State roundup for June 24

Kauai food hub idea unpopular

LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — A majority of Kauai farmers surveyed say they aren’t interested in a food hub, a concept that would create a centralized processing facility.

Seventy percent of the 23 farmers who responded to a survey in a county-funded study said they weren’t interested in collaborating with other growers to promote their products.

The concept for a food hub arose out of two studies to determine if it’s feasible for the county to boost the island’s food and agriculture industries by subsidizing a community kitchen and mobile or modular slaughter, chill and processing facility.

“Our rationale was that it makes sense to combine activities because you have a lower overhead instead of having it rely on one entity to carry all of the fixed costs — you can share it among four different components in a food hub,” said Jerry Ornellas, president of the Kauai Farm Bureau.

The $50,000 study was conducted by Auburn, Calif.-based consulting firm Claggett Wolfe Associates.

Diver’s body found off Maui

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — The body of a 32-year-old man who had been diving in Maui off the Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission in Paia has been recovered.

Paia firefighters on Friday recovered the body of Linho Pelep of Kahului. Pelep had been diving with friends at about 10 a.m. and became separated. They called for help at 11 a.m.

Firefighters recovered the body about 25 yards off shore. Pelep was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hanauma Bay snorkeler dies

HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police say a woman died in an apparent drowning while snorkeling Sunday at Hanauma Bay.

The 42-year-old woman experienced problems about 70 yards off shore shortly before 10 a.m.

She was taken to shore and was experiencing difficulty breathing. She then lost consciousness and had no pulse. Ocean Safety personnel performed CPR on her and her pulse resumed.

She was transported to a hospital in critical condition by Emergency Medical Services personnel but died at the hospital.