June 24, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Mayor Harry Kim announced on June 20, 2005 the selection of a single master developer for Kamakoa Vistas, a workforce housing project in Waikoloa Village that will provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Big Island residents.

UniDev, LLC, based in Bethesda, Maryland, specializes in building affordable workforce housing. Their mission is to develop affordable, high-quality for-sale and rental housing. The idea is to build a community where people will want to live, not where they have to live.

UniDev is a national leader in the design, development, financing and management of workforce housing communities throughout the United States. It has been involved in successful workforce housing developments for California State University – Channel Islands, California State University – Monterey Bay and University of California, Irvine.

The scarcity of housing for working families in Hawai`i County has reached a crisis, according to Mayor Kim.

"Too many families are priced out of the market and are having difficulty finding places to live that are closer to our island’s employment centers," Kim told a recent news conference to announce the project.

Kim said the extremely limited supply of housing on Hawai`i Island is causing serious problems for middle-income workers who are forced to spend beyond their means for housing, live in substandard or overcrowded housing conditions, and commute extremely long distances.

As a result, employers are having difficulty recruiting and retaining workers who want a quality of life that allows them to work closer to inexpensive housing with shorter commutes, Kim said.

The planned residential community, referred to as Kamakoa Vistas (also known as the Waikoloa Employee Housing Project), will consist of a total of 800 to 1,200 single-family and multi-family rental and for-sale homes, related infrastructure and site improvements, and several related non-residential land uses, including a community park, bikeways and other amenities.

The construction would take place over a 10- to 15-year period.

All of the residential units are to be rented or sold at prices affordable to families with incomes in the range of 50% to 140% of the County median income, which for 2005 is $28,500 to $73,500 for a family of four.

The selected developer, UniDev, LLC, will be responsible for the planning, design, and phased construction of the estimated 1,200 affordable homes for people employed in area business on County-owned land.

The project will range from town homes to single-family detached houses, and rental housing units interspersed strategically throughout the community to create a village setting and to promote social interaction.

More than half of the total 268 acres will be devoted to parks, open space, community facilities and to preserving the natural features of the site.

"Kamakoa Vistas will be respectful of the land forms and general environmental conditions of the area and be a good neighbor to nearby communities," said Jeff Minter, Executive Vice President of UniDev, LLC. "A mix of building densities and types, as well as a similar mix of household income ranges, will create a diverse and dynamic community."

The property encompasses approximately 268 acres of County land, and is identified as Tax Map Key 6-8-02:26 in Waikoloa Village. The developer was selected through a request for proposal process.

The tentative start date of construction for the on-site infrastructure is March 2007.

The County would like construction of this project to begin as soon as possible, and that the first phase of houses can be completed and available for sale or rent by 2007.

In order to expedite this development and to reduce costs, the County intends to develop the entire 268 acres under Section 46-15 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) as an "Experimental and Demonstration Housing Project." The purpose of Section 46-15 is: 1) to provide an expedited process for the development of housing, and 2) to research and develop concepts and projects that will reduce the cost of housing.

The County retained the services of Townscape, Inc., a Honolulu planning company to develop a master plan, and to assist with a Request for Proposals for the project.

The County and UniDev, LLC will conduct a charrette (planning process) which will outline the actual number of units that will be built, as well has the unit sizes.

In the fall of 2004, St. Francis Healthcare Systems awarded UniDev the development contract for a total of 556 workforce and senior housing units in Ewa.

Also in 2004, Hawai`i Reserves, Inc. granted UniDev rights to develop a master plan for approximately 100 residential units in Lai’e owned by Brigham Young University – Hawai`i.

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The 4^th of July celebration and fireworks in Hilo is a wonderful event that has become a tradition for many families. For the third year running, plans have been made that will provide more fireworks viewing area and make it possible for more families to enjoy this day, while addressing safety concerns that have arisen. There has been special concern for children because of excessive drinking, violent behavior, and vehicles driving on the beach and grass areas, especially after dark.

The following public safety agencies have been working together to make this 4^th of July celebration a fun and safe event. These agencies are Civil Defense, Fire Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Environmental Management, Mass Transit Agency, State Highways, State Parks and DOCARE.

A plan has been developed that involves designated parking areas, free shuttle services, several large public rest tents and road closures. This will provide more good fireworks viewing as well as address public safety concerns.

The Bayfront Highway will be closed from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the evening of the 4^th of July so people can watch the fireworks safely from these areas. Additional parking will be available on the Hamakua side of Kumu Street, where people can then cross Kamehameha Avenue and access Bayfront through gates in the fence. Free shuttles will be available to carry people and their picnic gear from designated parking areas to viewing areas.

While Kamehameha Ave. will be open there will be no parking along Kamehameha Ave. or the adjacent open fields. (See map for the permissible parking areas).

Existing regulations prohibiting tents, canopies, alcohol and fireworks will be observed.

We realize that these changes will inconvenience some people who are used to parking on the grass and in the Bayfront area. Please understand that these measures are being taken to make this a safe and fun day for all.

• On and along the Bayfront Highway and beach area. Three pedestrian gates are located along the fence along the Bayfront Highway and will be marked with orange flags.
• The soccer fields along Kamehameha Avenue.
• Liliuokalani Park

• County Building and Aupuni Center parking lots on Pauahi and Aupuni Streets.
• Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lots.
• Soccer field on the downtown (Hamakua) side of Kumu Street.
• Designated disabled parking available in all parking areas, except former Orchid Isle Hotel.

For those parking at Wailoa Center, the State Building, the County Buildings and on nearby mauka streets, please access the viewing area through the crosswalk at Pauahi Street.

• Free round trip shuttles will run to and from designated parking and viewing areas from 3:00pm to 10:00pm on July 4^th. (See shuttle map)
• Shuttles are equipped with lifts to accommodate persons with disabilities.

• Lihiwai Street from Banyan Drive near Coconut Island to Old Isles parking lot, 12:00 noon on July 3 to 10:00 a.m. on July 5.
• Bayfront Highway from Waianuenue Avenue to Wailoa Bridge, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 4. (No parking allowed all day.)
• Pauahi Street from Kamehameha Ave. to Bayfront Highway, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 4.

• To allow for better fireworks viewing and more viewing area on the roadways.
• To ensure the safety of viewers/pedestrians by eliminating traffic.

• To prevent accidents and injuries due to fire.
• To create safer and better fireworks viewing.
• To allow emergency responders to reach people needing assistance.
• Tents and canopies are prohibited in state parks.

Note: Several large public rest tents will be available in designated areas. (See map)

What About Restrooms? Along with permanent facilities, portable toilets will be located throughout the areas.

Please Keep Our Hilo Town Clean: In past years, over 11 tons of litter was left by people and volunteers pitched in to pick it up.

• Trash bags will be distributed by Parks and Recreation personnel on July 4^th.
• Dumpsters will be located throughout the areas. Please use them.

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The County Department of Parks and Recreation has a full lineup of events planned for July 4.

The public is cordially invited to "Blast 2005" from 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mo`oheau Park Bandstand in Downtown Hilo. Celebrated in conjunction with Independence Day, this year’s program will focus on the Excellence of our Island Youth.

The festivities will include performances by:

• The Honoka’a Jazz Band
• Pahoa’s Na Pua Mae`ole Program
• Hawai`i’s Hiccup Circus
• Hawai`i County Band

The grand finale will be the Jaycees Annual Fireworks display. Several public viewing canopies will be provided by the County at the Mo`oheau Ballpark and the adjacent Soccer Field. Spectators are encouraged to bring their mats or lawn chairs for viewing.

Admission is free for all of the events.

The Hawai`i Army National Guard’s Second Battalion, 299^th Infantry will conduct a T-shirt sale during the event. Proceeds will go toward defraying costs of their future Homecoming event.

Additional parking will be available at the County Building and the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. A free shuttle bus will run to and from the event from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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On October 19, 2004, the Hawai’i County Workforce Investment Board’s (HCWIB) Planning Committee sponsored several Workforce Solutions 2004 Forums in West Hawai’i at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and the Waikoloa Village Community Center. Participants in these well-attended gatherings suggested initiatives to be pursued to develop a pool of qualified employees for the employers in West Hawai’i.

The purpose of this report is to give those who attended and other interested parties an update on the progress made on these initiatives since October.

Members of this group include: Andy Levin (Mayor’s Office), Blayne Hanagami (Workforce Development Division), Lei Kapono and Jessica Yamamoto (Hawai’i Community College), Tom Brown (Hawai’i County Mass Transit Department), Ed Taira and Rex Jitchaku (County of Hawai’i Office of Housing & Community Development). HawCC’s Rural Development Project grant, administered by Lei Kapono, is funding the operations of the Committee by providing staff support. Alan Garson in Hilo and Kathy Kirk in Kona plan and facilitate Committee meetings, conduct research, and help implement Committee initiatives. Meetings are held monthly.

Human Resource Directors of Kohala Coast Resort Association. Members of the WIAC and representatives of DOE informed these employers about programs that could assist their recruiting efforts. Items discussed at this January 21^st meeting include synchronizing new bus service with resort work shifts, arranging partnerships with DOE and individual resorts, establishing career paths for the hospitality industry, recruiting on the Mainland, and providing customized training through HawCC.

Kama’aina Careers. The proprietor of this company, Dr. Jon Horita-Sakurai, was the featured speaker at the HCWIB meeting on February 22^nd. He talked about his efforts to recruit "expatriate" islanders. The WIAC put him in contact with the resort HR directors and other employers who would like to employ those who wish to return to Hawai’i. (www.kamaaina-careers.com)

Mass Transit. One of the goals of the WIAC is to increase the number of employees commuting from outside Kona-Kohala by making the commute convenient and inexpensive. County Transit, under the leadership of Tom Brown, has dramatically increased Hele-On bus service this past year.

The new "Kokua Zone" that extends from Ocean View to Kawaihae is a "no fare" zone. There are new bus runs with schedules that coordinate with employees’ work shifts. Because of these improvements and thanks to extensive publicity, bus ridership is up significantly.

Looking ahead, federal money has been secured for "park and ride" lots. Also on the drawing board are extended car pool, vanpool and para-transit services. Employers are being encouraged to subsidize their employees’ transit costs and WDD is looking into providing training for CDL drivers in West Hawai’i.

Ka’u Job & Bus Fair. On May 10, 2005, 25 West Hawai’i employers hopped on the bus to recruit new employees in Pahala, Na’alehu and Ocean View. Thanks to this unique and creative initiative sponsored by WDD and County Transit, there are over 30 new employees in Kona and Kohala commuting from Ka’u.

Youth Programs. Another major goal is to increase the ability of youth to enter the labor market. The WIAC is pursuing a number of initiatives to help young people prepare for careers, especially those in high-demand fields such as hospitality, construction, education, health care, and agriculture.

DOE is setting up career pathways in the schools. Some resorts have established partnerships with individual schools and DOE will foster these. On March 16^th, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce sponsored a workshop on DOE’s General Learner Outcomes. Over 20 employers learned how to talk the same "GLO" language as their young employees who had already learned about these DOE-created performance criteria at school.

WDD is working with DOE, HELCO and the Hawai’i Island Economic Development Board on a pilot internship program that will assist youth in getting more work experience. This pilot project that begins this summer may serve as a model for other industries.

WDD staff are now in place in both West and East Hawai’i to work on coordinating youth employment programs.

Housing – Permanent. The Waikoloa area is a priority for housing development. About 800 – 1,200 affordable units are in the planning stages for Waikoloa. An RFP was sent out, and the master developer was just selected (see feature article above). The HCOHCD is also planning two other developments. In the private sector, Aloha Aina Homes is staffing its new fast track housing factory and will begin manufacturing soon. A job fair was held on February 15^th to find qualified workers for this effort.

Housing – Commuter. In its efforts to make the commute to Kona-Kohala convenient, the WIAC convened a housing summit to consider ways to provide temporary, or "commuter," housing. Currently, the WIAC is surveying affected employees and employers to determine the level of need and interest. In the meantime, WIAC is encouraging employers to provide housing assistance to its long-commute workers.

"Going Home". Another of WIAC’s primary goals is to increase the employee pool among "special" populations, such as ex-offenders. An ad hoc committee of over 30 members has been meeting monthly since October to explore ways to reintegrate ex-offenders into their communities and the labor force.

Partnerships have been strengthened between WDD and local Probation and Parole Officers. Research is being conducted to establish procedures for connecting willing employers with parolees and probationers. Blayne Hanagami (of WDD), in conjunction with the HCWIB, is planning employer forums to explain the benefits in hiring from this group of potential employees.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and participation in these efforts.

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If you are helping someone with grocery shopping, paying bills, providing transportation to doctor’s visits, or cooking meals, you already are a caregiver. Time spent caregiving can range from less than an hour or two a week to round-the-clock care.

With careful planning, good self-care and knowledge of available resources, you can better prepare yourself to help your loved one. It’s important to realize that as a caregiver, you are not alone.

AARP, HMSA, Alu Like, Inc. and the Hawaii County Office of Aging have joined together to support the family caregivers on the Big Island.

A caregiver’s conference is scheduled at the Hawaii Naniloa Resort on Thursday, August 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for unpaid family caregivers and $20 for all others. This fee includes refreshments, lunch, workshops and resource exhibits.

A Resource Fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Local service agencies and organizations will provide information and products available with helpful tips and tools to assist the caregiver at home.

Local pharmacists will offer private consultations from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to assess and evaluate all over-the-counter and prescription drugs a person is taking to avoid the danger of potential adverse reactions.

The morning keynote will feature Lee White’s Keeping Things Together Without Falling Apart – A Caregiver’s Story, about a family’s heartwarming and personal experiences of caring for a loved one.

Dr. Kalani Brady, who is featured on a weekly KHON (Channel 2) morning news segment, will present "Be an Empowered Caregiver! A Doctor’s View on How Caregivers can be Advocates for Themselves and Their Families" in the afternoon.

Twelve other sessions focusing on a wide variety of caregiver topics are offered during the day.

A special Alzheimer’s course will be available for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Another session addresses questions and concerns of grandparents raising grandchildren.

Other sessions include topics such as mental health, home safety, Medicaid vs. Medicare, financial preparedness and tax information and many others.

Scholarships are available for Native Hawaiians or unpaid family caregivers of Native Hawaiians through Alu Like, Inc. Respite care for older adults may also be available so caregivers can attend this conference.

Registration deadline is July 27 and you must be registered to attend. This conference was at maximum capacity last year, so attendance is on a first come, first served basis.

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With the Pacific hurricane season now upon us, it is very important for all of our Hawai`i residents to be familiar with hurricane preparedness measures.

The County of Hawai`i’s Civil Defense Agency reminds the community that all areas of our Island of Hawai`i can be prone to hurricane hazards.

Residents must be aware that all parts of Hawai`i Island could be exposed to hurricane hazards, despite a common belief that our mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa shield parts of the island from hurricane winds.

We hope our residents will take the time to familiarize themselves with hurricane preparedness measures by reading the County of Hawai`i’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

The Hurricane Preparedness Guide is now available on the County’s website . To access the Hurricane Preparedness Guide, click on http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cd/hpg/main.html . There is also a link to the Civil Defense page http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_defense.htm .

If you’d like a hard copy of the Hurricane Preparedness Guide, copies will be available from the Civil Defense Agency after July 1.

For further information, contact the Civil Defense Agency at 961-8229.

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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 (Hilo) or 329-6868 (Kona) for further information about additional scrap value paid on aluminum cans and their mobile redemption sites in rural communities.

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 Kailua Harbor Sewage Pump Station (formerly known as 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 commenced in January 2005 and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2005. Work is taking 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%. (See above article which lists some ways to conserve water to reach the 10% goal.)

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, 2004.

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.

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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With the theme "Land of the Free...Home of the Brave", the 10^th Annual Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade on July 4 in Kailua-Kona will follow the same route as last year, but will be held in the early evening, for coordination with other community activities scheduled immediately after the parade.

The parade will start at 5:30 pm from Kona's Gymnasium parking lot and take the traditional Kuakini-Palani-Ali`i route to the Coconut Grove Marketplace, where a short awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the parade.

That will be followed by free family concert/entertainment and fireworks in the same area.

A color guard, at least one band, marching units, floats, decorated vehicles and other varied entries are expected from the armed forces, schools, churches, businesses, service clubs, and other community organizations and individuals.

Awards will be given in the four categories of floats, keiki, marching and most patriotic, plus possibly others.

There will be no charge for entries from non-profit groups. The entry fee for commercial participants will be $25 each and political entries will be charged a fee of $50 each. No more than five vehicles or eight motorcycles are to be included in any one entry, and each entrant is to display at least one U.S. flag. Air horns are not to be used.

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The Foundations of Jack Gifford and Betty Kanuha, in cooperation with the County of Hawaii Parks & Recreation Department, will sponsor the Kalae Iki Youth Baseball Clinic July 24-26 at the Kailua-Kona Regulation Baseball Diamond and adjoining playing fields.

This three-day clinic is free of charge and is open to boys & girls ages 7-17.

Several outstanding collegiate coaches have been lined up for the camp:

Present NCAA Division I head coaches Mark Marques (Stanford), Sam Piraro (San Jose State), Ed Sprague (Pacific), Mark O’Brien (Santa Clara), Ritchie Price (Kansas), Lindsey Meggs (Chico State), and Joey Estrella (UH Hilo), along with assistants Tom Kunis (Stanford), Chad Konishi (UH Manoa), Tom Myers (UC Santa Barbara), and former UCLA head coach, Gary Adams, and assistants, Glenn Mickins, Jason Green, and former major league pitcher Tim Leary.

The clinic will feature two sessions daily:

• 8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. for the 7-11 year-olds
• 1 p.m.–4 p.m. for the 12-17 year-olds

Each participant should bring his/her own glove, batting helmet, bat, shoes, and appropriate baseball protective supports (as required by all youth leagues for participation) and water bottles.

Registration will be handled at the Parks & Recreation offices at the Kailua-Kona Permits Office (located by the Aquatics Center), Waimea Community Center at Parker Gym, Waikoloa Elementary, School F Bldg, and Parks & Recreation Division Office located at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale in Hilo and at Sports Line in Hilo.

Each session will be limited to the first 200 applicants in their respective age group.

A Coaches Clinic for all youth and high school coaches will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at the Hapuna Prince Hotel (Hau Lehua Room).

The clinic staff welcomes volunteer help for all drill stations. For more information, call coach Joey Estrella at 974-7700.

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The FREE mulch giveaway was such a success that all available mulch is now pau at both the Hilo and Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Stations.

The County’s Solid Waste Division will be transitioning this month to a new operator, EKO Composting Systems, for mulching services at the County green waste sites. Free mulch should be available again to the public sometime after the middle of July. We will let you know when in this newsletter.

Green waste may still be dropped at the County’s permitted facilities and we ask the public’s kokua for any inconvenience during this transition period.

In other Solid Waste Division news…

• Composting facility under development at Pu’uanahulu

Meantime, the County is pursuing the development of a composting facility at the West Hawaii Sanitary landfill at Pu’uanahulu.

• Commercial Green Waste Tip Fee Approved

A commercial green waste tip fee has been approved by the Hawaii County Council and may go into effect within the next year.

When the commercial green waste tip fee goes into effect sometime after October 1, 2005, all permitted County facilities accepting segregated green waste will charge commercial businesses and haulers bringing in green waste.

The fee for commercially generated and/or hauled greenwaste is set at 25% of the landfill tip fee.

The recently passed ordinance allows for commercial customers to be charged based on a weight/volume conversion already established in the County code, thus commercial green waste may still be dropped at permitted facilities that lack a certified scale and fees will be assessed based on truck size.

(Note: Some permitted facilities, such as Kealakehe and Keaau Transfer Stations that currently receive green waste, are not equipped with a certified scale.)

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The premier season of the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, the new classical music event coming to Waimea, will start on June 20. Festival organizers announced details of four concert events open to the public.

The festival's featured concert is An Evening with Ricky Ian Gordon, to be held Tuesday, July 5 at 7:00 pm at the Peoples Theater in Honokaa. There is a $10 admission charge at the door.

Festival guest composer Ricky Ian Gordon has been compared to a young Leonard Bernstein and is a rising young star on the American music scene. His lyrical and innovative songs have been performed by world famous diva Renee Fleming, Broadway music legend Betty Buckley and the Tony-award winning Audra McDonald.

An American Music Gala will be held in the Mauna Lani Bay Resort on Sunday, July 3 at 5:00 pm. Brass concert will be free to the public at the resort's new Hale Hoaloha outdoor pavilion. Audiences can expect to hear stirring traditional favorites as well as new American contemporary music in a fun and festive evening.

On Thursday, June 30 at 2:00 pm, island youth over age 10 and opera lovers of all ages are invited to a dress rehearsal for An Evening at the Opera, to be held at Gates Performing Arts Center at HPA. The dress rehearsal will be narrated especially for youth.

An Evening at the Opera, with favorite opera scenes performed by HPAF faculty and students, will then be performed the following Friday, July 1 at 7:30 pm at Gates Performing Arts Center at HPA. Both the dress rehearsal and the concert are free and open to the public.

A program geared toward island residents has also been created by the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. Local singers and instrumentalists are welcome to attend the festival as day students to take lessons, classes and coaching in the instrumental and vocal arts.

Carol Prentice, an experienced Alexander Technique teacher from northern California will offer coaching in Alexander Technique, a body work technique that changes movement habits in order to maximize musical performance and prevent repetitive injuries.

Interested musicians over age 13 and of any skill level can choose sessions geared to their area of music. Applications are taken at the festival website at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org .

"Response to the news that we are coming to Waimea this June has been very gratifying," Artistic Director Val Underwood said. "We are pleased with the interest from the local community in classical music and invite everyone who loves to play or sing classical music to come and immerse themselves in an intensive educational program of private lessons, classes, rehearsals and concerts."

Details about the entire festival and concert series can be found at

www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org .

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The Hawaiian monk seals are the most endangered seal species in the U.S, with only an estimated 1,300 seals remaining. Some of these rare mammals are right in our own back yard here on the Big Island.

The Hawai`ian monk seal is the subject of our latest in a series of free ReefTalks:

WHEN: Tuesday, July 19th, 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Thelma Parker Memorial Library, Waimea Elementary School

Justin Viezbicke of the DAR/HIHWNMS will be discussing the basic biology of the monk seal, recent pupping events and sightings on the Big Island, threats that are currently affecting the population and how we as community members can get involved in the conservation of this endangered seal.

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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), a program of UH Hilo’s College of Continuing Education and Community Service, offers noncredit classes to diverse communities of lifelong learners throughout the Big Island, focusing on those 45 and over. There are no tests, grades, or papers – just learning for enjoyment, personal growth and intellectual stimulation.

OLLI, funded in 2004 by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco, California, is one of more than 60 such programs based at universities across the United States, from Maine to Hawaii, from Harvard to UH Manoa. Lectures, short courses, educational activities and events are planned by community members in collaboration with OLLI coordinators.

Classes and programs are taught by a wide range of talented community members in the arts, sciences, humanities, recreation and health, with a goal of using regional resources and topics of interest. OLLI also seeks to partner and collaborate with art centers, theatres, libraries, schools, clubs, businesses, and community organizations.

The first series of North Hawaii OLLI classes are taking place from May through August. They are:

• Sustainable Landscaping and Gardening: May 21 and June 25, 9-11:30 am, Waimea Outdoor Circle, Ulu La’au Park, Waimea, $25/class
• Play the Ukulele with Grammy-Winner Keoki Kahumoku: May 23, 1-4 pm, Hotel Honoka’a Club, Honoka’a, $25
• Mixed Level Watercolor Painting: June 17 and August 19, 9-11:30 am, Hale Kukui Orchard Retreat, Kukuihaele, $40/class
• Introduction to Organic Agribusiness: June 17, 1–3:30 pm, Volcano Island Honey Co., Ahualoa, $25.

For more information on these and OLLI classes taking place in other regions of the Big Island, to register for classes, or to connect with your area coordinator to discuss future program opportunities, call UH Hilo’s College of Continuing Education and Community Service at 974-7664.

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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.)

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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.