Straight Facts About Valentines Day Provided by the US Department of Commerce

Valentine’s Day 2013: Feb. 14

Expressing one’s love to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine’s Day; whereby sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection. Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine’s cards with their fellow classmates.

Candy

1,155

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2010, employing 35,074 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 121, followed by Pennsylvania, with 114.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2010, NAICS code (31132) and (31133),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2010. These establishments employed 17,526 people. California led the nation in this category, with 49 establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns: 2010, NAICS code (31134)
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

$13.5 billion

Total value of shipments in 2011 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Codes 311320 and 311330,
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ASM_2011_31VS101&prodType=table>

Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was an $8.8 billion industry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures, Products and Service Code 311340,
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ASM_2011_31VS101&prodType=table>

3,365

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (445292),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

24.7 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Industrial Reports, Confectionery: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/cir/historical_data/ma311d/index.html>

Flowers

16,182

The total number of florists’ establishments nationwide in 2010. These businesses employed 70,575 people.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (4531)
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

$880,893,904

The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2011. Flower bouquets are a popular gift for loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The total value of fresh cut roses in 2011 was $365,453,189.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Foreign Trade Division USA Trade Online U.S. Import and Export Merchandise trade (Commodity code-060319)
<https://www.usatradeonline.gov/>

Jewelry

23,739

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2010. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2012, these stores sold $2.66 billion in merchandise.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (448310),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/> and Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services <http://www.census.gov/retail>

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,453 jewelry manufacturing establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, NAICS code (339911),
<http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

“Please Be Mine”

28.6 and 26.6 years

Median age at first marriage in 2012 for men and women, respectively.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/marital.html>, Table MS-2

53%

The overall percentage of adults who reported being married.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html> Table A1

68.8%

Percentage of people 15 and older in 2012 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements: 2012,
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html> Table A1

38.3

The provisional rate of marriages per 1,000 people performed in Nevada during 2010. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.6.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics,
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/marriage_rates_90_95_99-10.pdf>

2.1 million

The provisional number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2010. That breaks down to nearly 5,800 a day.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics,
<http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/marriage_divorce_tables.htm>

74.5%

The percentage of women who married for the first time between 1990 and 1994, who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 83 percent of women who married for the first time between 1960 and 1964.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009,
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 4

6.2%

As of 2009, the percentage of currently married women who had been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women had been married for at least 15 years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 9

Looking for Love

393

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2007. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2007_US/00A1//naics~8129902>

Try Looking Here . . .

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine’s Day:

Rose City, Texas	Rose City, Mich.	South Heart, N.D.
Loveland, Colo.	Darling, Minn.	Loveland, Ohio
Romeo, Colo.	Sacred Heart, Minn.	Loveland Park, Ohio
Lovejoy, Ga.	Heart Butte, Mont.	Love County, Okla.
Loves Park, Ill.	Valentine, Neb.	Loveland, Okla.
Lovington, Ill.	Lovelock, Nev.	Lovelady, Texas
Romeoville, Ill.	Loving, N.M.	Loving County, Texas
Rosemont, Ill.	Lovington, N.M.	Valentine, Texas
Romeo, Mich.	Love Valley, N.C.	Rose Hill Acres, Texas
Rosemont, Md.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder
<http://factfinder2.census.gov>

Giving Love a Second Chance

19.5%

Percentage of people ever married twice as of 2011. Five percent have married three or more times. By comparison, 75.3 percent of people who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B12505&prodType=table>

8

Median length, in years, of first marriages that ended in divorce.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 8

3.8 and 3.7

The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage for men and women, respectively. However, the two medians are not significantly different from each other.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>, Table 8

9% and 7.9%

Among people 15 and older in 2009, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who had married twice and were still married.
Source: Number, Timing, and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: 2009
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdf>

Hawaii House Unanimously Passes PLDC Repeal

The Hawaii House of Representatives unanimously passed HB1133, which would repeal the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC).

House Lawmakers held a public hearing last Saturday to engage the community in considering a variety of options for dealing with the PLDC that ranged from overhauling the administrative rules to repealing the corporation. Testimony from the five-hour hearing made it clear where the public stood on the issue.

On Monday, the Committees on Water and Land (WAL) and Finance (FIN) voted unanimously to advance an outright repeal of the PLDC to a full vote on the House Floor. Today’s vote sends HB1133 to the Senate with a clear message that the House and the public support a repeal of the controversial Corporation.

“The public, in oral and written testimony, voiced its displeasure with the PLDC with an overwhelming number of people calling for repeal of the act,” said WAL Chair Cindy Evans (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala). “Clearly, the way it was structured, the public came to a point of understanding that the authority we gave the corporation bypassed county plans and zoning laws. Democracy spoke today with the passage of HB1133.”

 

State Launches New Teen-Focused Obesity Prevention Campaign

During a special premiere at the State Capitol, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) today launched a new teen-focused multi-media campaign to combat obesity. The campaign is part of a comprehensive set of interventions being implemented by the DOH to address obesity prevention.

Students, legislators, media and obesity prevention advocates were provided a preview of many of the television, radio, print and movie theater ads that will run statewide. The campaign will begin on Feb. 15 and run through May to reach youth ages 12-18. The campaign will also utilize social media outlets to reach the target audience.

“It is essential that these messages resonate, starting with Hawaii’s teens, so we enlisted their help in creatively developing how they will be presented,”said Gov. Abercrombie. “This campaign represents an ideal nexus of state government working with local students to ensure that public information messages intended for teens are effective and impact.”

The campaign’s TV, radio and print ads were produced with the help of Hawaii middle and high school students. After initial focus group testing with teens to determine the concept, 10th graders from Island Pacific Academy acted as youth advisers for the campaign, advising DOH staff on the look and feel of the logos and print ads.

In addition, the theater ads were entirely student-produced videos submitted by Aikahi Elementary, Aliamanu Middle, and Waianae High Schools, which were finalists in the 2012 Olelo Youth XChange video competition.

“The campaign counters the attractive promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks that are popular with our teens,”said Health Director Loretta Fuddy. “Our goal is to begin the conversation with our youth on how marketing influences their over-consumption. We have found that Hawaii teenagers have a great deal of purchasing power, so it’s important that they are made aware of how their decisions are swayed.”

 

Consumption of some unhealthy items, such as sugary drinks, is highest in the teen population, with nearly all teens (93 percent) reporting consumption within the past week. One-half (48 percent) reported consuming of at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day.

A 2012 survey of over 600 Hawaii teenagers also found that 63 percent of teens have more than $11 each week to spend any way they want to; over one-half of these had more than $20 of disposable income each week.

While 27 percent of high school students are currently overweight and obese, the figure is much higher among adults at 57 percent –more than one of every two adults. “With overweight and obesity rates more than double between high school and adulthood, it is important to address the issue with teens while they’re young and before they grow into adults,”added Director Fuddy.

Marketing messages around healthy eating and active living is a nationally recognized strategy to address obesity, and it is a fundamental part of the Hawaii State Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan. The state’s media campaign is integral to a comprehensive effort to reduce obesity and the chronic disease in Hawaii. The theater, television, radio, and print ads are funded with Tobacco Settlement funds.

 

Sharks Sighted Off Waikiki Beach

Tad Tamura writes:

Two sharks spotted offshore from the Sheraton Waikiki; Monday, 2-11-13.

They swam around the shallow area beneath the walkway for about an hour. There was at least one honu (turtle) in the area at the time. Don’t know what happened to it.

Posted with permission:

Published on Feb 11, 2013

copyright 2013 TT Hawaii Production/ Tad Tamura
No use without permission.
contact: tdtamura@yahoo.com

Waimea Artists’ Guild Programs at Kanu O Ka ‘Āina School

Two new classes, Fundamentals in Art and Beginners Ballet, come to Waimea March 1-22, 2013, continuing the arts program series presented by Waimea Artists’ Guild (WAG) in partnership with KALO.

Professional designer George Detchev brings 15 years of teaching experience in Santa Monica, CA to Waimea for his Fundamentals in Art class.  Encouraging each individual’s talent, Detchev will work with students in watercolor and pastels to seek out the creative spark, to discover the artist in everyone.

Ballet instructor Youlia Doneva has danced, taught and achieved prestigious awards in Bulgaria, Italy, and the United States during the last 25 years.  Employing Russian Ballet techniques to highlight the graceful and exquisite dancer in each student, Doneva teaches a wide range of dance steps, basic ballet movement, position coordination, stretching and creative dance.

“We are so thrilled to have George and Youlia join our community,” said Beth Mehau, Executive Director of The Pantry, of which WAG is a component.  “They are so generous with their talents and they are bringing an amazing enthusiasm and energy into the programs.  If you have ever wanted to try your hand—or your feet—at art or dance, this is a great opportunity to work with highly-skilled teachers, right here in our own backyard.”

Both Fundamentals in Art and Beginners Ballet classes will be held on Fridays, March 1-22 at Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter School in Waimea.  Cost is $85 per person for four weeks of instruction.  To register, please call The Pantry at (808) 887-2289.

Fundamentals in Art Program by George Detchev

Fridays, Fridays, March 1-22

Keiki 6-10 years old, 4 to 5 p.m. (12 Maximum)

Age 11 years and up, 5 to 6 p.m. (12 Maximum)

$85 per person for 4 weeks of instruction

Beginners Ballet with Youlia Doneva

Fridays, Fridays, March 1-22

Keiki 6-10 years old, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (12 maximum)

Age 11 years and up, 5 to 6 p.m. (12 maximum)

$85 per person for 4 weeks of instructions

Kanu o ka ‘Āina is a free public school for grades K-12 with focus on Hawaiian culture, located in Waimea.  To reach the school, turn onto Kamamalu Street at the “Taco Tako/Waimea Brewhaus” intersection; pass the Police Station on your right; stay on this road through a sharp left bend and look for the campus on your right.

The Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which includes Waimea Artists’ Guild, the Friday Night Crew youth group, and Mama’s House Thrift Store.  WAG is an association of professional artists whose intent is to produce art and promote education in their community.  For additional information, contact: Beth or Tom Mehau at The Pantry, 887-2289.

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