Are the trends of today…

1. Growing traffic congestion;
2. Diminishing open space;
3. Impeded access to the ocean and mountains;
4. Affordable housing being pushed to the outskirts resulting in longer commutes;
5. Large-lot housing consuming agricultural lands;

. . . destined to be our tomorrow?

Smart growth is about improved principles and tools to manage our future. Our current set of land use tools consisting of our General Plan, community development plans, zoning code, subdivision code, and capital improvements program (CIP) needs to be reevaluated in light of these principles.

In search of good ideas, the County has co-sponsored three outstanding speakers with track records of success stories:

• Jaime Lerner, as Mayor of Curitiba, transformed this city in Brazil into a model of quality bus transit, mixed density, mixed housing, architectural quality, a pioneer of the pedestrian mall (related to smart growth principles #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 above). He also provided inspiring tips on how to get things done.
• Jim Charlier, a transportation consultant from Colorado, educated County staff and a group of landowners/developers on new approaches to transportation planning that emphasizes connectivity, multi-modal options, and land use coordination (related to smart growth principle #8 above, but also #4 and 5).
• Steve Ames, a planner from Oregon, conducted workshops on the concepts and methods of visioning that have resulted in enthused communities taking charge of their future (related to smart growth principle #10 above).

There are many initiatives being studied or underway, but this article in a way is premature because we do not yet have any accomplishments or directions to report. However, awareness is a big first step, and we invite ideas to move us forward.

For further information, call the Planning Department at 961-8288.

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The County of Hawaii’s Department of Environmental Management is pleased to announce that the improvement work at Waiohinu, Glenwood, Pahoa, and Waiea Transfer Stations is nearly completed.

Among the improvements that residents will notice are new fences and gates. The gates will be closed at night to help deter misuse and abuse of our transfer stations and to promote cleanliness at these facilities.

Improvements also aimed at curbing theft of HI5 beverage containers

Installation of gates at the transfer stations has become necessary to help curb several ongoing problems. One of these problems is theft. Thieves have stolen the equipment used at the redemption center as well as the already redeemed containers so that they can redeem them again. In one instance the loss was an estimated $5,000.

Hilo, Kea`au, Papaikou, Honoka`a, Puako, Waimea, Kailua-Kona, Keauhou. Hilo Transfer Station closes at 5 p.m., and all of the others close at 6:30 p.m.

Nighttime gate closure will also reduce illegal use by commercial haulers. Some individuals are charging residents a fee to collect garbage, then dumping it at the transfer stations.

Meanwhile, some commercial businesses and contractors are taking their commercial waste to the transfer stations. Neither of these activities is permitted.

The transfer stations were designed and built to provide a convenient means for residents to dispose of their household rubbish. Commercial use of the transfer stations places a significant burden the tax payers.

Significantly more County labor and equipment are required to maintain these facilities when they are abused by commercial entities who dump illegally.

The transfer stations are open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm daily.

We request your kokua in maintaining the cleanliness of your transfer stations. In the event that you arrive at the transfer station when the gate is closed, please do not dump your garbage at the gate or in some other illegal location. Your cooperation will help to ensure that your local transfer station remains a practical and convenient means of disposing of your household rubbish.

This project is one phase of a concerted effort to enhance and repair our transfer stations Island-wide.

The Department of Environmental Management is working with transfer station users to assure that this effort meets the needs of the community.

Please be assured that your questions and concerns are welcome. For further information, please call the Solid Waste Division at 961-8058 or 961-8514.

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The County of Hawaii, Department of Public Works will resurface 5.5 miles of Mamalahoa Hwy in Waimea starting June 17 to July 31, 2006, at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

Road resurfacing starts; at Kamamalu to Mud Lane and from Waimea Elementary School up to just before Lalamilo Farm Lots.

One or two lanes of traffic will remain open. However, motorists should expect delays or consider alternate routes, whenever possible.

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

No construction is scheduled for Sunday, June 18, 2006.

For further information, please contact Jiro Sumada, Deputy Director of Public Works at 961-8321.

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The County of Hawai`i is holding the first workshop of the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) on Saturday, July 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Ha`aeamahi Dining Hall on the Kamehameha Schools Campus in Kea`au.

This workshop is open to the public. We encourage attendance by everyone who wants to be a part of the collective effort to improve Puna as a place to live, work and play.

Since the kick-off of the Puna CDP in late February, more than 130 small group meetings have been held throughout the district. More than 1,150 people have contributed their ideas towards the betterment of life in Puna, the fastest-growing district on the island.

This first workshop will be an opportunity to examine what has been said, to see which ideas should be given the highest priority in the CDP.

Community input is key to the decision-making process. Everyone is anxious to see tangible results from all of this planning. With people working together, the CDPs will develop into action plans that are both visionary and realistic.

The Puna CDP is part of an islandwide initiative that seeks to bring planning decisions closer to the communities that are affected by such decisions. North and South Kona have been working on their CDP and two additional CDPs have recently been funded by the County.

At the workshop you will find out more about the CDP process and the extensive information about Puna that has been gathered by the consultant from Plan Pacific about Puna’s population growth and development patterns, public facilities and services, native forest cover and other natural resources, and more.

You as a community member can help fill in the gaps in information or point out where more research is needed.

Please RSVP by calling the Puna CDP Hotline at 935-3975 by July 14. To help us prepare for group exercises in the workshop, please let us know where in Puna you live. More information is available at http://www.hawaiiislandplan.com .

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The County of Hawai`i’ Elections Division is looking for fellow citizens to act as precinct officials during our upcoming primary and general elections. Assisting your neighbors and fellow citizens to vote is a fun, challenging, and a rewarding experience. This is your opportunity to volunteer your services to the community, and at the same time gain first-hand knowledge and experience in the electoral process.

This is an excellent opportunity for your nonprofit organization. Not only does your organization earn money, you are getting involved and participating in the electoral process. Requirements to participate are:

• Each participant must meet the minimum qualifications.
• Each organization shall not be a political action committee or organized for a political purpose.
• A completed Tax Clearance Application for each organization.
• A signed Memorandum of Agreement for each organization.
• A completed recruitment worksheet for each organization.

2006 Primary Election: Saturday, September 23, 2006

2006 General Election: Tuesday, November 7, 2006

The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., however precinct officials start at 5:30 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m.

Each precinct official must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be 16 years old on or before June 30, 2006.

• Be a registered voter in the State of Hawaii.

• Able to read 11 point font and write English.

• Able to lift 25-35 pounds.

• Attend a training session and pass a certification exam.

Each polling place consists of a Chairperson, Voter Assistance Official(s) (VAOs), and Precinct Officials (POs).

• Manages the polling place and is responsible for the security and integrity of ballots issued and votes cast.

• Assists voters and administers special procedures.

• Organizes and supervises precinct officials and voter activity.

• Ensures that all election procedures are correctly followed.

• Receives the Supply Box before each election.

• Maintains inventory and control of all election materials.

• Completes all Election Day documents correctly.

• Assists the Chairperson in managing the polling place.

• Operates the Voter Assistance Station.

• Assists voters and administers special procedures.

• Assists the Chairperson in completing all Election Day documents.

• Assists the Chairperson with miscellaneous duties.

• Operates the following stations at the polling place:

1. Information and Ballot Demonstration Station

2. Poll Book Station

3. Ballot Issuing Station

4. Ballot Box Station

• Assists voters with Election Day questions.

• Assists the Chairperson and/or Voter Assistance Official (VAO) with miscellaneous duties.

Everyone is required to attend at least one training session and pass a certification exam.

Yes! The compensation rates for each election worked for the 2006 Elections are:

Please call The Hawaii County Elections Division at 959-5126 for more information.

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The Hawaii County Resource Center would like to inform our community that the center is now accepting applications for Healing Our Island grants.

The Healing Our Island Community Fund is a mini-grant program that awards grants of up to $2,000 to community groups and grassroots organizations within Hawaii County for projects and events that address drug awareness and education, and drug prevention.

You may download the application by visiting the Healing Our Island website at www.healingourisland.com

For further information about Healing Our Island or other community grant programs, please contact the Hawaii County Resource Center, Department of Research & Development at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109, Hilo, HI 96720. Phone: 961-8366. Email: hcrc@co.hawaii.hi.us .

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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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County Seeks Cost of Government Commission Member for District 8

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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Redemption Centers – Hours of Operation

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:

**Transfer Station centers closed daily from 1:00-1:30pm for lunch.**

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:

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Kuakini Highway Construction Update

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.

• Utility relocation work is on-going.
• Landscaping and irrigation installation in progress.
• Permanent striping on Kuakini Highway from Palani Road to the vicinity of Hanama Place will resume next week.

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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Job Announcements

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

Consider employment with the County of Hawai`i because it offers: numerous jobs, great benefits, provides valuable services, diverse culture, a beautiful island – not to mention warm and friendly residents.

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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Interested in going back to school or work? A "Women in Transition" seminar will be held Saturday, July 22 from 8:30am -11:30am at the Community Center of Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua.

The keynote speaker will be Jeanne Hartney, Kealakehe High School guidance counselor.

Jeanne will share her experiences as a woman returning to college after a long absence working and raising a family. Attendees will have an opportunity to take a short career inventory questionnaire. Additional breakout sessions will focus on family support and dynamics, successful job searching strategies, and the actual college admission and registration process.

This event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women Kona Branch, Hawaii Community College, University of Hawaii Center West Hawaii, and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. Funding is provided by a grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Admission is free but reservations are required.

Please call 322-4858 or e-mail lgregory@hawaii.edu for additional information.

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Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island teaches high school students how business works through the JA Evening Program. Each year 200 students apply to become achievers who form their own mini-companies, design products, assemble products, market and sell products and then liquidate their companies.

Students in 9th through 12th grades from any high school in the Hilo area are invited to apply. Each company has a mix of students from various grades and schools.

Currently we can serve only 150 of the 200 students who apply because we need more volunteer advisors. JA needs your help to guide and advise these budding entrepreneurs.

This year the JA Evening Program will meet Tuesday evening from September 5 through December 12, 2006 with an awards banquet in January 2007 to announce the Company of the Year.

Sponsoring firms include Bank of Hawaii, Big Island Toyota, HPM Building Supply, HELCO and KTA Super Stores. They provide adult advisors to guide the student run companies through the decision making process.

Among our advisors County of Hawaii employees Nori Ishii, Marcie Kawamura, Kazuo Todd and Clayton Yugawa have been critical to the success of the program.

Each company has four departments and there are program-wide departmental meetings several times during the semester with guest speakers. For example, County Comptroller Deanna Sako has been a guest speaker at the Finance Department meeting.

If you are interested in participating as an advisor or guest speaker please contact Susan Labrenz at JA-Susan@hawaii.rr.com . Orientation for new advisors begins Tuesday, August 8, 2006.

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Paniolo Day will be Saturday, August 26th at Parker Ranch Center from 11 am to 4 pm. The event will include a beef tasting by the Hawaiian Cattlemen’s Association, a Paniolo Hall of Fame Display and Paniolo Art Exhibit by local artist Marcia Ray.

Besides a sidewalk sale throughout the Shopping Center, there will also be a gift-with-purchase giveaway of cowboy hats and bandannas while supplies last.

For further information please call Parker Ranch Center at 885-7178.

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The Daughters of Hawai‘i present a free concert 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at Hulihe‘e Palace to remember the late King Kamehameha III, "Kauikeaouli." Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and Hawaiian performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawai‘i. Seating is limited so bring a beach mat or chair.

The Evening in Paradise benefit for the Hawai`i Island United Way will be held on Saturday Sept 16, 2006 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

The event will be held in air conditioned comfort at the resort’s Convention Center this year.

Live entertainment will be provided by Oasys.

On hand will be more than a dozen chefs and vendors preparing their specialities for this food and beverage tasting event.

All proceeds from it go directly to Hawai`i Island United Way.

Tickets are on sale at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa, FHB, BOH, KTA, and the HIUW website. Adult tickets are $75, and children ages 6-12 are $40. Children 5 and under are free. This event is open to the public. Please make advance reservations.

For more information, please call 981-0349.

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The Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club presents its annual show and sale 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Daifukuji Mission Hall.

Featured will be a host of blooming orchids grown by club members, plus new educational exhibits on orchid culture. Interactive fun includes a guessing game and club members will demonstrate their tested techniques for maintaining healthy orchids.

Attendees are invited to bring problem plants to the show for examination by Dr. Janice Uchida, associate professor and plant pathologist at UH-Manoa. Her research program has studied diseases of orchids, foliage plants, tropical fruits and landscape plants. Dr. Uchida is in for the duration of the show.

The Daifukuji Mission Hall is on Hwy. 11 at mile marker 114, just north of Kainaliu. In its 24th year, the club meets here the second Wednesday of every month.

For further information, please call 328-8131.

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

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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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HAWAII COUNTY WEBSITE

WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK

TO ADD OR REMOVE YOUR NAME

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Hawai‘i County ... a nice place to live.

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