Latest news with #HonoluluOpen
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Neighbor island businesses worry of shipping rate hike, tariffs
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state Public Utility Commission has been holding public hearings on Young Brothers' request for a 27% rate increase for interisland cargo. 'Young Brothers is here because it is facing financial distress, its current rates were first approved on an emergency basis in August 2020, almost five years ago,' Kris Nakagawa, vice president of external and legal affairs for Young Brothers, told the PUC during the Oahu hearing. Pickleball players battle on the court at Honolulu Open Those emergency rates were a 46% increase due to the pandemic. 'While these current rates carried YB through the pandemic, operating costs for YB, like most other companies, have continued to rise in the past four years. Intrastate or interisland cargo volumes never recovered to pre-pandemic levels and are currently declining further. Without immediate rate relief, YB will not be able to maintain its loans, cover its operating costs, or make the necessary capital investments to ensure safe and reliable service,' he continued. Young Brothers broke down the cost if the 27% increase were approved. 'Currently, the cost to ship a personal medium size car from Honolulu to Maui one way is approximately $334,' Nakagawa said. 'If the commission were to approve YB rate increase, the cost to ship that same vehicle would be approximately $434.'So far, public hearings have been held on Oahu and Hawaii island, with more Oahu businesses backing the shipping company for its reliable service. 'We absolutely support Young Brothers and believe its important for them to be in a financial stable position so they can have that consistency, quality, cadence that they've continued to have that's important for our companies as they move products across the state,' Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up told the PUC. But some think the rate hike shouldn't be passed onto the consumer and a double digit increase is too much. 'When they increase at this level its going to be a disruptive event for most families,' said one phone testifier. 'They're not going to realize the cost of their foods and goods coming into the island will increase at high levels they might not be able to afford.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Written testimony from the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association said it exports flowers and plants across the islands and has only one option to ship a high volume of palletized cargo. They wrote that they strongly oppose the rate hike during a time when businesses have not fully recovered from COVID, and the global situation with tariffs will ripple down to a few industries that can actually survive. 'It's very scary for a lot of businesses because we depend on a lot of imports from China, and we all know the prices are going to go up,' said Tina Yamaki, Retail Merchants of Hawaii president. 3 cases of rare brain disease reported in Oregon And the tariffs could be a double whammy for small businesses, especially on neighbor islands. 'A lot of them are they don't know how they're going to keep their doors open,' Yamaki added. The next PUC public hearing will be on Kauai, on April 14, at 5:30 p.m., at the Lihue State Office Building Conference Room 209. Maui's will be on April 30, at 6:15 p.m. at Puu Kukui Elementary School Cafeteria in Wailuku. And Lanai's will be on May 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lanai Senior Center. Molokai's is still to be determined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pro gives tips on how to play Pickleball
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open presented by HMSA kicked off on Friday, April 10 and will last through the weekend at the Hawaii Convention Center. Hawaii pickleball lovers: Plan your weekend at the Honolulu Open The event is open to the public to come down and experience. Professional pickleball player, Morgan Evans, showed KHON2 a few tricks of the trade. Evans showed KHON2's Kamaka Pili the 'dink shot,' a shot designed to land inside the kitchen. 'What we are going to do is get you behind the kitchen line right here. Nice and close, within a few inches and facing the net. Now, let's get down to a nice, low stance. I like that you have worn some incredibly athletic shoes today. Dress for the job. So what we are going to do is a small shot. Simple, you are going to try and get the ball up, over the net to land on my half of the kitchen. We are going to go for 10 shots in a row,' explained Evans. Friday's event featured lots of kupuna playing the rapidly growing game. Evans said it helps them stay active. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'When I am doing this, it's very hard for you to attack me. If I play a good enough dink, something soft inside the kitchen, then it's difficult for you to attack. But if you manage to hit it a little too high or too far, then I'll show you what is going to happen, someone will attack you. So, it pays dividends to keep the ball low, nice and soft, move your opponents around, it's a delicate touch. Not easy but you are going to get it. You're on the right track.' And of course, pickleball is for everybody! Even though the tournament is already sold out, the public can still come down and check it out throughout the weekend, free of charge. Attendees can participate in clinics, and products and explore more than 30 courts. Check out more news from around Hawaii So if you have time this weekend, head down to the Hawaii Convention Center through Sunday, April 13. Tournaments begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 8 p.m. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
