November 11, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

When there's a ruckus or a racket going on across the fence, it's wise to let the police deal with it.

Residents plagued by noisy neighbors holding a loud party that stretches into the late night or early morning hours may call the police to ask the revelers to tone it down.

A dog that barks incessantly is another frequent noise complaint that our Hawai`i County police officers handle.

Please call the police non-emergency number at 935-3311 (not 911) and give the dispatcher a description of the noise and where it is coming from.

A police officer will be sent to the scene and will caution the occupants to quiet down. If the noisemakers refuse or start up again after the officer leaves, they are subject to a fine or even jail time.

Excessive or "unreasonable" noise at a residence or a specific place is defined as "disorderly conduct" under Section 711-1101 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

What qualifies as "unreasonable" noise? It could depend on the time of day.

The law states: "Noise is unreasonable... if considering the nature and purpose of the person's conduct and the circumstances known to the person, including the nature of the location and the time of day or night, the person's conduct involves a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a law-abiding citizen would follow in the same situation, or the failure to heed the admonition of a police officer that the noise is unreasonable and should be stopped or reduced."

In other words, the definition of "unreasonable noise" may depend on the time of day.

For example, you may mow your lawn during the day, but you may be ordered to stop if you're mowing it at midnight and your neighbor complains.

The law goes on to say: "The renter, resident or owner-occupant of the premises who knowingly or negligently consents to unreasonable noise on the premises shall be guilty of a noise violation."

Parents who allow their teenagers to hold unreasonably noisy parties are themselves responsible.

The law says: "Disorderly conduct is a petty misdemeanor if it is the defendant's intention to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, or if the defendant persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist. Otherwise disorderly conduct is a violation."

A misdemeanor is punishable by a sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A violation is punishable only by a fine of up to $1,000.

The Hawaii County Code also makes it against the law to play "boom boxes" excessively loud.

Section 14-18 prohibits playing any radio, tape or cassette player or other device reproducing sound on any public street, highway, building, park or thoroughfare or from any motor vehicle on a public street, highway or public space "if the sound generated is audible at a distance of 50 feet from the machine or device producing the sound."

Police officers may cite anyone who violates the section. If a violator refuses to stop his activity after being cited, the officer may arrest him.

Since motor vehicles and motorcycles quickly pass by, catching offenders is difficult, but the Hawaii Revised Statutes provide penalties against excessively noisy mufflers on both motorcycles and motor vehicles.

Section 291-24 provides a fine of up to $100 against anyone who rides a motorcycle or moped with a noisy muffler.

The section states: "Every motorcycle and moped moving under its own power on a public highway shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in constant operation to prevent any excessive or unusual noise and no such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle or a moped in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such motorcycle or moped above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the motorcycle or moped."

Section 291-24.5 provides a fine of up to $200 against anyone who drives a motor vehicle with a noisy muffler.

The law states: "No person shall use on a public highway, sell, alter or install a muffler which will noticeably increase the noise emitted by a motor vehicle above that emitted by the vehicle as equipped from the factory."

To report the noise of low-flying aircraft, you can call the FAA's Flight Standards Office at 1-808-837-8300.

For general noise complaints, please call the non-emergency line for the Hawai`i County Police Department at 935-3311.

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The community is cordially invited to an Open House public meeting to learn more about various road projects in the Kona area and to interact with County and State project engineers.

When: Thursday, November 10, 2005, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Royal Kona Resort

The following projects and initiatives will be discussed:

• Mamalahoa Hwy – Honalo to Capt. Cook
• Palani Road – Kealaka’a Intersection
• Various Intersection Improvements

• Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway Widening
• Kuakini Widening
• Hokuli`a Bypass
• Ali’i Parkway

• Kalaoa Connectors (Palisades – Coastview/ Wonderview)
• La’aloa & Lako Street Mauka – Makai Connectors
• Kamanu Street Extension
• Various Kealakehe Links

• Mass Transit Initiatives (Kokua Zone, Increase Bus Routes & Frequency, Car Pooling, Portable Bus Shelters)
• Traffic Signal Cycles & Gaps
• Driving with Aloha

If you require special accommodations or auxiliary aid and/or services to participate in this meeting (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print) or for more details on the meeting, please contact Jiro Sumada at the Department of Public Works, at 961-8321.

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The community is cordially invited to a public information meeting on November 16 regarding the second phase of proposed Kuakini Highway improvements.

When: Wednesday, November 16, 2005, 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

Where: Kahakai Elementary School cafeteria, 76-147 Royal Poinciana Dr., Kailua-Kona

The County of Hawai`i Department of Public Works, in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, proposes to widen the existing Kuakini Highway, between Hualalai Road and the future intersection with the proposed Ali`i Highway.

The Department of Public Works proposes the widening to increase roadway capacity in the Kailua-to-Keauhou corridor.

Under the proposal, Kuakini Highway would be widened from its existing two-lane configuration to four lanes. Improvements may require construction of retaining walls, some cutting and filling of slopes, and/or the possibility of additional right-of-way acquisition.

Representatives of the Department of Public Works and its consultants will be on hand to share information, answer questions and receive public comments on this project.

If you require special accommodations or auxiliary aid and/or services to participate in this meeting (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print) or for more details on the meeting, please contact Ms. Kiran Emler of the DPW Kailua-Kona office at 327-3530 or email: kemler@co.hawaii.hi.us   at least seven days prior to the meeting.

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WHEN: Wednesday, November 23, 2005, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Hilo County Council Room, 25 Aupuni Street, , Hilo

The Environmental Management Commission meeting agenda is as follows:

If you require an accommodation or auxiliary aid and/or services to participate in this meeting (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print), please call 961-8083 ten days prior to the meeting date. Comments may be sent to Department of Environmental Management, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 210, Hilo, HI 96720 or emailed to cohdem@co.hawaii.hi.us  .

If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. {Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code} A lobbyist means "any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials." {Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code} Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.

The Department of Environmental Management wishes to inform the community that all County of Hawaii Solid Waste Transfer Stations and Landfills will be closed for the following Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 24th - Thursday
• Christmas Day – December 25th – Sunday
• New Years Day – January 1st – Sunday

Personnel will be available to answer questions at each transfer station. All locations will reopen the day after the holiday.

We respectfully ask your kokua. The Solid Waste Division Employees appreciate the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families and thank everyone for their cooperation.

For more information, please call Bobby Gonsalves, Solid Waste Operations Superintendent at 961-8514.

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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.

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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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 community is invited to an informational meeting on Avian Flu and Infectious Diseases on Thursday, November 17, 2005 in Kailua-Kona.

State Representative Josh Green, M.D. is hosting a free community event for Kona residents to learn more about the Avian Influenza or "bird flu epidemic", the "silent epidemics" of Hepatitis B & C, HIV, drug-resistant staph infections, and other infectious diseases affecting West Hawaii. The event will be held on:

When: Thursday, November 17, 2005, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Where: Kona Outdoor Circle – Education Center & Botanical Gardens, Kailua-Kona

"This is an important presentation that everyone, including medical providers, should consider attending," said Dr. Green. "These preventable and treatable health issues are not discussed enough until there is a death in the community. We need to be more proactive to help protect the health of our families and our loved ones."

• Alan D. Tice, M.D., FACP, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Tice is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. He has 35 years experience as an infectious disease specialist and has spoken about infectious diseases all over the world.

• State Representative Josh B. Green, M.D. Dr. Green will discuss infectious diseases in West Hawaii from a local physician's perspective.

• Ken Akinaka, MRA, Executive Director of the Hepatitis Prevention, Education, Treatment and Support Network of Hawaii. Mr. Akinaka will discuss what we can do about the silent epidemics of Hepatitis B & C.

The event is sponsored by West Hope for a Cure Foundation and Roche Pharmaceutical, Inc.

For further information, call Rep. Josh Green, M.D. at 1-(808)-586-9490.

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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. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Kalani Brady.

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. No cancellation refunds after November 23rd.

• Eight sessions designed for family caregivers are offered in the morning. Caregivers may choose two sessions that will be most helpful to their situation.
• A Resource Fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Exhibit staff will be available with information about local services and products as well as helpful tips and tools to assist the caregiver at home.
• Self-care stations will be available from 1:15 – 3:00 p.m. to treat caregivers therapeutically in an environment of emotional support and physical renewal. Self-care coaches will guide the caregivers through such activities as flower and tea therapy, art therapy, music therapy, massage therapy and healing touch. There is something for everyone.

Registration Fee (includes the day’s workshops, luncheon, refreshments and exhibits):

• $20.00 for unpaid caregivers who completes the Caregiver Registry form on the back page of the Conference Registration Form is required for this reduced price.
• $25.00 for all other. This includes service/home care providers, paid caregivers, and students.

Respite Care: The Hawaii County Office of Aging may be able to locate respite care for older family members so family caregivers can attend this conference. Be sure to indicate your need on the registration form. Conference staff will contact you to make necessary arrangements.

Scholarships: If you are a Native Hawaiian or an unpaid caregiver of a Native Hawaiian, scholarships may be available through ALU LIKE, INC. Complete the Scholarship Application form and mail to ALU LIKE, INC. directly.

Accommodations for People with Disabilities: Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (i.e. special seating). If you need special help, indicate your need on registration form.

For more information and to obtain the conference registration form, please call the Hawaii County Office of Aging, Laverne Omori or Bernie Canda 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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The West Hawai`i campus of Hawaii Community College is now accepting applications for the Spring 2006 semester. The priority application deadline for new/transfer/returning students is December 9.

The Office of Student Services located in Kealakekua will be open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) to accept applications from 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Spring semester begins January 9, 2006 and ends May 12, 2006. Interested individuals can call the Student Services Office at 322-4856 for additional information.

College representatives will also be at the annual Hawaii College and Career Fair on November l8th, 2006 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

Continuing students who attend the College this fall semester may now pre-register for the spring semester on line based on their time ticket information. Check the web at http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ucwh   for a listing of the spring schedule of classes.

Hawaii Community College offers the liberal arts Associate of Arts (AA) degree to prepare students to transfer to UH campuses of Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu as well as to mainland colleges and universities.

Three certificates in special areas of study are also included as options within the AA degree:

• Environmental Studies
• Hawaiian Lifestyles
• Human Services.

Hawaii Community College presents options in Early Childhood Education, Food Services, Hotel Operations, Nursing, and a special Substance Abuse certificate.

Of special importance are the three teacher licensure programs in the Neighbor Islands offered in 2006 by UH-Manoa College of Education with an application deadline of January 13.

The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, the Post Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education, and the Bachelors of Education in Elementary Education are all taking new applicants for the cohorts beginning 2006.

Check the web at http://www.hawaii.edu/coe/departments/outreach/programs.html   .

These programs require internet access, computer access, and some weekend travel.

Please check the web address for the center for a complete list of degrees offered.

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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. Trenching work will take place from Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18, 2005 at the following locations:

• From Kaiulani Street on Waianuenue Avenue to Komohana Street.

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 7th 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.