The Department of Public Works handles a broad range of areas. They include 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. The department undertakes all other public works projects, except for matters relating to parks and recreation and water supply.

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

TOTAL DPW BUDGET

FY 2001-2002

TOTAL DPW EMPLOYEES

As of 6/30/02

By Division

The Automotive Division is a support service responsible for the repair and maintenance of all vehicles and equipment of the county except such equipment as may be more practically maintained by the department having control thereof, as determined by the director of Public Works. The division furnishes parts, accessories, gasoline, diesel, lubricants and tires.

Our goals and objectives are to continue to maintain the fleet of vehicles and equipment so the employees of the county will always have safe operable vehicles to use. We would like to reduce our repair order backlog by 5 per month.

One of the challenges for this year was that of maintaining the fleet of vehicles and equipment with minimum manpower and financial resources. We were tasked and challenged with the responsibility of keeping the vehicles and equipment in safe operating condition with minimum staffing and a requested reduced budget from management to balance the fiscal year.

1. Administration – Provides overall administration of the division, reviews the
   adoption of new codes and policies, renders decisions on code issues. Monitors division finances and manpower needs.
2. Inspection - Receives, reviews, issues and provides inspections for building,
   plumbing and electrical permits to assure compliance with code
   requirements. Collects fees for permits issued.
3. Design & Construction – Involved in the planning, maintenance, design, bidding, and construction of County owned building facilities. Assists other county agencies with CIP and maintenance programming. Assigns house numbers to all new and existing buildings.
4. Repair & Maintenance – Provides for the maintenance and repair of existing County buildings. In-house personnel undertakes assignments involving carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting work. Provides back- up janitorial services for the County Building and the Lagoon Center County offices. Provides delivery of mail between agencies in the County Building and Lagoon Center.

Reviewed and processed: 3,497 building permits

2,697 plumbing permits

3,349 electrical permits

The Engineering Division’s main responsibility is to plan, design, review, and construct road, bridge and flood control facilities. The division also implements and enforces applicable regulatory requirements of Chapter 10, Hawaii County Code (HCC), grading, grubbing, stockpiling, Chapter 22, HCC, work within county right-of-way, and Chapter 27, HCC, flood control. The division reviews subdivision, ohana, variance and change of zone applications.

The $10 million Mohouli Street Extension project, our first new major street since the completion of the Komohana Street Extension in 1967, was completed and opened on April 15, 2002. The extension provides a direct link between Hilo and lower Kaumana by passing Waianuenue Avenue.

Construction of the Puainako Street Extension project is continuing and is still scheduled for completion in 2004. The current construction cost is $30 million.

All major flood damage work has been completed or is now under construction. Current cost of repairs caused by the November 2000 flood now totals $8.7 million. Major flood damage repair work that has yet to be started includes repairs to the Waiakea, Pahala and Alenaio Flood Controls and bridge repairs in Pahala. The Waiakea and Pahala Flood Control repairs are in the process of being contracted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Alenaio Stream repairs, sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, are ready to go upon receipt of required federal permits. The bridge repair project in Pahala is being designed by a consultant.

To minimize impacts of future flooding in Hawaii County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in the process of be revising flood (FIRM) maps in the Waiakea area. We have also entered into cooperative agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop new flood control projects for the Waiakea, Palai and the Keopu-Hienaloli Streams.

Our surveying section has completed 54 survey projects and requests and is assisting in land acquisition for project construction.

Project activities include completion of 26 construction projects valued at $18.4 million, six projects under construction valued at $26.1 million, and the administration of 16 consultant contracts valued at $9.6 million.

Regulatory Activities - Reviewed, approved, and inspected 626 permits for driveways, work within County rights-of-way, grading, grubbing and stockpiling. Reviewed and approved 125 subdivision applications, 252 construction plans, 18 ohana applications and inspected 42 subdivisions.

The Traffic Division is responsible for all activities necessary to install, operate and maintain street lights, traffic signals, and traffic signs and markings on the County highway system.

• Administration - Provide overall management of the division's three operating functions in the administrative and technical aspects of the various traffic programs. The administrative aspect includes budgeting, resolving complaints, maintaining Traffic Division’s personnel and traffic records, obtaining Federal funds, training personnel and educating the users of County highways. The technical aspects include reviewing plans and specifications, investigating complaints, completing studies and reports, and recommending improvements in the various operating functions.

• Street lights and Traffic Signals – design, install, operate and maintain street lights and traffic signals and continue the design and implementation of energy and fuel conservation programs.

• Traffic Signs and Markings – install and maintain traffic control signs and pavement markings.

• Parking Meters – not funded.

• Administration

• Street Lights

• Traffic Signals

• Traffic Signs and Markings

• Parking Meters - not funded.

The Highway Maintenance Division is responsible for maintaining over 900 miles of roads in nine maintenance districts.

Activities include cutting grass; maintaining road shoulders; trimming trees and overhang; repairing and patching potholes; installing and replacing guardrails; repairing and maintaining bridges; cleaning and maintaining culvert and drainage systems; constructing sidewalks, retaining walls and headwalls; continuing with in-house resurfacing projects; establishing safety programs and conducting training; responding to emergency callouts caused by accidents, hazardous material spills and natural events such as fires, storms, etc.; responding to complaints from the public; and assisting other departments as needed.

Maintained 903.72 miles of roads:

Resurfaced or paved 7.65 miles of various County roads using in-house personnel:

Completed new Kona Road Baseyard Office in Honalo. Office will serve as West Hawaii Civil Defense Command Post as necessary.

Coordinated construction of Kalapana Lava Viewing Road. Assisted with the manning of a command post, barricades and road blocks.

Assisted in removal of trees that blocked Wailoa Stream. Waipio Valley Homes Protection Project coordinated with National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Completed major cleaning of Keopu Heights Subdivision flood channel in the North Kona District.

Continued in-house resurfacing program. Program continues to be well received by communities islandwide.

Continued in-house work for November 2000 flood-related projects.

Continued to assist various departments and agencies through work order requests. For example, assisted with various Parks & Recreation projects including Hawaiian Beaches Park, Pahoa Swimming Pool, Hilo Race Track and Hilo Bayfront Soccer Field.

Continued to respond to various emergency callouts caused by accidents, hazardous material spills, and other natural events (fires, storms, etc.).

Continued the construction of sidewalks, retaining walls and headwalls, installation or replacement of guardrails, culverts and other drainage facilities, and monitored tree trimming islandwide.