May 14, 2004

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

There is a housing crisis in Hawai‘i County. Housing that is within the price range of the average resident is hard to find in many areas. West Hawai‘i is the hardest hit by this crisis, particularly North Kona and South Kohala. Prices of homes in other districts are also increasing rapidly. People are forced to move to less expensive areas without infrastructure such as water and paved roads. Substandard subdivisions in Puna, South Kona and Ka‘u are the only places left on the island where many of our residents can afford to live.

Definitions of affordable housing rely on the median income for a household. For a family of four, the median income in the County of Hawai‘i is $51,000. This means that half the households in the county make more that $50,500, and half make less than $51,000. In this article, all references to median income assume a family of four.

There are different categories of affordability. It must be realized that while a home costing $258,000 is considered affordable for a family making 120% of the median income, this price is well above what many of our residents can afford.

Government’s role varies with the category of affordability.

• 140% of median ($71,400) and above – 25% of the households in the county. The private sector will generally address the housing needs of households in this category.

• 80% to 140% of median ($44,300 to $71,400) – 30% of households in the county. Government action may be necessary to meet the housing needs of these households. Policies that encourage the construction of affordably-priced housing units can assist households in this category.

• 80% of the median ($44,300) and below – 45% of households in the county. Households in this category are usually dependent on government assistance. HUD Section 8 rental housing subsidies and state-run housing projects assist this group.

It is significant to note that nearly half of the households in the county make 80% of the median or less, and are generally dependent on government assistance and programs.

To help residents with their housing needs, the County is doing the following.

• Section 8 rental subsidies – An ongoing program, federally-funded income-based rental subsidies are administered by the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD).

• Development of housing units – The Development Division of the OHCD has been reactivated after several years of inactivity. This Division works on developing affordable housing units throughout the island.

• Waikoloa – The County owned around 300 acres of land in Waikoloa that was given to the County for affordable housing. A portion of this was developed in the early 1990s as Paniolo Estates. A master plan for the rest of this land (270 acres) is being prepared now, and later this year the County hopes to partner with a developer to build affordable housing units in Waikoloa.

• Affordable housing policy – The County has an affordable housing policy included in the County Code that sets affordable housing requirements for private developers. A revised policy has been drafted and sent to the County Council for consideration. The new policy contains provisions to encourage developers to actually build affordable units instead of paying an in lieu fee to the County. This proposed policy is discussed in the following article.

• Encourage housing in urban core areas – It is good planning to encourage housing in urban core areas, where people can live near where they work. This can reduce traffic on our roads and, by decreasing people’s commute time, improve the quality of life for our residents.

It is alarming to think that 45% of our households are dependent on some sort of government help for housing. We have a tremendous responsibility to do what we can to work with developers and others to increase the number of affordable housing units available for our residents.

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The County’s affordable housing requirements for private developers are contained in Chapter 11 of the Hawai‘i County Code.

Under the present requirement, 10% of units constructed by a developer must be affordable to families at 140% of the median income. A developer can request to pay an "in lieu" fee to the County instead of providing actual affordable units. This fee presently comes out to $472 per unit developed. For example, the total in lieu fee for a 100-unit housing development is $47,200. The intent of the in lieu fee is to provide the County with money to build affordable housing units if the developer does not. However, the amount of money assessed is so small, it does not provide enough funds to actually build any housing units.

A proposed revision to the Affordable Housing Policy has been sent to the County Council for consideration and approval. This new policy would put "teeth" in the code, and give developers real incentive to actually build affordable housing units or else pay a considerable in lieu fee to the County so that the County can build units.

Under the proposal, a developer could satisfy his affordable housing requirement in several ways. A developer could either:

• Provide some affordable units within a project;

• Provide some affordable units off-site (at another location); or

• Pay an in-lieu fee

These options are discussed in more detail below.

One way to satisfy this requirement is to actually build affordable housing units in the development. The number of affordable units required depends upon the size of the development and the price they will be sold at. For example, twenty percent of units can be provided at prices that are affordable to families earning no more than 140% of median income. Ten percent of the units can be provided to families earning no more than 120% of median income. Or five percent of the units can be provided to families earning less than 80% of median income. Affordable rental units are also an option for developers to satisfy the affordable housing requirement.

Another option for a developer is to provide the required affordable housing units at a different site than his main development (but within 15 miles).

If a developer does not want to provide actual affordable housing units, a fee would be assessed equal to 10% of the difference between the actual sales price of the units and the affordable price for a family of four earning no more than 120% of the median income. For example, if the units in a project sold for $400,000, the in lieu fee would be about $15,000 per unit because the amount considered affordable at 120% of median is about $250,000. The in lieu fee would be capped at a maximum of $17,000 per unit. The in lieu fees would then be used by the County to support affordable housing opportunities in the same general area.

The new policy would give developers an incentive to build affordable units instead of paying the in lieu fee. This incentive would allow the number of units (the density) of a development to be increased by 10%, and the lot size reduced by 10%.

This proposed affordable housing policy will put real teeth into the County Code, and give developers with an incentive to provide affordable housing units for our residents.

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, has announced a new funding opportunity for faith-based and community organizations: the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building awards. The Office of Community Services will award some of the available funds to faith-based and community organizations that address the needs of at-risk youth.

Up to $50,000 in funding is available to each grantee for a 12-month project period and no matching funds are required. The total anticipated funding is $5 million for approximately 100 awards. The application process for these awards has been designed to make it less cumbersome for potential grantees. For example, the Project Narrative, including the Table of Contents, must not exceed 8 pages.

The goal of the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted-Capacity Building awards are to help promising organizations bolster their sustainability and ultimately be able to serve more people on a continuing basis. Applicants must describe their plans for using the funds to improve their organization in a sustainable way.

To request a program announcement and application or for general questions, contact Eduardo Hernandez at 1-800-281-9519, email ocs@lcgnet.com. Applicants with questions on program issues should contact Kelly Cowles at 1-800-281-9519, email ocs@lcgnet.com. Questions dealing with grants management issues should be directed to Barbara Ziegler at 1-800-281-9519, ocs@lcgnet.com.

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The County of Hawaii will hold sub-regional community information meetings on the Puna Regional Circulation Plan. The meetings will be held at several locations throughout the Puna District including:

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 6 p.m.
Nanawale Longhouse, 14-855 Kehau Street

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.
Cooper Center, Wright Road

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 6 p.m.
Mt. View School, 18-1235 Volcano Hwy.

Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 6 p.m.
Keeau Community Center

An "Open House" review of maps and planning materials will occur for the first 30 minutes. The informational meeting will begin shortly thereafter.

The primary purpose of the meeting is to provide a general overview of the project to the community and receive community input on transportation issues. This transportation study will address future needs for automobile, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit corridors. The Puna Regional Circulation Plan was initiated to evaluate existing regional transportation systems and propose future transportation elements. This transportation plan is intended to be a community based process that encourages participation and input at public meetings.

A Project of the County of Hawaii Planning Department.

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Recycle Hawai`i today announced the latest collection dates for their "Do-It-Yourself" used motor oil collection program. This program is sponsored through a grant from the State Department of Health and administered by the Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai`i.

The oil collections will specifically target residential "Do It Yourself " motor oil changers. The overall plan is to reclaim and recycle DIY used motor oil thereby preventing contamination of the Island's ground water and precious natural resources.

To further promote used motor oil recycling and inform the public of Recycle Hawai`i's growing number of permanent used motor oil collection sites, Recycle Hawai`i will be giving away absolutely free, new WEDCO 12.5 quart used oil drain pans. Drain pans will be given free to the first participants that arrive at each collection site on the scheduled day. Giveaways are limited to supplies on hand and are distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis. The drain pan is manufactured from recycled content and features a 1-1/4" opening with high quality seals that ensure a safe and convenient leak-proof container. The unique removable funnel snaps into the side cavity for easy storage. This reusable container will facilitate secure temporary storage of DIY residential used motor oil and can be easily used to transport reclaimed oil to a permanent, used motor oil collection site.

Recycle Hawai`i suggests a few important details to remember when managing and returning used motor oil:

• ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS include used motor oil, gear oil, shock oil, hydraulic oil, transmission oil, and diesel. Please, do not mix any contaminating substance with used motor oil.
• UNACCEPTABLE MATERIALS which contaminate used oil include gasoline, water, chlorine, brake fluid, solvents, thinners, paints, and antifreeze.
• UNACCEPTABLE CONTAINERS include any sort of bleach/chlorine/Clorox and pesticide containers. A clean plastic container with a screw top lid, such as a milk or juice jug, is suggested as an appropriate container for transportation.
• No more than 3 gallons of used motor oil per person will be accepted at each site.
• You must register your name and address when dropping off used oil at one of the permanent drop off sites.
• Contaminated used motor oil cannot be accepted at these permanent drop off locations. Residential contaminated used motor oil can be disposed of at the County Household Hazardous Waste collections held twice annually, June and December, in Hilo at the Hilo Transfer Station and in Kailua-Kona at the Kealakehe Transfer Station. The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection days will be June 19^th in Hilo and June 26^th in Kailua-Kona from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. If you have large quantities of residential used motor oil to dispose of please contact the County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

"We're beginning to see residents come in with drain pans that we distributed at earlier collections," remarked Carmen Kinsey, Recycle Hawai`i's West Hawai`i Coordinator. "All people want is a convenient location to recycle their oil. Our intention is to educate residents about our six permanent collection sites:

These sites are open weekdays and Saturdays and are conveniently located around the Big Island. Specifics about the permanent used motor oil collection sites (locations, hours, and contact phone numbers) can be found on the Recycle Hawai`i web site and in the Hawai`i Island Recycling Guide available at most island transfer stations and upon request." Call us and leave your mailing address to receive a Guide in the mail.

Questions regarding permanent motor oil collection locations and the Residential Used Motor Oil Collection Program should be addressed to Recycle Hawai`i at 961.2676 or 329.2886, or visit the Recycle Hawai`i website at: www.recyclehawaii.org.

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The County Office of Housing and Community Development has conducted and prepared an Analysis of Impediments (AI) for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and is informing citizens of accessibility of the AI.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires states, small cities and entitlement communities receiving federal funding for CDBG programs to certify that they are actively working to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH). To certify that a state or community is affirmatively furthering fair housing, HUD requires that they (a) conduct an AI to Fair Housing, (b) identify and implement activities aimed at overcoming the identified impediments, and (c) develop a system by which the activities undertaken to overcome the identified impediments may be monitored and documented.

The AI identifies existing barriers to fair housing and outlines a process for addressing those issues. It consists of four basic components:

1. An overview of the demographic and housing market conditions in the area, with particular attention devoted to the relevance of these topics to housing choice;
2. A profile of fair housing in the area, including current laws, policies and practices, as well as any fair housing complaints filed;
3. An overview of any market and public impediments to fair housing; and
4. A summary of actions, planned or recently undertaken, designed to eliminate identified impediments.

The AI will be accessible from April 16, 2004, at the Hawai`i State Public Libraries in Honoka`a, Kamuela, Kohala, Pahala, Kailua-Kona, and Pahoa, and also at the following locations, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays:

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The County of Hawai`i Office of Management will hold a series of public meetings regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations which require the abandonment of large-capacity cesspools by April 5, 2005.

The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulations, particularly to clarify the applicability of the regulations to land owners who may be utilizing large-capacity cesspools for wastewater disposal.

Possible alternative wastewater disposal systems available and potential means of financing the costs of upgrading the large-capacity cesspool with County, state and federal funds will also be discussed.

Schedule of Meetings: (Group meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified. One-on-one follow-up meetings will be held between meetings. If necessary, the personal consultations may be extended, by appointment, to the following day.)

For further information, please call Margarita Hopkins at 961-8369.

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Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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The 22nd Annual Keauhou Kona Triathlon will be held Sunday, May 30 with around 800 participants expected. The half Ironman distance event begins at 6:30 a.m. with a 1.2-mile swim in Kailua Bay. The 56-mile bike ride will go from Kailua Pier up Palani, left on Kuakini to Makala Blvd., right on Makala and then left on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. Participants will ride to around the 72 mile marker, .3 mile past the South Kohala (Mauna Lani) Fire Station, and return.

Please note, traffic on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway will be slowed to 45 mph between Makala Blvd and Mile Marker 72 from 7 a.m. until noon. Please exercise extreme caution to keep race participants, volunteers, and motorists safe.

The bikers will return the same route to Kailua Pier. The 13.1-mile run will go from Kailua Pier south on Alii Drive, past Keauhou Shopping Center and up onto the Hokulia Bypass Road. Runners will return along Alii Drive and finish at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort. Southbound lane of Alii Drive will be closed from Kailua Pier to Keauhou Shopping Center from 8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Please drive carefully.

For questions, contact Keauhou Kona Triathlon at 329-0601 or kkt@keauhoutriathlon.com Volunteers and spectators are welcome!

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Join the family fun on May 15 at Parker Ranch Center, Waimea, Big Island.

A host of fun-filled, stimulating activities will be sprawled end-to-end at Parker Ranch Center May 15 for the Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest. In its fifth year as North Hawaii's premiere wellness festival for families, Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest offers 60-plus hands-on educational and health-related activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Headliners include two keiki bouncers and a Momentum climbing wall for lots of exercise, plus three massive mobile vans catering to different themes: Just Think Mobile with computer brain games, Care-a-Van Dental Mobile for free oral hygiene and Labman Hawaii with fitness testing. Also on tap is a Country Clovers 4-H Livestock Club petting zoo, Bee Keeper, Jumping for a Healthy Heart, Wave Tank for Tsunamis, water play table, free zany photos and balloons, non-stop entertainment, ice cream eating contest and much more. As a community service, in cooperation with the Department of Health, local police will make keiki ID cards and do keiki car seat installation checks. Do you know if your child's car seat has been recalled?

With a focus on well being, the festival itself is a game for both keiki and adults. Upon arrival, all children receive a Healthy Keiki Passport. Each time they complete a booth activity, they'll receive a color sticker on their passport. When the passport is completed, keiki receive a ticket for one free climb or bounce. A $1 donation is requested for any additional turns on the climbing wall and bouncers to benefit Keiki Fest.

In addition, keiki and parents also receive Parker Ranch Center's Passport to Fun. This passport offers a scavenger hunt geared for keiki and their parents: an "I Spy" game for adults at Parker Ranch Center businesses. Upon completion, families are eligible to win a grand prize valued at $250-a Parker Ranch Wagon Ride for 10 plus lunch at the Parker Ranch Center Fireside Food Court. For info, 885-8344.

Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest is a free, community-wide event organized by volunteers throughout North Hawaii. Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest is sponsored in part by Parker Ranch Center, Dahana Ranch, Tutu's House, Foodland, KWXX Radio, Waimea Elementary/Waimea Middle Schools, and Dairy Queen.

Income from Parker Ranch Center goes to support the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust created exclusively to benefit healthcare, educational and charitable organizations in the Kamuela community. The beneficiaries of the Trust are Parker School Corporation, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, North Hawaii Community Hospital, and the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Parker Ranch surrounds the town of Waimea and spreads between the Kohala Mountains and Mauna Kea. The Parker Ranch Center is approximately 37 miles by car from Kona International Airport and approximately 57 miles by car from Hilo Airport. For more information, visit the Parker Ranch website at www.parkerranch.com.

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Be a "cool" parent - take your family to the Saturday, May 15 Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest at Parker Ranch Center and indulge in a free lilikoi shave ice while digesting some "cool" advice to help your keiki feel better about themselves and make better personal choices in the years to come.

Waimea Power of Choice and Big Island Good Beginnings Alliance have joined together to co-sponsor a booth at the free, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest. Parents, grandparents and caregivers are invited to spend a few minutes at the Waimea Power of Choice-Good Beginnings Alliance "Too Cool To Do Drugs!" booth to learn to help their children feel good about themselves.

Why? Loads of research confirms that a child's positive self-esteem is probably the most important defense against substance abuse. Children with higher self-esteem do better in school, have better relationships with peers, and generally make better personal decisions guided by stronger acceptance of family values. So says Angela Thomas of Waimea, Big Island coordinator for the Good Beginnings Alliance and an early childhood expert.

Advice isn't always so easy to swallow so it will come with tasty bites of cool lilikoi shave ice. And, while parents, grandparents, and caregivers enjoy the icy treat and talk story with volunteers about how to help children develop positive self-esteem, kids will get to color a poster to take home. The poster features 10 ideas to help parents raise kids who are "too cool to do drugs."

The combination of parent and keiki activities and refreshments make this a great place to take a break during the Fest and discover a helping hand. The booth will be located near the Castle Bouncer and climbing wall.

"Parents can always use more help to do a better job," says Angela Thomas. "Sometimes they need a little added support and ways to communicate with their kids. A lot of parents think they have to be buddies with their kids. Kids already have buddies; they need parents."

"If babies get off to a good start in the first year," according to Thomas, "they are far less likely to do drugs or become involved with anti-social behaviors. By one year old, a child has learned they have value or not. This is a very, very critical time for brain development, for learning whether you make a difference, the strength of initial relationships, and how you fit in to your family and the community."

Waimea Power of Choice is one of the four task forces that make up North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition. What started as community response to the ICE crisis has grown into a far-reaching network of health, education, law enforcement, social and faith-based organizations with a common goal: to keep the Big Island the best place to live on the planet.

Early childhood groups like Good Beginnings Alliance approach the issue of substance abuse from a "Begin at the Beginning" point of view.

"Positive self-esteem is THE best prevention against drug abuse," says Thomas. "Positive self-esteem, as established and encouraged by parents, provides children when they are in situations that put them at risk, the strength of character to make the right choices."

To find out more, stop by, enjoy shave ice, and find out something you didn't know before -- maybe even something you're doing right!

For more information, call Thomas at 887-1228 or George Roldan, chair of Waimea Power of Choice, 938-0558.

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Chronic drug house activity is a major cause of neighborhood decay and most drug house activity is on rental property. The Landlord Training Program is designed to help owners and property managers keep illegal drug activity and other criminal activity off their property.

Date: July 19, 2004 at the Outrigger Waikoloa

Cost: $20 per person (due at time of registration)

Effective property management can have a major impact on the health of a community. There are legitimate techniques which can be used to stop the spread of drug activity on rental property. The training includes:

• The role of the landlord
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
• Applicant Screening
• Rental Agreements
• Ongoing Management
• Resident Involvement/Community Building
• Warning Signs of Drug Activity
• Crisis Resolution
• Working with the Police
• Section 8 (Subsidized Housing)

Included with the training is a comprehensive manual, complete with applicable laws and references.

This course has been approved for six hours of Hawaii Real Estate CE elective credits (two elective CE credits). Additional fee: $15.

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The 2004 EMS Run is dedicated to the memory of Mandy Shiraki, Danny Villarios, and Ron Laubacher, who recently lost their lives while flying to the Big Island for a medical transport. We have commissioned a special commemorative t-shirt to honor our fallen heroes.

Bring the entire family for a day of fun at the park.

Check out the displays and entertainment for the kids.

The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry will be conducting a FREE bone marrow donor registration and testing. Potential donors must be between 18 & 60 and in general good health. For more information, call the Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry at 1-877-443-6667.

Proceeds to benefit the Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry and also help a County of Hawaii Firefighter’s 3 year old son in his battle with leukemia.

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Hawai‘i Community College announces a three-part marine naturalist lecture series in Kona. Each class – Whales, Dolphins, and Turtles - is three hours and the registration fee is $35.00 per session.

Register for just one or all three. Hannah Bernard, one of Hawaii‘s noted marine biologists, will teach the classes.

WHALES: March 17 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or March 18 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

DOLPHINS: April 8 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or April 9 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

TURTLES: May 26 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or May 27 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

**Please note that all Evening Sessions above are at Kealakehe High School. All morning sessions are at Kona Outdoor Circle.

For more information, call Kathy Kirk at 895-4939.

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The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay is currently accepting applications for its Teen Parent Scholarship. The scholarship awards a Hawaii Island teen parent with up to $1,000.00 to be used to continue his or her adult education.

The simple two-page application is available at the Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Prince Kuhio Plaza customer service counter as well as at the Community Technology Center Hawaii at 200 Kanoelehua Avenue Suite 105. Completed applications are due no later than May 31, 2004.

"We are extremely pleased to once again be able to award a deserving teen parent with this scholarship," said Mike Gleason, President of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay. "Faced with the additional responsibility of raising a child of their own, it is often difficult for teen parents to continue their adult education.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Were 19 years old or younger at the time they first became a parent

• Are currently a parent and primary caregiver of at least one living child under 18 years of age

• Are a current resident of the Big Island of Hawaii

• Will have received a high school diploma or equivalent by September 1, 2004

• Are currently attending or planning on attending an accredited institution of learning including but not limited to Hawaii Community College or the University of Hawaii at Hilo

Applicants can be either male or female. Applicants do not need to have just graduated from high school; parents who have stayed home to care for their child and now want to return to school are eligible.

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Please join Recycle Hawaii for a fun, interactive, and informative 2-Part workshop on home composting. The first half of our workshop will discuss how to save money and our environment by composting at home. Master Composter/Recycler, Piper Selden, will cover basic composting techniques, bins and bin management, common problems and solutions, loads of composting tips, ideas, and ways to use the finished product as lawn and garden "food," mulch and compost tea. Take a tour of our new compost demonstration site and see working bins in action. All are welcome to join the fun!

Worms are fun--and useful too! The second half of this interactive workshop will explore vermicomposting in Hawaii. Composting with worms is an easy and fun way to save money and turn your kitchen scraps into garden "gold" or free fishing bait. Highlights include a "How To" demonstration on setting up a simple home wormbin and workshop on basic worm composting. We will also explore different types of wormbins, basic management, harvesting methods and more. A few wormbins (and worms) will be given away to lucky workshop participants as "door prizes," so come join us to learn about composting and worms in Hawaii.

A free compost hoop will be given to each family participating. This project is funded by the County of Hawaii to satisfy county obligations under a consent agreement with the state Department of Health for past solid waste violations. Events will be held:

BEGINNING COMPOSTING/VERMICULTURE - Saturday, May 1, 2004, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Mohala Pua Garden Center (next to Tex’s Drive-In, Honoka`a).

More . . .

ADVANCED COMPOSTING/VERMICULTURE – Saturdays:
May 8 & May 15 at Kalani Honua Retreat Center, Kalapana
June 12 – Hamakua Organics Farm, Honoka`a
June 26 – Hi`iaka’s Healing Garden, Kea`au

For more information and directions check recyclehawaii.org or call our Infoline at 961-2676 or 329-2886.

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There is a bumper crop of free mulch currently available at the Hilo Transfer Station, which is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the mulch program.

Residents may self-load the mulch for free or receive loading assistance from the site operator for a fee ranging from $10 - $40 depending on vehicle size.

Thanks to the participation of all the island’s residents and businesses, nearly 18,000 tons of greenwaste were diverted from landfills in 2003 under the County’s diversion program and processed into high quality mulch for the public.

In Kailua-Kona, the Kealakehe Transfer Station base yard is still accepting drop-offs of greenwaste, while a new public pickup area is being prepared for the processed mulch. The free mulch program will resume at Kealakehe sometime in March or April once the site modifications are completed.

For more information, please contact the County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

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There are several telephone numbers for residents and visitors to use to call police, fire, and emergency medical services. The most important of these is the 9-1-1 emergency number.

You should dial 9-1-1 only for an emergency. An emergency may be defined as any serious medical problem (such as chest pain, seizure or bleeding), any type of fire (such as in a home, a car or a building) or any life-threatening situation (such as a fight or a threatening person with weapons).

The 9-1-1 operator will take the information needed to dispatch police, fire fighters, or emergency medical personnel.

You should not call 9-1-1 for a non-emergency. Instead, for non-emergencies, you should dial the listed seven-digit non-emergency telephone number. The number for the Police Department is 935-3311; the number for the Fire Department, 961-8336.

A non-emergency incident may include a property damage accident, a break-in to a vehicle (when the suspect is gone), a theft of property (when the suspect is gone), vandalism (when the suspect is gone), panhandlers, intoxicated persons who are not disorderly or cars blocking the streets or alleys.

In addition, the Police Department has set up several hotlines for residents to report suspects in drug and other crimes. Among the important numbers to remember are the 24-hour vice and drug tip hotlines. These numbers offer residents an anonymous method of reporting suspected drug distributors or users as well as other vice issues such as prostitution, gambling, or other related crimes.

There are two drug and vice tip hotlines, one for East Hawaii and one for West Hawaii. The telephone number for East Hawaii residents is 934-"VICE" (934-8423); the number for West Hawaii residents, 329-"ZERO-ICE" (329-0423).

When you call, you will be asked to provide information. You do not have to provide your name, address, or telephone number. All information is kept strictly confidential and within the Criminal Investigation Division.

If you witness a drug crime, or any other crime, requiring an immediate police response, then call the 9-1-1 emergency number. A patrol unit will be dispatched to the area.

Finally, there are the anonymous Crime Stoppers telephone numbers to report criminal suspects. Like the drug and vice tip hotlines, there are separate numbers for East and West Hawaii.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in East Hawaii or 329-8181 in West Hawaii. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. You will be given a coded number and your identity will remain anonymous. You also may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if your call leads to an arrest, indictment, or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to "Caller ID," nor does it record phone calls.

For more information on numbers to call for assistance, you can visit the Police Department website at www.hawaiipolice.com. The site offers numerous numbers to call for assistance. Here, you will find the following information:

• "Community Policing" -- if you want to set up a Business or Neighborhood Watch program, the number for your neighborhood. -- under "Community Policing."
• "Police Hotlines" -- if you are a victim of domestic or sexual abuse, a variety of numbers to help you find law enforcement. -- under "Police Hotlines."
• "Driver Licensing" -- if you want to acquire or renew a driver's license, the number of the nearest driver licensing station.
• "Firearm Registration" -- if you want to register a firearm, the number of the nearest firearm registration station.
• "Contacts" -- if you want to contact a specific officer, the number of all Police Department sections and district stations.

If you are in doubt about whom to call for assistance, just remember to call the police non-emergency number -- 935-3311. The dispatcher who answers the phone can put you in touch with the person you should talk to.

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Director of Sea Grant from UH Manoa, Dr. Gordon Grau and Director from the School of Architecture for the Environmental Systems Laboratory at UH Manoa, Dr. Stephen Meder will be the Visiting UH Directors on the topic Smart Community and Building Design: New Directions in Hawaii.

The third in the free public lecture series offered by Hawaii Community College and its UH Center, West Hawaii in partnership with UH Manoa will be presented on Thursday, May 27, 2004 from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott ballroom.

The lecture will focus on issues related to development, transportation, and building design as they effect the quality of life within our community, Hawaii with its limited land and resources, provides a tangible metaphor to investigate the cultural, societal, economic, and environmental impacts of growth on a regional, national and global scale. Large scale planning, urban design and building design will be discussed by contrasting existing practices with new methods such as smart growth development principles and high performance building design strategies.

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The U.S. Department of Education is currently accepting applications for the Migrant Education Even Start Family Literacy (MEES) grant. This program is intended to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy of migratory families by improving the educational opportunities of these families through the integration of early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program. Because this grant employs the "novice applicant priority," faith-based and community organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Organizations that have never received a grant or subgrant under the MEES program; have never been a participant in a group application that received a grant under the MEES program; and have not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal Government in the five years before the deadline date for applications under the MEES program are considered novice applicants and will be awarded an additional five points.

Applications that would create Federal, State, and local partnerships; build networks among novice applicants and experienced MEES projects; and build networks with agricultural employers are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives has produced a technical assistance Webcast that will be available on our Web site (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/grants.html#migrant) beginning Monday, April 12th.

A sample quality proposal from a previous competition is also available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/grants2.html#migrant.

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County Agent/Community Educator Nancy Honda is the featured speaker at a workshop entitled "Fruit Flies-Having Fruit Fly Problems in your Yard, or Is it your Neighbors?". If you’re interested in protecting your peaches and many other fruits, come to this workshop and we’ll partner and solve this problem. Come and learn how to make your own fruit fly traps.

For further information, call Nancy Honda at UH Cooperative Extension Service at 959-9155.

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Family ASTRO is a national program to help parents (and other caregivers) to get more involved in their children’s science education, and to spend more time together enjoying hands-on activities. At these evening or weekend events, about 5 to 10 families get together to conduct experiments, play games and explore a particular topic in astronomy.

Family ASTRO brings science to kids and their parents in a fun and comfortable setting. Parents are able to work with their kids to explore hands-on experiments and learn more about a particular topic in astronomy. No astronomy background is required, and take-home games are provided free to families to help them continue the fun at home.

Family ASTRO seeks Event Leaders to bring this program to more youth groups in Hawaii.

Event Leader training will be held in Waimea on April 7, May 12 and June 17th from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. at W. M. Keck Observatory headquarters in Waimea. There is no fee to attend. Activities are designed for children ages 7 and up and their parents or guardians. Event leaders will get supplies and games to lead their own family science nights for groups of 10 or 20.

For registration and more information, please contact Laura Kraft at 881-3827 or e-mail lkraft@keck.hawaii.edu.

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You are cordially invited to attend the 'People Helping People’ Substance Abuse Intervention Training session for community advocates.

When: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sat., June 26, 2004

Where: The Fairmont Orchid.

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The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Puala Community Service and Business Leadership Awards recognize individuals, businesses, and/or non-profit organizations that exemplify a commitment to the improvement and advancement of the community in five award categories. Categories include the Community Education Award, Environmental Awareness Award, Business Innovation, Lifetime Service, and Culture & Heritage. Nomination forms and details are now available at the Chamber office. Contact Cyndy, Kathy, or Joy at 329-1758.

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U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development presents a workshop on "Tips and Techniques on Writing Federal Grants" hosted by Cooperative Extension Service - Kona University of Hawaii. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 from 9:30am - 1:00pm at the Kona Cooperative Extension Office 2nd floor, 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kainaliu (across from Aloha Theater). To register, or if you have any questions, contact Ramona at HUD at 808-522-8185 ext. 249 or email: ramona_mullahey@hud.gov or mail to: 500 Ala Moana Boulevard Ste. #3A, Honolulu, 96813. Registration deadline is Friday, May 28, 2004. Please include name, email & mailing addresses, phone number and organization name. This workshop is free of charge.

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(No road work scheduled.)

Where/Location: North Kona – Alii Drive by Hale Halawai Park.

What: Install Freight Loading Zone.

Where/Location: Puna – Nanawale Estates Subdivision.

What: Repaint centerlines.

Where/Location: South Hilo – Hualalai Street at Kapiolani Street and Kilauea Avenue.

What: Thermoplastic crosswalks.

Where/Location: South Hilo – Kaumana Drive at Lele Street.

What: Thermoplastic crosswalks and pavement arrows.

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Remember that cell phones and all other distractions increase your chances of having an accident. If you must use your cell phone while driving on a regular basis, consider reducing your risk by purchasing a miniature headset or hands-free device at your local electronics store.

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(Pana‘ewa, Hawai‘i) – Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors work on a fiber optic cable system in the Pana‘ewa area. From April 26^th thru April 30^th Island Mechanical Hawai‘i will be boring and trenching in the following locations (see overall project map for specific locations):

• Along Pu‘ainako Street between Railroad Avenue and Kanoelehua Avenue – Lane Diversions
• Along Pilipa‘a Street from Pu‘ainako Street for approximately 300 feet – Shoulder Work
• *Along Holomua Street from Maka‘ala Street for approximately 200 feet – Shoulder Work

The work will start at 8:00 am and continue until 3:30 pm during the weekdays, weather permitting. Contractors are in their 1^st week of work and estimate that this leg of the project (known as Kaei Hana) will be completed at the end of June 2004. Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow for extra travel time. Questions can be referred to Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509.

Mahalo for your patience and cooperation!

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We encourage everyone to use web-based calendar links. Please add your own events to the respective calendars so others can get the word and not conflict with your plans.

County of Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
State of Hawaii: http://www.state.hi.us/calendars.htm
Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau: http://calendar.gohawaii.com/
Hawaii.com: http://www.hawaii.com/live/
Alternative-Hawaii: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/calendar.htm
Kamuela.com: http://kamuela.com/calendar/default.asp
Hawaii Nonprofit Community Events (HCF): http://www.hcf-hawaii.org/hcf/hcfg/comcal.jsp
Hawaii Public Radio: http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/psa.htm
Hawaii Theatre Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawaiitheatre
UH at Hilo Theatre Events: http://performingarts.net/Theatre/seasoncalendar/calendar.pl
Waikoloa Village: http://www.waikoloa.org/WVCalendar.html
Public School (click on your school): http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0203/index.htm
Hilo Downtown Improvement: Go to www.downtownhilo.com (click on Hilo Activity Guide, and follow directions on how to submit an event.) For information call Alice Moon at 933-9772.

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