Hawai'i residents were a little more punctual with their credit card payments during the first quarter, with their delinquency rates dropping slightly.

TransUnion LLC, a major U.S. credit agency, reported Hawai'i's 90-day delinquency rate fell to 0.90 percent during the January-to-March quarter. That ranked it as 39th highest among all states and Washington, D.C.

That compared to Hawai'i's 0.95 percent delinquency rate in the October-to-December quarter. Hawai'i's average credit card debt was $5,831, or fifth highest nationally.

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SEEKS APPLICANTS

The Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai'i is seeking applicants for its Agricultural Leadership Program. The 16-month program is geared toward leaders from Hawai'i's agricultural, natural resources management, and rural community sectors. Recruitment information and application forms are posted on ALFH's website: www.agleaderhi.org.

The deadline to apply is July 2. The program will start in September and finish in December 2011. The Foundation will hold a series of informational meetings in Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, and on Maui, Kaua'i and O'ahu from June 9 to 22. Program leaders will be there to answer questions and discuss details and personal experiences relating to the Agricultural Leadership Program.

MT. KA'ALA COFFEE TO OPEN ILIKAI SHOP

Mt. Ka'ala Coffee Co., a North Shore coffee roaster and wholesaler, plans to open a coffee shop in the Ilikai Hotel this summer.

John Alvarez, who's been in the coffee roasting business for 15 years, will partner with entrepreneur Ted Spradlin to open the shop in August. The store will feature Mt. Ka'ala coffee, pastries from Signature Sweets and other North Shore products. It will be on the lobby level in an existing retail space that will be renovated.

Alvarez was previously a partner and roadmaster for Coffee Gallery in the Haleiwa North Shore Marketplace.

"We are pleased to have signed this new lease with Mt. Ka'ala and welcome them to the Ilikai," said Lesley Love, senior vice president for iStar Financial Inc., which owns the Ilikai.