Latest news with #Lum
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Will this local café be named the best farm-to-table in the U.S.? How to vote
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On a breezy stretch of Kamehameha Highway on Oʻahu's North Shore, just past shrimp trucks and crashing waves, sits Kahuku Farms. It's a fourth-generation family operation that's getting national attention. The farm's café, already beloved by locals and visitors alike, has just been nominated in Newsweek's Readers' Choice competition for Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in the United States. 23yo motorcyclist killed in crash on Pali Highway 'Farm to table is a huge buzzword these days,' said Judah Lum, director of operations for Kahuku Farms. 'And we can say that our farm café truly is a farm to table experience where we offer fresh ingredients straight from our fields and neighboring farms.' Voting runs until June 19 at noon Eastern Time. Fans can vote once per day. The winners will be announced on June 26. You can click to vote. Kahuku Farms is the result of more than 100 years of agricultural heritage. The Matsuda and Fukuyama families, who immigrated from Japan to work Hawaiʻi's sugar plantations in the early 1900s, eventually began growing their own crops. Clyde Fukuyama and Melvin Matsuda were childhood friends who decided to merge their farms in the 1980s. Their handshake deal created Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms, the parent company behind today's 140-acre operation. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Now, a new generation leads the way. 'When they started farming together over 40 years ago, Clyde and Melvin never dreamed that someday their tractors would be pulling wagons full of people instead of watermelons,' said Kylie Matsuda-Lum, managing director for Kahuku Farms. 'I feel honored and grateful to perpetuate our family's future in farming. To share our generations of knowledge and history with others, in this amazing place that I've known as home, is a dream I'm passionate to live.' What sets Kahuku Farms apart isn't just the fresh produce. It's how that produce is transformed into unforgettable dishes at the farm café.'We're known for our farm fresh smoothies, our paninis, our pizza and our grilled banana bread,' Lum said. The farm pizza, for example, is a favorite. 'It's got our farm-raised eggplant that's roasted and it's covered with our macadamia nut pesto,' Lum said. 'People love it. It also comes with our side salad which is covered with our little balsamic vinaigrette.' The grilled banana bread is another standout. 'We put about two and a half to three pounds of bananas in every banana loaf,' Lum said. 'We grill it in butter, serve it hot, and it's covered with our vanilla bean caramel and our vanilla bean coconut sauce.' US gained 562,000 millionaires in 2024, far outpacing other countries Kahuku Farms is also home to Hawaiʻi's first locally grown açaí. 'We planted our first açaí trees back in 2008, and we waited a long eight years to get our first harvest,' said Matsudo-Lum. And don't leave without trying the butter mochi. 'We add our handmade lilikoʻi butter right to the batter; and then, we top it off with a dollop of our tangy lilikoʻi right on top,' Matsudo-Lum said. 'It's actually a first come, first serve item; so, we usually sell out pretty quick.' 1. Check the hours before you go: Kahuku Farms is open five days a week from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They're closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It's a good idea to check their website before heading out, especially on holidays or during special events. 2. Leave the outside food at home: Guests are welcome to picnic on the lawn, but Kahuku Farms asks visitors not to bring in outside food. The café's menu is full of fresh, farm-grown options that suit most diets that include dairy-free smoothies and vegetarian dishes. 3. Order ahead if you can: Online ordering is available through the farm's website. With long lines and popular menu items like butter mochi that often sell out, ordering ahead can save you time and disappointment. Cuts to care: The price mothers and children will pay 4. Yes, you can bring your dog: Pets are welcome at Kahuku Farms, and the team has even developed a dog-friendly menu. 'We rescued quite a bit, and we actually do have a doggy menu as well as doggy treats,' Lum said. 'We're trying to create a pet friendly line of gifts that you can buy from our farm.' 5. Be ready for an authentic experience: 'When you do have an authentic farm to table experience, it requires a lot of hands working together. So, yeah, it starts in the field,' Lum said. 'Then, it goes back to our back kitchen where we process everything. And then it's finished up here where the public can enjoy it.' 6. The food is handmade in small batches: 'One thing that drives us crazy and keeps us really busy is that we make everything in small batches by hand,' Lum said. 'It's what our brand stands for.' 7. Don't miss the cocoa and chocolate: Kahuku Farms grows, processes and serves its own chocolate. 'We're doing an artisan beer process,' Lum said. 'We do hand fermenting here. We also do slow drying. I do believe it does create a very special flavor that our finished product has that is unlike a lot of others.' Man, 25, arrested for alleged assault against police officers The café's Cocoa House features chocolate milk, espresso drinks with chocolate and a variety of gift items made from farm-grown cacao. 8. A growing future: Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms still supplies supermarkets with papaya, apple banana, long eggplant and luʻau leaf. But Kahuku Farms has become something much more and is quickly becoming an example of what's possible when generations stay rooted in the land and open their gates to share it. 'Our mission is to connect people to healthy, local food and the land that it grows on,' Lum said. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 So, be sure to vote for this local cafe that is showing the world how to be sustainable while also creating ono yumminess. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will Saturday's elections be the last one in May for Texas?
LUFKIN — Saturday could be the last municipal election Texas will ever hold in May. And in Lovelady, a community of nearly 600 people in East Texas, they'll end the evening with a shrimp boil at their polling place. Cynthia Lum, the Houston County elections administrator overseeing Lovelady's voting this year, hopes the shrimp brings more folks to the polls. 'In their last election, which they ran themselves, they had two voters,' Lum said. 'So we've tripled their votes so far.' Participation in municipal elections, which largely happen the first Saturday in May, is notoriously low. That's one reason why Texas lawmakers are considering ending them. Senate Bill 1209, authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican, would require most elections to be held in November and on Tuesdays. There are exceptions for the primaries, runoffs and special elections. That means city and school districts would be required to hold their elections in November, rather than May, as they are now. Hughes said he hopes the change will save money and drive up voter turnout. 'Low turnout elections are closely and resource-intensive. And since each election has substantial fixed costs, the cost per ballot increases significantly when there's low turnout,' Hughes told the State Affairs Committee. The drop from a general fall election to ones held in May are staggering. In November 2022, about 44% of registered Dallas County voters participated in the election. The next May, just 9%. 'People don't pay attention to local elections, and in May, they generally are local elections,' said Joyce LeBombard, president of the League of Women Voters in Texas. 'Usually, governor elections and above get more attention than anything else, even though those local elections impact voters, generally much more than National elections." Many small Texas cities, like Lovelady, will be lucky to see a dozen voters this weekend. Lum says the legislation, which has already won approval from the state Senate and is waiting for a House committee to review it, would ease the strain on smaller counties and cities of holding multiple elections a year. And it has the potential to save taxpayers. Elections cost a lot of money. Houston County estimated the Lovelady election might cost up to $15,000. That cost includes hiring election workers, voting machines and other supplies. Elections in the state's largest counties could run into the millions. For example, the 2021 May election in Dallas County cost more than $3.1 million. Moving the elections to November would instead allow more counties, cities and schools to split the cost, which could make a difference in small communities. 'Let's say it costs $8,000 to run one precinct, that $8,000 could be divided by the school, the city and possibly the hospital district,' Lum said. 'So instead of $8,000, you're dividing it between four entities and talking about a couple thousand.' While the change could save money, there are potential drawbacks. Large counties worry the change would create a lengthy ballot, which, in turn, would mean longer waiting times for voters, said Jennifer Doinoff, who spoke during the State Affairs Committee hearing on behalf of large and small counties for the Texas Association of County Election Officials. 'Another concern is that some (counties) feel that moving all the jurisdictions of the May ballot would increase the number of December runoffs, resulting in very low turnout for those elections, and that those runoffs typically happen right during the holidays,' Doinoff said. Small counties were typically in favor of the bill. Many small counties, who have smaller staff, struggle to carry out multiple elections at one time and meet deadlines, Doinoff said. Lum said there were many years in which she'd just finish everything needed for the March primaries when the May elections rolled around. And it became more hectic if a May runoff election was also needed. There would be different complications. Lum said. School districts whose borders span two counties would have to work out where voters cast their ballots, and it may complicate the timeline for bond issues. School districts will often seek bonds during the May elections with the goal of starting, and hopefully finishing, work by the start of school the following August, she said. Requiring a November election throws that out the window. 'Senate Bill 1209, removes local control and creates unnecessary financial and logistical burdens,' said Christopher Smith, the chief financial officer for Katy Independent School District, who spoke against this bill at the March 20 committee meeting. Smith, who also spoke on behalf of the Fast Growth Schools Coalition, added moving school elections to November could cost school board candidates and supporters of bond elections more money to advertise amid national politics. Common Cause Texas, a nonprofit voting advocacy group, opposes the bill. Emily French, the group's policy director, said in an interview, she worries that prohibiting election on Saturday could disenfranchise people who must work on Tuesdays. LeBombard, the League of Women Voters leader, sees it differently and thinks turnout will increase. 'There will be more items in the election for voters to think about and for people to talk about,' LeBombard said. 'So it will likely get more coverage than if it's just a (municipal water district) having an election.' Disclosure: Common Cause has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Web Release
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
BELL & ROSS I WATCHES & WONDERS NOVELTIES - BR-03 Skeleton
Web Release Selection Lifestyle By Editor_wr Last updated Apr 4, 2025 BR-03 Skeleton: A Watchmaking Trilogy After 20 years of creativity around the BR-03 collection, Bell & Ross adds a level of sophistication to its icon with the BR-03 Skeleton. This launch is accompanied by the '20 YEARS BOLD' campaign, which chronicles the history of this iconic square watch. A concept watch with a powerful design and subtle details, the new BR-03 Skeleton is available in three complementary versions, showcasing Bell & Ross' expertise in skeletonization and luminescence. Whether in Black Ceramic, Lum Ceramic, or Grey Steel, the BR-03 Skeleton houses a newly developed movement specifically designed by Bell & Ross and produced for Bell & Ross. A Modern Interpretation of Skeletonization For many watch enthusiasts, skeletonization should be considered a complication in its own right. This finishing technique involves hollowing out and cutting components to reveal their intricate mechanics. These delicate operations require precise craftsmanship, as this 'stripping down' must not compromise the intrinsic technical qualities of the movement. This is why a skeletonized piece is always extraordinary. The three new BR-03 Skeleton models are powered by the same skeleton movement, designed and exclusively manufactured for Bell & Ross. 'By skeletonizing our BR-03, one of the pillars of our collections, we have brought an additional watchmaking dimension to an everyday timepiece. We have reworked the bridges and upper plates of the movement to bring maximum sophistication to the BR-03. To reinforce this concept, we redesigned the entire watch around a specific X-shaped structure, a symbol of sophistication and avant-garde. By enhancing luminescence, we aimed to add an extra level of horological sophistication. By simultaneously offering three versions with very different approaches, we allow this watch to reinvent itself, embracing three original and innovative designs,' explains Bruno Belamich, Creative Director and co-founder of Bell & Ross. Complementary yet unique in their style and story, each of these three watches highlights the brand's creativity and watchmaking expertise. The BR-03 Skeleton trilogy fills a gap in Bell & Ross' professional collection. A New, Dedicated Movement The choice of a finely skeletonized movement served as a source of inspiration for Bell & Ross' watchmakers. Their ambition to fully reveal the watch's mechanics naturally led to the creation of a dedicated movement. Featuring a 54-hour power reserve, the new BR-CAL.328 caliber—an automatic, three-hand movement without a date— ensures the reliability and precision of all three BR-03 Skeleton versions. The upper bridges form an X with their four double arms, each connecting to one of the four bezel screws. Architectural and technical, this X-shaped design enhances the modernist expressiveness of the three BR-03 Skeleton models. Three Powerful Interpretations The three versions of the new BR-03 Skeleton, introduced simultaneously by Bell & Ross, go beyond a mere design exercise or dial animation. This watchmaking trilogy explores three complementary creative directions: The first focused on transparency, the second transforming the professional watch into a bold jewel, and the third emphasizing luminescence. These three variations showcase Bell & Ross' skill in material craftsmanship and creative watch design. BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic: an aeronautical DNA The BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic brings together the concepts of skeletonization and transparency. The dial and movement form a cohesive whole. Heavily inspired by the technical purity and functionality of aviation, this iconic Bell & Ross model— a flagship in the black ceramic version—has been reinvented with skeletonization, a hallmark of modern fine watchmaking. Black, a color deeply familiar to aviation and aerospace enthusiasts due to its presence in cockpit instruments and stealth aircraft fuselages, is also closely linked to the world of design. The 41mm black ceramic case of the BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic acts as a modernist frame for a contemporary masterpiece. Constructed from smoked sapphire crystal, the dial features applied black 'baignoire style' applique indexes filled with green-emitting white Super-LumiNova (SLN), fully revealing the X-shaped skeletonized movement. Legibility remains a priority for Bell & Ross, a brand known for designing professional instruments. This is ensured through instrument-style hands: the hour and minute hands are skeletonized and filled with green emitting white SLN, while the seconds hand is black with a white tip for enhanced visibility. For technical and aesthetic consistency, the Black Ceramic version comes with a black rubber strap secured by a micro-blasted black PVD-coated steel pin buckle, as well as an additional aviation-inspired black Velcro strap. BR-03 Skeleton Grey Steel: A Metallic and Mechanical Jewel With the steel version of the BR-03 Skeleton, Bell & Ross envisions a sports watch transforming into a contemporary jewel. This instrument reveals its inherent sophistication by exposing the automatic skeletonized BR CAL.328 movement through its open-worked dial. The dial and movement form a cohesive whole. 'The BR-03 Skeleton Grey Steel is a high-tech jewel. This horological machine is presented as a sculpture in steel. It proudly displays its precious and sophisticated nature, as evidenced by numerous details: the polished and satin-finished case, the faceted indexes—everything is designed to capture and reflect light. The reflections have been carefully studied. The finely cut patterns on the open-worked dial are faceted and treated with ruthenium for extra brilliance. The faceting of the skeletonized dial also echoes that of a stealth aircraft, the ultimate reference in uncompromising avant-garde design. Entirely metallic, this watch is both a horological sculpture and a brutalist machine with a disruptive design,' explains Bruno Belamich. This more luxurious version of the BR-03 Skeleton is limited to 250 pieces. It also comes with two interchangeable straps: a black rubber strap with a polished and satin-finished steel pin buckle and a black Velcro strap. BR-03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic: The Surprises of Luminescence Even bolder, the BR-03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic embraces a dual identity and conveys a strong visual narrative. A sophisticated futuristic watch by day with its black ceramic case, it transforms into an extraordinary horological piece at night, revealing its luminescent properties. In many ways, it could belong in a sci-fi film. Green luminescence, a key readability feature, is also one of Bell & Ross' signature design elements. This visual design hallmark has been pushed to the extreme, giving birth to the most daring and futuristic of the three BR-03 Skeleton models. For this, the openworked black dial is highlighted with luminescent SLN C3 on its edges and placed on a translucent smoked plate that tints the movement. 'The neon-like photoluminescent effect allows us to X-ray the skeletonization, giving it a modernized aesthetic dimension. The skeletonized dial is cut following the contours of the movement's bridges, exposing blackened gears through the tinted sapphire crystal. A green Super-LumiNova outline traces the cutouts, reminiscent of the illuminated grille of a car. Here, luminescent material is used not just for optimal readability—something we usually focus on for professional watches—but as a decorative and horological finishing element' details Bruno Belamich. This highly exclusive watch is limited to just 250 pieces, available only at Bell & Ross boutiques and via the official website. Like the other versions, it comes with two interchangeable straps: with a black rubber strap secured by a micro-blasted black PVD-coated steel pin buckle and a black Velcro strap. BELL & ROSS I WATCHES & WONDERS NOVELTIES - BR-03 Skeleton Comments are closed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I moved to Spain for a more relaxed life. I pay about $300 a month in rent and have never been happier.
Shawna Lum, 31, knew the American obsession with climbing the career ladder wasn't for her. In 2016, Lum moved to Spain to escape the rat race and carve out her own path. In Spain, she is happier, spends less money on housing, and has started her own business. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawna Lum, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles who moved to Spain in 2016. She founded Move Overseas Now, a company that helps people move to Europe and Latin America. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I'm originally from Los Angeles but went to Washington State University. In 2015, I moved to Spain for a semester to study abroad, and that experience completely changed me. During my six months in Spain, I fell in love with Europe. The ability to travel so easily — like catching a round-trip flight from Bilbao, the city in northern Spain where I was living, to Amsterdam for just $80 or London for $100 — was incredible. On top of that, the community and my social life were amazing. Going out for tapas, enjoying a glass of wine, and having a meal was so affordable compared to the US. I also loved the walking culture; there's no need for a car. That's something I never realized I was missing until I lived there. After my studies in Spain, I returned to the US and worked in corporate jobs for about a year and a half, first in Texas, then in Chicago and Louisiana. Throughout that time, I couldn't shake the memory of my time in Spain. The typical American dream wasn't resonating with me — the "checklist" of getting a corporate job, saving for a house, and getting married. I asked myself, "Why must I follow this path?" At the end of 2016, I moved to Spain and have been living here ever since. When I first moved here, visa options were limited. There are many more now, like digital nomad visas and passive income visas for retirees. Back then, a student visa was my best option. Although I didn't want to go back to school, I decided to pursue a master's in entrepreneurship and innovation in Barcelona. After completing my degree, I kept renewing my visa. Along the way, I started doing side hustles and diving into digital marketing. I eventually realized I didn't have to work for others and launched a web design agency. In 2021, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, so I returned to Los Angeles to take care of him. He passed away shortly after. While grieving, I also became frustrated about life in the US. Coming back to the States was a tough adjustment. I started noticing the toxic culture — people seemed unhappy with their lives, and many of my high school friends were on antidepressants. It also felt like everything revolved around money, even healthcare. I missed the sense of connection and community I had experienced In Spain. Living overseas showed me that life could be different — the stress levels and the divide between work and home were much more balanced. I felt like many people could resonate with my reasoning. So, when I returned to Spain, I started Move Overseas Now, a business that helps others make their moves. As a relocation coach, I help people move permanently to Europe and Latin America through online master classes that outline the steps. Most people who sign up for my courses are 35 and older with established careers, freelancing or working on a 1099. Affordability is a huge reason my clients move abroad, especially retirees on fixed incomes. Many of them find that in countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama, they can live comfortably on their Social Security check — something that isn't possible for them in the US. In Spain, you can rent a nice one-bedroom in a midsize city for about $650 to $980 a month or under $1,300 in the major cities. In Panama, some of my clients live in beautiful condos just steps from the sea with two balconies and air conditioning in an expat-friendly community for around $900 a month. Private healthcare is also a game changer: Many clients pay just $80 to $200 a month for coverage, with no copays or deductibles. By spending less on housing, healthcare, and daily expenses, they experience more freedom, less stress, and a better quality of life — things they feel are out of reach in the US. I feel like my life has improved living abroad. I always felt different in the US, like I didn't fit in. Everything has fallen into place in Europe. I married my husband, who has permanent residency in Spain. Through him, I was granted a partnership visa, also known as a family reunification visa. During COVID, we lived in a friend's guest house in France for about five months. We also spent six months as digital nomads in Asia, living in Thailand, Nepal, and mostly India. Overall, it was an incredible journey. Right now, we're renting a one-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex just outside Barcelona's city center for 300 euros, or about $314, a month. We got a great deal because we know the landlord. We're planning to buy a home eventually, so for now, we're focused on saving up for that. Living abroad makes me feel freer. The weather, the greenery, and the greater safety as a woman are all amazing. I also feel better spiritually because interactions feel less competitive and transactional. It's really allowed me to slow down and give myself more grace. I don't see myself returning to the US — at least not willingly unless it's for an event, like a funeral, or to take care of something serious for a couple of weeks. Read the original article on Business Insider
