April 22, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Mentoring our island’s youth was identified as a key prevention strategy in the County’s 2004 Hawai`i Island Meth Initiative. The need for one-on-one mentoring is growing as our youth are faced with a competitive and constantly evolving job market along with difficult social pressures.

A mentored youth:

• Has fewer unexcused absences from school.
• Is less likely to start using drugs.
• Has significantly more positive attitudes toward school and the future.

Mentoring can help break the cycle of teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, juvenile crime and substance abuse.

And mentoring can set a positive course for a child’s future – through good example and just plain caring.

That’s according to a February 2002 Child Trends research brief entitled Mentoring: A Promising Strategy for Youth Development.

The Ohana Mentor Network was recently established in collaboration between Hawai`i Community College and the County’s Meth Initiative.

The Ohana Mentor Network works to assist existing and new programs reach more of our youth on the Island of Hawai`i by recruiting, screening and training volunteers to create a pool of mentors.

Individuals 16 years or older on Hawai`i Island who are interested in being a role model to youth between 8-18 years old should contact Allen Salavea at 756-6709 for more information.

The Ohana Mentor Network is a program designed to work with mentoring and social service programs to increase mentoring opportunities for all youth in Hawai`i County.

By cooperating with social service programs, the Ohana Mentor Network hopes to stretch resources through partnerships to reach more kids.

The Ohana Mentor Network does the recruiting, screening and training of volunteer mentors, and then work with social service agencies and schools to match mentors with youth.

The idea is to increase the number of mentored youth.

Volunteers are asked to commit to spending six hours a month for three months with a youth.

Activities will be scheduled around a common interest such as sports, music, art, etc. The emphasis is on fun things that both mentor and youth share in common. At the start of the relationship, a three- month goal will be created by the mentor and mentee that will give them a sense of purpose for their meetings.

More than anything, the time spent between a mentor and a youth provides the opportunity for one-on-one attention in a relaxed setting.

Upon completion of the match, both the mentor and the mentee youth will be asked about the quality of their experience, as well as if they were able to accomplish the goal set at the beginning of the relationship.

You’ll be asked to fill out a basic information sheet, listing the area where you live, your occupation, etc.

You will be asked to share what being a mentor means to you, and if you have any previous experience as a volunteer or working with youth.

You should list your hobbies or special skills that you could share with a child or youth.

If you speak any languages other than English, you should list them. There are plenty of youth on Hawai`i Island in need of a caring adult who speaks their language.

After you indicate your interest in mentoring a child, the Ohana Mentor Network’s program recruiters will contact you for a more thorough application process.

Please contact Allen Salavea, the Ohana Mentor Network’s program coordinator at Hawai`i Community College’s Office of Continuing Education and Training at 756-6709 or via email at OMN96720@yahoo.com .

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In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, the Fire Department is sponsoring the Fifth Annual EMS 5K Family Fun Run/2 Mile-Walk on Sunday, May 22, 2005. The Run and Walk both start at 8:30 a.m. at Liliuokalani Park.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the expansion and renovation of the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room and also help a young mother of three from Hilo who is battling cancer.

The route of the run/walk proceeds from Lihiwai Street to the lighthouse tower at Bayfront Highway, then back along the same route to the park. The 2-mile walk also begins at the park to a shorter turn-around point and back.

Registration forms may be obtained at the Spencer Health and Fitness Center, the Fire Administration office located in the County Building, at any district fire station, or by calling 961-8297 during normal business hours.

The entrance fee is $20 for adults, $10 for students & seniors (60+), and $5 for children 10 and under. Deadline to guarantee a shirt is May 14.

Awards will be presented following the completion of the event. All participants will also become eligible to receive random drawing prizes.

The family fun run/walk will also kick off various events and displays that will continue throughout the day. The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry, American Heart Association, Ululani Pharmacy, and Keiki ID will also be on hand to provide free services to the public.

The Emergency Medical Services Week coordinators are Fire Equipment Operator /Mobile Intensive Care Technician Lance Uchida (Central Fire Station, telephone 961-8325) and Fire Captain Jerry Lum (Honokaa Fire Station, telephone 775-7506).

The fun run/walk race director is Firefighter/Mobile Intensive Care Technician Jesse Ebersole at 961-8325.

This year marks the 30th year that the Fire Department has been providing emergency medical services in the County of Hawaii. Established in 1975 under then Fire Chief Elvin Kamoku, the first County Mobile Intensive Care Technicians were Garfield Arakaki and Edward Bumatay. The first Emergency Medical Technicians were Wayne Robledo and Michael Kobayashi.

The County of Hawaii’s Emergency Medical Services Division provides 24-hour quality pre-hospital emergency medical care and services to the residents and visitors on Hawai`i Island. Last year, EMS responded to 12,937 calls for assistance island wide.

To learn more about your local EMS Division, contact Battalion Chief Paul Paiva at 961-8319.

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What’s IN: Eligible (redeemable) beverage containers include:

Soft drinks, soda, water, juice, tea and coffee drinks, and certain alcoholic drinks (beer, malt beverages, wine coolers, mixed spirits) in metal, glass, or plastic, 64 oz. or less.

What’s OUT: Ineligible (unredeemable) containers include:

Milk, wine, and hard liquor containers.

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

** Transfer Station centers closed daily from 1-2pm for lunch.**

Please contact Atlas at 935-9328 or 329-6868 for further information.

Please call the Recycling Specialists with the Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai’i, at 961-8527 or 961-8549 for information about the HI 5¢ program or visit:

www.hi5deposit.com | http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm

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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 commenced 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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The Department of Water Supply is experiencing drought conditions around the island and is requesting our customers to conserve drinking water. Due to continuing dry weather conditions, water consumption in the affected areas has increased to a point where water sources and water distribution systems are strained. Drought conditions may last for some time, and the Department is requesting all our customers around the island to use water wisely.

This Water Conservation Notice is a request to reduce your daily water usage by 10%.

The following areas are under WATER CONSERVATION:

1. SOUTH KOHALA - Waimea Town.
2. HAMAKUA - Ahualoa, along Kahaua Drive, Kalopa State Park, Kapahu, Paauilo Mauka, and Pohakea.

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 shall 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.

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

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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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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 www.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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Paper Recycling and Reuse Workshops in Kona Apr 29 and May 2

Recycle Hawaii is sponsoring two paper recycling and reuse workshops in Kailua-Kona at the conference room of the Kona Mayor's Office located in Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona.

Kamuela artist and business owner Jay West will present two 2-hour hands-on papermaking workshops for beginners on Friday April 29 and Monday, May 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Both workshops will introduce participants to the process of reusing various types of recycled paper.

Participants will have the opportunity to create new one-of-a kind products. Recycled paper and fibers utilized will include school lunch trays, newsprint, Kraft

paper bags, dryer lint and egg/apple trays. Interested individuals may attend one or both.

Suggested donation: $10

For more information or to register contact Jay West at 885-7812 or artglass@gte.net . Recycle Hawaii is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational community organization whose mission is to promote resource awareness and recycling on the Island of Hawai'i.

For more information about the Kona recycling center and other recycling activities call Recycle Hawaii at 961-2676 or go to www.recyclehawaii.org .

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Life Care Center of Hilo invites the public to a weeklong celebration of Nursing Home Week May 8-14.

The celebration will feature free health screening and a cooking demonstration by Derek Kurisu and George Yoshida of "Seniors Living In Paradise" TV show fame.

Life Care Center of Hilo, located at 944 West Kawailani Street, has been serving the Island of Hawaii since the 1970’s. Among the services Life Care Center offers are skilled and intermediate care, special care units, as well as in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation.

Life Care is celebrating Nursing Home Week with a long list of festivities for the residents and their family members. In addition to the usual celebrations, this year the trained professional staff will be offering several free community services on Wednesday, May 11, from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Nurses will be available for blood pressure screens. Social service workers will be performing memory checks. Rehabilitation staff will provide balance checks. Tours of the facility will be provided by appointment throughout the week.

Derek Kurisu and George Yoshida from "Seniors Living In Paradise" will do a cooking demonstration Wednesday, May 11, at 5:00 pm. for the residents, their families and the community. The KTA-sponsored segment will air at a later date on Channel 27.

For further information, call Chris Ridley at Life Care Center of Hilo at 959-9151.

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The Hawai`i County Resource Center is administering funds appropriated by the State Legislature for community anti-drug initiatives. These funds were established to address the drug and substance abuse problems affecting our youth, our families and our neighborhoods.

The funds are to be made available to non-501(c)(3) organizations and community-based initiatives that traditionally do not have access to other sources of funding.

Application forms are available at www.healingourisland.com and the County’s Research and Development Office in the County Building at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109.

For further information, please call Debbie Chang of the Hawai`i County Resource Center at 961-8085. Deadlines for submitting applications are March 15, April 15 and May 15.

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The County of Hawaii is offering to deliver large loads of shredded mulch to farmers, residents, landscapers or organizations on the West side of the Big Island for a limited time.

From now until the end of June, the County will provide FREE delivery of large loads of approximately 30 cubic yards of shredded green mulch to the following locations:

• From Kawaihae to Ho’okena
• From Palani Road through the Pu’uanahulu District to the Saddle Road Junction.

Call to arrange for FREE delivery on the West side of the island at (808)306-1876.

If you only need small amounts of mulch, you can visit the pick-up area at the Kealakehe/Kailua-Kona Transfer Station. The operator will load your truck for free from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Or bring a pitchfork to load your own vehicle during regular Transfer Station hours 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For more information, call the County Recycling Specialist at 961-8549.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7am-5pm. 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.

Loading assistance is also available free of charge from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (no loading fees at this time).

For more information, contact the County’s Recycling Specialist at 961-8549.

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The Kona Outdoor Circle, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources and active in Kona since1948, is offering a $1,000 scholarship for the 2005–2006 academic year.

Applicants must be residents of West Hawaii (North Kohala to Ka`u) who are full-time students attending an accredited two- or four-year college or university anywhere in the United States.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate academic achievement (with at least 2.7 GPA) and financial need.

Applicants must plan to enroll or be enrolled in a program in horticulture, landscaping, environmental studies, forestry, agriculture or other fields directly related to the goals of the Kona Outdoor Circle, to keep Kona clean, green and beautiful.

Kona Outdoor Circle accomplishes these goals through public area plantings, education programs and public advocacy.

The application deadline is April 30, 2005. Applicants must complete a written application, submit their most recent high school or college transcript, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report, and two letters of recommendation.

Applications are available at all high schools in West Hawaii; University of Hawaii Financial Aid Offices; the Educational Talent Search Program at the University of Hawaii Center, West Hawaii; the Kona Outdoor Circle office at the intersection of Kuakini and Queen Ka`ahumanu Highways. Applications are also available on-line at the KOC website, www.konaoutdoorcircle.org , click on Education.

For more information, call the Kona Outdoor Circle at 329-7286 or Maiden Temple at 325-6775.

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A free public lecture is scheduled for both Kona and Hilo and sponsored by Hawaii Community College and its UH Center, West Hawai'i. The HAWAI'I NOW Lecture series presents the topic Eruptions and Earthquakes in Hawai'i nei. Jim Kauahikaua, Scientist-in-Charge at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will be the featured speaker.

The focus of the talk will be volcano hazards with a discussion of earthquakes and tsunamis. The Hawaiian islands are volcanoes, nice enough to stick out of the ocean so we can live on them. Many are still active - on Hawai'i island, Kilauea volcano is currently erupting and Mauna Loa is growing restless. There are natural hazards associated with this island lifestyle and residents should be aware of them. We have frequent eruption, earthquakes, and even some tsunamis.

In Hilo the seminar will be at Hawaii Community College Cafeteria on the Manono Campus, Thursday April 21, 2005 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 125.

In Kona, the seminar will be at the Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, Wednesday, April 27, 2005 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact UH Center, West Hawai`i at 322-4850.

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A conference on E ‘Imi Pono (best practices) in substance abuse treatment will be held at Hawai`i Community College July 17-21, 2005.

This conference is sponsored by Hawai'i Community College Substance Abuse Counseling and Administration of Justice Programs and the Office of Continuing Education and Training.

Among the internationally renowned presenters will be Terence Gorski, Stephanie Covington, Dennis Daley and Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele.

Topics of the conference will include:

• Adolescent and Adult Relapse Prevention
• Girls and Women in the Criminal Justice System
• Adolescents and Adults with Co-occurring Disorders
• Native Hawaiian Approaches to Substance Abuse

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

When approaching a traffic signal that is completely off, drivers are expected to come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. As no one has legal right of way, the "right hand rule" of traffic control prevails, such as when there is a four-way stop control. Here are some basic tips to follow:

1. The motorist who reaches the intersection first and stops at the stop line has the right of way.
2. If drivers reach the intersection at the same time from different streets, the driver to the immediate right has the right of way.
3. If drivers reach the intersection at the same time from opposite sides, the driver making the left turn must yield.

If the length of the power failure cannot be readily determined, the County will install temporary stop signs to assign the right of way.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that on December 21, 2004 four temporary loading zones went 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 was to remain in effect for a 90-day trial period until 12 noon on March 18, 2005.

Field adjustments were made and it was determined that further evaluation was necessary. The Department of Public Works has extended this trial for an additional 90 days, to end at 12:00 Noon on June 15, 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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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.