February 4, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Catching up on infrastructure is a high priority for County government.

Funding to improve County roads in West Hawai`i is right up there on the list of priorities. The following article is a brief look at the funding that the County of Hawai`i has sought to improve specific County roads in West Hawai`i.

Since 2001, the County has sought and obtained funding for the following projects, which remain a high priority:

• Ali’i Parkway -- The County acquired $35 million commitment of federal funds and set aside $9.5 million in County funds for the southern half of this badly-needed road. It was a great disappointment that the County has been unable to construct this road yet because of the Burial Council decision not allowing relocation of a burial.

• Kuakini Highway widening from Palani Road to Hualalai Road. The County acquired $12.7 million in federal funds and committed $3.2 million in County funds. This project is under construction now.

• Lako Street extension to Ali’i Drive. More than $5 million in County funds have been set aside for this project. It is delayed in court due to a legal challenge to the environmental assessment and a claim that an environmental impact statement should be required. It is hoped that this issue can be resolved soon.
• Palani Road improvements at Kealaka’a Street. County funds ($1 million) and federal funds ($4 million) have been set aside for major safety improvements to this intersection. The draft environmental assessment is nearly complete.
• Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway widening from Henry Street to Kealakehe Parkway. This $23 million State project is funded by $18.4 million in federal funds and $4.6 million in State funds. This will be going out to bid as a design/build contract in February 2005, with a contract to be awarded this summer and construction to commence in early 2006.

County bond for roads. $23 million in bonds was dedicated in 2004 to Kona road projects:

• Mamalahoa Highway Improvements (Honalo to Captain Cook)
• Kuakini Highway -- merge lane south of Hualalai Road
• Kamanu Street Extension to Kealakehe Parkway
• La’aloa Extension to Kuakini Highway
• Ahiahi-Kauhale Street Connector
• Kuakini Highway-Ali’i Drive connector at Puaa
• Right turn lanes on Hina Lani Street and Kaiminani Street
  (right turns from both streets onto Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Mamalahoa Highway (Rt. 190), respectively).
• Left turn pocket on Mamalahoa Highway (Rt. 190) into Old Mamalahoa Highway (Rt. 180).
• Left turn pocket on Palani Road into Kamakaeha Street.
• Hienaloli Extension corridor study.
• Keahole to Kailua Planning Studies: Keanalehu Extension to Palani Road, and Kealakehe Parkway to Kealakaa Street.
• West Hawaii and Puna Transit Facilities.
• Kona Bike and Pedestrian Improvements.

The County of Hawai`i continues to support the DOT’s requests for funding road projects in the County.

Mayor Kim in his budgetary message to the State Legislature in January included Phase II of the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway widening, from Kealakehe Parkway to Keahole Airport as one of the highest priority projects.

For further information about Kona road projects, contact the Department of Public Works at 961-8321.

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The Environmental Management Commission advises the Environmental Management Department on waste reduction strategies, recycling, litter control, community involvement, and other issues related to the functions of the department.

The Commission has debated and helped refine many department proposals for legislative changes. Among the issues in which members have been involved:

• Commission hearing Appeals stemming from Department decisions

• Commission and Department Rules Revisions

• Department budget review

• EPA-mandated elimination of large capacity cesspools

• Improvement Districts

• Capacity assessment fees

• Sewer system connection fees

• Removal of County Council approval for extensions of public sewer system

• Property owner responsibility for sewer bill

• Demonstration wetlands projects planning

Solid Waste issues:

• East Hawai`i Regional Sort Station Environmental Impact Statement

• Waste reduction technologies

• Implementation of the Hawai`i Deposit Beverage Container Program (the state Bottle Bill)

• Vehicle amnesty pilot program

• Waiving landfill tip fees in special circumstances

• Greenwaste tipping fee implementation

• South Kona/Ka`u Transfer Station (the first new County transfer station in nearly 15 years

• Recycling and diversion from landfills (to include transfer station enhancements)

This Commission was the committee that was initially responsible for the update to the County’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. This very important task was completed in November, 2002.

Currently, the committee is reviewing a draft resolution for a curbside recycling and trash pick-up pilot project in Waikoloa. In January 2005 they provided excellent input to the department while discussing what needs to be considered in setting up a pilot program. The top issues under discussion were:

• Funding and costs to residents/users

• Mandatory or voluntary participation (in order to get the best information for future programs around the island)

• Responsibility of past and present developers, both financially and in providing solid waste management to this community

• Logistics and timing of pick-ups

• Minimizing unintended consequences

The commission consists of nine members, one member from each council district. The members are appointed by the Mayor with Council approval and serve five-year staggered terms. No more than five shall belong officially to the same political party.

There are currently two vacancies on the nine-member Environmental Management Commisssion. The following districts are not currently represented on the commission: District 6, represented by Council member Bob Jacobson and District 9, represented by Council member Pete Hoffman.

The commission meets 6 times a year, with two meetings each in Hilo, Kona and Waimea. The meetings begin at 9 a.m. and usually last no longer than 3 hours. Research and "homework" add an additional two to five hours per month.

Annually, there is a one-day "Trash Tour" of Oahu’s solid waste and wastewater facilities. The itinerary changes year-to-year to include a variety of interesting sites.

"Since I've joined the Environmental Management Commission two years ago, I've been extremely impressed with how complicated most of the issues are and how important it is for the Commission to look at the issues from many perspectives. It's vital that there are nine members to supply those divergent opinions.

I do look forward to our meetings as it is intellectually stimulating and I feel that my efforts are valued. I encourage others to apply for Commissions; it makes me feel like I'm making a small difference in the community and islandwide." Marjorie Erway

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Qualified beverage containers may be redeemed for cash at the following locations:

Atlas Recycling Center. LLC is offering redemption monthly or semi-monthly in the following communities:

• Pahoa
• Waimea
• Hawi
• Ocean View
• Pahala
• Naalehu
• Laupahoehoe
• Waikoloa
• Honoka’a

Please contact Atlas at 935-9328 (Hilo) and 329-6868 (Kona) for precise locations and days/hours of operation.

For more information relating to redemption activities under the new beverage container deposit program, please call our Recycling Specialists with the Department of Environmental Management, Linda Damas (961-8527) or Craig Kawaguchi (961-8549). Additional sites are pursuing permits in Hilo and South Kona.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management, Wastewater Division will be renovating the King Kamehameha Sewage Pump Station located at the corner of Ali’i Drive and the Kailua-Kona Harbor Access Road fronting the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

This work is anticipated to commence during the 3^rd week in January of 2005 and will last approximately five (5) months. Work will take place between the hours of 8 am and 5:30 pm during week days and possibly Saturdays.

This renovation project will add capacity to the pump station resulting in better ability to accommodate the increasing number of future developments in Kailua-Kona. As an added benefit, renovation of the King Kamehameha Sewage Pump Station helps with preparing for future abandonment of the Queen Emma Sewage Pump Station located at Emma Square. This should enhance the area for nearby businesses as maintenance activities by Wastewater Division personnel will no longer be required in Emma Square.

During the construction period of the renovation project, businesses along Ali’i Drive can anticipate uninterrupted sewer service and conduct their business in a normal fashion.

Pedestrian traffic will be safely re-routed around the construction area at the King Kamehameha. There will be very little impact to vehicular traffic.

Some construction work will take place at the Emma Square location while giving consideration to pedestrian traffic. This work may include minor improvements to the rock wall and concrete walkways with the intent of making the area safer for pedestrians.

The public is welcome to direct any questions or concerns during construction to the Construction Manager, SSFM International, Inc. at 933-2727. General questions may be directed to the Wastewater Division at 961-8338.

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Due to ongoing dry weather conditions, exceptionally large water consumption, and repairs being done at the Hualalai and Kalaoa Wells, the Department of Water Supply would like to remind customer in North Kona that they are under Water Conservation.

The Water Conservation Notice is a request to reduce your daily water usage by 10%. Listed are some ways to conserve water to reach the 10% goal:

• Wash full loads of laundry only.

• Wash full loads of dishes only.

• Serve drinking water only when requested.

• Do not let the faucet run unnecessarily.

• When bathing, use water only to wet and rinse off.

• Do not fill up the bathtub.

• Use a glass to rinse when brushing your teeth.

• Do not flush toilets unnecessarily.

• Stop lawn sprinkling.

• Stop car and boat washing.

• Stop dust control watering.

• Use drinking water wisely.

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

If this trend of large consumption continues, the next water conservation action will be mandatory reduction. Please conserve water.

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

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The Department of Research and Development annually solicits proposals for projects/activities that aim to improve the economic condition of Hawai`i County. The department is currently soliciting proposals in preparation of the fiscal year 2005-2006.

The Department will consider proposals for supplemental grants in fiscal year 2005-2006 for the following project areas:

• Agriculture. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) innovative agricultural research with application to Hawai`i County; 2) research in areas of urgent interest to the agricultural community; 3) agricultural market research and promotion; and 4) collection and dissemination of agricultural information related to Hawai`i County.

• Tourism. The Department funds programs that market and advertise Hawai`i County as a visitor destination at the national and international levels and provides partial sponsorships of sporting events.

• New Industry and Industry Development. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) development of heritage corridor in Hawai`i County; 2) dissemination of business related information that will enable Hawai`i County businesses to expand, diversify and compete; 3) development of local workforce; and 4) partial sponsorship of leadership capacity building training.

• Energy. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) improvement in efficiency of energy use in Hawai`i County; 2) utilization of renewable energy resources for electricity generation or fuel production; and 3) energy education at K-12 scholastic levels.

• Film. The Department funds small grants to showcase multi-cultural films to the Big Island community.

Sealed proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m., January 31, 2005, in the office of the Department of Research and Development, County of Hawai`i, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai`i.

All proposals reviewed and recommended for supplemental funding by the Department of Research and Development shall be subject to the County of Hawai`i’s Executive and Legislative budget review process.

Notification of the Department’s approval and recommendation for funding will be on February 27, 2005. Proposals submitted after the deadline may be considered, depending on availability of funds.

Questions regarding clarification of any information contained in the Solicitation for Proposals document, including all attachments, must be received in writing on or before January 17, 2005.

For further information call the Department of Research and Development at 961-8366.

The County of Hawai`i reserves the right to reject any proposal.

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Mayor Harry Kim is seeking the public’s assistance to recognize older individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others or in their community.

Mayor Kim is seeking nominations to the Hawaii County Office of Aging for the prestigious Outstanding Older American Awards. Applications for nominating outstanding older Americans may be obtained by calling the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) or 327-3597 (Kona).

The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2005.

Agencies, clubs and individuals are encouraged to nominate an individual (age 65 plus) to honor and recognize their achievements after attaining the age of 60 and their contributions to our community. All nominees will be honored at a special awards luncheon to be held on May 13, 2005 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

To express his deep appreciation for the immeasurable contributions made by seniors in Hawaii County, Mayor Kim has proclaimed May as Older Americans Month.

The theme for this year’s Older Americans Month will be "Celebrate Long Term Living." The theme reflects a positive view of aging and longevity. As only 5 percent of our senior population reside in an institutional settings, millions of older Americans continue to be active contributing members of society. With continuing improvements in health care and a growing trend towards healthier life styles, we need to indeed celebrate long term living.

For further information, call the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) or 327-3597 (Kona).

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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.

The contractor, Hawaiian Dredging, will work with the adjacent businesses and residences to assure that a reasonable access to the businesses and residences will be maintained throughout the construction period. However, motorists traveling in the area should drive with caution.

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, Palani Road to Hualalai project every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Kona Mayor’s West Hawai`i Office conference room at Hanama Place. Light refreshments will be served.

Representatives from the contractor, Hawaiian Dredging, and the County, Public Works Department are available at the meetings. Everyone is welcome at these informal "talk story" sessions.

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 at co.hawaii.hi.us.

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

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Takes a Bow on February 5

The Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation cordially invites everyone in our community to the 12^th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 5 from 9 am to 3 p.m. Opening ceremony and dedication begin at 9 am on the lanai of the Kahilu Theater.

This extravaganza is a partnership event coordinated through the efforts of the community, private business and government agencies.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the late Hisao Kimura, who contributed to and supported the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival since its inception.

A variety of cultural interactive exhibits, displays and demonstrations will be featured at the Kamuela Hongwanji, Church Row Park, Kahilu Theater, Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Top Stitch, YMCA Hall and Parker Ranch Center. The festivities will include entertainment, food, Mochi-Tsuki (mochi making), Japanese tea ceremony, Bon dance, Taiko drums and craft fairs where unique, one-of-a-kind items will be on sale.

For further information, call Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Arts Division at 961-8706.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Task Force Groups will be having their first video conference of the year on Monday, February 7, 2005.

The meeting room for West Hawaii will be at the Kona Mayor's Office at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy and for East Hawaii the meeting room will be the Hilo Prosecutor's Office at 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo.

Below are the times, contact information and partial agenda for the Task Force Groups.

Time: 10am - 11am

Agenda: Continue working on "Speeding In Neighborhoods". Review of Road Safety Watch and "What is CTAP?" Contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com

Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm

Agenda: Continue working on the proposed Animal Control Ordinances – and report on Parks and Recreation Committee. Contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net

Please visit the "Solutions" web site for further details: www.solutionsislandhawaii.com

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Hawai`i County Resource Center and the Hawai`i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development present workshops in Kona, Kea’au and Na’alehu on Sustaining Community Efforts.

The workshops will focus on:

• Strategies and tools to help community groups maintain their passion

• Interactive discussions and exercises

• Ways to collaborate and celebrate

• How to bring in new participants

How to determine when you've completed your mission

Three dates and locations to choose from

February 19 in the Mayor's Conference Room in Kailua-Kona

February 26 at the Ola`a Community Center in Kea`au

March 5 at the Na`alehu Community Center - Senior Nutrition Center

All workshops begin at 9:30 am and end at 1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided, and we will work through lunch.

$8.00 for lunch and materials

Who should attend:

• Informal grassroots community groups

• "Healing Our Island" mini-grant recipients

• Coalitions between schools and communities

• Small 501(c)(3) groups

Please provide name(s), organization, and contact information to hcrc@co.hawaii.hi.us , or call Louise Winn (324-1021), Debbie Chang (961-8085) or the HCRC message line (961-8035).

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The Positive Coaching Alliance will be holding its latest series of workshops in February and March.

The following workshops are scheduled:

• Leadership workshop on Wednesday, February 16

• Coaches workshop on Wednesday, March 2

• Parents workshop on Wednesday, March 16

Registration on all three days begins at 5:30 p.m. Workshops begin at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Aupuni Center conference room on the Hamakua end of the old J.C. Penney’s on Pauahi Street, Hilo (which now houses the new County offices).

Materials fee: $5 per person (collected at the door).

All workshops are open to the public.

For information and reservations, send name, contact telephone number and email addresses to PCABigIsland@hotmail.com .

For more information on Positive Coaching Alliance, check http://www.positivecoach.org .

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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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Visitor Aloha Society of West Hawai’i (VASH West Hawai’i ) needs volunteers to help provide supportive services to visitors who are victims of crime or other distress while vacationing in West Hawai’i.

Volunteers generally assist by providing information, emergency transportation, and acting as a liaison with other agencies on behalf of the victim. Volunteers from North Kohala to South Point can help visitors victimized by crime in their areas. Bilingual volunteers are also needed to assist in translation for foreign visitors.

A volunteer orientation and training session will be held on Thursday, February 10th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the offices of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 208, Kailua-Kona. Lunch will be served immediately following the training.

The mission of VASH is to share our Aloha spirit by helping visitors go home with a positive impression of Hawai`i despite their misfortune. For more information or to register for the training, please contact Linda Allen at 808-756-0785 or by email at vashwh@yahoo.com .

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Hawaii's oldest Hawaiian quilting club, Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea, presents its biennial Hawaiian Quilt Show February 26-27 at Kuhio Hale in Waimea. Club members will display their quilts and offer lessons on the Hawaiian style of quilting.

How-to sessions will include pattern tracing. The Hawaiian quilt traditionally features a pattern in a single color that is appliqued on to a background of white or solid color. Stitches in Hawaiian quilts follow the outlines of Hawaiian motifs like breadfruit, explains Dorothy Badua, Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea president.

"It’s as if they echo a pattern’s shape, just as the ocean waves echo the shores of the islands." The topographical lines of Hawaiian contour quilting create a subtle and effective visual rhythm that is special in the world of quilting, " Badua said.

The non-profit group will sells patterns, pillows, wall hangings and quilts during the show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday February 26 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, February 27. For further information, call 775-9894.

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Dr. Paul Jokiel, researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, will give a talk entitled "Are Land-Derived Sediments Affecting Reef Ecosystems?" in Waimea on March 8.

Dr. Jokiel will provide insights on the effect of land use practices on reef ecosystem inhabitants, with an emphasis on land-derived sediments. Dr. Jokiel has conducted extensive reef research among the Hawaiian Islands for over 30 years. He will focus on understanding coral reef ecosystems and has disturbing, but not surprising, information to share.

Admission is free.

REEFTALKS are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the Malama Kai Foundation, the Hawaii Community Foundation and CZM/DBEDT.

For more information, call University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program Extension Service at 329-2861.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that from December 21, 2004 four temporary loading zones will go into effect along Ali’i Drive as follows:

• 30-minute freight loading zone on mauka side of Ali’i Drive north of the Ocean View Restaurant
• 30-minute freight loading zone on the mauka side of Ali’i Drive south of the Ocean View Restaurant
• Three-minute passenger loading zone on mauka side of Ali’i Drive south of the Ocean View Restaurant
• 30-minute freight loading zone on the makai side of Ali’i Drive across from Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel

This change will be in effect for a 90-day trial period and will remain in force until 12 noon on March 18, 2005. No parking will be allowed in these zones, and the no-parking rule will be enforced. The Department of Public Works asks for your patience and cooperation during this trial period.

For further information, please contact the Department of Public Works, Traffic Division at 961-8341.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that Kawailani Street will be closed to traffic between Oihana Street and Kikaha Street from Monday, January 3, 2005 through Thursday, February 17, 2005. The closure is required for the demolition and reconstruction of the Kawailani Street Bridge.

The public is advised to use alternate routes around the project area and to allow for extra travel time. The Department of Public Works, Engineering Division asks for your patience and cooperation during this construction period and apologizes for the inconvenience.

For more detailed schedule information, please contact Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. at (808) 483-4270.

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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.

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