March 31, 2006

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

• Hawai`i Island Pitches in for Kauai Flood Relief
• Planning Innovators Present Smart Growth Workshop in Waikoloa April 1

• Public Meetings to Focus on "Roads In Limbo" Issue
• Fire Hydrant Test in Waimea April 4, Brief Water Supply Interruption
• Senior Fraud and Abuse Prevention Session in Hilo -- (Kona Session Cancelled)
• Update on Improvements to Mamalahoa Hwy in South Kona April 11
• Fair Housing Seminars in Hilo on April 25 and Kona on April 26
• Deputy Voter Registrar Classes to be Conducted in Hawai`i County
• Environmental Management Commission Seeks Applicants for District 2
• County Seeks Applicants for Cost of Government Commission
• HI 5¢ Redemption Centers – Locations and Hours of Operation
• Kuakini Highway Update
• Job Announcements

• Teen Dating Violence Prevention Conference in Waikoloa on April 7
• Solutions Task Forces to Hold Video Conferences Monday April 10
• Seeking Young Filmmakers to Enter 1st Annual Big Island Film Contest
• Composting Workshops March through June
• Free Mulch Available at Kona Transfer Station

• Hawai`i Community College Spring Course Offerings
• Positive Coaching Coordinator from LA at Big Island Meetings April 6
• Kona Outdoor Circle Offers Scholarship for 2006-2007 Academic Year
• State Tax Dept. Expands Customer Phone Service Hours during Tax Season
• Free Tax Preparation Assistance in Kona Sponsored by AARP, IRS
• Help Available for Seniors Weighing their Options under Medicare D Program
• East Hawai`i CompuCycle Event Returns to Hilo in May
• Talk-Story Festival in Hilo on May 7 to Commemorate 1946 Tsunami
• Recycling Conference in Kona for Hawai`i Island Community May 20

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Our neighbors on Kauai, beset by horrific flooding after dam failures, could count on solid support and practical help from various agencies of the state, County of Hawai`i and federal government along with private citizens from the Big Island.

"The Mayor immediately directed that we offer to State Civil Defense and to Kauai, any and all support in personnel and equipment that they needed," said Hawai`i County Civil Defense administrator Troy Kindred. "The whole event was a case study in cross-agency, multi-level government coordination and cooperation; as well as civilian and (Department of Defense)."

According to Lanny Nakano, Hawai`i County Civil Defense assistant administrator, a request for help came from state Civil Defense officials on March 15. Nakano toted up a long list of equipment that was to be loaned to Kauai Civil Defense the following day, March 16.

"State Civil Defense asked us if we had water pumps available to lend to Kauai," Nakano said. County Civil Defense in turn contacted Lyle Hirota of the County's Wastewater Division, who swung in motion to locate four powerful pumps, as well as pipes and other components to relieve the flooding on the Garden Isle.

Acting Wastewater Division chief Merton Ogata credited Hirota, along with colleagues Paul Ochi, Scott Oda, Herbert Nakano, Cisco Villa, Steve Thallas, Casey Mullin , Abe Kagawa and John Aniu with quickly assembling two 10-inch pumps, two 6-inch pumps, suction and discharge hoses and 26 conduit pipes (20 feet long a piece) for shipping. In all, several tons of equipment were prepared for the relief effort.

"It was a massive effort to get the pumps ready. One was down for repairs," said Deputy Director of Environmental Management Nelson Ho, to whose department Wastewater Division belongs. "Large (pumps) weigh nearly three tons a piece."

"We also had Brian Hara of T.Hara & Co. who lent us a flatbed and a boom truck and his buddy Jimmy Ishii, a general contractor supplied the manpower," Ogata said. "These guys trucked the stuff from the sewer treatment plant to the Air National Guard at the airport."

Nakano from Civil Defense worked closely with Staff Sgt. Antonio Perez, the aircraft loadmaster and Chief Master Sgt. Greg Navarro of the Hawai`i Air National Guard to ensure the paperwork was in order on the loaned equipment.

By dusk on Thursday evening, March16, the equipment on loan from the Big Island was loaded onto a mammoth Air Force C-17 aircraft and ready to head to Lihue, Kauai.

Meanwhile, members of the Hawai`i County Fire Department were boarding the March 16 mercy flight. Their grim mission was to search for missing victims of the dam failure on Kauai.

The five-member Hawai`i County Urban Search and Rescue team consisted of team leader Capt. Clint Coloma, Fire Equipment Operator Kala Mossman, Capt. Michael Andrade, Fire Equipment Operator Mark Evans and Fire Equipment Operator Miles Kawazoe.

A second five-member Hawai`i County Urban Search and Rescue team went over to Kauai on March 20 to relieve the first team from the Big Island in the search. They included Battalion Chief Raymond Rowe, Fire Rescue Specialist Scott Crozier, Fire Rescue Specialist Matthias Kusch, Fire Equipment Operator Todd Vincent, and Fire Fighter Chad Toyomura.

The Fire Department notes that Urban Search and Rescue teams like the two contingents that rushed to Kauai are part of a statewide team that responds to various emergency situations.

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The County of Hawai`i's Planning Department and Townscape, Inc., its consultant for the Community Readiness Program, are sponsoring a workshop on Smart Growth to be presented by two pioneers of innovative planning methods, Gianni Longo of ACP Planning and Visioning and Michael Kwartler of the Environmental Simulation Center.

This free workshop is geared to anyone interested in the Community Development Planning projects that are either already underway or slated to begin in the near future here on Hawai`i Island.

• An overview on the principles of Smart Growth;
• Examples of communities that have adopted Smart Growth principles;
• The application of Smart Growth principles using the Kona Community Development Planning process as a case example;
• An explanation of the implications and trade-offs inherent in Smart Growth principles;
• Q&A and discussion session.

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria

(Light refreshments will be served.)

Car-pooling is recommended. The County will also provide free bus transportation to and from the workshop on a RSVP basis.

Any available unreserved seating will be provided on a first-come first-served basis. One bus each will be provided from Kailua-Kona and Hilo. The Hilo bus will leave from the main entrance to the Aupuni Center office building, 101 Pauahi Street at 7:45 a.m. The Kailua-Kona bus will leave from the Old Kona Airport at 8:30 a.m.

Buses will return to Hilo and Kailua-Kona from Waikoloa at 12:30 p.m.

Persons requiring special accommodations or wishing to reserve bus seating should email lbrown@co.hawaii.hi.us  or call 961-8288, Ext. 258.

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The County of Hawai`i Department of Public Works is inviting our communities to a series of public meetings to help finalize a draft inventory of roadways considered to be government roads or homestead roads around Hawai`i Island. The County is seeking the public's input along with input from County Council members on draft inventory maps of Roads-In-Limbo.

The goal is to get a complete record of the total inventory of Roads-In-Limbo. Once the inventory of Roads-In-Limbo is finalized, the County plans to draft a policy to address maintenance of these roads, which would include various funding proposals for the County Council's review and approval.

The so-called "roads in limbo" comprise approximately 400 miles, about half of which (200 miles)of which were laid out on paper but never built.

Roads in limbo were laid out by government which are not part of the State road system and not currently maintained by the County government. Most of the roads in limbo came into existence originally as homestead roads on subdivisions of land designated by the Territory of Hawai`i.

These roads, often known as "roads in limbo" have for years been an issue between state and County over who should maintain the roads.

"It's a long-standing issue that needs resolution," said Bruce McClure, Director of the Department of Public Works.

A series of meetings on Roads-In-Limbo will be held as follows: All meetings start at 6:00 p.m.

For further information, please call the Department of Public Works at 961-8321.

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The Department of Water Supply will be conducting a fire hydrant flow test at a hydrant along Puuiki Place on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The area where water consumers will be affected: in Waimea in South Kohala along Puuiki Place, including Lindsey Road from Mamalahoa Highway to Hokuula Road, Kapiolani Road, Spencer Road and all other side roads.

The affected area may experience slight discolored and turbid water for several hours after the test. Customers are advised to refrain from washing clothes and to store a container of water for their drinking needs until the supply of water is restored to normal.

Please pardon this temporary inconvenience. Should you experience any unusual problems during or after the flushing period, please contact William Yamamoto, District Supervisor, at the Department of Water Supply at 887-3030.

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The Hawaii State Department of Health's Executive Office on Aging SageWatch Program and the Hawaii County Office of Aging are coordinating a one-day fraud and abuse prevention conference, entitled "Finding A Solution" with a session to be held in Hilo. Please note that the conference in Kona, originally scheduled for Wednesday April 12 has been cancelled because response was lower than expected. The Hilo conference will still be held on April 6.

WHEN: Thursday, April 6. Registration from 7:30 a.m. Conference ends at 3:30 pm.

WHERE: Hawai`i Naniloa Hotel in Hilo

The purpose of this conference is to increase community awareness of the growing problem of fraud and abuse such as identity theft, consumer fraud and schemes, health or medical related concerns and family or caregiver exploitation.

"Seniors want to know how they can avoid being a victim of fraud," said Derrick Ariyoshi, SageWatch Program Coordinator. He noted that In 2003, 649 identity theft cases were reported in Hawaii. "The problem is worse now and Hawaii is within the top 25 states where kupuna (the elderly) have been targeted for scams," Ariyoshi said.

Presentations from private, government and community organizations (FBI, US Postal Service, Better Business Bureau, Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Adult Protective Services, HMSA, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii County Police and Prosecutor’s Office and others) will inform the participants of the rampant problem, present actual situations and cases and offer possible solutions and resources.

With this information and awareness, the coordinators hope to minimize the victimization of our people, especially the elderly. Attendance at this conference is open to the public.

Space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Bus transportation is available on a limited basis for rural/outlying areas. The registration fee is $10.00 which includes conference fees and lunch.

Contact the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) for conference brochures and registration form or for more information.

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The County of Hawai‘i's Department of Public Works invites the community to a public informational meeting on Tuesday, April 11 regarding the Captain Cook and Kealakekua, Phase I construction projects, Mamalahoa Highway Improvements (Honalo to Captain Cook).

This will also provide an opportunity to meet Department of Public Works representatives to obtain updated information and to informally discuss the upcoming construction projects in Captain Cook and Kealakekua.

All interested members of the community are cordially invited to attend.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Konawaena Elementary School Cafeteria

For further information, please contact the Department of Public Works at 961-8321.

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

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The Office of Housing and Community Development announces training sessions on Fair Housing practices in Hilo and Kona designed to increase knowledge of Federal & State Fair Housing Laws.

General Training: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (8:00 a.m. – Registration)

Advanced Training: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (12:30 p.m. – Registration)

WHERE: Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale

Free of charge

General Training: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (8:00 a.m. – Registration)

Advanced Training: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (12:30 p.m. – Registration)

WHERE: King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Kamakahonu Ballroom, Room `Eha (4)

Cost: $2 for validated parking

Training sponsored and provided by:

• County of Hawai`i Office of Housing and Community Development
• Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai`i
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission
• Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i

To register, call Alisa Miyake at the Office of Housing and Community Development at 961-8379 by April 18, 2006. Seating is limited so please register soon.

This workshop is accessible for individuals with disabilities. To request an auxiliary aid or service, contact Alisa at 961-8379 by April 11, 2006.

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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 Environmental Management Commission has a vacancy for a commissioner to represent District 2 in Hilo (Council member Donald Ikeda's district).

Community-minded residents are encouraged to apply for this vacancy.

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 a citizen volunteer to serve as commissioner to represent District 8 (Council member Angel Pilago's district) on the Cost of Government Commission.

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.

For further information, please contact Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida at 961-8251. Completed applications can be dropped off or mailed to Lincoln Ashida at the Office of the Corporation Counsel at the Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, HI 96720.

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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.

By popular demand, the weekly Kuakini Update talk story sessions have resumed.

Join the project engineers and your neighbors at these talk story sessions, which will take place every Tuesday morning at 7:30 at the Mayor's Kona Conference Room at Hanama Place.. Coffee and doughnuts provided.

Here is the update for this week:

• Drywell//catch basin construction on Hanama Place is completed; asphalt concrete paving will be scheduled later.
• Ductline and sidewalk work at the Kuakini/Hualalai intersection is on-going.
• Various utility relocation work continues.

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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Hawai`i County … a nice place to live. County of Hawai`i … a great place to work.

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 community is cordially invited to attend a one-day conference on preventing teen dating violence on Friday, April 7 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. This Teen Dating Violence Prevention initiative was spearheaded by the American Bar Association, Steering Committee on the Unmet Legal Needs of Children to prevent teen dating violence and reduce the incidence of date rape.

Students, teachers, principals, counselors, judges, attorneys, medical professionals, law enforcement, community leaders, parents, domestic violence organizations, and the media are especially encouraged to attend.

WHEN: Friday, April 7, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hilton Waikoloa Village

Information at the conference will include prevention recommendations as well as danger warning signs.

The Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women is sponsoring this conference with the help of the County Prosecutor's Office. Konawaena High School student Kellie Kitaoka, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women Chair and Deputy Corporation Counsel Margaret Masunaga, and Hawaii State Bar Association Board Member and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carol Kitaoka.

The national statistics are alarming. Over 40% of male and female high school students say they have been victims of dating violence at least once. Between 1993 and 1999, 22% of all homicides against females ages 16-19 were committed by an intimate partner.

Attending the conference on April 7th are U. S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Ed Kubo, State Attorney General Mark Bennett, Mayor Harry Kim, Hawai`i County Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura, Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, Councilwoman Virginia Isbell, teen victim survivor Rae Anne Spence from Austin, Texas (who was interviewed on 20/20 and CNN).

Also scheduled to attend is Robert Flores, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U. S. Dept. of Justice.

There is no charge to attend. For a registration form, please email Margaret Masunaga at mkmasunaga@aol.com  or Carol Kitaoka at csk96750@yahoo.com   or 322-2552.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Traffic and Animal Control Task Force Groups will meet on Monday, April 10, 2006 via video conference at the West Hawai`i Mayor's Office at Hanama Place in Kailua-Kona, and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney at 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo.

There is also a video site for Waimea residents at the Waimea County Council Office, next to Waimea Feed Supply.

Traffic Task Force Meeting: Time: 10am - 11am. Agenda: Continue working on problem of speeding In our neighborhoods. Continue updates on the Community Road Safety Watch program. Discussion of safety concerns regarding ATVs in our neighborhoods. Please contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email: konalil@hawaii.rr.com  

Animal Control Task Meeting: Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm. Agenda: How are the Legislation Bills going? The group will be addressing Articles 3 through 7 of the Animal Control Bill which includes: Enforcement, Dog, Cat and Animal Pounds, Farm Animal and Spay-neuter Special Fund. Please contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or email: nzzorn2@kona.net 

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

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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 and
• 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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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-compost.

Workshops take place rain or shine. Kids participate for free.

Workshop space is limited. Please register to reserve your spot. Send an email www.PiperSelden.com . Tab on location for directions to workshop. Or call for information (808) 937-2233.

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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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Hawai`i Community College will be offering non-credit Certification Classes for Substance Abuse Counselors, beginning in April.

These classes will provide the required educational hours to satisfy certification or re-certification requirements of the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug abuse Division (ADAD) for Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC).

Tuition assistance may be available. For more information call Marsha Okajima at the Office of Continuing Education and Training, 974-7531.

High School students can learn more about their community college and explore a career that might be to their liking. The following courses will be held June 13-30 at Hawaii Community College:

• Introduction to Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management (Forest TEAM)

• Let's Play and Learn: an Overview of Early Childhood Education

• Automotive Mechanics

• Carpentry

• Exploration of Hawaiian Language

• Communication Through Hawaiian Art

• (June 26-July 7)Introduction to GPS and GIS Applications in Natural Resources

For more information call Marsha Okajima at Office of Continuing Education and Training, 974-7531.

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Jeaney Garcia, Los Angeles coordinator for Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) will offer Big Island government, business, and community leaders suggestions about how to make youth sports better at two meetings in Hilo on Thursday, April 6, 2006.

• Community leaders are invited to a business luncheon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 11:30 a.m. in the Moku Ola Room. Cost of the business lunch is $15 per person.

• The same evening from 5:00 p.m. at Aunty Sally Kealeohano’s Luau Hale Garcia will lead an extended talk-story about how communities can effectively improve youth sports and increase opportunities to participate. A materials fee of $5 per person will be collected for the evening program. Also on the evening’s panel will be Kona resident Andy Goodman, who is spearheading a new Kona Little League region using an all-draft system to organize teams and coaches.

Big Island basketball official and Pauuilo recreation director Mason Souza will also join Garcia on the PCA platform during the evening talk-story. Souza will share his experiences as a former high school game official, as a coach, and as a parent.

Pick up reservations forms for the luncheon and evening Positive Coaching Alliance program at SportsLine Hawaii, 417 Kalanikoa Street, or at the County Recreation Division office at 799 Piilani Street, Hilo.

Jeaney Garcia has been a certified trainer and the Los Angeles coordinator for PCA for five years.

Garcia served as Director of Physical Education and head coach of girls' cross-country and basketball at The Brentwood School prior to joining PCA. She also served as Athletic Director at Webb Schools in Claremont and head coach for Sport for Understanding/USA basketball, cross-country and track and field teams.

As a local partner to the national organization, PCA Big Island provides live, research-based training workshops and practical tools for coaches, parents and leaders who operate youth sports programs to get them on the same page about what it means to Honor the Game.

For further information, please contact PCA Big Island at PCABigIsland@verizon.net  .

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The Kona Outdoor Circle, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources, is offering a scholarship of $1,000 for the 2006–2007 academic year.

Applicants must be residents of West Hawaii (North Kohala to Ka`u) who will be full-time students attending an accredited two- or four-year college or university anywhere in the United States.

Applicants must plan to enroll or be enrolled in a program in horticulture, landscaping, environmental studies, forestry, agriculture, or other fields related to the mission of the Kona Outdoor Circle: to keep Kona clean, green and beautiful. Kona Outdoor Circle accomplishes these goals through public area plantings, education programs, and public advocacy.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate academic achievement (at least 2.7 GPA) and must demonstrate financial need.

The application deadline is April 30, 2006. Applicants must complete the written application, submit their most recent high school or college transcript, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report, and two letters of recommendation.

Applications are available at all high schools in West Hawaii; the University of Hawaii Financial Aid Offices; the Educational Talent Search Program at the University of Hawaii Center, West Hawaii; the Kona Outdoor Circle office at the intersection of Kuakini and Queen Ka`ahumanu Highways; and on-line at the KOC website, www.konaoutdoordircle.org,  click on Education.

For more information, please call the Kona Outdoor Circle at 329-7286 or Maiden Temple at 325-6775.

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The State Department of Taxation is pleased to announce expanded customer service hours for telephone calls during the 2006 tax season. From February 15, 2006 through April 28, 2006, phone lines will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays).

Neighbor Islands and mainland taxpayers may call toll free 1-(800)-222-3229. Questions may also be emailed to: Taxpayer.Services@hawaii.gov .

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AARP and the IRS are again sponsoring a group of volunteer IRS trained FREE tax preparation assistors in the Kona and Captain Cook areas.

This assistance is offered in four different locations to include a new site, the Mayor's Kona Office Conference Room at Hanama Place. (This site replaces the Lanihau/IRS location.) Sites are open on four different days.

All sites offer electronic filing.

Also, new this year is a counselor who is trained for preparation of military returns.

For more detailed information, please call the AARP office at 334-1212.

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AARP Hawai`i will be hosting two educational outreach events on the Big Island. The purpose of these events is to help Medicare beneficiaries sort through the options available to them under the new Medicare prescription drug coverage before the May 15, 2006 enrollment deadline.

Those wishing to attend should pre-register by calling (toll free) 1-877-926-8300. The events will be held as follows:

WHEN: Monday, April 17, 2006, 9:00 am to Noon

WHERE:King Kamehameha Hotel, Kailua-Kona

• 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Overview
• 10:00 a.m. to noon –Resource Fair

WHEN: Friday, April 21, 2006, 9:00 am to Noon

WHERE:Hilo Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, Hilo

• 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Overview
• 10:00 a.m. to noon –Resource Fair

These information sessions will feature a brief overview presentation by Pamela Cunningham of Sage PLUS, as well as a resource fair with some of Hawai`i’s Medicare Part D plan providers and agencies that can help – including HMSA 65 C+, AARP Medicare Rx, United Medicare Advantage Plan, AlohaCare and the Social Security Administration

The new drug coverage is voluntary. Enrollment ends on May 15, 2006. Those who don't have existing coverage as good as the Medicare Part D benefit, who do not enroll by the deadline will be subject to a late enrollment penalty if electing coverage in the future.

Beneficiaries in Hawai`i began receiving information from plan providers and Medicare in October of 2005.

A packet of information will be distributed at the event which includes the free AARP publications "The New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: What You Need to Know," and "Using the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder."

Attendees will also receive a list of all Hawaii plan providers and their contact information, as well as a "Request for Counseling Assistance" form. These materials can help Hawai`i residents make important decisions regarding their drug plan options in the weeks ahead. Those wishing to attend should pre-register by calling (toll free) 1-877-926-8300.

These events are being held in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services, Social Security Administration, and the SagePLUS program.

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East Hawaii CompuCycle, the popular event where you get to clean out your closets or garage and bring in your old computers and related equipment for recycling, is returning to the Aupuni Center (the old Firestone Store across from the old County Building) in Hilo on the following dates:

• May 19th, 2006 2:00pm – 4:00pm Government & Public Agencies Drop-Off Day
• May 20th, 2006 10:00am – 2:00pm Public Drop-Off Day

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

Springtime is spring cleaning time, so rid yourself of unwanted and/or defunct computers and electronic components.

For further information, please contact the County's Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942 or 961-8527.

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The Pacific Tsunami Museum presents the 4th Annual Tsunami Talk-Story Festival at Hilo Hongpa Hongwanji's Sangha Hall in Hilo on May 7 from 7:30 p.m. 2006 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1946 tidal wave.

The April 1, 1946 tsunami was Hawai`i’s deadliest natural disaster, killing 159 people (mostly in Hilo), and delivering the death blow to the train system that connected the sugar plantation towns of East Hawaii to the port of Hilo.

This year’s theme is the "End of the Line," showcasing stories from tsunami survivors with a connection to the Hawaii Consolidated Railway.

Cost: $25 donation includes dinner. Tickets available at the Museum, KTA Superstores and Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

For further information, please contact: Donna Saiki, Executive Director at (808) 935-0926.

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The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board is pleased to host a Recycling Conference to be held on May 20, 2006 at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort and Bungalows in Kona.

This Recycling Conference offers an opportunity for our Hawaii Island community to explore future planning issues and challenges to our islands waste stream. So please reserve the date on your calendar now and plan to attend.

The conference promises to be exciting with special guest speakers and networking.

Conference fee of $35.00 includes a Continental breakfast and lunch.

HIEDB would welcome your assistance in making this a full day of learning and sharing ideas for a greener Hawaii Island.

Also, if you are interested in booth space to share your company information, recycled art works or just planning to attending, please assist us by providing your name and address on the attached form and either mail or fax the form to our office as soon as possible.

For further information and registration forms, please call Skylark Rossetti at (808) 935-2180.

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(All projects based on weather permitting:)

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Motorists are advised there will be no lane diversions or lane closures this week. From Monday, April 3rd through Friday, April 7th, Willocks Construction crews will be working along the Wailoa Bridge area but they will be off to the side of the road.

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 estimate the work to be completed by the end of April 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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