Home Page | Site Map | Annual Report Main Page | Annual Report Fiscal Year 2000-2001

Roles and Duties

The Department of Public Works handles all matters relating to engineering; public and private building construction and inspection; construction inspection and maintenance of public streets, highways, and bridges; acquisition of public and private properties for public purposes, design, operation and maintenance of traffic signals and traffic control devices; sewer construction and the operation and maintenance of five sewer systems; solid waste disposal and landfill programs.

Public Works is also a key support agency for Civil Defense emergencies.

Effective December 4, 2000, the Department of Environmental Management was created to manage the solid waste, wastewater, and recycling programs of the county.

TOTAL DPW BUDGET FY 2000-2001

TOTAL DPW EMPLOYEES

As of 6/30/01 By Division

Automotive Division

Highlights/Activities

Developed through a consultant a new program to process all of the fuel bills generated as the Inter-Department billings to departments and agencies. The Automotive Division now has the capability of processing fuel bills within a few days versus a tedious process of almost three weeks.

Assisted the Highways Division when the heavy storm and rains hit the island in November 2000, by working extra hours repairing the equipment and vehicles needed to clean up the debris.

Built and installed a mezzanine for the Traffic Divisions Signs and Markings section.

Built and installed a gate for the new temporary roadway at the end of Route 130 in Kalapana.

BUILDING DIVISION

The Building Division issues building, plumbing and electrical permits for all structures regulated under the building code. In fiscal 2000-2001 the division issued 3,233 building permits, 2,561 plumbing permits, and 2,783 electrical permits with a construction valuation of $ 378,363,568.00. For those permits the division conducted 20,750 inspections or about 83 inspections per day throughout the county’s 4,000 square miles.

This division is also responsible for the maintenance of all police, fire, public works, and administrative facilities and assists in the planning, design, and construction of new county facilities. This past fiscal year the division began the

$ 7 million renovation of the One Pauahi (former JC Penney building) county office facility. When completed in early 2002 this building will house the Department of Public Works Administrative, Building and Engineering divisions, the Real Property Tax Office, the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office, the Civil Service Department, the Planning Department and the Treasury Division.

Engineering Division

Highlights/Activities

The Komohana Street Bridge was constructed at a cost of $4.8 million. The construction was funded entirely by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Due to the importance of the bridge, the project was fast-tracked and the road was opened up to traffic just two months after the start of construction.

In addition, we have been collaborating with the FHWA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the repair of other flood-related damage totaling approximately $11.5 million.

The $9.6 million Mohouli Street Extension project, our first new major street since the Komohana Street Extension completed in 1967, is nearing completion. The

$22 million Puainako Street Extension project has started and is scheduled for completion in 2004.

Our surveying section has completed 64 survey projects and requests, and is assisting in land acquisition for project construction.

Project activities include completion of 14 construction projects valued at

$16.2 million, 14 projects under construction valued at $41.7 million, and the administration of 17 consultant contracts valued at $9.8 million.

Regulatory Activities -- Reviewed, approved, and inspected 1,024 permits for driveways, work within County rights-of-way, grading, grubbing and stockpiling. Reviewed and approved 160 subdivision applications, 107 construction plans,

9 ohana applications and inspected 47 subdivisions.

Project Activities

Highlights/Activities

Maintained 861.16 miles of roads:

South Hilo 271.27 miles

North Hilo 27.46 miles

Hamakua 65.75 miles

North Kohala 27.46 miles

South Kohala 81.37 miles

North Kona 115.74 miles

South Kona 26.04 miles

Ka’u 60.15 miles

Puna 185.92 miles

Resurfaced or paved 44.94 miles of various County roads using in-house personnel (FEMA work included):

South Hilo 3.36 miles

North Hilo/Hamakua 3.45 miles

North/South Kohala 5.35 miles

North/South Kona 4.48 miles

Ka’u 3.30 miles

Puna 25.00 miles (18.9 miles for FEMA work)

All districts worked diligently to repair and restore roadway infrastructure damages caused by the November 1-2, 2000 flooding.. Received an award of recognition from the American Public Works Association for construction of an 11-1/2 mile State Route 11 bypass road in Ka’u.

Assisted with various Parks & Recreation projects including Hawaiian Beaches Park, Hilo Bayfront Soccer Field Complex, Laaloa Park, and Equestrian Center.

Responded to various emergency call-outs due to accidents, hazardous material spills, and other natural events (fires, storms, etc.). Constructed sidewalks and walkways, installed guardrails, constructed retaining walls and headwalls, and installed culverts and other drainage facilities islandwide.

Highlights/Activities

Four 75-cubic yard refuse trailers were refurbished and completely re-painted. By performing this type of maintenance, the life of the trailers will be extended and the vehicles will remain in good operational condition.

Listed below are the trailers that were repainted:

Month County ID Year Model

Jun 01 CH2240 1995 Hardee Trailer

Apr 01 CH2132 1991 Brothers Trailer

Mar 01 CH2177 1996 Brothers Trailer

Oct 00 CH2126 1991 Brothers Trailer

The County received a new Caterpillar Model 826G Compactor in October 2000 to supplement two 1991 Caterpillar D-8-N bulldozers at the Hilo landfill. The compactor is used to reach a higher density in compacted refuse, in an effort to extend the active life of the landfill. Signed lease contracts for one new dozer, two new truck tractors, and six new refuse trailers for equipment delivery next fiscal year.

The table below shows the amount of solid waste taken from 21 County transfer stations, and by commercial haulers and residents to the Hilo and West Hawaii landfills respectively for the past five fiscal years. The figures are in tons. The "Other" category represents solid waste taken by commercial haulers and residents to either landfill.

1996-1997 29,747 31,257 61,004 29,552 46,836 76,388

Contracted with a consultant to update our Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for the County of Hawaii. This State-mandated document will be used to guide the division in administering islandwide refuse and maximizing diversion of recyclable products to end markets.

Re-submitted the necessary application documents to the State Department of Health for renewal of the South Hilo landfill’s operating permit.

Contracted with a consultant for fire monitoring and suppression at the closed Kailua landfill.

The County has a contract with a vendor to mulch the greenwaste in both the East and West side of the island. During this fiscal year, 4,864 tons of green waste was mulched in the East Hawaii and 4,086 tons of green waste was mulched in West Hawaii. This amounts to a total of 8,950 tons of green waste diverted from the landfills.

The County has a contract with a Honolulu vendor to remove hazardous waste from the island. The hazardous waste material pickup is conducted twice a year from both the Hilo and Kona areas. Approximately 43,000 pounds of hazardous material was removed from the Hilo area and 28,000 from the Kona area for this current year. The hazardous material was shipped off-island to the state of Washington for disposal in a special waste landfill.

Continued with the Diversion Grants program for paper and other waste and glass to sustain and expand the recycling efforts on this island. A total of 1,920,038 pounds of glass were diverted from the landfills. The reimbursement rate has been increased from 8 cents a pound to 12 cents a pound for the next fiscal year to entice the vendors to divert more glass from the landfill.

The Division also, re-specified the size of the cover material used at the Hilo Landfill. Although more expensive per unit price, the new cover material is of a smaller size, covers refuse easier, is more readily compacted, and saves airspace volume at the landfill. Less cover material is required, thereby saving airspace volume and extending the active life of the landfill.

The Abandoned Vehicle Program falls under the management of the Solid Waste Division.

During this fiscal year, 6,930 tons of abandoned vehicles were removed from the Hilo area and 4,740 tons were removed from the Kona area. The total of 11,670 tons were shipped to Honolulu for processing.

Also, during this fiscal year, 694 tons of cut tires were disposed of.

Administration

Investigated 142 complaints of requests for repairs, improvements, studies, etc.

Processed 80 road-closure permit applications.

Reviewed 91 preliminary and final plans, including impact studies.

Street Lights

Operated and maintained 8,684 street lights (8,008 energized and 676 not energized). Included in these counts are 777 State highway lights,

444 DHHL lights and 89 bridge and parking lot lights.

Completed 2,210 street light maintenance work orders.

Processed 168 final joint pole applications with HELCO/HTCO.

Investigated 63 requests for new street lights.

Traffic Signals

Operated and maintained 50 traffic signal systems, one embedded flashing light and 9 flashing light systems on County highways.

Operated and/or maintained 33 (2 under construction) traffic signal systems and 25 flashing light systems on State highways.

Operated and maintained 1 traffic signal system for DHHL.

Received and resolved 928 traffic signal trouble calls with a minimum of delay.

Traffic Signs and Markings

Fabricated 2,617 new traffic signs; installed 2,245 traffic signs; installed 770 sign supports.

Painted 136 miles of pavement markings; installed 10,027 raised pavement markers.

Completed 1,431 work orders, trouble calls, police reports and sign deficiency reports.

Parking Meters - not funded.

Nearly all parking meter zones were eliminated by Ordinance number 0089, effective August 21, 2000.

Highlights/Activities

Subdivided and transferred ownership of the Old Hilo STP to the University of Hawaii and assisted in preliminary development of the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center.

Expanded the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant to include a 40 acre buffer zone, and initiated planning for constructed wetlands on the site to upgrade effluent quality, create habitat for endangered birds, and provide recreational opportunities for the public.

Initiated program to reduce infiltration into sewer system and reduced flows by

over 10%.

Completed renovations to Wailuku and Wailoa Sewage Pump Stations.

Completed construction of Waiakea Houselots and Paukaa Collector Sewer projects.

Continued coordination with Corporation Counsel to reduce seriously delinquent accounts.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES – FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001

Construction Completed Contract Cost

Paukaa Community Collector Sewer $ 1,920,750

Waiakea Houselots Collector Sewer Ph II $ 4,863,265

Old Hilo STP – Digester Tank & Pua SPS Cleaning $ 292,302

Wailuku SPS Rehab $ 521,991

Wailoa SPS Modifications $ 808,704

$ 8,407,012

Construction In Progress

Pahoehoe Sewage Pump Station $ 2,435,358

Banyan Drive SPS Rehab $ 388,500

Hilo WWTP – Repair Secondary Clarifier #1 $ 63,337

Hilo WWTP – Repair Secondary Clarifier #2 & #3 $ 179,732

FEMA Hazard Mitigation $ 193,204

Kealakehe Effluent Reuse Ph I $ 646,271

$3,906,402

Design Completed

Kaumana Gardens Collector Sewer $ 299,500

Kealakehe Effluent Reuse Master Plan and Ph IConstruction $ 355,000

Kailua-Kona Southern Zone Sewerage System $ 837,419

$1,491,919

Design in Progress

Puueo Community Collector Sewer $ 196,400

Ainako Aina-Nani Collector Sewer $ 300,000

Wailoa Sewage Force Main Replacement $ 150,000

Kulaimano WWTP UV Disinfection Upgrade $ 24,200

Waiakea Mill Pond Sewer Easement Improvement $ 31,325

Hilo Biotower Pump Replacement $ 12,100

Wailoa SPS Modification Project $ 28,300

Hilo WWTP Comprehensive Facility Review $ 325,257

$1,067,582

This page was modified on May 14, 2002
^©Copyright 2002 County of Hawaii, Hawaii

Home Page | Site Map | Annual Report Main Page | Annual Report Fiscal Year 2000-2001