October 7, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

Recycled paper gets around. More than 80% of U.S. papermakers use some recycled fiber to make their products.

The types of paper fibers include corrugated cardboard, newspaper, office paper, ledger paper, junk mail, magazines, phone books, cereal boxes (i.e. boxboard), among others.

The biggest component of paper recycling is made up of newspaper and corrugated cardboard.

In the County of Hawai`i, 11.3% of all the tonnage diverted from landfill in Fiscal Year 2004-2005 was paper fibers, which was then recycled.

The County’s diversion grant program offers incentives to waste processors to divert paper fibers from the island’s landfills. The island’s waste stream entering our landfills is characterized as being 22.5% paper fibers; much of which can be diverted. The per-ton diversion credits are intended to offset the costs of processing and transporting the material to markets where it is recovered and used to produce new goods.

The per-ton credit stands at $40/ton for paper fibers and is expected to remain at that level due to the stability of global markets for recycled paper.

Cardboard is one of the most easily diverted materials being disposed of at our island transfer stations.

The County remains committed to increasing diversion of paper fibers and has increased the amount budgeted for the diversion grant fund each of the last two years. The tonnage of paper fibers diverted has increased from 4,131 tons in 2002 to 6,230 tons in 2005 -- representing a 51% increase in paper diversion.

Most of the diverted paper fiber tonnage is shipped off-island for further processing, while the rest is shredded and used locally as packaging material.

That paper that you took down to the recycling station may go through more renditions that you ever thought possible.

The great news is that mountains of paper retrieved from the wastebasket never make it into our rapidly-filling landfills, and instead may be tomorrow's coffee filter, office stationery, diaper or dinner napkin. And on and on.

Recycled paper is more economical to manufacture, using 55 percent less water, and using 60-70 percent less energy than when virgin wood pulp is used to make paper.

Every ton of paper used for recycling saves enough electricity for a three-bedroom house (or 3000-4000 kilowatt-hours).

Recycling paper, by definition, helps preserve our forests.

While the paper industry is one of the largest water polluters in the world, recycled paper reduces water pollution by 35 percent.

Recycled paper is easier on the air, too, reducing toxic pollutants by 74 percent, according to the Treecycle website.

The U.S. recycling industry as a whole now accounts for at least 3 percent of our nation's gross domestic product, provides direct employment for more than one million people, and indirectly employs another 1.4 million people in recycling-support industries.

According to Mark Starnes in the newsletter Resource Recycling, paper recycling makes for some $37 billion in annual payroll in the United States, and contributes more than $3 billion per year in taxes.

Paper recycling grew to 50 percent in 2003.

The American Forest & Paper Association says that accounted for 339 pounds of paper for every man, woman and child in the United States. The paper industry has set an ambitious goal of raising the percentage of recycled paper by another 5 percent, or 55 percent of all paper consumed in this country by 2012.

That extra five percent is the rough equivalent of 23 skyscrapers filled top to bottom with paper, Mark Starnes says.

Choose recycled paper products when you shop. Recycled paper supplies more than 37% of the raw materials used to make new paper products in the United States.

Every ton of newsprint is the equivalent of 12 trees. Every ton of office paper recycled is the equivalent of 24 trees.

International demand for recycled materials -- especially paper -- is huge, amid the rapid industrial development in countries like China and India.

China's demand for recycled paper began to skyrocket once the Asian giant's economic boom took off in the mid-1990s. By far the biggest source for China's supply of recycled paper comes from the United States.

In 1990, the United States provided negligible amounts of recycled paper to China. By 2003, the volume jumped to more than four million metric tons, or about half of the recycled paper that China exported.

Consumption of recovered paper is expected to grow worldwide by six million tons per year over the next decade.

Demand for paper products in China and other emerging Asian economies is fast outstripping supply, and the United States and other suppliers are scrambling to fill the bill by collecting paper for recycling.

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The Hawai‘i County Council will start videoconferencing its committee meetings from October 4, 2005, and is expected to continue to do so on a regular basis.

Videoconferencing of committee meetings is available from the County Council Room in Hilo.

It will also be available at the following locations:

• Kona Council Office at the Kailua Trade Center, 75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona.
• Waimea Council Office at the Holomua Center, 64-1067 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite 5, Waimea.

Any persons wishing to testify may do so at the above locations:

The Hawai‘i County Council is committed to bringing local government closer to the people and encourages the public to become involved voicing your opinions. Do not let others speak for you.

For further information, please contact the County Clerk's Office at 961-8255.

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Hawai`i County is currently recruiting citizen volunteers to serve as commissioners on the Cost of Government Commission.

This Commission was created by Charter amendment in 2000. The Commission serves for a period of 11 months only, and is empaneled one year after the Mayor is elected into office.

Their mission is to study and investigate present operations within the County of Hawai`i, and make recommendations to the Mayor and Hawai`i County Council on how improvements in County government may be made.

Amid rising demands placed on the County, limited resources and the need to provide our citizens the very best service, the importance of this Commission is evident. Please consider volunteering your time and life experience to help your County government to better serve you and your fellow citizens.

Completed applications can be dropped off at the above County offices.

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Residents can once again recycle many of the same types of items that they used to bring to the now-closed Community Recycling Center on Railroad Avenue in Hilo.

At the Hilo Transfer Station (just beyond the HI5 Redemption Center), residents can now recycle the following:

• Cardboard and brown paper bags
• Newspapers and magazines
• Glass (mayo jars, wine bottles, etc.)
• Aluminum (pie tins, etc.)
• Plastics #1 & #2 (milk jugs, detergent bottles, etc.)
• Office paper (white, ledger, colors – no brights)

Got recycling questions? Call the County Recycling Specialists at 961-8527, 961-8549 or 961-8554.

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Waimea area residents can now recycle non-HI5 glass and other recyclables at the Waimea Transfer Station, just opposite the transfer station chutes.

Two separate containers are accepting the following:

• Glass – all non-HI5 glass, such as mayonnaise jars and wine bottles;
• Mixed Recyclables – flattened cardboard and boxboard, newspaper and magazines, mixed office paper, junk mail, phone books, rinsed aluminum and tin cans, plastics #1 and #2 (rinsed & no caps).

What happens to these recyclables?

The glass is crushed and used on the Big Island. The mixed recyclables are bailed and shipped to mainland sorting facilities, where they’re earmarked for new product markets.

Got recycling questions? Call the County Recycling Specialists at 961-8527, 961-8549 or 961-8554.

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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 935-0031.

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The County of Hawai’i’s beverage container redemption sites have new hours of operation beginning August 1. There is a new site that recently opened in Hawi on Saturday, August 20. Hawi now has official certification and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am-4:30 pm, closed from 1-1:30 pm for lunch.

Qualifying Beverage Containers:

What’s IN: Eligible (redeemable) beverage containers include: soft drinks, soda, water, juice, tea and coffee drinks, and low alcohol content drinks (beer, malt beverages, wine coolers, mixed spirits) in metal, glass or #1 & #2 plastic, 64 oz. or less.

What’s OUT: Ineligible (unredeemable) containers include: milk, wine and liquor containers.

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

**Transfer Station centers closed daily from 1:00-1:30pm for lunch.**

Please contact Atlas Recycling LLC 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.

Certified redemption centers are now accepting flattened aluminum and plastic HI5¢ beverage containers.

Flattened containers are weighed at redemption sites to determine deposit payment. The public is reminded that reverse vending machines will not accept flattened or crushed containers.

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 HI5¢ program or visit:

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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.

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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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Celebrate County Trail Revitalization Day on Saturday, October 8 by hiking in Hawai`i's historic districts with the E Ma Na Ala Hele hiking and trail advocacy group. All hikes are free and are led by experienced hike leaders. Hikes will be offered in the districts of Ka'u, Kohala, Puna and Kona.

For all hikes, please bring a day pack with two quarts of water; snacks and lunch, sunscreen, and light rain gear. Wear hiking shoes, socks, shorts, a shirt, sunglasses and a hat for sun protection. Please note: no participants will be allowed to hike in rubbah slippahs.

Ka`u District hike: led by Betsy Morrigan

This hike covers about 3.5 miles along the coast from Punalu`u to Kawa.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking area at Punalu`u Beach. We will see interesting small and large anchialine ponds, the beautiful surf break and the "ice pond" at Kawa and a large heiau near Kawa. For more information, please call Betsy Morrigan at 328-8911.

Kohala District hike: led by Mike Shewmaker

This hike covers 3.5 miles and includes Mo'okini Heiau and Kamehameha's birthplace.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Old Coast Guard Station parking area. The hike will begin from the Airport at Upolu Point. From there it is approximately 1.8 miles to the Mo'okini Heiau. For more information please contact Michael Shewmaker at 960-3677.

Puna District hike: led by Toni Thomson and Councilman Bob Jacobson.

This hike covers five miles along the Old Volcano Trail.

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of the S. Glenwood Road and the Volcano Highway. For exact directions to the meeting place in Glenwood, please call Toni Thomson at 982-9287. This hike features a cool elevation, upland forest trail with native tree species and some open pasture.

Kona District hike: led by Ruby Tzimeas

This hike covers four to five miles along the shore at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park.

Hikers should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the "new" visitor center for Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. The visitor center is accessed from the Queen Ka¹ahumanu Highway near CostCo. The trail passes many interesting sites, including a small ritual slide, fish ponds, and a "Queen's bath". For more information, please call Ruby Tzimeas at 987-0200.

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FREE MULCH is now available at both the Hilo and Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Stations. At the present time, no loading fees are being charged, although the public is advised to ask the operator for loading assistance. There may be a short wait time if the operator is busy.

The public may drop off green waste at either facility between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm seven days a week. Loading assistance is available at the Hilo and Kailua-Kona processing sites Monday through Saturday.

Residents are encouraged to contact any of the local trucking firms to arrange for delivery of large loads of mulch to their homes or places of business. Although there is no charge for the mulch and loading fees are waived, the public will need to pay their own delivery charges as negotiated with a local trucking firm.

EKO Composting Systems has assumed the operations of the County of Hawaii’s green waste drop-off and pick-up areas at the Hilo and Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Stations as of July 1, 2005.

The County is working on the development of a composting facility at the materials recovery area of the West Hawai`i Sanitary Landfill, which will also include receiving bays for used cooking oil and grease trap waste. When the new composting facility is completed, EKO will commence the production of high quality, U.S. Council certified, compost.

In addition, EKO Composting Systems along with partner company Pacific Biodiesel will be initiating the capture of waste oils for the production of biodiesel.

The public should be aware that there are size requirements that must be met in order to drop off residential and commercially hauled green waste at the processing facilities at Kailua-Kona and Hilo green waste yards.

These size requirements must also be followed for any green waste dropped at the Keaau Recycling and Reuse Center, as well as for any green waste disposed of at one of the County’s 21 residential solid waste transfer stations.

At this time, no pallets may be delivered to the green waste processing facilities although the County intends to begin receiving pallets for chipping starting next year.

If loads delivered to the green waste drop-off sites and/or County transfer stations do not meet these criteria, the other option will be to dispose of the load at either the County’s South Hilo or West Hawai’i Sanitary Landfills. Green waste loads that do not meet acceptable requirements will be charged a special handling fee of $85/load in addition to the tip fee of $65/ton IF taken to either County landfill.

For further information, please contact the County’s recycling coordinator at 961-8942.

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Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge will be celebrating its 20th anniversary during its annual open house on Saturday, October 15.

Reservations are now being accepted to participate in hikes through portions of this first-of-its-kind refuge set aside to protect Hawaii’s unique rainforest birds and their habitat.

Residents and visitors are invited to hike through the Pua ‘Akala Tract, which harbors a high-elevation rainforest. It is home to many native birds such as ‘i‘iwi and ‘elepaio, and significant numbers of endangered species including the Hawai‘i creeper and Hawai‘i ‘akepa.

A historic 110-year old koa cabin also will be open for viewing.

Visitors will be met by refuge staff and tour leaders at the Pua ‘Akala Barn anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. They will receive a briefing on refuge management objectives and strategies and a description of the plants and animals the Refuge protects. Rainforest hikes of varying lengths will be offered.

The hikes will be led by biologists and staff familiar with native Hawaiian flora and fauna. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the refuge greenhouse and learn about the forest restoration program. Cultural resource protection, weed control projects and the University of Hawaii’s field station will also be highlighted.

Participants must arrange their own transportation to the Refuge. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for the two-hour drive from Hilo, Waimea, or Kona.

This trip is not recommended for young children or those who may have problems with the long rough ride, rugged terrain, and primitive facilities.

Visitors should come prepared for wet chilly weather and bring their own lunch, water, binoculars, and rain gear.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling the refuge office in Hilo at 933-6915 by October 12.

Directions and additional information will be mailed to all participants.

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The Kailua-Kona Lions Club is organizing its First Annual Flea Market, Car Show & Swap Meet on Saturday, October 22, from 7 am-4 pm at The Swing Zone in Kailua-Kona.

We are actively seeking people who have something they want to sell, crafters, and musical groups who want to show their talent. In addition, any group can hui together to sell those items that have been gathering dust around the house and garage all these years.

One person's trash may be another person's treasure.

The Car Show will feature all types of vehicles from antiques, hot rods, custom cars and pickups to motorcycles and low riders.

The cost to rent a 10x10 ft space is $20 for the entire day. Proceeds from the space rentals benefit local high school seniors through the Lions Scholarship Fund. For information, call Sonia at 329-7133.

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The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii is putting out a call for Hawaii residents to share their personal internment stories at the Japanese Culture Day in Hawaii celebration on November 19, 2005, 10-2 pm at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.

The story of Hawaii residents who were taken from their homes and relocated to internment camps on the U.S. Mainland during World War II is an important family story in the Japanese-American community. This occasion is an opportunity to share those experiences.

Anyone interested in sharing his or her personal story is invited to send in a written submission using the following questions:

• What is your most vivid memory of internment?
• How did internment affect your life afterwards?
• What lessons did you learn from the experience?
• What would you like to share with future generations?

The committee is planning for several relaxed settings in which the people who have stories to share can "talk story" prior to the Japanese Culture Day on November 19.

Later, several will participate onstage at Sangha Hall in a facilitated talk story session led by Randy Hirokawa, UHH dean of arts and science.

Those with a story to share should send their written submission by September 26, to Japanese Community Association, P. O. Box 1124, Hilo, HI 96721 or fax to 935-8314. Please Include your full name and contact information.

There will be a display of personal mementos during the Japanese Culture Day in Hawaii.

This year’s Japanese Culture Day will also feature Senator Daniel K. Inouye as keynote speaker who will also assist in honoring our World War II AJA Veterans.

The event will also offer demos and displays including Tea Ceremony, bonsai, ikebana, traditional crafts such as oshibana, chigiri-e and shishu, as well as mochi-tsuki, kendo, and Japanese food. Entertainment includes taiko, koto, song and dance, as well as, Calligraphy and Shichi-go-san Kimono Dressing for children ages 7-5-3.

For more information, please contact Jan Higashi at 961-6848.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors begin installing a fiber optic cable conduit system in the Hilo area. From October 7, 2005 Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Waianuenue Avenue onto Kaumana Drive between Pu‘uhina and Hala‘i Streets – (Intermittent lane closures and lane diversions)

The work will start at 8:30 am and continue until 4:00 pm during the weekdays, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow for extra travel time.

Contractors estimate the work to be completed at the end of February 2006.

For further information, please contact Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509. Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.

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

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