April 9, 2004

Enforcement of the state and countywide traffic code is the duty of every officer in the Police Department. While on patrol, officers in each district are mandated to enforce traffic laws on a priority basis.

Traffic enforcement is important because it helps reduce injuries and deaths caused by traffic collisions. Because traffic enforcement is a priority, the Hawaii County Police Department applies for and receives federal grants to help pay for enforcement efforts in three major areas:

• to reduce impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
• to encourage the use of seat belts and child restraints
• to discourage speeding

The grants make it possible for police officers to set up roadblocks to check for seat belt usage and drunk drivers. In addition, officers using radar guns are stationed to measure the speed of passing automobiles.

During the current fiscal year, the department received about $300,000 in grant funds to supplement enforcement and to purchase equipment to improve enforcement and investigative techniques. These federal funds are used to pay officers on overtime to conduct enforcement efforts, so their regular duties are not affected.

The police department also participates in national enforcement campaigns aimed at increasing seat belt usage and apprehending impaired drivers.

Puna On Thursday, March 25, 2004, the Police Department conducted a major traffic enforcement project in Pahoa Town. Members of the Puna Patrol, Community Policing and Traffic Enforcement Unit took part in the project, which consisted of six seat belt and impaired driving checkpoints in the area of Pahoa Town.

This effort resulted in the issuance of 125 traffic citations and the arrest of a 20-year-old male for drunk driving and nine other traffic offenses. In addition, officers issued 60 seat belt citations, five child restraint citations and 60 other citations for such offenses as driving without a license, having no automobile insurance, illegal window tint, loud vehicle mufflers and other regulatory violations.

Sergeant Randy Apele, head of the Traffic Service Section, said the enforcement project served two purposes -- to enforce traffic laws and to provide a greater police presence in Pahoa. Apele said further traffic enforcement projects will be conducted in Pahoa and throughout the Big Island.

With the recent increase in fatal crashes, Apele said the public can expect more highly visible enforcement to be conducted to include checkpoints for speeding, impaired driving and seat belt violations.

West Hawai‘i Because of vehicles speeding and overtaking other vehicles on the right shoulder on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, the Police Department has assigned officers to patrol the Highway during the early morning and evening hours. Speed boards are also being used to make drivers aware of how fast they are traveling. Since this program began several months ago, the public in West Hawai‘i has been very appreciative, and has let the Department know that these traffic enforcement efforts are working.

During calendar year 2003, police officers arrested 1,076 drivers for impaired (drunk) driving, compared to 873 for the same period in 2002 -- a 23 percent increase in the number of arrests.

In addition, other charges were made against the drivers arrested for drunk driving. There were:

• 68 charges for keeping an open vessel in the vehicle
• 179 for speeding
• 333 for having no driver's license
• 22 for promotion of detrimental drugs
• 2 for promotion of dangerous drugs
• 402 for failure to obtain no-fault insurance

Of the 1,076 drivers arrested for drunk driving, 188 of them were involved in traffic accidents, and 161 were under the age of 21.

During the same period, another 5,494 drivers were cited for failure to use seat belts and 289 for failure to use proper child restraints.

Despite enforcement efforts, there were 35 fatalities recorded in 2003, compared to 28 during the previous year, an increase of 25 percent.

The number of traffic deaths attributed to drunk driving declined, however, from six recorded in 2003 to 11 in 2002, a decrease of 45 percent. Two more fatalities were attributed to drug use in 2003, compared to none recorded the previous year.

While the Police Department works hard at traffic enforcement, the safety of our roadways is up to all of us.

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Contrary to common belief, the County’s Department of Water Supply (DWS) operates on its revenue alone. It doesn’t receive any taxes at all.

The Department of Water Supply is purely customer-driven. The department currently has approximately 37,000 accounts, serving about 93,000 residents.

For the past 11 years, the department has not received any state or county appropriations, and it received only revolving fund loans provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Those loan funds are negligible, however.

Revenues from customers pay for normal operations and maintenance.

The facility charge, which is the one-time charge for the privilege of obtaining the water service, is used to provide for major capital improvement projects. An example of such a project is the construction of a two-million gallon reservoir and production well at Waiaha in Kona. This project north of Holualoa on the Mamalahoa Highway will cost approximately $5 million.

Expansion of water systems is done by external funding (such as Improvement Districts and the USDA’s Rural Development Loan Grant Program).

The Department of Water Supply encourages subdivisions without water to go through the Improvement District process.

An example is the Kona Coastview/Wonderview subdivisions. In that case, the Department is combining the Improvement District process with the Rural Development Loan Grant Program (from the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

This makes some grant funds available, as well as low interest loans. The percentage of funding through grants depends on the income levels of the residents of an area. The maximum proportion is 25% loan and 75% grant.

Basically, it’s a matter of finances. Water rates and facility charges are structured to maintain services to existing water systems, which is an expensive proposition. There are fixed costs and legal mandates that must be covered by DWS revenues.

Part of the DWS operating funds are used to ensure that the water quality provided to our existing customers is in compliance with EPA standards. These standards are getting stricter all the time. DWS spends about $600,000 a year to test the water to ensure compliance.

And a surprising fact is that about 1/3 of DWS’s total budget goes to HELCO for energy costs.

EPA mandates require large expenditures from capital funds for well development and upgrades.

Homeowners who bought land without water paid a proportionally lower price for their property than homeowners whose property has water.

The real property tax assessment of a lot without water tends to be lower than a lot with water.

The Department of Water Supply has its own board that makes policy decisions. The Water Board approves of all of DWS’s contracts and sets the budget for the department. It also hires the Water Manager who runs the day to day operations of the department. Currently, the Water Manager is Milton Pavao.

The County Council is not involved in the Department of Water Supply’s budgetary or policy decisions.

No, the DWS is not part of the building permit process. To the property owner, this is one less hurdle to overcome.

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The new 2004 real property tax assessments are now available on the County website. Click on www.hawaiipropertytax.com

If you look at your tax map key, you can view the land, building, and exemption values for this year.

For further information, call Real Property Tax Division at 961-8201.

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Real Property tax assessments for the 2004-2005 tax year have been compiled and are on file at the County of Hawaii, Real Property Tax Office.

A "Notice of Property Assessment" was mailed to property owners on or before March 15, 2004. Please review the assessment information carefully.

The notice of property assessment includes the taxable value placed upon buildings and all other real property and the amount of exemption, if any, allowed on the property. If you fail to receive the Notice of Assessment, contact the County Tax Office at 961-8201 or 327-3540.

Property owners may come to the Real Property Tax Office to inspect the assessment on their property and to confer with staff members so that errors may be corrected prior to the finalization of the assessment list.

The County of Hawaii has real property tax offices in East and West Hawaii. The East Hawaii Office is located at Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4, Hilo, Hawaii, and the West Hawaii Office at 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 112, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

If you do not agree with the value placed on your property or if you are not allowed an exemption to which you believe you are entitled, an appeal may be filed with the Tax Board of Review or the Tax Appeal Court.

The deadline for filing appeals is April 12, 2004. Appeal forms to the Tax Board of Review are available at the Real Property Tax Office in East and West Hawaii. Appeal forms to the Tax Appeal Court are available at the Tax Appeal Court, Box 376, Honolulu, Hawaii 96809, or by calling (808) 539-4777.

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The County of Hawai`i Office of Management will hold a series of public meetings regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations which require the abandonment of large-capacity cesspools by April 5, 2005.

The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulations, particularly to clarify the applicability of the regulations to land owners who may be utilizing large-capacity cesspools for wastewater disposal.

Possible alternative wastewater disposal systems available and potential means of financing the costs of upgrading the large-capacity cesspool with County, state and federal funds will also be discussed.

Schedule of Meetings: (Group meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified. One-on-one follow-up meetings will be held between meetings. If necessary, the personal consultations may be extended, by appointment, to the following day.)

For further information, please call Margarita Hopkins at 961-8369.

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When: April 12 from 7:50 a.m. (Registration) to noon

Where: Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo

Hilo Fair Housing Seminar. The County of Hawaii, Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission, the State Hawai`i Community Development Corporation of Hawai`i and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be sponsoring a seminar addressing Federal and State Fair Housing Laws. No cost. To register, call Jeremy at 961-8379.

When: April 19 from 7:50 a.m. (Registration) to noon

Where:King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Kamakahonu Room `Elua.

Kona Fair Housing Seminar. The County of Hawaii, Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission, the State Hawai`i Community Development Corporation of Hawai`i and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be sponsoring a seminar addressing Federal and State Fair Housing Laws at $2 cost for validated parking. To register, call Jeremy at 961-8379.

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Hawaii County Resource Center is administering a $100,000 fund issued by the State Legislature. In response to recommendations from the community at our island-wide Meth Summit, the Mayor’s Office, County Council and State legislators worked together to make these funds available.

Grants are to be used on our island at the neighborhood and community level with a focus on drug use prevention and education.

Proposals may include community event(s), public awareness projects, mentoring, youth/family recreation, and renovation/beautification projects. Organizations do not need non-profit status to qualify. Neighborhood groups, community associations and faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply.

Proposals should reflect the basic goal of drug use prevention and education whether it is a one-time event or an ongoing project. It is expected that these drug- and alcohol- free projects will strengthen partnerships within the community. Preference will be given to projects which promote collaboration of two or more groups.

Maximum grant awards are $2,000.

The application process is simple and straightforward, with proposals being considered over the course of a three-month period spanning March through May, 2004.

Groups need to get their proposals in before the 15th of those three months to be considered for that month’s batching and review. Proposals are due March 15, April 15 or May 15.

Application forms are available online at www.healingourisland.com under the "What’s New" category, or at the Hawai'i County Resource Center, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 114, Hilo, telephone 961-8085.

For more information, call Louise Winn at 961-8035 or Shana Ross at 961-8085

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Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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Kona Crime Prevention Committee’s "Officer of the Month" April 7 luncheon at the Royal Kona Resort will honor Officer Sharlotte Bird. The noon luncheon is open to the public.

Cost is $12 per person. Reservations taken by Liz Holey at: 326-7787. Please come and support your local police officers.

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The Kona Outdoor Circle, a local non-profit organization that has been active in Kona since 1948, dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources, is offering a scholarship of $1000 for the 2004-2005 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 be able to demonstrate academic achievement (at least 2.7 GPA) and financial need. Applicants must plan to enroll or be enrolled in a program in horticulture, landscaping, environmental studies, forestry, agriculture, or other fields directly related to the goals of the Kona Outdoor Circle, to "keep Kona clean, green and beautiful". The organization accomplishes these goals through public area plantings, education programs and public advocacy.

The application deadline is April 30, 2004. 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 Ka`u, Kealakehe, Kohala, and Konawaena High Schools; Hawaii Preparatory Academy; Parker School; Makua Lani Christian School; University of Hawaii Financial Aid Offices; the Educational Talent Search Program at the University of Hawaii Center, West Hawaii; and the Kona Outdoor Circle office at the intersection of Kuakini and Queen Ka`ahumanu Highways.

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

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Please join us at the 3rd Annual Islandwide Solutions 2004: Neighborhoods in Action Seminar sponsored by Plan to Protect and funded by Atherton Family Foundation. This Seminar will be held on May 1, 2004 from 8:00am to 4:30pm at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, an Outrigger Resort.

Workshops and Special Presentations will be held on these topics. Confirmed presenters include Mayor Harry Kim, Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura, Police Chief Larry Mahuna and Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira.

Feature topics at this year’s Seminar include:

• Drug Court – learn how it works from folks who have been there

• Youth Builders – "every youth in Hawaii County will be a responsible, healthy, and caring community member"

• Traffic – speeding in our neighborhoods

• Animal Control – rodent control & promoting responsible pet ownership

• Property Crimes – burglary, theft, and vandalism

Come and share your insights, experiences and expertise. The Seminar’s aim is to generate achievable solutions to address our common concerns.

Please tell your friends and colleagues about the Seminar: Everyone is invited. Please RSVP by April 23, 2004.

Attendance is limited to the first 200 registrations ($25, after 4/23/04: $35).

The hotel Kamaaina rate per nite is $125.00. When you make your room reservation, say "Solutions 2004".

If you have any questions or wish further information, please contact Lil Beaufrere at (808) 325-0039 or konalil@hawaii.rr.com.

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Hawai’i Community College announces a three-part marine naturalist lecture series in Kona. Each class – Whales, Dolphins and Turtles - is three hours and the registration fee is $35.00 per session.

Register for just one or all three. Hannah Bernard, one of Hawaii’s noted marine biologists, will teach the classes.

WHALES: March 17 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or March 18 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

DOLPHINS: April 8 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or April 9 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

TURTLES: May 26 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Kealakehe High School or May 27 (9:00 a.m.-noon) at Kona Outdoor Circle.

**Please note that all Evening Sessions above are at Kealakehe High School. All morning sessions are at Kona Outdoor Circle.

For more information, call Kathy Kirk at 895-4939.

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The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay is currently accepting applications for its Teen Parent Scholarship. The scholarship awards a Hawaii Island teen parent with up to $1,000.00 to be used to continue his or her adult education.

The simple two-page application is available at the Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Prince Kuhio Plaza customer service counter as well as at the Community Technology Center Hawaii at 200 Kanoelehua Avenue Suite 105. Completed applications are due no later than May 31, 2004.

"We are extremely pleased to once again be able to award a deserving teen parent with this scholarship," said Mike Gleason, President of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay. "Faced with the additional responsibility of raising a child of their own, it is often difficult for teen parents to continue their adult education.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Were 19 years old or younger at the time they first became a parent

• Are currently a parent and primary caregiver of at least one living child under 18 years of age

• Are a current resident of the Big Island of Hawaii

• Will have received a high school diploma or equivalent by September 1, 2004

• Are currently attending or planning on attending an accredited institution of learning including but not limited to Hawaii Community College or the University of Hawaii at Hilo

Applicants can be either male or female. Applicants do not need to have just graduated from high school; parents who have stayed home to care for their child and now want to return to school are eligible.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action's Traffic Task Force has scheduled the following meeting in Waimea:

WHEN: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

WHERE: KTA Waimea Center - upstairs room 2C

The Traffic Task Force continues its work on the key islandwide safety issue identified at the Solutions 2003 Seminar held last year: Speeding through Neighborhoods.

Other agenda items: review Bill HB 2290 - Graduating License. Also, a report on the recent Traffic Conference held on Oahu. Continue work on the Pace Car Program.

To review articles and results of an islandwide survey, go to www.solutionsislandhawaii.com . Click on Traffic. For further information, contact Laura Ward 331-1422 or email whde@verizon.net

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There is a bumper crop of free mulch currently available at the Hilo Transfer Station, which is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the mulch program.

Residents may self-load the mulch for free or receive loading assistance from the site operator for a fee ranging from $10 - $40 depending on vehicle size.

Thanks to the participation of all the island’s residents and businesses, nearly 18,000 tons of greenwaste were diverted from landfills in 2003 under the County’s diversion program and processed into high quality mulch for the public.

In Kailua-Kona, the Kealakehe Transfer Station base yard is still accepting drop-offs of greenwaste, while a new public pickup area is being prepared for the processed mulch. The free mulch program will resume at Kealakehe sometime in March or April once the site modifications are completed.

For more information, please contact the County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

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Rep. Evans To Speak at Tobacco-Free Partnership's 1st Anniversary

Hawaii Island Tobacco-Free Partnership, West Hawaii unit (HITFP-WH) invites community members interested in tobacco-related issues to join them in celebrating their one-year anniversary at Bianelli’s in Kailua-Kona on Tuesday, April 20.

Dinner and networking from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. The public meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m., features Representative Cindy Evans who will address tobacco-related issues in the legislature this session.

The mission of HITFP-WH is to educate & equip the communities of West Hawai’i enabling them to build a healthier, tobacco-free future. During their first year of existence, they worked on passage and now implementation of the Hawai’i County Smoke-free Workplace law, sponsored Communities of Excellence, Grant Proposal Writing and Media Literacy workshops, and sent members to state and national Tobacco Conferences.

As they enter their second year, they continue supplying educational information to the community and working with a Peer-to-Peer project with Kanu o ka 'Aina Charter School, as well as continued legislative advocacy.

Join them to hear about their newest project which will provide training in tobacco intervention and cessation on Hawai’i Island.

To make reservations or for more information, call Chris at 938-6622.

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County Agent/Community Educator Nancy Honda is the featured speaker at a workshop entitled

"Fruit Flies-Having Fruit Fly Problems in your Yard, or Is it your Neighbors?". If you’re interested in protecting your peaches and many other fruits, come to this workshop and we’ll partner and solve this problem. Come and learn how to make your own fruit fly traps.

Where: Waimea Civic Center(back of courthouse)

When: 4/14, 5/12, 6/9, 2004. Time: 4-5:30 P.M.

Supplies: Free

For further information, call Nancy Honda at UH Cooperative Extension Service at 959-9155.

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Family ASTRO is a national program to help parents (and other caregivers) to get more involved in their children’s science education, and to spend more time together enjoying hands-on activities. At these evening or weekend events, about 5 to 10 families get together to conduct experiments, play games and explore a particular topic in astronomy.

Family ASTRO brings science to kids and their parents in a fun and comfortable setting. Parents are able to work with their kids to explore hands-on experiments and learn more about a particular topic in astronomy. No astronomy background is required, and take-home games are provided free to families to help them continue the fun at home.

Family ASTRO seeks Event Leaders to bring this program to more youth groups in Hawaii.

Event Leader training will be held in Waimea on April 7, May 12 and June 17th from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. at W. M. Keck Observatory headquarters in Waimea. There is no fee to attend. Activities are designed for children ages 7 and up and their parents or guardians. Event leaders will get supplies and games to lead their own family science nights for groups of 10 or 20.

For registration and more information, please contact Laura Kraft at 881-3827 or e-mail lkraft@keck.hawaii.edu.

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The 3rd Annual AstrDay 2K4 will be back at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Saturday Apr 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will feature Mauna Kea Observatory exhibits, demonstrations and presentations, Hawaiian Culture displays, student science fair projects, IR cameras, StarLab Planetarium shows, telescopes, comet making and expanding universe for the kids.

After dark, there will be star-gazing at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Gary Fujihara at 969-9101 or email him at fujmon@mac.com.

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Alien Algae are in Hilo Bay! Help resource managers keep tabs on these introduced sea weeds by attending a FREE workshop on Saturday, April 24th, from 1-4 p.m. at the University of Hawaii, Hilo Marine Science Building Room #101. Learn how destructive these algae have been on Oahu and Maui. Examine live specimens with algae experts Dr. Karla McDermid and others. If you need more information call UH Sea Grant at 981-5199.

The 4th Annual Coral Reef Awareness Day will take place at Kahalu’u Beach Park on Sunday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families will meet "Humu" the talking fish; learn from ReefTeach, Kids for Knowledge about the Sea and other games and activities. This event is sponsored by UH Sea Grant, Hawaii Girl Scouts and Keauhou Beach Resort, along with the help of community volunteers and clubs. Great prizes donated by local retailers. Any questions, contact UH Sea Grant at 329-2861.

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Please join us for the second of a four-part spring series offered by Hawaii Community College and its UH Center, West Hawaii in partnership with UH Manoa.

When: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Where: Waikoloa Beach Marriott, an Outrigger Resort

Speaker: Walter Jamieson, Dean, School of Travel Industry Management, UH-Manoa

Admission: Free

Topic: Achieving Responsible Tourism: Moving from Rhetoric to Implementation

Over the last decade there has been a great deal of discussion on sustainable tourism. It is now evident that in order to achieve environmental, social, cultural and economic goals we must look towards a more realistic approach that stresses the responsibility of each of the stakeholders in the tourism development process.

Jamieson’s presentation will look at the challenges facing the tourism industry and all Hawaii's citizens and will suggest practical means for ensuring that tourism in Hawaii is seen as an important development tool that meets the needs of the community as well as the visitor. Issues that are of particular interest to those on the Big Island will be identified and discussed.

Jamieson has been involved in a significant number of academic as well as consultancy activities over the last 30 years. His consultancy activities include working with the World Tourism Organization, ESCAP and UNESCO.

He has been director of research and outreach centers at the University of Calgary and team leader on a number of projects in Asia. He has published solely or jointly over 135 publications, papers, presentations and outreach lectures. In 2003 he was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his work in heritage preservation in Canada.

This lecture is part of the Visiting University of Hawai'i Professors, Deans and Directors Lecture Series.

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Hawaii Island Landscape Association (HILA) and Hawaii Community College (HawCC) will offer the 2004 Certified Landscape Technician Training Program in West Hawaii from April 30th to June 4th .

In addition, a two-day Irrigation School will be held on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th.

Experienced landscapers and serious gardeners will be especially interested in these classes.

The registration fee for an individual class is $40; the fee for the entire 12-class series is $420 that includes a $75 study manual. The registration fee for the Irrigation School is $250.

For additional information about the classes and the certification process, call Diana Duff at HILA (326-9738). To register, call the Office of Continuing Education and training (HawCC) at 974-7531. Registration deadline is April 15th.

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Where/Location: Puna District; Nanawale Estates Subdivision.

What: Restripe crosswalks, stoplines, and edge-of-pavement lines.

Where/Location: Puna District; Nanawale Estates Subdivision.

What: Restripe centerline markings.

Where/Location: South Hilo District; Mamo Street (Keawe Street to Kinoole Street) and Hualalai Street (Kapiolani Street to Kilauea Avenue).

What: Restripe centerlines markings and pavement arrows.

Where/Location: South Hilo District; Kilauea Avenue (Haihai Street to Hale Manu Drive).

What: Restripe all pavement markings.

Where/Location: South Hilo District; Kupulau Road (Ainaola Drive to West Kawailani Street).

What: Restripe centerline markings.

Where/Location: South Hilo District; Lanikaula and Kumukoa Street.

What: Continue restriping job.

Where/Location: South Hilo District; Kalanikoa Street.

What: Continue restriping job.

Week of April 12, 2004 (No projects this week)

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Before you pull out from a side road or driveway onto a street where traffic has right of way, please be courteous and wait to enter BEHIND the car that’s approaching if there is no car behind it. Many drivers are surprised when they have to suddenly slow down behind someone who has to catch up to speed.

Think first and avoid accidents. It is worth it to wait 10 seconds more for a big space than to risk being rear-ended.

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Preliminary sewer repairs are currently underway and will continue for the next several weeks at Kea’a Street, off Kalaniana’ole Street in Keaukaha.

We apologize for any temporary traffic delays or inconvenience caused during the work.

For further information, please call Peter Boucher at Waste Water Division, County of Hawai`i at 961-8338.

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Island Mechanical – Hawai’i is installing a fiber optic cable system in the Hilo area.

Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors work on a fiber optic cable system in the Hilo area.

From March 29th through April 9^th, Island Mechanical Hawai’i will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Kalanianaole Avenue between Keaukaha Road and Lokoaka Street – Shoulder Work with Lane Diversions

• Along Baker Avenue between Kalanianaole and Todd Avenues – Lane Diversions

• Along Todd Avenue between Pua and Baker Avenues – Shoulder Work

The work along Baker and Todd Avenues will start at 8:30 am and continue until 4:30 pm.

Work along Kalanianaole Avenue will start at 8:30 am and continue until 3:30 pm. All work will be done during the weekdays, weather permitting.

Contractors are in their 27th week of work and estimate that this leg of the project will be completed at the end of April 2004.

Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow for extra travel time. Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.

Questions can be referred to Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509.

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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.

County of Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
State of Hawaii: http://www.state.hi.us/calendars.htm
Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau: http://calendar.gohawaii.com/
Hawaii.com: http://www.hawaii.com/live/
Alternative-Hawaii: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/calendar.htm
Kamuela.com: http://kamuela.com/calendar/default.asp
Hawaii Nonprofit Community Events (HCF): http://www.hcf-hawaii.org/hcf/hcfg/comcal.jsp
Hawaii Public Radio: http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/psa.htm
Hawaii Theatre Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawaiitheatre
UH at Hilo Theatre Events: http://performingarts.net/Theatre/seasoncalendar/calendar.pl
Waikoloa Village: http://www.waikoloa.org/WVCalendar.html
Public School (click on your school): http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0203/index.htm
Hilo Downtown Improvement: Go to www.downtownhilo.com (click on Hilo Activity Guide, and follow directions on how to submit an event.) For information call Alice Moon at 933-9772.

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