*There is also the long-standing Abandoned Vehicle Disposal program for abandoned or derelict vehicles on publicly-traveled roads. (The County always takes derelict or abandoned vehicles on publicly-traveled roads.)

Derelict vehicles are a public nuisance and contribute to blight in our neighborhoods islandwide. Blight affects our cherished quality of life.

Derelict vehicles pose an environmental and safety hazard primarily due to leaking petroleum products and other fluids into our soil and ground water.

Derelict vehicles also collect sitting water, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes as well as vermin, heightening the risk of transmitting various diseases.

County’s goals regarding derelict vehicles on the Island of Hawaii

The County wants to reduce the number of derelict vehicles on Hawaii Island since their presence contributes negatively in so many ways to our island environment.

The County has extended what had been a one-year pilot program, the Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program. The two-year extension approved by the County Council runs from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008.

The Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program is designed for the removal and recycling of derelict vehicles ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

Scrap metal recycling costs have dropped

The Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program coincides with favorable market conditions for scrap metal recycling.

The international scrap metal recovery market has been economically viable in recent years thereby reducing costs of recycling scrap metal.

This program is for derelict vehicles only

This program is designed for the removal of derelict vehicles, not abandoned vehicles.

What's the difference between an abandoned vehicle and a derelict vehicle?

Whereas abandoned vehicles may be driven again, derelict vehicles are inoperable. That means that major parts have been removed or material damage to the vehicle has rendered the vehicle inoperable and one of the following conditions exists:

1. The vehicle is registered for the current registration period and the legal owner no longer resides at the address on record with the County Director of Finance, or

2. The vehicle has been registered for the current or previous registration period and the legal owners disclaim ownership, or

3. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and license plates have been removed so as to nullify efforts to locate or identify the current registered and legal owners, or

4. The vehicle has not been registered for the current or previous registration periods, or

5. Vehicle registration records contain no record that the vehicle has ever been registered in the county.

How does the owner of a derelict vehicle start the removal process?

The property owner must sign an affidavit attesting to certain facts concerning the ownership and exact location of the derelict vehicle.

The property owner must give:

• consent for the County and their agents to enter the private property, and
• a release of liability to the County in order to get access to the derelict vehicle.

To obtain a Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program application form, contact the Department of Environmental Management at 961-8083.

The County will contact the property owner once a determination has been made on their application.

• No more than two derelict vehicles per owner, or per parcel, will be removed through this pilot project program.

• Requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Responses to requests may depend upon space availability at the scrap metal recovery yards.

• If a property owner whose application has already been accepted owns other parcels (contiguous or non-contiguous) containing derelict vehicles, an application for the removal of the additional vehicles may be submitted.
• It must be physically possible for a County-contracted tow truck to safely and efficiently remove the derelict vehicle. If the tow truck operator determines that the vehicle cannot be towed away safely with reasonable effort, then the County is under no obligation to remove the vehicle.

Free drop off derelict vehicles in Hilo and Kealakehe

The backlog of vehicles waiting to be removed is large, so we’d like to remind the community that it is free to leave a derelict vehicle at the metal scrap yards at the Hilo and Kealakehe transfer stations.

All you have to do is get the vehicle to the scrap yard and everything else is taken care of free of charge to you.

New positions funded by Vehicle Disposal Fund

The Vehicle Disposal Fund, created in 1994, collects an annual fee from all vehicles at the time of their annual registration, for the purpose of appropriate disposal at the end of a vehicle’s useful life.

To underscore the importance of the derelict and abandoned vehicle disposal program, the County is currently recruiting for two new positions funded by the Vehicle Disposal Fund:

1. Derelict/Abandoned Vehicle Coordinator (in Kona)
2. Clerk (in Hilo)

These new positions will mean that three personnel will be dedicated to handling the task of vehicle disposal in Hawai`i County.

We’re also hoping to use some of the Vehicle Disposal Fund to hire personnel to conduct derelict vehicle "sweeps" in both East and West Hawai`i.

Meanwhile….the County’s Abandoned Vehicle program makes strides

The abandoned vehicle program recently wrapped up a cleanup program in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates with more than 150 vehicles being removed.

In Nanawale, more than 22 abandoned vehicles were recently removed.

The Department of Environmental Management can work with other communities on similar cleanups as the need arises.

For further information on the Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program or to apply for removal of a derelict vehicle, call 961-8083 or email cohdem@co.hawaii.hi.us .

The County’s Department of Public Works is seeking comments from the public on a draft environmental assessment for a single-lane gravel road for emergency evacuations from Waikoloa Village.

The proposed road would start at the end of Hulu Street in Waikoloa Village and run makai for 2.13 miles, connecting at the 72-mile marker Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, which is mauka of the Mauna Lani Resort entrance.

The proposed emergency road would be gated and opened only during emergencies, as authorized by the County’s Civil Defense Agency.

More than 5,000 residents in addition to visitors reside in Waikoloa Village and because it is surrounded by dry grass in an area of high wind speeds, it is very vulnerable to brush fires.

In the August 2005 wildfire, 25,000 acres burned, cutting off the mauka portion of Waikoloa Road and severely congesting traffic on the makai portion of Waikoloa Road.

Copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment are available at public libraries.

For an electronic version of the Draft Environmental Assessment go to:

http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/nh/WaikoEmergRoadDEA.pdf  

Please note: September 7, 2006 is the postmark deadline for original comments. They should be directed to:

Ron Terry

Geometrician Associates

HC 2 Box 9575,

Kea’au, Hawaii 96749

Copies of your comments should also be sent to:

Director, Office of Environmental Quality Control

235 South Beretania Street /Ste. 702

Honolulu, Hi 96813

and

Department of Public Works, County of Hawaii

101 Pauahi Street, Suite # 7

Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Attn: Jiro Sumada, Deputy Director.

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Captain Cook Road Improvement Work Begins Week of July 31

Willocks Construction Company informed the Department of Public Works that road work will begin early in the week of July 31, starting with survey lay-out work, mobilization of their heavy equipment, and setting-up their field offices and construction staging area. The installation of construction warning signs, orange safety fencing, and Triton barriers, along the Mamalahoa Highway, will follow later in the mid to late week.

The $2.7 million project will make improvements between Kiloa Road and Captain Cook Road over the next 12 months. These improvements include left turn lanes, sheltered left turn pocket lanes, drywells, Americans with disabilities Act-approved (ADA) ramps and new street lights between Kinue and Captain Cook Roads.

The aim is to improve the flow of traffic for residents living in North and South Kona.

We ask for your patience and that all motorists be aware, courteous, cautious and observe all construction warning signs.

Willocks Construction has installed a 24-hour hotline, providing updates where roadwork is occurring. The hotline is 323-2930.

For further information, you may contact Willocks Construction Company at 982-9099 or Noelani Whittington, Community Outreach Specialist with the Department of Public Works at 557-6437.

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Beginning July 1, 2006, the Hawai`i County Elections Division began accepting applications for absentee mail ballots for the 2006 Primary and General Elections. The deadline to request an absentee mail ballot for the Primary Election is 4:30 p.m. on September 16, 2006. The deadline to request an absentee mail ballot for the General Election is 4:30 p.m. on October 31, 2006.

Applications for an absentee mail ballot can be obtained from the Elections Division or by downloading it at www.co.hawaii.hi.us/elections .

Absentee Walk-in Voting:

Primary Election Absentee Walk-In Voting begins on September 11 - 21, 2006.

General Election Absentee Walk-In Voting begins on October 24 - November 4, 2006.

Please exercise your right as a U.S. citizen. Register to vote and cast your ballot in the primary and general elections. Your vote counts!

For further information, please contact the Hawai`i County Elections Office at 961-8277.

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The Coqui Frog Working Group in partnership with the County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii- College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, USDA and Hawaii Island Economic Development Board will provide a free Coqui Control Class on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Na’alehu Community Center.

In areas where there are not major infestations it is imperative to keep the coqui frog from spreading.

This class will discuss strategies for preventing infestations from occurring, how to eradicate existing populations and organize the community to keep the frogs out. The agenda also includes information on coqui life cycles, strategies for control, chemical safety, spraying techniques, large capacity sprayer training and community resources.

The class is free and attendees will receive a voucher for one free 35-pound bag of Hydrated Lime from the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board- Coqui Project. The class is free, but reservations are recommended. For reservations please call Howard Lontoc, County of Hawaii- Coqui Eradication & Control Coordinator at 961-8066.

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Real property tax bills for the first-half installment of taxes due for the 2006-2007 tax year have been mailed to all property owners or their respective agents servicing their accounts. The first-half installment of taxes must be paid on or before MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006, or they will be delinquent and subject to penalty and interest charges.

If you are responsible for paying the real property taxes and HAVE NOT RECEIVED your real property tax bill, please call the Real Property Tax Division, County of Hawaii, at 961-8282 for a duplicate bill.

Persons who have recently paid-off their mortgages should also call to insure that tax bills are sent to their attention, rather than to the bank or financial institution.

Please note: Real property tax payments will not be accepted at any bank. For your convenience, please mail in your payment accompanied with your tax bill.

Payments should be mailed to:

County of Hawai`i, Department of Finance

Real Property Tax Division

Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4

Hilo, HI 96720-4224

Or you may pay in person at:

Real Property Tax Division

Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4

Hilo, HI

Or in West Hawaii at:

West Hawai`I Real Property Tax Division

75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 112

Kailua-Kona, HI

Or, if you have your tax bill, you may use the drop box located outside the Aupuni Center Building in Hilo next to the U.S. Mailbox by the Motor Vehicle Registration Office in Hilo,or the drop box located in our office at Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4, Hilo, HI. At this time, there is no drop box at the Kona Real Property Tax Division. Your cancelled check will be your receipt.

Property owners are reminded that failure to pay your taxes by the due date because of non-receipt of any tax bill will not excuse you from being assessed a penalty of 10% plus interest of 12% a year. The postmarked date is the date of receipt.

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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.

Note: The following transfer stations are already gated at night:

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.

Opening hours for transfer stations

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

Nighttime gate closures will begin July 31.

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 come back the following day. Your cooperation will help to ensure that your local transfer station remains a practical and convenient means of disposing of your household rubbish.

One step in an overall effort to improve our transfer station operations

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’s Department of Public Works has announced a NEW work schedule to accommodate school traffic as resurfacing work continues along Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea.

New Work Schedule:

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

Currently, the Highway Maintenance Division workers are also planning to resurface on Thursday, August 3 and Monday, August 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Resurfacing 5.5 miles of Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea from Kamamalu to Mud Lane and Waimea Elementary School to Lalamilo Farm Lots began June 17, 2006 and was scheduled to end on July 31, 2006. The resurfacing work has been extended until further notice, depending on good weather conditions and a steady supply of asphalt.

Projections for the work figured in a number of days of anticipated rain and delays in asphalt supply. The County work schedule required 20 good working days to complete this project out of the 43 days calculated to pave the stretch of Mamalahoa Highway

By the end of July, County employees had 14 days of good working conditions and adequate supply of asphalt.

To complete the resurfacing, we now need another 14 good days or more and a predictable supply of asphalt, roughly 6,000 tons. The County is currently working to complete resurfacing the westbound lane of Mamalahoa Highway from Mud Lane to Mokuloa subdivision and the eastbound lane from Lindsay subdivision to Mud Lane.

(Resurfacing from Lalamilo Farm Lots to Waimea Elementary School and from Kamamalu Road to Mokuloa is completed.)

After resurfacing, we will re-stripe the highway. These contractors will work around motorists and will avoid peak traffic hours.

Why can’t we pave at night?

A frequently asked question is why can’t we pave at night. We can’t for two important reasons: poor visibility and damp conditions.

For updates, please call our hotline at 887-3004.

For travel time we recommend adding 45 to 60 minutes’ extra travel time to reach your destination. If you are traveling across the island, please consider the Saddle Road as an alternative route.

For more information, please contact Bruce McClure, Director of Department of Public Works at 961-8321 or Noelani Whittington, Community Outreach Specialist at 557-6437.

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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.

When are the elections?

2006 Primary Election: Saturday, September 23, 2006

2006 General Election: Tuesday, November 7, 2006

How long will I be working?

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.

What are the minimum qualifications?

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.

What will I Be Doing?

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

Precinct Chairperson’s Responsibilities and Duties:

• 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.

Voter Assistance Official (VAO) Responsibilities and Duties:

• 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.

Precinct Official (PO) Responsibilities and 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.

How will I know what to do on Primary and Election Day?

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

Will I be paid?

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

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 .

Thank you for helping to Heal Our Island!

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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.

Reminder: ONLY eligible HI5¢ labeled containers can be redeemed.

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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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 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.

• Sidewalk restoration work has begun throughout the Kuakini corridor.
• Dry well construction work began this week mauka of the old Bank of Hawaii on Kuakini near Hualalai.
• Once the dry well is constructed, asphalt concrete paving will begin from Kalani Street to Hualalai. However, the availability of supplies of asphalt concrete will determine when the paving will commence.

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.

Mahalo nui loa for your support of this community improvement project.

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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.

Call the County of Hawai`i’s job hotline (808) 961-8618 or visit www.co.hawaii.hi.us to download an application packet.

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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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.

Let Their Success Be Your Inspiration!

Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Traffic and Animal Control Task Force Groups will meet on Monday, August 14, 2006 via a video conference at the Kona Mayor's Office - 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy and Hilo Prosecutor's Office - 34 Rainbow Drive

Traffic Task Force Meeting: Time: 10am - 11am. Agenda: continue working on "Speeding In Neighborhoods". Continue updates on the "Community Road Safety Watch" program. What is the new law effective January 1, 2007 regarding speeding? Contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com .

Animal Control Task Meeting: Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm. Agenda: What does the latest draft for the Animal Control Bill contain? Report from the Humane Society and updates on their current projects. Contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net .

Please visit the "Solutions" web site for further details at www.solutionsislandhawaii.com .

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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.

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.

"Born in 1813, Kauikeaouli was the second surviving son of Kamehameha the Great and he became king when he was 11 years old," says Fanny Au Hoy, palace administrator. "During his 30-year reign, he signed the Great Mahele, dividing land among his people; declared the right of religious freedom and instituted the kingdom’s first written constitution." In 1843, King Kamehameha III coined Hawai‘i’s motto that appears on the state seal and coat of arms: "`Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono-the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."

Kauikeaouli’s birthplace is marked at Keauhou Bay and the Daughters perform a ceremony there every March 17. Stories, passed down through generations, about Kauikeaouli’s birth—plus interesting facts and photos on how the site has been preserved through the Daughters’ efforts—can be found in the fascinating new book, "Na Lani Kaumaka." It is available at the Hulihe’e Palace Gift Shop.

Hulihe‘e Palace is located at 75-5718 Ali`i Drive in the heart of Kailua. Caretakers of the historic landmark are the Daughters of Hawai`i. Founded in 1903, the organization opens its membership to any woman who is directly descended from a person who lived in Hawai`i prior to 1880. Helping the Daughters in their efforts since 1986 are the Calabash Cousins; membership is available to all, 329-1877, www.huliheepalace.org .

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.

All around the island, communities are actively engaging in a monumental planning effort that has the potential of positively affecting the future of Hawaii Island for generations to come.

Go to the website www.hawaiiislandplan.com   to see what is happening in each of our 9 judicial districts as it relates to the Community Development Plan process.

In addition to finding current information about the process, you can also find, among other things, information about past planning efforts.

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Signs and Markings Project by Traffic’s Maintenance Crews Only

Some of our streetlights are misbehaving. Please call 961-8341 and report any malfunctions.

The Traffic Division of Public Works manages 9,020 streetlights operated by individual light sensing cells.

However, due to defective sensors some streetlights remain lit all day. Please help us locate them to repair them.

Please call the Traffic Division of Public Works Monday-Friday from 7:00AM to 4:00PM at 961-8341.

In addition to your name and contact number, please provide the following information:

We need the streetlight pole number. It is easily spotted from a car. It is a large silver number located six to seven feet up on the streetlight pole. If you know the street or highway name and a well-known landmark, it is also helpful.

For additional information contact Ron Thiel, Traffic Division Chief at 961-8341. Mahalo nui loa.

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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

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