January 27, 2006

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

• Honu`apo -- A Coastal Sanctuary for Hawai`i's People

• County Elections Division Relocates to Prince Kuhio Mall from Jan 23
• Deputy Voter Registrar Classes to be Conducted in Hawai`i County
• Puna District Community Development Plan -- Explanatory Meetings for Public
• "Mapping the Future" Workshop for Kona on February 18
• 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

• Open Space Commission to Hold Public Workshops Islandwide
• EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025 Community Celebration Jan 29
• Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Feb 4
• Seeking Young Filmmakers to Enter 1st Annual Big Island Film Contest
• Free Mulch Available at Kona Transfer Station

• 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

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Long-time Ka'u residents remember Honu`apo as the place they learned how to swim, or where they used to camp with their friends and spear fish.

Honu`apo, on the coast next to Whittington Park near Na`alehu, was a special place for generations of Ka`u's people, most of whom worked for the sugar plantations.

Things changed a few years ago when the then-owner C. Brewer & Company began to liquidate its assets, selling the Honu`apo property among other parcels. A California-based developer named Landco bought the 225-acre Honu`apo property with the intention of creating a subdivision for coastal home sites.

"The community was shocked that (Honu`apo) was privately owned; they'd used it as a kind of park for as long as anyone could remember," said Josh Stanbro of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in Honolulu.

The local community contacted TPL in December 2004. Stanbro, whose organization works to preserve open spaces and coastal areas for public benefit, visited Landco’s headquarters in California the following month to see if they had any interest working with the community.

Landco listened to TPL’s message, and decided to give the community a year to get together the financing for a conservation purchase, said Stanbro. An independent appraisal later valued the property at $3.5 million, and Landco agreed to sell the property at $3.4 million—in essence donating $100,000 to the community effort.

First the Hawai`i County Council approved $500,000 in the spring of 2005, then State Sen.Russell Kokubun and Rep. Bob Herkes secured $1 million in state funds, and U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye's office found a match of $1.5 million in federal funds.

County Parks and Recreation deputy director Pam Mizuno worked on a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant of $267,632 from the state that helped nudge the funding effort even closer to the goal.

Finally, the Honu`apo community and several generous private donors, finished the job by raising an incredible $170,000. Among the fund-raising efforts was a community Ho`olaulea on December 10, 2005 that drew more than 600 people.

"The biggest thing about this whole deal was that there were so many people and groups that pitched in and got involved," said John Repogle, one of the residents who spearheaded the Honu`apo effort. "It was amazing that so many people helped make it happen." Just two weeks before the year-end deadline, TPL was able to acquire the property based on the knowledge that the funding goal had been met.

Replogle, who grew up in Na`alehu, was among the residents who dreamed of preserving his childhood recreation spot for future generations and who rolled up his sleeves to make it a permanent legacy for the community.

Parks and Recreation deputy director Mizuno was thrilled at the prospect of the park, which will pass through the state to the County of Hawai`i by executive order.

"We're really looking forward to working with the community to maintain this open-space area," Mizuno said. "We're really happy to have this huge amount of land open to conservation and to the community."

Stanbro, who worked closely with the community and County Parks and Recreation's Mizuno to clinch the purchase, characterized the Honu`apo acquisition effort as a template for the future.

"I really believe that this is the model for future transactions throughout the State of Hawai‘i for the preservation of public lands," Stanbro said. "It's so important to have local people on the ground taking pride in their ownership and stewardship of their public lands."

A key element of the Honu`apo project is the on-going commitment from the Ka’u community. Volunteers will continue to work on keeping it clean, free of invasive species and safe for everyone to enjoy.

The facilities will be minimal, so as to maintain the pristine beauty of the coastal area.

"You see a lot less neglect and vandalism when a community takes pride in a place and has a sense that it's their kuleana," Stanbro said.

To volunteer to help keep Honu`apo beautiful, please contact Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo at 929-7222.

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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.

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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.

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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 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://co.hawaii.hi.us/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.

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The community is cordially invited to a workshop entitled "Mapping the Future" for the Kona region. This workshop is a key step in the ongoing Kona Community Development Plan process.

The community's participation in the workshop will help ensure that diverse points of view be presented and heard as we move forward in preparing the plan.

When: Saturday, February 18, 2006, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Where: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, Keauhou Convention Center

The Community Development Plan, mandated by the 2005 Hawaii County General Plan, will translate the broad policies and goals of the General Plan into specific implementation actions in areas such as: land use, transportation, public utilities, public facilities, housing, economy, environmental quality, energy, historic sites, recreation, flooding and other natural hazards, and natural resources.

This workshop is designed to review a number of complex issues that the Community Development Plan must address as it deals with location and type of future development. These issues were identified by the hundreds of Kona residents who participated in facilitated meetings held throughout Kona in November, December, and January. This is your opportunity to hear the results of the meetings and to participate in deciding how the plan should address the issues.

The workshop will be a combination of presentations and group activities. It will begin with a review of the results of the public meetings and a presentation of conditions and trends in Kona. This will be followed by two group activities.

Seating is limited. To reserve, please call the Kona CDP Hotline at 808-326-7269 or email tfukuda@wilsonokamoto.com,   by Wednesday, February 8, 2006.

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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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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:

• Telephone ductline work at Kuakini Highway/Hualalai intersection is on-going.
• Retaining-wall work at the south corner of Kuakini Hwy and Hanama Place is now underway.
• Miscellaneous concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks at Ali`i Plaza are undergoing construction.

Meanwhile, the Department of Water Supply reports on its improvements to the 16-inch waterline on Kuakini Highway. This week one lane of traffic will be closed from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm from One One Street. to the north end of Gomes Subdivision (on the makai side of the highway.)

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

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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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.

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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.

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The community is cordially invited to the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring with multi-cultural activities on Saturday, Feb. 4, . 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

This annual event showcases the blooming of Waimea’s historic cherry trees and the Japanese tradition of hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

A variety of activities will extend from Church Row Park to the Parker Ranch Historic Homes on Mamalahoa Hwy. 190.

Look for pink banners identifying site locations. New this year will be a contingent of performers from Kanazawa, Japan; plus renowned kimono artist Kakimoto.

Enjoy Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, plus demonstrations of bonsai, origami, sumie, caligraphy and tea ceremony. A giant craft fair and mochi pounding, with mochi samples on the house, will be held at Parker Ranch Center.

For further information, please contact: Festival Coordinator, Roxcie Waltjen, Dept. of Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8706.

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Big Island youth are invited to participate in the first annual Big Island Youth Video Contest, culminating in the grand prize winners traveling to the set of "LOST" on Oahu. Also, the top 10 winning films will be showcased at the first Big Island Film Festival on May 20, 2006 and will air on Na Leo O Hawaii Community Television, Channel 54.

The contest was the brainchild of Hawaii County Council member Angel Pilago, who spearheaded a committee made up of community members, the Big Island Film Office (part of the County's Department of Research and Development), and Na Leo 'O Hawaii Community Television.

The contest's aims are twofold:

• to encourage youth to send an "Alternative to Drugs" message to their peers
• to teach youth a skill that will enhance their lives.

Na Leo O Hawaii will be offering free video training classes to youth participating in the contest.

The theme of this year’s contest is "Alternative to Drugs". There are two contestant categories: Category I, ages 11-16 and Category II, ages 17-22. The grand prize will be awarded in each category. Each entry will win one of the more than 20 prize donations from the community.

Contestants should produce a 1-7 minute anti-drug video. Prizes will be awarded to the videos that show the greatest amount of originality, creativity, and communicating the anti-drug message.

The videos will be judged by producer/actor & musician Pomai Brown, radio personality Tommy Ching "Kahikina", film producer & director David Cunningham; Big Island Film Commissioner Marilyn Killeri, and Hawaii International Film Festival director of programming Anderson Le.

Submissions are due by April 10, 2006. An entry form must accompany each video entry. Entry forms are available at Na Leo O Hawaii (Kona & Hilo), Big Island schools, Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club (Hilo), Kona Boys (Kealakekua), Rite of Passage (Pahoa) and www.filmbigisland.com/videocontest.

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The County of Hawai’i has FREE MULCH at the public pick-up area of the Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Station available 7 days a week from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm. This mulch is being processed by EKO Composting and is a higher-quality product than previously available.

Bring a pitchfork to load your own vehicle or have EKO Composting operators load with a backhoe from 7 am to 4 pm only. No loading fees.

If you want large loads delivered to your property contact a local trucking firm to arrange for delivery of large loads of mulch. Again, no fees are charged to load any sized truck.

For inquiries, call the County's Recycling Specialist at 961-8554.

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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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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.

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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:

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting:)

(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Where/Location: Kailua-Kona: Ali`i Drive from Hualalai Road to Ali`i Hwy Intersection

What: Layout and striping centerline and shoulders with thermoplastic.

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Motorists are advised of the following work locations as contractors continue installing a conduit system in the Hilo area. From Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3, 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.

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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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