December 30, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

• New Deputy Planning Director Brad Kurokawa takes post January 23

• New Year's Fireworks Permits Go On Sale from Dec 26
• Environmental Management Commission Meets January 25 in Waimea
• Domestic Production Activities Deduction - A New Federal Tax Deduction
• Environmental Management Commission Seeks Applicants
• Holiday Closures of County Transfer Stations, Landfills
• Office of Housing Seeks Requests for Proposal for 2006 CDBG/HOME Program
• County Seeks Applicants for Cost of Government Commission
• HI 5¢ Redemption Centers – Locations and Hours of Operation
• Kuakini Highway Construction Update
• Job Announcements

• Mochi Pounding in Wailea Village, Hakalau on New Year's Eve Day
• Solutions Task Force Groups Hold Videoconferences January 9
• Christmas Tree Recycling is Here Again
• Free Mulch is Now Available at Hilo, Kona Transfer Stations

• Hawaii Community College in West Hawai`i Offers Retirement Class
• Composting Workshops in Hilo, Kea`au in January
• Computer Recycling Returns to Kona January 21
• Art of Recycling School Competition Makes Debut January 28, 29
• Timelines for Spring Semester 2006 at West Hawai`i Campus of HawCC

• Signs and Markings Projects
• Update on Fiber Optic Cable Project in Hilo

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Brad Kurokawa is a returning Hilo native, committed to making his home Island of Hawai`i a nicer place to live.

A landscape architect by training, Kurokawa comes back to the Big Island to take up the post of deputy planning director as of January 23.

The 1975 Hilo High School graduate honed his skills in the field of landscape architecture and planning for more than 23 years in Seattle and San Francisco, after attaining a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Kurokawa brings to his new position a passion for preserving the spirit of our beloved `aina. He is a strong advocate for creating sustainable communities, regenerative site development, utilizing environmentally-friendly building strategies, energy efficiency, and community involvement.

"I look forward to actively participating in the current community development/readiness planning process. I expect to attend community meetings and talk story with our residents in the communities all over the island," Kurokawa said in a recent interview. "I hope to give back to this place in whatever way I can, to work with the folks who are our community so we can keep our island a good place for our families and future generations."

Since moving back to the Big Island in January 2005, Kurokawa was involved as a landscape architect/planner on the Waikoloa Workforce Housing project for the County of Hawai`i. This major project is aimed at providing affordable housing in West Hawai`i that will be closer to residents' workplaces.

The project, which is currently in the planning stage, seeks to provide quality of life-enhancing amenities such as quality affordable housing, parks, playgrounds, walking trails within the rapidly growing Waikoloa community. The intent behind the design of the community, its homes, streets, parks and trails is to provide desirable Big Island living environments -- places where people really want to live.

This may sound strange but I essentially listened to my gut, my heart. It was time to come home. My family live here. I’ve seen so much change over the years, some good, some not so good. But it’s still home and I’d like to give back to this place I love.

I consider government as the servant of the people, the community. In that capacity with the belief that we are "all in this together and it IS our home", I think that a proactive planning "official" can play the role of increasing awareness of our home – the ‘aina and what it gives to us and how we are only a part of it. But we humans impact it in a big way. With this awareness the planning officials’ role is to assist the community in identifying what its values are and how those values get expressed in PHYSICAL form – what and how we live on the ‘aina; what are the consequences. This translates values directly into issues like where we live, what we live in, how far do we drive or not drive to work and play. The planning official facilitates and implements the community’s vision. Of course, this assumes that individual residents get involved and believe they can and will make a difference.

Growing up here has definitely influenced my ideas about community. I think the root of the word community is "common;" here in Hawaii we live on an island, together, connected to this place. We are ‘ohana; we are related, kin: if not by blood then by the sheer fact that we choose to live here. In this commonness we learn to share, take care of each other. As we all know living in with "family" is not always easy, but when we remember we’re still ‘ohana, we get beyond our differences. We act from and for the good of the community, now and for the future.

It is quite simple. Start with the ideas above: ‘ohana and community. What is best for the good of the community? Development per se is not a "bad" thing. I do think development has to be evaluated in context of what a community has clearly identified for itself: does it fit, support and enhance the community’s vision and values.

I believe there is an inherent capacity that any place, particularly an island can handle in order for that place to stay in balance – in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

One challenge being addressed through the Community Development planning process is how to give clear voice to our community so that it is truly representative. How do we find the balance between what often seems like competing desires? Hopefully with open dialogue, the common vision will drive the choices that are made towards finding that balance.

Affordable housing. How do we find creative ways to make housing truly affordable for the people that live here and building those homes in places where they are needed to minimize the need for long commutes.

Agricultural land preservation. With rising land prices and development pressures we stand to lose much of our best agricultural lands if we continue on the same path. In these lands are our opportunity to increase our islands’ self sufficiency – to lessen our dependency on imported goods. Also, much of our island’s scenic beauty derives from agricultural land use. Identifying what constitutes important agricultural lands, developing viable, sustainable agriculture and enforcing "real" agricultural use lie ahead.

Finally, making changes to current ways of doing things; be it current zoning, standards and processes to ensure they most effectively support the community vision.

To have fun, to maintain a sense of humor on this adventure while remaining open to new ideas and people. To learn as much as I can and to contribute in a meaningful way towards making Hawaii a better place to live.

I see a Hawaii that truly practices aloha and malama ‘aina where the land is nurtured because of the realization that it is the land that feeds us. I see a Hawaii that moves toward greater self-sufficiency with clean, renewable energy and less dependency on imported oil; a place that grows, processes and manufactures more of its own food and products for consumption on island, for the rest of the state, then for out of state.

The tourism industry perhaps broadens its focus, on visitors who come to Hawaii Island for authentic Aloha that comes from our people’s connection to this place. Good paying jobs from these endeavors keep our economy more local and again less dependent on off-island influences. Affordable housing throughout the island is available in or near these job centers. Local residents and their children have the option to continue to live, work and play here and do not have to leave Hawaii to create a better life elsewhere. There is free and easy access to the land so we do not lose that connection. Communities and its people know each other because they live, work and play together.

My hope is that Hawaii Island retains its uniqueness. Our island is an incredibly powerful place with lots of mana which infuses its people. The Big Island essence comes from the land, our strong connection to it and expresses through its people who live this. When the ‘aina blesses us with food, livelihood, beauty and each other; when we remember this, nurture, share and teach it, especially as we welcome more malihini (newcomers) to our home, only then will the Aloha remain true and grow deeper.

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Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira announced that fireworks permits will be issued beginning Monday, December 26, 2005, for the upcoming New Year's celebration.

Unlike recent years, fireworks permits will NOT be sold in stores and will only be available at the following three islandwide locations:

• Elections Conference Room located at the old County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 105A, in Hilo;
• Office of the Mayor’s conference room at the Kona Service Center, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103, Kailua-Kona; and
• Parker Ranch Center Food Court, 67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela.

Fireworks permits will be sold during the following dates and times:

• Between December 26 and 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• December 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Each permit, which costs $25.00, will entitle the applicant to purchase 5,000 units of firecrackers.

Permits are not required to purchase novelties. Permits will be issued to a person 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable.

They are valid only when the fireworks are used at the site, time, and date so indicated on the permit. Firing of fireworks is permitted only between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on New Years Eve to 1:00 a.m. on New Years Day.

Permits are required to be prominently displayed in public view at the site on the day at the time of the firing.

A permit may be denied if the proposed use of fireworks presents a substantial inconvenience to the public or presents an unreasonable fire or safety hazard. If the permittee fails to remain in compliance with the requirements, the fire department may immediately revoke the permit.

Chief Oliveira reminds the public that it is unlawful for any person to:

Fireworks sales will not begin until December 26, 2005.

For more information on purchasing fireworks permits or the use of fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 961-8350 (Hilo) or 327-3546 (Kona), or the Fire Administration office at 961-8297.

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WHEN: Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 9:00 a.m.

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. 

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On October 22, 2004, President George W. Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

One of the key provisions of the Act is the Domestic Production Activities Deduction, a new federal tax deduction that applies to a wide range of businesses involved in domestic production activities, now contained in section 199 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The definition of "manufacturer" in this law is very broad. It covers traditional manufacturing of personal property such as clothing, goods, and food; certain activities such as construction, engineering, and architectural services; computer software production; production of audio, film, and videotape; production of electricity, natural gas or water; farming and agricultural processing.

• The deduction has a six-year phase-in period as follows:
• Tax years beginning in 2005 and 2006 - 3%
• Tax years beginning in 2007, 2008 and 2009 - 6%
• Tax years beginning in 2010 and later 9%

In general, the amount of deduction allowable for any taxable year is limited to 50% of W-2 wages paid by the taxpayer.

The Domestic Production Activities Deduction provides a sizeable tax benefit for taxpayers who can take advantage of its provisions. However, the provisions are complex and businesses should check with their tax consultants to determine if they qualify for this deduction.

You can learn more about the new deduction by going to: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=150439,00.html  http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2201.htm

For further information, please contact your tax consultant.

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The Environmental Management Commission will soon have two vacancies when terms expire on December 31, 2005. Community-minded residents are encouraged to apply for the vacancies for commissioners to represent. :

• District 2 (Council member Donald Ikeda's district) and
• District 5 (Council member Gary Safarik's district).

Members of the Environmental Management Commission advise the Department of Environmental Management on waste reduction strategies, recycling, litter control, community involvement, and other issues related to the functions of the department.

Under the Hawaii County Charter, appointments to the commission are made by the Mayor with Council approval. Commissioners serve 5-year staggered terms.

The commission is made up of nine members, each representing one of the nine Council districts.

To obtain an application, please contact the Office of Information and Complaints, Mayor's Office, Room 217, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo. Phone: 961-8223 or at the Kona Mayor's Office, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona. Phone: 329-5226.

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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 Holiday:

• New Years Day – January 1st – Sunday

We respectfully ask your kokua on this holiday. Personnel will be on hand at all Transfer Stations. Our Solid Waste Division employees appreciate the opportunity to spend the holiday with their families, and thank everyone in our community for their kind cooperation.

All of the transfer stations and the landfills will reopen the day after the holiday, and resume normal operating hours.

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.

Hilo Armory, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Phone: 961-8379

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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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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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:

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:

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

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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.

Here is the update for this week:

• Waterline meter work at the corner of Kuakini Highway/Hanama Place has started.
• Irrigation supply lines are currently being installed in front of the Kona West Condos and Kuakini Towers.
• Utility work at the Kuakini Highway/Hualalai Road intersection continue
• Concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk work continues at various locations.
• Final asphalt concrete paving from Bougainville Plaza to Hanama Place is slated to start on January 3, 2006. The new paved road will be temporarily-striped for one lane in each direction and with left-turn pockets. Motorists are asked to please use the designated travel lanes and refrain from using the other paved areas as overtaking lanes.
• The public is asked to please report any vandalism, graffiti or skateboarding activities on the project by calling the Kona Mayor’s office at (808) 329-5226 or the Department of Public Works at 961-8321. (An increasing number of vandalism incidents on concrete surfaces has been observed recently.) Mahalo for your kokua.
• Meanwhile, the contractor gives a brief update regarding work on the 16-inch waterline this week (12/27/05 to 12/30/05) in the area of Oni Oni Street and Walua Road, Kailua-Kona. Please note that one lane of traffic will be closed from 8:00 a. m. to 3:30 p.m. just north of Walua Road to about 1,000 feet south of Walua Road during this period.

Please note: With the Kuakini Highway project nearing completion, the weekly Kuakini Highway talk story meeting held every Tuesday morning has been discontinued effective November 22, 2005. However, Information on project status will be provided via this newsletter, the County website at www.co.hawaii.hi.us and the Mayor's West Hawaii Office at 329-5226.

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For job postings, visit our website: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/civil_serv/civ_serv.htm

Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618

Or visit our webpage: co.hawaii.hi.us

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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The age-old tradition of mochi pounding (Japanese rice cake making) will come alive again in Wailea Village, Hakalau on Saturday, December 31 (New Year's Eve daytime).

The 8th Annual Mochi Pounding Festival takes place:

WHEN: Saturday, December 31, 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: In Jack and Mildred Ouye's front yard, across from Akiko's Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, Wailea Village, Hakalau (just mauka off Highway 19, near the 16-mile marker)

Join in the spirit of old Hawai`i as the glutinous rice is pounded into mochi rice cakes with old-fashioned wooden mallets. Traditionally, mochi pounding is a harbinger of good luck and prosperity in the coming New Year.

Everyone is welcome to share the tasty mochi, and other treats such as Chicken Hekka .

Entertainment including Okinawan taiko drumming, the Hilo High School Ambassadors and hula performances will begin around 9:45 and continue till around 12:30.

For further information, please call Akiko Masuda at 963-6422.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Traffic and Animal Control Task Force Groups will meet on Monday, January 9, 2006 via a video conference at the Kona Mayor's Office at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy and at the Hilo Prosecutor's Office at 34 Rainbow Drive.

Note: Solutions Task Forces now have an additional video site, for the Waimea community at the Waimea County Council Office, next to Waimea Feed Supply.

The following the times, contact information and partial agenda for the Task Force Groups are:

Traffic Task Force Meeting: Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The group will continue working on speeding In our neighborhoods. The group will also review the new Graduated Driver’s License law which goes into effect January 9, 2006. The group will have an update on the Community Road Safety Watch program. Contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com 

Animal Control Task Meeting: Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The group will continue working on the proposed Animal Control Ordinances and community projects. Contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net   .

Please visit the "Solutions" web site for further details: www.solutionsislandhawaii.com   .

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This holiday season the County of Hawai`i's Solid Waste Division and Highway Maintenance Division will again be holding the annual island-wide Christmas Treecycling community project.

After Christmas until Sunday, January 8, 2006, the County of Hawai`i will be collecting and chipping Christmas trees at the following 10 transfer stations: (Chipping of the Christmas trees will be done at each site.)

• Hilo
• Honoka`a
• Ka`auhuhu
• Kea`au
• Kealakehe
• Keauhou
• Pahoa
• Puako
• Waimea
• Wai`ohinu.

The public is asked to remove all decorations, nails and stands. Please be aware that no plastic bags, flocked trees, or other rubbish will be accepted, as they damage the chippers.

Free Christmas tree chips will be available on site on a first come, first serve basis between January 9 and 15, 2006. The timing will depend on available equipment. Chipping Christmas trees and making the material available for use in gardens helps the County divert thousands of trees from landfills. Tree chips add valuable mulch to the soil, too.

Residents and businesses alike are encouraged to participate in this practical and beneficial recycling opportunity.

For more information, please call the County of Hawai`i Recycling Hotline at 961-5044.

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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.

Materials not accepted at these green waste drop-off sites include:

• No garbage bags
• No plastic
• No lumber (No logs greater than 5’ in length, no logs greater than 18" in diameter)
• No glass
• No metal
• No rocks

Please note that 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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A six-hour workshop for retirees and would-be retirees will be offered in Kona on Tuesday, January 17 and Tuesday, January 24. Each session meets from 2:00– 5:00 p.m. at the Kona YMCA.

The course, "The New Retirement: Discovering Your Dream," will be led by Susan Lane, a certified retirement coach. Tuition of $195 includes an individual readiness assessment, a copy of the book "Living Your Dream" by Dr. Richard Johnson, and all workshop materials.

Pre-registration is required. Please call Kathy Kirk, Program Manager, at Hawaii Community College at 895-4939 for additional information.

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Learn how to compost green waste and kitchen scraps for a healthier environment, better soil and even free fish bait. Reduce what goes into the Hilo landfill by composting.

The Basic Composting course costs $10/adult. Kids participate for free.

The following Composting Workshops will take place:

• Saturday, January 7, 1-3pm at the WORM Club (UH Cooperative Extension Bldg.)on Komohana Street, Hilo.
• Saturday January 14, 1-3pm at Kea`au Recycling and Reuse Center at the Kea`au Transfer Station

***The Worm Club generally meets the first Saturday of each month and is an opportunity to socialize, meet other folks with worm bins, and ask questions relating to worm composting.

Come if you would like to purchase a bin or bring your existing bin for expert help.  Discussion topics on worm composting, bin set up, feeding, and harvesting finished compost.  Beginners to advanced--all are welcome. (A one-time Worm Club membership fee of $10 is collected to defray costs).

Workshops take place rain or shine..

Workshop space is limited. Please register to reserve your spot. Please email piper_selden@yahoo.com  or call 937-2233 for directions to the workshop of your choice.

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CompuCycle, Recycle Hawai`i's computer recycling program, returns to Kailua-Kona on Saturday, January 21, 2006 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Old Airport Pavilion.

Bring us your old computers, monitors, keyboards and other computer components, and for the first time, CompuCycle is also accepting old TVs, VCRs and stereos.

This is the perfect opportunity to clean out your garage and closets of unwanted and/or defunct computers and entertainment electronics.

Sponsored by the County of Hawai`i`s Department of Environmental Management, the collection is a twice-yearly program to recycle computers and electronic components.

All computers, electronics and components will be shipped to California for responsible recycling. For more information, please call Recycle Hawai`i at 329-2886 or the County's Recycling Coordinators at 961-5044.

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Recycle Hawai`i announces the first annual Art of Recycling School Competition, a program aimed at encouraging Hawai`i’s schoolchildren to look creatively at our trash problems, as a way of promoting promote recycling and reuse of usable items on our Island of Hawai`i.

Students are invited to enter the competition by making an art object using items that can be reused or recycled.

Entries may be by individuals or as a group project.

Each of the three school levels (elementary, middle and high school) will compete separately. Each school may submit up to three entries per "individual" and "group" categories.

Prizes will be awarded for the first three places in each category.

Judging will take place:

• Saturday, January 28 in Kona and Waimea
• Sunday, January 29 in Hilo.

Winners will be announced by 4 p.m., Sunday, January 29 and will be exhibited at the Mini Fountain Gallery at Wailoa Center in Hilo during the month of February 2006.

An exhibition of winners will also take place at the Waimea Arts Council during the month of April, 2006.

An exhibition space for West Hawai`i will be announced soon.

Teachers interested in having their students participate in the Art of Recycling School Competition should call Recycle Hawai`i at 969-2012 or visit the website at www.recyclehawaii.com .

The competition is being held in cooperation with island schools, local businesses and the County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management.

Prizes of $75 will be awarded to first place winners, $50 to second place and $25 to third in each of the two categories. Individuals and businesses interested in helping support this project are encouraged to call Recycle Hawai`i at 969-2012.

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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 work locations as contractors install a conduit system in the Hilo area. From Tuesday, January 3rd through Friday, January 6th, Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Waianuenue Avenue between Ululani Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Parking along the route 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 Tuesday 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 13th 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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County of Hawaii WebSite Address: http://co.hawaii.hi.us

Information & Complaints: cohinfo@co.hawaii.hi.us
County Departments: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/email.htm
Hawaii County website: co.hawaii.hi.us

To add or remove your name from distribution, e-mail Janet Snyder: jsnyder@co.hawaii.hi.us

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For more information, contact:
Janet Snyder
Phone: (808) 961-8223
Fax: (808) 933-1521
e-mail: jsnyder@co.hawaii.hi.us

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