 17% coming in from Thailand which is the major source of orchid lei. Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums are popular for Mother's Day and they'll be a little more expensive but still manageable,' Pereira continued. 'And we worked hard down the supply chain to make sure the consumer doesn't feel the burden of it.' Tropical flowers from home won't be impacted by tariffs, and Pereira said they are looking at importing from California as well. However, florists here at home warn that there are never enough fresh flower lei by the time graduation comes around. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'We've always tried to source as locally as possible,' said Honolulu Flower Lady President Cindy Dabbous. 'So when we do source locally, we're not going to be impacted by tariffs as much.' She guesstimates about 30% of her flowers are imported, but does specialize in lei and tropicals. 'This was around the week I was thinking, you know I think I'm going to increase my local tropical supply and start ordering less classic flowers, but people love their roses and they're never going to stop ordering them,' she added. Hit-and-run in Kāneʻohe claims life of male pedestrian She said there is a lot of uncertainty of what's going to happen with prices. Pereira says one big impact is vases from China, with a 145% tariff, as a $35 vase will now cost $50.75. And while inventory isn't a concern this year, there will still be enough gifts for all budgets. 'We have fake lei, candy lei, gummy lei, gift baskets and food partnerships, budget won't be a reason why you can't bless someone these next six to seven weeks full of holidays,' Pereira added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bottles4College hands out scholarships during Windward recycling event
KĀNEʻOHE, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — A Hauʻula teen's passion for a cleaner Hawaiʻi is helping pave the way for local students with big dreams. KHON2 has been following Genshu Price's journey as the founder of 'Bottles4College,' a nonprofit that collects bottles and cans into scholarship money for college. Fresh Catch Kāneʻohe offers new dining experience The nonprofit was part of the Aloha ʻAina Earth Day celebration at Windward Mall, alongside Goodwill Hawaiʻi and E-Opala on Saturday, April 20. The event also featured a special announcement as Genshu announced four out of five Bottles4College scholarship recipients for 2025. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000. One recipient, Jaxon Pang, will be heading to Arizona State University in the fall and is committed to playing Division 1 roller hockey. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'What he's doing comes from the heart, so I appreciate him and his family a lot,' Jaxson said. Genshu thanked the community for always coming out and supporting the cause. 'Without our community, Bottles4College isn't possible. I know I say this again and again, but it's the truth,' he said. Saturday's recycling drive collected about two million cans and bottles, filling about 76 recycling trucks. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'That's over 150,000 pounds of trash that has been diverted from landfills and kept out of our environment, so it's incredible. It's not without the community.' Bottles4College will announce its final scholarship awardee to a neighbor island student in May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
