April 14, 2006

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

• Urban Search and Rescue Team -- Ready to Serve

• Video Report to Hawai`i County on Hawai`i Aloha Show on Channel 54
• Public Meetings to Focus on "Roads In Limbo" Issue
• Fair Housing Seminars in Hilo on April 25 and Kona on April 26
• Firefighters to Deliver Mother's Day Roses to Benefit Fight against Cancer
• Fire Department Sponsors EMS 5K Family Run/2 Mile Walk on May 28 in Hilo
• 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

• USDA to Hold Community Meetings for Home Care Worker-Owned Cooperative
• West Hawai`i Fisheries Council Meets in Kona on April 20
• Outstanding Older Americans Award Luncheon at Hapuna Beach May 12
• Composting Workshops March through June
• Free Mulch Available at Kona Transfer Station

• Hawai`i Community College Offers Summer High School Credits
• 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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Urban Search and Rescue is a relatively new component of the Hawai`i County Fire Department.

The seed was planted when then Hawai`i Fire Department Battalion Chief Ken Silva (now HFD F-1) commented during a Disaster Field Tabletop exercise at Fort Shafter that the state of Hawai`i had no Urban Search and Rescue team.

In November 2000, Deputy State Civil Defense Director Ed Teixeira assigned Clem Jung, the then State Civil Defense Hazmat Training and Exercise Coordinator with finding FEMA-certified training and instructors for a new statewide Hawai`i Urban Search and Rescue team.

All personnel on the team received their training from the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 7 based in Sacramento.

Their mission involves the location, rescue (extrication) and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined places.

The major functional elements of the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force are:

• Search
• Rescue
• Technical
• Medical

Depending on the incident, members of a task force may include:

• Structural engineer
• Haz-mat specialists
• Heavy-rigging specialists (to pull off debris to aid searches)
• Search specialists (including a sniffer dog team)
• Logistics specialists
• Rescue Specialists
• Paramedics and emergency medical doctors

Urban Search and Rescue responds to a variety of emergencies and disasters including:

• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes
• Typhoons
• Storms and tornadoes
• Floods
• Dam Failures
• Technological incidents such as nuclear incidents
• Terrorist incidents
• Hazardous materials incidents such as toxic spills

1. The team conducts physical search and rescue operations in damaged or collapsed structures.
2. They provide emergency medical care to the injured victims and in some cases the response personnel as well.
3. They conduct reconnaissance to assess the damage and provide information to County, state and federal officials.
4. In some cases, they may shut off utilities to houses and buildings in the event of a disaster.
5. They also may conduct haz-mat surveys and evaluations.
6. The Urban Search and Rescue team may conduct structural/hazard evaluations of government buildings for immediate occupancy to support disaster relief operations.
7. The team may also stabilize damaged structures ("shoring and cribbing operations" i.e. propping up and supporting damaged buildings or other structures.

According to Capt. Clint Coloma, there are more than 40 of these specially-trained personnel among the four counties.

The County of Hawai`i has 12 personnel who are part of the unit, known officially as the Big Island's Urban Search and Rescue Element. It consists of 8 rescue specialists, and 4 medical specialists (all paramedics).

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Hawai`i County department heads will be appearing on a series of TV segments entitled "Video Report to Hawai`i County" as part of the Hawai`i Aloha Show hosted by Rosey Rosenthal on cable access Channel 54.

WHEN: Thursday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m., rebroadcast on Friday, April 14 at 10:00 p.m.

• Bruce McClure (Public Works)
• Tom Brown (Mass Transit Agency)
• Milton Pavao (Water Supply)
• Jan Pakele (Liquor Control)
• Clayton Yugawa (Data Systems)

The program will also include the video on driving safety "Shattered Dreams", featuring students from Pahoa High School.

• Bill Takaba (Finance)
• Chris Yuen (Planning)
• Barbara Bell (Environmental Management)

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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 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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Fighting for a Cure. With a unique contribution to the American Cancer Society, that’s just what Hawaii County firefighters hope to do by delivering roses on May 12, Mother's Day to your loved ones.

Uniformed firefighters will deliver rose bouquets on Mother's Day to mothers in East Hawaii. This is the fourth year that firefighters have volunteered their time to sponsor the Mother’s Day rose project. Over $9,500 has been donated to American Cancer Society since its inception.

The firefighters will be accepting orders at the Merrie Monarch craft fair at the AhFook Chinen Civic Auditorium on Thursday, April 20, through Saturday, April 22. Each confirmed order will include a donation to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the bouquet’s recipient.

Order forms may also be obtained from the Fire Administration office located at the County Building or by calling 961-8297.

For more information, please call Firefighter Gabriel Sasaki at the Waimea Fire Station (887-3021), Firefighter Patrick Springer at the Central Fire Station (961-8325), or Firefighter Shane Paulos at the Pahoa Fire Station (965-2708).

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In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, the Fire Department is sponsoring their 6th annual EMS 5K Family Run/2 Mile-Walk/Keiki Fun Run on Sunday, May 28, 2006. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. at Liliu`okalani Park, and the public is invited to participate.

This year, proceeds from this event will benefit the Hospice of Hilo, an organization that brings care and compassion to many patients and their families.

The 5K Family Run and 2-Mile Walk begins and ends at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo. The route proceeds from Lihiwai Street to the lighthouse tower at Bayfront Highway, then back along the same route to the park. The 2-mile walk also begins at the park to a shorter turn-around point and back.

Both events will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 28th. For the first time this year, a Keiki Fun Run will be incorporated into the event. It is a ¼ mile non-competitive event for children ages 3 to 10, and will be held within Liliuokalani Park.

Applications may be obtained at the Spencer Health and Fitness Center, the Fire Administration office located in the County Building, at any district fire station, or by calling 961-8297 during normal business hours.

The entrance fee is $20 for adults, and $10 for youth, students & seniors (60+). Deadline to guarantee a shirt is May 22.

Awards will be presented following the completion of the event. All participants will also become eligible to receive random drawing prizes. Spencer Health and Fitness Center is a major corporate sponsor of the event.

The family fun run/walk will also kick off various events and displays that will continue throughout the day. The American Heart Association, Ululani Pharmacy and Keiki ID will provide their services to the public.

The Hospice of Hilo volunteers and staff will also be on hand to assist with the event as well as to provide information about the hospice program of care. For more information on the organization, please call Ron Hart at 969-1733.

EMS Week, which is celebrated nationwide, will bring together communities and medical personnel to publicize safety, and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medical "front line." This year’s theme, "EMS: Serving on Health Care’s Front Line" underscores the commitment and dedication of the 750,000 EMS technicians who provide an essential community service every day.

The Emergency Medical Services Week coordinators are Fire Equipment Operator /Mobile Intensive Care Technician Lance Uchida (Central Fire Station, telephone 961-8325) and Fire Captain Jerry Lum (Waiakea Fire Station, telephone 961-8678). The fun run/walk race director is Firefighter/Mobile Intensive Care Technician Jesse Ebersole (Central Fire Station, telephone 961-8325).

The County of Hawaii’s Emergency Medical Services Division, a State-funded program, provides 24-hour quality pre-hospital emergency medical care and services to the residents and visitors on Hawaii. Last year, EMS responded to 14,612 calls for assistance island wide. To learn more about your local EMS Division, contact Battalion Chief Paul Paiva at 961-8319.

Event organizers welcome your support of EMS. Please join your Fire Department on May 28th.

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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.

Application forms may be picked up in Hilo at the Office of Information and Complaints at Room 217, 25 Aupuni Street and in Kona at the Kona Mayor's Office at Hanama Place, Kailua-Kona. You may also find an application form on line at www.co.hawaii.hi.us .

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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 an 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.

• Ductline, underground traffic signal and sidewalk work on Kuakini/Hualalai intersection continues.
• Loop detector installation is underway at the intersections with Kuakini.
• Various utility relocation work is on-going.
• Asphalt concrete paving of Hanama Place is planned for April 30, 2006, from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. Accesses to Hanama Place will be closed in order to facilitate the work.

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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Through a grant-funded partnership, the Hilo Medical Center and the USDA Rural Development are working to help home-based healthcare workers establish and operate their own cooperative business in East Hawaii.

The next Home Care Cooperative Community Outreach meetings being held are as follows:

• Puna District - Pahoa Neighborhood Center, Wednesday, April 19, 2006

First Session: 4:30 PM– 6:00 PM

Second Session: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.

• Hilo District - Clem Akina Park, Wainuku, Saturday, April 22, 2006

First Session: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Second Session: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

If you are a home health care worker interested in becoming a member of this cooperative in East Hawaii, please join us.

Find out how forming a cooperative worker-owned business can benefit you and how you can help improve the quality of life for your patients and yourself. For more information, contact Kimberley Schorr, Home Health Care Steering Committee at 965-5063, or Jeannie Stoner, USDA Rural Development at 933-8309.

A Steering Committee has been organized, and its members have been working with local experts in the field of home healthcare, including representatives from Hilo Medical Center, USDA Rural Development, and numerous independent home healthcare providers. The Steering Committee is working through the organizational steps necessary to determine if the cooperative business will be financially feasible. To determine if there is sufficient interest in the project from caregivers, four informational meetings have been scheduled in both the Hilo and Puna areas.

"The development of a rural home-based healthcare cooperative business could provide a cost- effective means of providing East Hawaii’s families an alternative to in-home care services currently available," said Rural Development State Director Lorraine Shin. "The worker-owned business has a potential to provide job stability, benefits, educational opportunities, and business ownership for its members. Through partnerships, USDA Rural Development is working to improve the quality of life for rural residents

Worker cooperatives are businesses that are owned and democratically governed by the employees. Cooperatives provide their employees with both jobs and ownership – allowing workers to directly benefit from the financial success of the business.

Worker-owned home care cooperatives provide personal and supportive services to people with long-term physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, or with short-term needs for medical or personal assistance.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Additional information about rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or on USDA’s Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .  USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer.

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The West Hawai’i Fisheries Council, a community-based advisory organization, will hold their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 6:30 pm at the Hawai`i Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Marina in Kailua, Kona.

This month features a presentation on Kona Kai Ola, a Waterfront Commercial Village at Kealakehe.

Kona kai Ola is envisaged as a 490-acre waterfront commercial village at the north end of the Kailua Kona urban core, centered around a new harbor and marine lagoons.

The mixed-use plan will include a new 800-slip marina, shoreline park, community gathering areas, marine science education center, trail system for walking, biking and running, canoe launching area, retail, restaurants and hotel and timeshare components.

Atlanta-based developer Jacoby Development, Inc. was selected by DHHL and DLNR as the master developer for this public-private partnership. A Master Development Plan, a Core Infrastructure Plan and a Draft EIS. are slated to be completed this year by Jacoby Development.

The Jacoby Team will be on hand to hear comments from the West Hawai`i Fisheries Council members about the proposed plan. The presentation will allow time for comments and questions.

The mission of the West Hawai`i Fisheries Council is to manage fishery activities to ensure sustainability, enhance nearshore resources, minimize resource depletion and manage conflicts of use. The Council was set up to serve as the community source for formulating and recommending West Hawai’i fisheries management actions and changes to the Division of Aquatic Resources and the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

All of the community is cordially invited to the Council meetings on the third Thursday of every month.

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Hawaii’s own Brown Ohana Trio of Hilo will be at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hapuna Ballroom on Friday, May 12, 2006, to entertain and honor twenty-six older Americans from districts around the island. Program will start at 10:30 am and end at 1:30 pm.

A total of 26 seniors from around the Big Island have been nominated. In addition to the selection of the Outstanding Older Americans of the year, the Office of Aging will also recognize outstanding seniors for Community Service, Personal Achievement, Senior Activities and Golden Years.

Shimomi S.A. Araujo (Hilo), Margaret Capelli (Holualoa), Rose-Vivian K. Chai (Hilo), Hilda DeCosta (Hilo), Rosita Ebreo (Paauilo), Margaret V. Finch (Kailua-Kona), Alfreida Fujita (Kailua-Kona), Helene H. Hale (Pahoa), Mutsuyo Kai (Pahala), Virginia P. Maeda (Hilo), Sumayo (Sue) Nakamura (Hilo), Aiko Pennington (Ocean View), Tesse I. Tinker (Keaau), Mildred T. Uchima (Hilo), Marcellina C. Wong (Hilo).

Melvin Ah Ching (Honokaa), Danford K.O. Chang (Paauilo), Boniface D.B. Choy (Mt. View), Dannie R. Coates (Kukuihaele), Robert E. Fase (Kamuela), Kile O. Golden (Keaau), David B. Gomes (Kamuela), Gerald Nagle (Na’alehu), Ludloff Oliveira (Hilo), Jere Pennell (Kailua-Kona), Ahmed B. Rifi (Keaau).

The program is open to the public and the cost for the luncheon is $23.

Transportation on air-conditioned buses is available to the first 300 reserved attendees. KTA Super Stores and Reser’s Fine Foods have donated numerous prizes to be given out by guest hosts on each bus to make the trip enjoyable.

Space is limited so please call the Office of Aging at 961-8600 soon to make your reservations.

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

• 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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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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Taxation Dept. Expands Hours for Customer Service Phone Calls

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 17th through Friday, April 21st, 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 middle of May 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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