Hbuzz

Going Deep

Water Man: Koyo USA General Manager Hiroshi Usami photo: Macario

The Japanese have been guzzling the stuff. Now, it's Hawaii's turn to drink up. On Nov. 20, Koyo USA Corp., bottlers of desalinated seawater, will open the Ma Ha Lo Hawaii Deep Seawater Showroom at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. Since 2003, Koyo, located at Kona's Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii complex, has been pumping ocean water from 3,000 feet below the Kohala Coast's azure surface. Koyo takes most of the salt out of the seawater, but leaves a host of minerals, which company officials claim aids in the absorption of vitamins and digestion.

Deep Seawater is arguably one of Hawaii's most successful and least complicated exports. Koyo processes more than 200,000 1.5 liter bottles and another 100,000 500 ml bottles a day at its Kona plant, all of which are shipped to Japan. However, it's the first company to gain FDA approval to sell desalinated bottled water in the U.S and, by next July, will be able to process approximately 1 million bottles a day.

The 1,200-square-foot, street-level Seawater Showroom will feature a deep seawater "museum," which will chronicle the movements of ocean currents throughout the globe and explain the health benefits of a steady diet of deep seawater. In addition, thirsty visitors can purchase bottles of Ma Ha Lo at the showroom's water bar. Prices hadn't been determined at press time, but company officials believe they should be similar to the water's Japan prices of $2 for a 500 ml bottle and $6 for a 1.5 l bottle.

"This will be a different type of shop. It's more about selling the image of the water," says Hiroshi Usami, general manager of Koyo USA Corp. "We believe this is the best water in the world."

- David K. Choo

By the Numbers

The latest survey by the Hawaii Council on Economic Education (HCEE) aims to create a how-to manual to be distributed to local high schools. The survey focuses on the backgrounds of the faculty and administration at each school. A previous survey of the students indicated a substantial variation in the economic literacy among Hawaii's public schools.

Although Hawaii does not require its social studies teachers to have an economic background, the preliminary findings of the survey show a strong correlation between high-scoring schools and teachers with at least four to six college economics courses. "By in large, enthusiastic teachers generate successful students as well," says Michael Kimmitt, a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Hawaii, who is working the HCEE study.

The final results will be presented at HCEE's third annual conference on Nov. 8. Educators and members of the business, nonprofit and political communities will be present, as each has a vested interest in the economic literacy of Hawaii's graduates. Says Kristine Castagnaro, executive director of the council, "We need to educate Hawaii's future work force and graduate students so that they understand how to make informed decisions."

- Lori Anne Tomonari

63%

A new study states 63 percent of American workers more often hear about important company matters first through rumor. Global research and consulting firm ISR states it found that "rumors prevail because many business leaders are poor communicators." ISR research also revealed that public companies "where employees say their bosses are poor communicators are more likely to perform poorly on the stock market."

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