Closed in Error on Google Places, Merchants Seek Fixes-NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/technology/closed-in-error-on-google-places-merchants-seek-fixes.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=Sept%205&st=cse#

This article ran September 5, 2011 in the New York Times. We were contacted by the writer David Segal- he had seen a post I had put up on a Google support forum site. Twice in 2 1/2 months someone had clicked a link on the Google Places page reporting that we were permanently closed. I had gone to the Google Places site for us and atleast 6 times had clicked the link where it said we were closed reporting to Google that we were not and giving all my contact info so they could validate I was the owner. I didn’t get any response and we were still listed as closed. Finally I searched online for telephone numbers. First one had a final message that they had no live person or voice message for Google Places. Second number I did get to talk with someone, however Google Places was not their Department and she suggested I go online to the Google Places support Forum. This I did and apparently David Segal [the writer at New York Times] saw my post and contacted us.

Many folks are using iPods etc. as they travel and click on to Google Places to find businesses in the area in which they are travelling. We know we lost business. It is our hope that Google will in the future make an effort to contact listed businesses before they report them as permanently closed. Secondly we are greatfull to David Segal for writing this article.

www.macadamiameadows.com

It’s a wonderful day on the farm:) Fortunetly any damage here in Hawaii from the earthquake which originated in Japan was realatively minor.   On Ali`i Drive ,in Kona, right at ocean edge , there was a little damage , but nothing too substancial. Ali`i Drive is open to the public and ready for business.

 As for our farm, when we were looking for property, a little over 14 years ago now, I asked a lot of questions and fortunetly for us local folks were more than willing to share their experience. From our tennis court you get a great coastline view of the ocean [from the B&B rooms it's orchard views]. But are we right on the ocean?  No.  Days like today- glad of it.

Flights are coming in, great recent activety at Volcano National Park. We have guests who are hiking in to Green Sand Beach today and my husband and I went down to Punalu`u Black Sand Beach this afternoon. Lots of tourists visiting the beach today. It’s about 82f this afternoon. Great day to be visiting paradise.

www.macadamiameadows.com

Ed- Mauna Kea

Our son-in-law Ed, was visiting us in Hawaii, and here he is in front of one of the 13 telescopes located on the summit of Mauna Kea from 11 different countries. There are more telescopes located in one location here, than anywhere else on earth.

As you travel up Mauna Kea you come to the Information Center located at the 9,000 ft. level. Inside the center they have a small theater area where you can view films about many aspects of astronomy. Near dusk telescopes are set up out side the center and you have the opportunity  with the help of volunteers to focus on the beauty of the beautiful night sky from one of the premier locations on earth.                             

Mauna Kea Information cneter located at 9,000 ft. elevation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beauty of the sunset at the summet of Mauna Kea is beyond words. So here’s a photo.

Mauna Kea Sunset

                                          

 

From our farm estate to the summit is a 2 1/2 hr. drive. Yes it takes some time, but we do have guests who want to use our central location as a base for seeing the island, who travel up to the summit from our farm.

There is so much to see and do here on the Big Island. If you are in to nature- the “real” stuff, not the Disneyland version of Hawaii- come visit us.

      www.macadamiameadows.com

 

Ed at Kahuku Ranch

Today was a GREAT day!! We have a wonderful natural area that most visitors to the Big Island of Hawaii have no idea exists, literally right up the road  from us.  My son-in-law [who's visiting] and I drove in and hiked  the trail they have open.  In the information sheet the rangers give out you are invited to “Keep your camera and binoculars handy. Watch ‘apapane sip nectar from red lehua and ‘amakihi probe koa for insects. Search the sky for high-flying ‘io (Hawaiian Hawk)”. On July 3, 2003 Kahuku Ranch was added to the public lands of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. However, it’s been open to the public for just about a year now; open on Saturdays and Sundays only and the hours are  from 9AM to 3 PM. First Saturday of each month is open to hunters. They hustled us out today saying there’s a $100 fine if you stay after 3 PM. So come stay with us, get a good nights rest and after a sumptuos farm breakfast head out and get an early start. If you like nature in it’s purest state, you’ll love this area of the island.

 Ed is taking a picture on his cell phone of the Forested pit Crater we hiked to. It is a huge crater and the picture doesn’t do it justice. As you leave the area you are asked to brush off your clothes and shoes to make certain you don’t take any seeds etc. out of the area [the other pic]

Moa

Here’s a picture of our new baby chicks. Moa [chickens] were introduced into Hawaii by the first Polynesians. Many folks think the Polynesians brought the chickens with them purely as a food source. Most people do not know how critical they are to insect control. With the help of our free ranging Hawaiian chickens we’ve been able to farm our Macadamia Nut orchard pesticide free for over twelve years now. Looking for a peaceful, natural setting? Want to enjoy the islands in the manner of the first Polynesians? Welcome to our farm!

www.macadamiameadows.com

It was our great pleasure to meet you both and host you on our farm  during such a life altering event.

John & Liesel

When you think back, in the future, to your wedding and Honeymoon here in Hawaii, we want to thank you for allowing us to be a small part of that memory.

Here’s wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.

Charlêné & Cortney

www.macadamiameadows.com

One of the questions I am always asked on my orchard tours [we give comlimentary, educational orchard tours to guests] is “when is the harvest season for Macadamia Nuts?” Most folks are surprised to learn it is year round. Now we do have a high season when we produce more Macadamia Nuts, and that is about the middle of July through the middle of January. However, Macadamias are always in production, and if you would like to arrange to pick some Macadamia Nuts yourself while you visit- simply ask. A bonus is- we charge 1/2 price for Macadamia Nuts you pick yourself [note we only offer this chance to folks who stay on our farm].

All the above leads me to share with you two great photos I took on February 25, 2010. Sierra [5 yrs old] and her brother Nathan [7 yrs old] were a joy to have on our farm- and did a fantastic job of picking them selves some Macadamia Nuts to take home .  Nathan hand husked the shells [very impressive- and if you want to know what that means come visit us and I'll show you what he did]. The photo on the left is of the two of them picking nuts- and on the right is part of the rewards of their picking- 3 bags of nuts- all wrapped up in netting- topped off with ribbon- and ready to go.

Sierra & Nathan picking Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia Nuts- picked and ready to take home

Orchard Tour

Aloha

Papakaleo Green Sand Beach

The other day we took some time to enjoy where we live. You know how it is, when you live some place- you don’t get to do what your guests do most of the time. You have to work! We enjoy helping our guests get the most out of their vacation, helping them get to the special places that will make their vacation not only a great memory but a wonderful experience. And spending time giving complimentary, educational orchard tours often is the highlight of my day. It’s fun to give folks a unique experience and I often get to educate folks a little about farming- and how to take care of our land. But it’s great to enjoy where you live off the farm once in awhile, especially if it’s a wonderful location like Hawaii; and Green Sand Beach is literally right down the road from us.  So here’s the beach- and yes it really is GREEN. Want to know why? Come visit and I’ll be glad to fill you in 

Walking along the ocean on the way to Green Sand Beach

We’re a great location to visit Papakaleo Green Sand Beach as well.

Come see all that the south part of the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. http://www.macadamiameadows.com