November 4, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.

Almost all human cases have been traced to close contact with infected poultry. The process of raising chickens and preparing chickens in Asia -- home slaughter, plucking feathers, preparing it for the table -- introduces a number of ways in which a person can become infected. There have been very limited examples of human-to-human transmission. Extended, prolonged contact with poultry and their secretions is the most likely route of infection.

Contact with bird feces is another way people could become infected. Eating raw, contaminated poultry blood has been suggested as one of the ways people have become infected in Vietnam. Thoroughly boiling or cooking poultry will destroy the virus.

Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory compromise (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications.

The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

The spread of bird flu viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely among those with prolonged contact with the ill person, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.

Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses should work in preventing bird flu infection in humans. However, flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work.

Additional studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of these medicines.

The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds.

The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia and Europe is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths.

In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry.

For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, please visit the World Health Organization website at: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/

Influenza A (H5N1) virus, also called "H5N1 virus," is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds.

It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide and is very contagious among birds.

The distinguishing feature of this H5N1 virus from other bird flu viruses is its common tendency to cause severe and even fatal disease among several species of birds.

Outbreaks of influenza H5N1 occurred among poultry in eight countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) during late 2003 and early 2004. At that time, more than 100 million birds in the affected countries either died from the disease or were killed to try to control the outbreak.

By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control. Beginning in late June 2004, however, new outbreaks of influenza H5N1 among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam).

It is believed that these outbreaks are ongoing. Most recently, influenza H5N1 has been reported among poultry in Turkey and Romania. Human infections of influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

At this time, H5N1 virus has not been identified outside of the overseas areas reported above. Risk is highest for those who travel to the affected areas and experience significant exposure to infected poultry and their secretions.

The H5N1 virus currently infecting birds in Asia that has caused human illness and death is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamivir, have shown activity against the H5N1 virus in laboratory testing, but additional studies still need to be done to prove their effectiveness.

There currently is no commercially-available vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus. However, efforts to develop vaccine are underway in research laboratories.

Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005. For more information about the H5N1 vaccine development process, visit the National Institutes of Health website at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2005/avianfluvax.htm .

Travelers to affected countries should consult the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Travel Health website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_influenza_se_asia_2005.htm   for specific travel recommendations.

Airline flight crews and airport personnel who may be meeting passengers arriving from affected countries may consult: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/avian_flu_ig_airlines_021804.htm   for recommendations specific to their roles.

No. The issue is important and has been of concern for all public health officials, scientists and physicians since at least 1997 with the first H5N1 outbreak.

Highly pathogenic, H5N1 is a clear danger to poultry, and its threat to wild birds is real. Although the number of human cases has been small so far, the potential for the virus to change into a more serious threat to humans is also real.

Therefore, public awareness about avian influenza is important.

The sick and the elderly are the usual vulnerable targets for the annual flu, because they are less able to fight an infection.

According to the World Health Organization data, currently healthy young adults and children are being infected by H5N1. There are not enough cases to completely understand H5N1 infection in humans.

However, the current circulating H5N1 virus has not changed to a form that easily passed among humans. The risk is greatest for people in the affected areas who have significant, prolonged exposure to infected poultry.

When a flu quickly spreads around the world it is known as a pandemic flu. Pandemic flu occurs when a new, highly infectious and dangerous strain of the virus appears. Unlike the common flu outbreaks every winter, flu pandemics can be expected to occur every few decades.

We know from study of previous pandemics that a pandemic tends to unfold in waves, i.e., periods of exponentially increasing disease separated by periods of declining disease activity. Subsequent waves tend to be more severe than the previous waves of a pandemic.

There are small changes in the flu virus that occur continually over time. However, the virus can change dramatically and unexpectedly through a process known as "shift."

Shift results in the appearance of a new influenza virus to which few, if any, people would have immunity.

If this new virus spreads easily from person-to-person, it could quickly travel around the world and cause increased levels of serious illness and death, affecting millions of people. This is called an influenza pandemic. Fortunately, pandemics don't occur very often.

There has not been an influenza pandemic since 1968.

The threat of an unknown virus is the most challenging problem. Officials cannot develop a vaccine if they do not know which virus is circulating. Once a pandemic flu virus is identified, a vaccine specific to that virus can be developed. Because of the current methods used to produce a flu vaccine, it can take at least 6 months to develop a new vaccine and then a longer period to distribute it.

The best method of preventing the spread of the flu is the timely development, distribution, and administration of influenza vaccine. Even with delayed availability, vaccination has the potential to have a significant impact on subsequent waves (spreading) of a pandemic.

How can I best protect myself during a pandemic?

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others in your community from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue and wash your hands immediately so you don’t spread your germs to others.
• Washing your hands after handling potentially contaminated materials and before eating or touching your face will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

The Hawai`i State Department of Health is working to ensure continued annual flu surveillance in Hawaii via the Sentinel Physician Network (which is also part of the national network coordinated through the CDC). DOH also continues to encourage more physicians to participate to expand the surveillance network.

• Enhancing surveillance for flu, especially in travelers. DOH will begin surveillance for flu-like illness in travelers, including testing for flu. If history is consistent with possible exposure to avian flu, testing will also be performed to try to specifically identify H5N1.
• Finalizing Hawaii’s Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan to outline the Department of Health (DOH) response (coordination of operations with partners, enhanced surveillance, vaccine delivery if available, antiviral delivery as available, quarantine and isolation if necessary and/or useful, healthcare delivery, and communications).
• Coordinating Strategic National Stockpile plans for potential distribution of antivirals, and considering alternative options to obtain antivirals for Hawaii’s people.
• Distributing educational materials to physicians and other health-care providers.
• Maintaining communications with state and County agencies, healthcare providers, first responders, and various other partners.
• Providing useful information to the public and building public awareness.
• Conducting and participating in exercises and drills with County, state, federal and private agencies to improve coordination between response agencies.

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The County of Hawaii`s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) is currently planning for its 2006 Consolidated/Action Plan process for the aforementioned programs.

The County’s five-year 2005-2009 CP describes the County's housing and community development needs, funding plans, priorities and objectives, and includes the County's Annual Action plan for the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds.

The County of Hawai`i is, therefore, seeking eligible project proposals to include in its 2006 Annual Action Plan to HUD.

The County expects to receive approximately $2,500,000 for its CDBG Program and $1,000,000 for the HOME Program.

Project proposals submitted to the OHCD must comply with the program criteria, meet eligibility requirements, program objectives, and be consistent with the County’s priorities and objectives as contained in the County’s 2005-2009 CP.

All original project proposals and two (2) copies must be received by 4:30 p.m. on January 12, 2006, by the OHCD, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720-2456.

The proposal forms and federal guidelines covering the eligible activities will be available at the following locations beginning October 28, 2005, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Proposal forms will also be mailed, upon request, after October 28, 2005.  Forms, etc. are available at:

OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT , Hilo Armory, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720.  Phone: 961-8379

HAWAI`I COUNTY SERVICES, Hanama Place, Suite 103, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740.  Phone: 329-5226

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

The County’s approved 2005-2009 CP is also available for public review at the Hawai`i State Public Libraries in Honoka`a, Kamuela, Kohala, Pahala, Pahoa, Kailua-Kona and Hilo.

A brief description of the CDBG and HOME Programs are as follows:

Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383) created the CDBG Program, which became effective January 1, 1974. Under the CDBG Program, a community is able to develop a flexible, locally designed comprehensive community development strategy in order to address the program's primary objective: "...development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income."

Under the CDBG program, grants or loan assistance may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO), (non-profit organization) for the following activities provided that these activities either 1) principally benefit low and moderate income families, 2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or 3) meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.

• Acquisition, disposition of real property, relocation payments, clearance
• Public facilities
• Public service
• Payment of non-federal share
• Homeownership (i.e. subsidize interest, mortgage guarantee, down payment, closing cost)
• Rehabilitation and preservation
• Economic development, micro-enterprises
• Planning and administration

The HOME Program was created under Title II (the HOME Investment Partnership Act) of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. The purpose of the HOME Program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for very low and low-income persons.

Under the HOME Program, equity investments, interest-bearing and non-interest bearing loans or advances, deferred payment loans, grants, may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, developers, owners, community housing development organizations or other private organizations are eligible to utilize HOME funds for the following activities.

• Development hard costs defined as the actual cost of constructing or rehabilitating housing.
• Acquisition costs.
• Related soft costs defined as other reasonable and necessary costs incurred and associated with the financing or development (or both) of new construction, rehabilitation or acquisition of housing assisted with HOME funds.
• Relocation costs.
• Cost related to tenant-based rental assistance.

Applicants applying for HOME funding are required to match for every $1.00 of federal HOME funds expended for the project with at least $.25 of eligible matching funds.

For more information, please contact the Office of Housing and Community Development at 961-8379.

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Join with members of our Hawai`i Island community to help the families of servicemen and women deployed overseas.

In many cases, the families of our deployed servicemen and women need a hand with chores or homework -- needs that would normally be dealt with by the service member.

While the National Guard has a Family Assistance Coordinator in the County of Hawai`i who handles these needs for the more than 250 Hawai`i Island families of the Guard and Reservists, he and the families could use our help.

Mayor Harry Kim and Council Chair Stacy Higa have put out a call to County workers to volunteer time to help their neighbors whose loved ones are deployed.

We welcome anyone in our community who is willing to offer aloha and a small amount of time and to help the families of our deployed servicemen and women.

To offer your help, please contact the Guard's Family Assistance Coordinator David Ferreira at 933-0931 or 756-0370.

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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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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 following is a primer on the State of Hawai`i's beverage container redemption program works, and the location of the County of Hawai’i’s beverage container redemption sites:

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.

DID YOU KNOW….that the Department of Environmental Management has a new information line? Call 961-5044 for HI5¢ redemption, recycling, and other solid waste information. 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.

Information is also available via the County website at www.co.hawaii.hi.us.

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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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West Hawai`i veterans will be honored at the second annual Veterans Luncheon on November 11 in Kona.

WHEN: Friday, November 11 (Veterans Day) at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Kealakehe High School cafeteria

At this year's luncheon there will be a special tribute to the 442d Regimental Command Team and the 100th Battalion.

The lunch is free for all veterans. Please pick up your tickets from one of the following West Hawaii Veterans groups:

• Korean War Veterans post #279
• Veterans of the Purple Heart post #731
• American Legion post #20
• Disabled American Veterans post #7
• Veterans Center at Pottery Terrace.

Veterans with tickets will be allowed to bring one guest.

Local restaurants and businesses have offered to donate platters of prepared food, but since we hope to feed 500, we could always use more donated food. The lunch is being hosted by American Legion post #20 and the Kona United Methodist church, so all donations are eligible for a tax deduction.

For further information contact Andy Archibald at 329-1532 email: andy-barbara@hawaii.rr.com  or

Joe and Lee Pretsch at 325-7999 or joelee007@juno.com .

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The Hawaii State Office for USDA Rural Development, in partnership with USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service is pleased to announce a 2007 Farm Bill Listening Session.

The forum has been scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Keauhou Beach Resort Convention Center.

The Farm Bill Forum will be hosted by Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr, who will be joined by Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson. Also expected to attend will be Governor Linda Lingle, Congressman Ed Case, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii Department of Agriculture Chairperson Sandra Kunimoto.

This is an opportunity to provide input into how best to shape future farm and rural policy at USDA. Listening sessions like this are being held across the nation to obtain community input into the next Farm Bill.

"The 2007 Farm Bill will affect America's entire agricultural community, so I believe our entire agricultural community should have a say in the process. I welcome input from across the nation about what is working and what we can do to improve farm policy," said Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture in a statement.

The 2002 Farm Bill (officially entitled the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) authorizes many USDA programs, including farm price and income support programs. New legislation must be enacted prior to the bill's expiration in 2007.

The primary topics addressed at the forums will reflect various concerns affecting rural America such as commodities, conservation, and rural economic development.

Among the main areas under discussion:

• How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to compete effectively in global markets?
• How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?
• How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly

distribute assistance to producers?

• How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?
• How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?
• How should these agricultural product, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 1-(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). If you plan to attend, please contact USDA/Rural Development at 933-8313 or

933-8326 (F) so we can get a rough head count.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action's Traffic and Animal Control Task Force groups will meet on Monday, November 14, 2005 via video conference at:

• Kona Mayor's Office at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
• Prosecutor's Office at 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo.

Time: 10 am - 11 am

Traffic Task Force will continue working on "Speeding In Neighborhoods". Topic: Review of the "Community Road Safety Watch" program. Please contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com

Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

Animal Control Task Force will continue working on the proposed Animal Control Ordinances and on community projects. Please contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net

For further details, please visit the Solutions web site at www.solutionsislandhawaii.com .

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The 2005 Carousel of Care-Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself conference, aimed at offering practical help to caregivers, will be held on November 30 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

This conference offers a wealth of information for caregivers, featuring expert speakers, resource exhibits of local agencies and organizations and volunteer coaching.

This conference aims to help caregivers get through their daily routines safely and easily. Moreover, the conference provides an opportunity to network with other caregivers.

Volunteers from the community coach the caregivers in a variety of leisure activities like art therapy, scrap-booking, tea ceremony and flower-arranging, and provide therapeutic services like massage, Healing Touch, and music therapy.

When it started back in 1999, the Hawaii Community Caregiver Network (HCCN), assisted by the Hawaii County Office of Aging (HCOA) and the Alzheimer’s Association had a pretty good idea that family caregivers needed as much help as they could get.

Caregivers are the true heroes of health care in our nation.

HCCN recognizes that caregivers need to preserve their own health and maintain a balanced lifestyle and designed this all-day caregiver conference to help caregivers do just that. According to the response that first year and every year for the past seven years, they were right.

Caregivers need to share experiences and learn what works and what doesn’t. They can take comfort from others who empathize with the emotional roller coaster ride they all experience.

Deadline to register: November 14. Space is limited and attendance will be on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or an enrollment application, please call the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 327-3597.

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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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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.

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.)

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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 Monday, November 7 through Friday, November 11, Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Waianuenue Avenue between Ululani Street and Lele Street. Parking in the areas of the schools may be affected. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.

The work will start at 8:30 am and continue until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

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

Contractors are in their 5th week of work and 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.