January 20, 2006

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

• County Mass Transit Moving Ahead with New Buses, Routes

• County Elections Division Relocates to Prince Kuhio Mall from Jan 23
• Environmental Management Commission Meets January 25 in Waimea
• Deputy Voter Registrar Classes to be Conducted in Hawai`i County
• Puna District Community Development Plan -- Explanatory Meetings for Public
• Environmental Management Commission Seeks Applicants
• County Seeks Applicants for Cost of Government Commission
• HI 5¢ Redemption Centers – Locations and Hours of Operation
• Kuakini Highway Construction Update
• Job Announcements

• Grand Opening of Kona "Bark Park" at Humane Society's Kona Shelter January 21
• Open Space Commission to Hold Public Workshops Islandwide
• EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025 Community Celebration Jan 29
• Free Mulch is Now Available at Hilo, Kona Transfer Stations

• Hawaii Community College in West Hawai`i Offers Retirement Class
• Computer Recycling Returns to Kona January 21
• Art of Recycling School Competition Makes Debut January 28, 29
• Seeking Employers to Participate in Career Expo at Kealakehe High Feb 15
• UH Offers new Online M.Ed. in Educational Technology Program

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

HAWAII COUNTY WEBSITE

WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK

TO ADD OR REMOVE YOUR NAME

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The month of January, 2006 marked another set of milestones for the County's Mass Transit Agency, making possible further improvements of service to our community.

As of January 9, 2006, the County of Hawai`i took delivery of the remaining 8 new buses (of a total order of 10 buses). The new buses boosted the County's Hele-On bus fleet to more than 40 buses.

All of the new buses are wheel-chair accessible, and all are equipped with bike racks that can accommodate two bicycles on the front of each bus. All of the brand-new buses are easily identifiable thanks to the new bike racks on the front grill of each bus.

Note: The rest of the Hele-On bus fleet will be retro-fitted with bike racks, as well.

The 10 new buses will include:

• Three 45-passenger Gillig buses, made in Hayward, California
• Three 33-passenger El Dorado buses, made in Salina, Kansas
• Four 25-passenger El Dorado buses, made in Salina, Kansas

This expansion of the Hele-On bus fleet will enable Mass Transit to provide more service to our community.

On January 3, 2006, Mass Transit started a new Kohala to Kailua-Kona service, running once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays

From February 13, Mass Transit introduces a Pohoiki/Kalapana Seaview to Hilo service, twice a day, Monday through Friday.

In March, Mass Transit will expand its intra-Hilo bus service to include the Keaukaha area, Monday through Friday.

Other areas slated for increased service include Kona and South Kohala.

With the cooperation of the Hawai`i Police Department and the Department of Public Works, the County will be creating officially designated bus stops around the island.

The bus stop project includes the installation of special signage that will offer bus route maps, bus schedules and general information about the Hele-On bus services.

Mass Transit is finalizing bid specs for 6 or 7 additional buses, whose funding has been received through the tremendous efforts of Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

This year, all Hele-On bus drivers will sport uniform polo shirts emblazoned with the Hele On footprint logo.

All regularly-scheduled bus routes on the Island of Hawai`i continue to be free islandwide. We are deeply grateful to the County Council for voting to extend this invaluable service to our community.

Ka'u High School athletic director Kimo Weaver said the introduction of the free bus service has been a godsend. Thanks to the introduction of the fare-free after-school bus service, student participation in athletics at Ka'u High School has skyrocketed.

"Once this activity bus came into service, our athletic participation has gone from 33% to where it is now, something like 90% of the students," Mr. Weaver said.

"It's the biggest help to us; this after-school transportation is the biggest factor in our participation," Mr. Weaver said. The school fields 43 teams, including football, volleyball and basketball.

For more information about Hele-On Bus service, please call 961-8744.

(go to Contents)

On Monday, January 23, 2006, the Elections Division-Office of the County Clerk will be open for business at its new location at the Prince Kuhio Mall, Suite 655, 111 E. Puainako Street in Hilo.

The office is located near the Mall entrance next to Macy’s Men, Children and Home Store.

Business hours, mailing address and telephone number will remain the same: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Mailing address remains: 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720. (808) 961-8277.

Wikiwiki Registration Forms are available at the County Clerk’s Office, in the telephone book, libraries, police stations and many other locations.

(go to Contents)

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. 

(go to Contents)

The Office of the County Clerk-Elections Division will be conducting Deputy Voter Registrar classes to be held on the following dates and times:

Individuals interested in registering voters can sign up for the classes by calling the Elections Division at 961-8277. A minimum class size of 10 is required.

(go to Contents)

The community is cordially invited to attend one of four meetings whose aim is to explain a community development plan for the Puna District, a collaborative effort involving residents, planning professionals and government agencies.

Amid rapid growth in the Puna district, there is an urgent need to develop a long-range plan to better manage the impact of growth in Puna.

A Community Development Plan would afford the opportunity for the community to work in partnership with government to achieve a desired future. Quality-of-life issues are very much the focus of creating such a Community Development Plan.

Four introductory meetings have been scheduled to explain what a Community Development Plan is and how the community can get involved in this very important effort.

The public is encouraged to attend one of these four initial meetings:

• February 23 at the Nanawale Community Center
• February 24 at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Homeowners’ Association Center
• February 28 at the Kea`au Community Center
• March 3 at the Volcano Cooper Center

The County of Hawai`i's Planning Department has selected PlanPacific Inc. of Honolulu as the consultant to conduct the Puna District Community Development Plan.

PlanPacific prepared the Kaua`i General Plan that was adopted in 2000, and is currently engaged in the Maui General Plan update and a plan for the Kilauea sub-area on the north shore of Kaua`i.

In compliance with the County's General Plan requirements, a Steering Committee will be formed to provide guidance and input throughout the Puna District Community Development Plan process. The process is expected to take 18 months to complete.

Consultant PlanPacific Inc. will work with this volunteer Steering Committee to ensure that the planning process is inclusive and reflects a broad-based public involvement process.

The goal is that the Community Development Plan is prepared in the best interests of the health and welfare of the community.

The Planning Department is accepting applications for the Steering Committee. According to the General Plan, the Steering Committee members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council.

Applications are available at the County of Hawai`i Planning Department’s Hilo office or by calling 961-8288, Extensions 257 or 254. Forms can also be downloaded from the County of Hawaii Planning Department web site at http://www.hawaii-county.com/directory/dir_plan.htm.

Deadline to postmark or receive applications in the Planning Department’s office is Wednesday, March 22, 2006 by 4:30 p.m.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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

(go to Contents)

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:

• Telephone ductline work at Kuakini Highway/Hualalai intersection is on-going.
• Asphalt concrete paving on Kuakini Highway between Hanama Place and Kalani intersection is slated for this week.
• Water meters at Hanama Place's south corner have been relocated, and retaining-wall work around the area is now underway.
• Miscellaneous concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks along the project corridor are being completed as necessary.
• Rock veneer installation is on going this week.
• Electrical work near Island Bean Expresso and Big Island Grill is in progress.
• HELCO electrical work is continuing.

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.

(go to Contents)

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

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

(go to Contents)

The community is cordially invited to the grand opening of the Kona "Bark Park" at the Hawaii Island Humane Society's Kona shelter on Saturday, January 21 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Come help us honor the volunteers and local businesses that helped make our Kona "Bark Park" possible.

Their generous donations of supplies, machinery and time helped convert a scruffy, weedy field into a beautiful green park.

The park will be used for events at the shelter, microchip clinics, dog training sessions. Also, on a day- to-day basis, it will be a quiet place for potential adoptive owners to get acquainted with the dogs available for adoption.

Please come for food, music, door prizes, and the dedication ceremony.

For further information, call the Kona Shelter at 329-2135.

(go to Contents)

The Hawai‘i County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission will be holding public workshops islandwide.

The purpose of the workshops is to gather community suggestions to develop a prioritized list of lands for possible acquisition by the County for the following purposes:

• public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains;
• preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites;
• protection of natural resources, including buffer zones;
• preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty & agricultural lands;
• protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality & water supply.

For further information, please call Cathy Minor at 961-8251.

(go to Contents

The community is cordially invited to attend an event celebrating a community-based effort to build a brighter future for Downtown Hilo, EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025.

This initiative, EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: Community-based Vision and Living Action Plan for Downtown Hilo, is the fruit of a grassroots community effort to help our beloved Downtown Hilo thrive.

Please come to a celebration to kickoff the implementation of the EnVision plan on Sunday, January 29, 2006, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Mooheau Grandstand next to the Hilo Bus Station.

The event will include presentations, displays, music, food and fun for all of the community. All are invited to join in celebrating the bright future of Hilo which we will create together as one `ohana.

The first brainstorming session to develop a vision of Hilo 20 years from now was held in March 2004, an effort that blossomed with the participation of more than 1,000 people from various sectors of the community in subsequent sessions.

On November 22, 2005 the Hawaii County Council adopted a resolution in support of EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025: Community-based Vision and Living Action Plan for Downtown Hilo. A new Implementation Committee will be announced which will shepherd the action plan along.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

Big Island employers are cordially invited to participate in the Kealakehe High School Career Expo scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2006 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

There is no charge to participate. The Career Expo will be open to high school students as well as the general job-seeking community.

Please sign up now by calling James Young at (808) 327-4300 ext. 206.

(go to Contents)

UH-Manoa College of Education is pleased to announce the Online Master of Education in Educational Technology, commencing Fall 2006.

The application deadline is March 1, 2006.

The Online Master of Education welcomes busy professionals from Oahu’s neighbor islands who hold a bachelors degree. The degree program targets professionals interested in better understanding how diverse technologies can create powerful communities of learning.

For more information, attend a program information session, or visit http://etec.hawaii.edu/omed.html.   Contact: curtis@hawaii.edu. 

Public information sessions are available to prospective students:

(go to Contents)

(All project schedules based on weather permitting:)

(go to Contents)

Motorists are advised of the following work locations as contractors continue installing a conduit system in the Hilo area. From Monday, January 23 through Friday, January 27, 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.
• Along the Wailoa Bridge area.

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 expect 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.

go to Contents)

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.

(go to Contents)

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

(go to Contents)

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

Home Page | Site Map | Directory | Newsletter Archives