November 19, 2004

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

The Hawai`i County Department of Civil Service wants to encourage members of the public to apply for the many employment opportunities available at the County of Hawai`i. This brief article aims to answer some of the most frequently-asked questions regarding recruitment for County jobs.

The County employs over 2,000 persons in different types of jobs in 20 County departments and agencies. Employees provide important public services in a variety of occupations including clerical, public protection, trades, labor/maintenance, recreation and professional specialties.

A legal resident or former resident of the State of Hawai`i can apply. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident alien of the United States, or have authorization to work in the United States. For identified difficult-to-fill recruitments such as the Police Officer I recruitment, the residency requirement is waived as permitted by Hawai`i State law.

You may telephone the County's job hotline at 961-8618 or pick up an application and recruitment announcement at the Department of Civil Service at Aupuni Center in Hilo or the Mayor's West Hawai`i Office at Hanama Place in Kailua-Kona.

Read the information listed on the recruitment announcement very carefully. Complete the application and return it by the closing date stated on the announcement. Applications must be received at the Department of Civil Service in Hilo or the Mayor's West Hawai`i Office in Kailua-Kona by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date or postmarked by the closing date if the application is mailed in to the Department of Civil Service.

Applications are reviewed by the Department of Civil Service to determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualification requirements for the class of work.

Applicants are then notified by mail regarding the following:

• Whether they met the minimum qualification requirements.

• When and where to report for any written and/or performance test. The examination may be written, performance, a training and experience evaluation, or a combination of these. Tests are given to measure your knowledge, skills and abilities for the class of work.

• Test scores. If you pass the examination, your name is placed on the eligible list in accordance with your test score. For those recruitments which are registration and for which no examination is conducted, your name is placed on the list in alphabetical order and the department interviewing for the vacancy will receive the entire list of names. Eligible lists are good for a period of one year, and any vacancies arising during the course of the year may be filled through these lists.

Based on test scores and an individual's availability, names are referred to the County department or agency that has the vacancy.

The department with the vacancy contacts the individuals referred, schedules and conducts job interviews. The department may select any one of those referred and interviewed and will notify each person interviewed of the department's selection decision.

The person selected must pass a pre-employment physical examination with the County physician to determine fitness for the job before being hired.

If you pass the examination, your name is placed on the eligible list in the order of how well you did on the examination. Your name stays on the list for a period of one year unless the list is depleted. Even if you don't score high in the examination, your name may be reached as time passes when higher scoring individuals are hired, decline a job or find other employment.

What are the benefits in being a County of Hawai`i employee?

• You will provide important public services to our Island of Hawai`i community.

• Pay and working conditions are good.

• Fringe benefits are generous and include the following:

* Vacation earnings and sick leave

* Holidays - 13 days per year plus general election day.

* Retirement - There are no deductions taken from an employee's salary. The County pays the entire contribution to the State's Retirement System.

* Social Security - The County matches the employee's social security contribution.

* Medical Plan - The County pays part of the premium and the employee pays the balance. There is a choice of health plans, and dependent children under the age of 19 are eligible.

* Vision, Drug, and Adult Dental Plans - The County pays part of the premium and the employee pays the balance.

* Children's Dental Plan - The County pays the entire premium for the dependent children under the age of 19.

* Group Life Insurance

* Workers' Compensation/Accidental Injury Leave/Temporary Disability Insurance.

* Other Benefits - Employees are eligible to join the County Credit Union, the Flexible Spending Plan, and the State of Hawai`i Deferred Compensation Plan.

For more information, contact the Department of Civil Service at (808) 961-8361.

Job Hotline: (808) 961-8618. Text Telephone: (808) 961-8619

Fax: (808) 961-8617 or email at jobs@co.hawaii.hi.us

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Construction work to widen Kuakini Highway, from Palani Road to Hualalai Road, commenced on November 8.

Kuakini Highway will be widened to four lanes for automobiles, including two through lanes in each direction, and a pocket lane for left turns where appropriate. In addition, there will bicycle lanes on both sides throughout most of the project. The construction will last 18-24 months.

One lane will be open at all times from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. while construction is in progress. Outside of these hours, one lane in each direction will be open.

We are most grateful for the public’s patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

The public is invited to a weekly update on the Kuakini Highway project, which will take place every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Kona Mayor’s Office conference room at Hanama Place. Light refreshments will be served.

The weekly Tuesday morning community information meeting on Kuakini Highway was held Nov. 16 at 7:30 a.m. at the Mayor's Office in Kailua-Kona.

Preliminary work on the project includes verification by probes and surface marking of underground utility locations.

Contractor Hawaiian Dredging is setting up headquarters on a vacant lot mauka side of Kalawa Street. There will also be a project baseyard at the corner of Kuakini Hwy and Henry Street.

The work on Kuakini Highway will be done in segments and will proceed generally from north to south. Work is starting on Olioli Street and the temporary connector road from Kalawa Street to Hualalai Road, with no significant traffic disruption anticipated at the present time.

A large project map and a complete set of plans are available for reference at the Kona Mayor's office.

The Tuesday morning updates will continue, and information will also be available via the County website.

For more detailed information on the construction, please contact Hawaiian Dredging Contracting Co., Inc. at (808) 483-4270. You can also call Pete Hendricks, Deputy Managing Director at 329-5226.

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AFFECTED AREAS: SOUTH KOHALA WATER SYSTEM (including Kamuela to Kawaihae Village, and Kamuela to Ahualoa to Pauuilo)

AFFECTED AREAS: HAINA WATER SYSTEM; HAMAKUA
                                       LAUPAHOEHOE WATER SYSTEM; NORTH HILO

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption in the above areas; and, due to repairs to the Laupahoehoe Well for Affected Area #4, the Department of Water Supply would like to notify consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

AFFECTED AREAS: KUKUIHAELE WATER SYSTEM; SOUTH KOHALA
                                       MAKAPALA-NIULI WATER SYSTEM; NORTH KOHALA

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption, the Department of Water Supply would like to remind consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

To reach the 10% reduction goal, here are a few tips:

Agricultural users should irrigate only at night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This measure reduces water loss due to evaporation and minimizes water system drain during peak demand.

Please conserve water.

For more information, please contact Dennis Lee at the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.

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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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Hawai`i County has Lowest Rate of Alcohol Sales to Minors

Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawai`i (MADD-Hawai`i) recently released its 2004 Survey of Retail Alcohol Sales to Underage Persons, which showed that Hawai`i County posted the lowest rate of alcohol sales to minors.

Alcohol compliance checks of randomly-selected local retailers are part of MADD’s and the Hawai`i State Department of Health’s efforts to combat the problem of underage drinking.

"Underage drinking is the most damaging and neglected youth drug problem in our community," said Carol McNamee, Founder of MADD-Hawai`i.. "According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is a key factor in the three leading causes of death among young people in America: traffic crashes, homicide and suicide."

A 2002 Hawai`i State Department of Health survey revealed that youth were easily able to obtain alcohol.

A key strategy in the prevention of underage drinking is to reduce access to alcohol.

MADD Hawai`i partners with all of Hawai`i’s county police departments and county liquor commissions to conduct alcohol retail compliance checks to determine the percentage of retail stores which illegally sell alcohol to minors in Hawai`i.

For the survey, underage decoys aged 18-20 years, with valid ID, attempted to purchase alcohol at nearly 500 stores randomly selected on O`ahu, Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i.

O`ahu retailers had the highest rate of alcohol sales to minors at a disappointing 18%, while Big Island retailers had the lowest rate of sales at 6%.

O`ahu results revealed that, while 66% of outlets asked youth for identification, many retailers still sold the item. The highest rate of alcohol sales to minors on O`ahu occurred at convenience stores followed by grocery stores.

The lowest rate occurred at gas stations.

Eric Lee, Senior Regional Manager for Tesoro Hawai‘i, said that as a business retailer, Tesoro Hawai`i recognizes the problem of underage drinking in Hawai`i.

"We believe that reducing youth access to alcohol is a critical step in preventing underage drinking," Lee said. "As a retailer, we pledge to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth – and I encourage all retailers to do the same.".

Executive Director of MADD-Hawai`i Connie Abram noted that in recent years the rate of alcohol being sold to minors has dropped, however the rates of illegal sales found in the survey represent an unacceptable level of alcohol sales to underage persons.

"Increased enforcement and education efforts are needed to heighten awareness among retailers in order to attain 100% compliance – and to keep our youth alcohol-free," Abram said.

The survey was funded by the Hawai`i State Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division through a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program.

MADD-Hawai`i was founded in the islands 20 years ago. The organization’s efforts include youth prevention and leadership programs that reached over 20,000 young people throughout the state last year. Its mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of drunk driving and prevent underage drinking.

For more information, contact MADD-Hawai`i at (808) 532-6753 or visit www.maddhawaii.org .

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Recycle Hawai`i announces the latest collection dates for its Do-It-Yourself used motor oil program, whose aim is to prevent contamination of our island’s ground water.

The oil collections will be specifically geared to residential Do It Yourself motor oil changers on November 20^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following rural locations:

• Ka`auhuhu (Hawi) Transfer Station
• Pahala Transfer Station.

Recycle Hawai`i will be giving away absolutely free, new WEDCO 12.5 quart used oil drain pans that day. Available while supplies last.

These reusable containers help to ensure safe temporary storage of residential used motor oil, and can be used to transport reclaimed oil to a permanent used motor oil collection site.

Here are a few important things to remember when managing and returning used motor oil:

• No more than 3 gallons of used motor oil per person will be accepted at each site.

• Larger quantities and contaminated used motor oil cannot be accepted at these locations at this time.

• 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 contaminates include solvents, gasoline, water, and chlorine, brake fluid, 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.

• Dropping off motor oil without registering your name and address at the site is illegal.

Please note that permanent used motor oil drop-off sites in Hilo, Kona, Ocean View, Pa`auilo and Waimea are open and available year round.

The six permanent collection sites are:

• Hilo Auto Recycling Center

• Kona Harley-Davidson
• Kealakehe High School Auto Shop
• Paauilo Village Service
• South Point U-Cart
• Waimea Auto Center

Recycle Hawai`i is actively seeking new locations islandwide. There is an immediate need for sites in South Kona and North Kohala.

For further information regarding permanent motor oil collection locations and the Residential Used Motor Oil Collection Program contact Recycle Hawai`i at 961-2676 or 329-2886, or visit the Recycle Hawai`i website at: www.recyclehawaii.org.

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To get the public familiarized with the new Beverage Container Law, Recycle Hawai`i will be conducting limited "practice" beverage container redemptions in East and West Hawai`i during November and December.

Prior to the January 1, 2005 effective date of the state’s Beverage Container Law, two practice redemption events will be held in East and West Hawai`i. The public will be able to redeem their eligible containers to selected locations on Hawai`i Island. In return, each eligible* container will be redeemed for 5 cents, with or without the "HI 5 Cents" label.

Please note there will be a $10 limit per transaction – and while funds last.

• U of H Hilo Library Lanai on November 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Kea`au Transfer Station on November 29 through December 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hilo Transfer Station on Saturday, December 4 from 7:30 am to 2:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Household Hazardous Waste Collection day at that site.

• Kealakehe Transfer Station from December 6 through 11. Redemptions will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the new Recycling Center located above the Kona Police Station. Bring your newspapers, cardboard, office and mixed paper, and non-eligible glass, metal and plastic items to recycle at the same time.

• Kealakehe Transfer Station on Saturday, December 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Household Hazardous Waste Collection day at that site.

During this transition period, some beverage containers still do not have the "HI 5 Cents" label. Once the Beverage Container law goes into effect January 1, 2005 only containers with the "HI 5 Cents" label will be redeemable for five cents each.)

*Eligible beverage containers include all nonalcoholic drinks (i.e. soft drinks, water, juice, tea drinks, coffee drinks), certain alcoholic drinks (i.e. beer, malt beverages, mixed spirits, wine coolers) in metal, glass or #1 & #2 plastic, up to 64 fluid ounces. Ineligible beverage containers include milk, wine and hard liquor.

For questions on the Beverage Container Law, contact the State of Hawai`i Department of Health’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch at 1-(808)586-4226 or visit www.hawaii.gov/doh  .

For questions on the "Practice Redemption" program, contact Recycle Hawai`i at 961-2676 or 329-2886, or visit the Recycle Hawai`i website at: www.recyclehawaii.org  .

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Carmen Kinsey, Recycle Hawai`i’s West Hawai`i Educator/Coordinator, will present a composting workshop in Ocean View on Saturday, December 4 at 1 p.m.

The class will take place at the Ocean View Community Center located at 92-8924 Leilani Circle in Ocean View. Please call 969-2012 to register, as space is limited.

Learn how to improve your soil, save money, better the environment, and even grow free fish bait... all in your own backyard. A free Presto composter will be given to each participating family, while supplies last.

West Hawai`i composting classes are funded by a generous grant from the Bill Healy Foundation.

For further information, call 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 next episode of Hugs Not Drugs takes place on Friday, December 10 all over the Big Island. Please join us. We’ll all be there: kids, community support groups, Neighborhood Watch groups, drug task forces, government agencies, the Police & Fire Departments, Big Island businesses and YOU.

Plus 11 Hawaiian Civic Clubs will salute the birthdate of Kamehameha V by supporting a healthier and safer Island.

Kailua Village-Kona 4-5:30pm:  Palani and Queen Ka`ahumanu. Info: Lil Beaufrere (325-0039) or konalil@hawaii.rr.com

Kealakekua 3:30-5:30pm:  Mauka of Konawaena Elementary School. Info: Chris Matsuoka (987-4510) or paikona@yahoo.com

Keauhou Shopping Center 4-6pm:  Ali`i Drive Entrance.  Info:  Mara Amone (324-6000) or rohanaalehi@aol.com

Waikoloa 4-6pm:  Corner of Waikoloa Rd & Paniolo Dr.   Info: Jan Sears (883-0583) or Jsearsconsulting@aol.com

Waimea 3-5:30pm:  Historic Church Row Park. Info: Angela Thomas (990-6754) or act216@hotmail.com 

Hilo Bay Front Chevron – Ironworks 3-6pm.  Info:  Henry Wana (938-5750)

Hilo: Kanoelehua Ave. fronting Kamaaina Nissan 4-6pm. Info: Jay Ignacio (969-0224) jignacio@hei.com or Sue Akim Seu (969-0127) sakimseu@hei.co

O`okala 3-5pm: Intersection fronting O`okala Gym.  Info:  Valarie Poindexter (962-0056) or val@ilhawaii.net

Pahoa 3-6pm:  Pahoa High School and at the Welcome to Pahoa Town Sign. Info:  Randy Like (982-9555) or kaipolike@hotmail.com

Pahoa 4-5pm: At intersection of Hwy 130 & Leilani Ave.  Info:  Roberta Hole (965-0330) or donutlady@intergate.com

Panaewa 3-5pm: Puainako & Kanoelehua intersection. Info: Pearl Haili (959-8136) or panaewa@turquoise.net

Volcano Village 3:30-5:30pm: Between Akasuka Store Hwy 11 - entrance of Golf Course. Info: Betsy Mitchell (967-7209)

Hawaiian Civic Club information and coordination:  Mabel Tolentino (887-9320)

To add a location or for information, contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 / 640-5066

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The County of Hawaii and its consultant Townscape, Inc. have completed the Ka’u to South Kona Water Master Plan Final Report, dated September 2004.

The Master Plan was initiated to address potential water sources and water distribution systems for the southwest portion of the Big Island. The objective was to develop a long-range plan to provide water for homes, commercial businesses and farmers in the Ka’u to South Kona region.

The plan is now available on the County of Hawaii website at: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/k2skwmp/info.htm .

Hard copies of the report will also be available at Pahala, Naalehu, and Kealakekua Public Libraries and at the Ocean View Community Association Center.

Townscape, Inc. wishes to thank everyone who contributed to this plan. We would also like to thank those who participated in the development of this plan, attended public meetings, and/or provided suggestions and help.

If you have any questions regarding the report, please contact Hilarie Keehne at 536-6999, ext. 103 or via email at hilariekeehne@townscapeinc.com .

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Back by popular demand! High-quality free mulch is now available at the new public pick-up area adjacent to the Kealakehe Transfer Station. The access to the new mulch pick-up area is directly across the street from the transfer station chutes. Residents may self-load mulch at the site from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Bring a pitchfork and help yourself.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7:00am-5:00pm. The green waste pick-up and drop-off area is just past the entrance to the transfer station chutes on the right-hand side of the road.

The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the free mulch program. At this time, loading assistance for small vehicles is available only at the Hilo location and fees range from $10-$40 depending on vehicle size.

If you want to arrange for a large truckload to be delivered to your residence, business, or farm, from either the Hilo or Kona green waste processing sites, please call the Big Island Recycling representative at (808) 306-1876 to make those arrangements.

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

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Kona Outdoor Circle is offering a full scholarship for the Master Gardener Certification Program offered by KOC, in cooperation with the University of Hawai’i.

The Julie M. Ellison Fund scholarship is for $225, which enables the recipient to complete the three series of classes offered annually. Participation in the three series of classes and passing the tests at the end of each series is required, along with volunteer hours, to complete the requirements for certification as a Master Gardener.

The scholarship fund was established in honor of Julie Ellison, who was born in the Islands. Her passion was landscape design, which she taught herself from the ground up by working at nurseries and on grounds crews.

She owned and operated her own landscape design business, The Art of Gardens, and was a two-time winner of Kona Outdoor Circle’s Beautification Awards. Sunset Magazine also featured her design work.

Following her death in 2002, the Julie M. Ellison Fund was established to provide scholarships for individuals participating in the Master Gardener Certification Program.

To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must be accepted into the Master Gardener Certification Program and state his or her intention to complete the certification process. Students who have already completed one or two series of classes are eligible, as well as new students in the program.

The application form for the scholarship is available online at konaoutdoorcircle.org or at the KOC office. The application deadline is December 15, 2004.

For further information, contact Kona Outdoor Circle at 329-7286.

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Community Alliance Partners, a team comprised of agencies and organizations that service the homeless population, is organizing outreach activities to enhance public awareness of homeless issues in Hawai`i County. The team is working to secure funding for projects that will assist homeless individuals and families in their goal of obtaining affordable housing.

In recognition of November as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, Community Alliance Partners has organized the following activities:

Food Drive - Any non-perishable food items are welcome. Donations collected will be given in support to the Hawai`i Island Food Bank.

Wailoa State Park, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for this homeless event. Homeless persons can come and receive lunch, a free haircut, and a free hygiene kit. In addition, there will be activities for kids, entertainment, prizes, and community information booths. If you are interested in volunteering or providing information about your agency/organization, please contact Brandee Cachola of the Office for Social Ministry at 935-3050.

Wishing Tree – A Wishing Tree will be displayed at the Hilo Shopping Center, from 11/20 to 12/20/04. The Wishing Tree is decorated with Christmas gift wishes of homeless children and will be administered by the Christmas Wish program – a not-for-profit group that provides Christmas gifts to homeless children during the holidays.

Those that wish to donate may sponsor a child by purchasing a gift from the tree, which will be given to that sponsored child on Christmas Eve. One may also bring a toy to donate, which will be gifted at an annual Christmas party held for the homeless community. To donate, please contact Magin Patrick of the Christmas Wish Program at 982-8128.

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The County of Hawaii`s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) is currently planning for its 2005 Consolidated/Action Plan process for the aforementioned programs.

As required by federal regulations, the County will hold a series of public hearings and has selected the following locations and times in an effort to encourage comments and views from persons of very low and moderate income.

The purpose of the public hearings is to hear views and comments from citizens on housing and community development needs and the past performance of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funds.

After the public hearing, OHCD staff will be available to discuss the procedures and guidelines for applying for the County’s 2005 Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs. OHCD staff will provide technical assistance to groups/agencies requesting assistance in developing proposals.

Persons requiring special needs (i.e., sign language or bilingual interpreters) may call the OHCD at 961-8379 at least seven (7) days prior to the hearings so arrangements may be made to accommodate them. Citizens who will be unable to attend these hearings may submit testimony pertaining to their housing and community development needs by November 19, 2004 in person or by fax to 961-8685 to Edwin S. Taira, Housing Administrator, Office of Housing and Community Development, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720.

The County’s five-year 2004-2009 Consolidated/Action Plan describes the County's housing and community development needs, funding plans, priorities and objectives, and includes the County's annual action plan for the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds.

The County of Hawai`i is therefore seeking eligible project proposals to include in its 2005 Annual Action Plan to HUD.

The County expects to receive approximately $2,500,000 for its Community Development Block Grant Program and $1,000,000 for the HOME Program.

Project proposals submitted to the Office of Housing and Community Development must comply with the program criteria, meet eligibility requirements, program objectives, and be consistent with the County’s priorities and objectives as contained in the County’s 2004-2009 CP.

All original project proposals and two (2) copies must be received by the Office of Housing and Community Development no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 13, 2005, , The Office of Housing and Community Development is at 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720-2456.

The proposal forms and federal guidelines covering the eligible activities will be available at the public hearings and at the following locations beginning November 22, 2004, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Proposal forms will also be mailed, upon request, after November 22, 2004.

In addition, copies of the County’s current Consolidated/Action Plan, Citizen Participation Plan and past performance of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds are also available at the Office of Housing and Community Development, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i.

The County’s approved 2004-2005 Consolidated/Action Plan is also available for public review at the Hawai`i State Public Libraries in Honoka`a, Kamuela, Kohala, Pahala, Pahoa, Kailua-Kona and Hilo.

Under the Community Development Block Grant Program, a community is able to develop a flexible, locally designed comprehensive community development strategy in order to address the program's primary objective: development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income.

Under the CDBG program, grants or loan assistance may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and Community Based Development Organizations for the following activities provided that these activities either:

• principally benefit low and moderate income families
• aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight
• meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.

The purpose of the HOME Program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for very low- and low-income persons.

Applicants applying for HOME funding are required to match for every $1.00 of federal HOME funds expended for the project with at least $0.25 of eligible matching funds.

For further information, call Office of Housing and Community Development at 961-8379.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Where/Location: Kilauea Avenue from Haihai Street to Puainako Street.

What: Repaint centerline markings.

Where/Location: Kilauea Avenue from Haihai Street to Puainako Street.

What: Continue centerline striping.

Where/Location: Kilauea Avenue from Haihai Street to Puainako Street.

What: Repaint edge of pavement markings.

Where/Location: Holiday.

What: No work scheduled.

Where/ Location: Keawe Street/Mamo Street and Kilauea Avenue/Kukuau Street intersections.

What: Maintain pavement arrow markings.

Week of November 22, 2004

Where/Location: No projects scheduled.

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The public is advised that the Kealakehe Connector Road, between Kealakehe Street and Keanalehu Drive, will be opened for school bus travel beginning on Monday, December 6, 2004.

Once opened, school buses will be allowed to use this connector road on school days, during the following times.

• From 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., buses will be traveling in the mauka direction; and
• From 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., except on Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., buses will be traveling in the makai direction.

The purpose of this opening is to (1) help reduce the vehicular traffic on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road, (2) substantially reduce the travel times for the school buses, and (3) encourage student ridership of the buses.

Our police officers and the Kealakehe Neighborhood Watch group will be stationed in the area to monitor this activity. We ask all motorists to use caution when driving around this area, and be mindful of the changes that have taken place.

Your County Department of Public Works appreciates your cooperation during this period.

For more details, please contact our Department of Public Works at (808) 961-8321.

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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.
Prince Kuhio Plaza: http://www.princekuhioplaza.com/html/Events.asp

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Hawai‘i County ... a nice place to live.