April 16, 2004

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Introduction. Explosive population growth in West Hawai‘i in the past 20 years has resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Difficult economic times for the island and state over roughly the same period left government without adequate resources to address the need for increased road infrastructure to accommodate the increased population.

Traffic problems in West Hawai‘i have continued to increase, and for many people this situation was brought to a head last November when Palani Road was closed for nearly an entire day due to a traffic accident. The lack of adequate alternate routes meant that a huge number of persons were seriously inconvenienced by this closure and the resulting traffic tie-ups.

From the time Mayor Kim took office in late 2000, improving the road infrastructure in West Hawai‘i has been a top priority. The County has worked with the State to bring several long-awaited and much-needed projects to the point where construction will begin within the next year. Right now, there is $87 million in County, State and Federal money committed to road projects in West Hawai‘i. Major projects are listed below.

Ali‘i Parkway. While this project has been on the drawing board in one form or another for over 20 years, it was not funded until the County made it a priority in 2001 and worked to obtain the commitment of $35 million in federal funds to match the County’s $9.5 million. This nearly $45 million is set aside and committed to the first phase of the project, to run from Keauhou to Lako Street. The County is now before the State’s Hawai‘i Island Burial Council to determine the proper treatment of a Hawaiian burial that is located in the road right-of-way. It is hoped that by June, the Burial Council will have made a decision on treatment of this burial, so this project can be put out to bid shortly thereafter. The plans and design are completed and ready to go.

Lako Street Extension to Ali‘i Drive. Funds for this County-funded project were released in 2001 from County bond proceeds. Since that time, the County has been working to determine the best route for the road to bypass the significant archaeological sites in the area (Keakealaniwahine Complex). A route has been determined, the environmental assessment is complete and submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality Commission, and approval from OEQC is anticipated by the end of April. After that, final design will start. This project will include improvements to the intersection of Lako Street and Kuakini, and it is estimated that construction can begin in mid-2005.

Palani Road Improvements. The Kealakaa intersection will be rerouted and also have major improvements constructed under this project which is funded by Federal and County funds. Construction is slated to begin in late 2004.

Kuakini Highway Improvements. From Palani Road to Hualalai, Kuakini Highway will be widened to four lanes with other improvements done at the same time. This $13 million project is also fully funded by the County and Federal governments. Construction bid opening is this month, with work estimated to begin in September of 2004.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Widening. From Henry Street to Kealakehe Parkway, the State is planning to widen this highway to four lanes. The project is out to bid now, and construction should begin later this year. The $20 million cost of this job is funded by Federal and State money.

Privately Funded Projects. Several pending projects are being constructed by developers.

Mamalahoa (Hokulia) Bypass. This needed road, which will run from Napoopoo to Keauhou, is about half complete, but stalled now due to litigation involving the Hokulia development.

Upper Lako Street Extension. Groundbreaking for this project was initially expected to take place in February. However, the Department of Health (DOH) is now requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. According to the developer, application for this permit will be submitted to DOH this month, and groundbreaking is now expected to take place in May 2004.

Other Pending Projects. There are also a number of projects that are close to having funding released to begin the planning and design work. These include:

Kealakaa Extension to the Kealakehe Extension. This County/State project is a priority, to link up the elementary and intermediate schools with the high school, to relieve the traffic on Palani Road. This is a top priority for the County, and we are working to obtain the planning and design funds.

Ali‘i Parkway Phase II (Northern Phase). This second phase will complete the road from Lako Street to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. Because it is such a large project, it will most likely be constructed in phases because full federal funding will not be available in a single year. The design for this road is being completed, and we are actively working to make sure this is funded as soon as possible.

Mamalahoa Highway, Honalo to Captain Cook. This stretch of roadway is a major bottleneck during rush hour, and the County is exploring what can be done to alleviate the traffic.

Conclusion. Major road projects such as those listed above take several years to bring from planning to design to commencement of construction. During the last three years, major road projects have been a priority and construction is due to begin soon on most of the funded projects listed above.

In addition, the County is looking at short-term traffic relief measures, and a discussion of these will be the subject of a future article.

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How does the County put its budget together? We provide an inside look…

The Charter of the County of Hawai‘i sets forth the legal guidelines and timeline that must be followed in developing the operating budget for the County. A new budget must be prepared each year, including how much money the County thinks it will receive in the next fiscal year, and authorizing County departments to spend funds to do their jobs.

The County’s budget process for fiscal next year (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005) began gearing up in September 2003.

Every year in mid-September, the Finance Department’s Budget Division holds a budget kickoff meeting attended by all department heads and their accounting staff. At that time the Mayor gives instructions on what the next year’s budget priorities are. At this meeting, all departments and agencies in the County are asked to prepare their budget estimates. Along with that request, the Budget Division distributes general guidelines and technical instructions on how to develop budget plans.

By October 31, the departments’ revenue estimates and budget highlights must be submitted to the Budget Division.

By November 10, the departments must submit program data. Program data includes their goals, objectives, and how these will be measured. From November to December the Budget Division reviews the departments’ input and budget requests.

In December, the Budget Division returns to the departments their proposed budget plans for review and comments. The Budget Division gives the Mayor an update on where the County stands on estimated revenues (real property tax estimates, etc.) and proposed expenditures.

This update gives the Mayor a rough financial picture to work from.

The departments may also be asked to submit supplemental budget requests. These are items that may or may not be funded, depending on sufficiency of funds.

In January, the Budget Division meets with each department to go over their budget requests. Departments at that must justify their budget requests.

Estimates of real property tax values and revenues come in January and February. The Budget Division uses the most up-to-date valuations of real property tax revenue to finalize the Mayor’s budget for submission to the County Council by March 1.

Once the budget is submitted to the County Council, the council members review it. The Council also meets with the department heads and staff about their respective budget requests, and holds public hearings on the budget.

By April 19, the Budget Division receives the certified real property tax values. These values are used in the final budget submission, and are used by the County Council to determine the real property tax rates.

By May 5, the Mayor must present a final budget proposal to the County Council. This date allows the County to incorporate any necessary items in the budget that are the result of actions of the State Legislature. This amended budget is what the County Council acts upon.

After passage with any amendments, the budget is routed to the Mayor for approval. Upon the Mayor’s signature, the bill becomes an ordinance, the operating budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

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Visitors and new residents are often confused by government operations in Hawai‘i. The ways Hawai‘i differs from other states can lead to misunderstanding about finances and functions. It is hoped that this brief summary of some major differences can help improve understanding of Hawai‘i’s government.

Government structure. We are the only state without cities, towns, or some other local form of government below the County level. Hawai‘i has its state government and four counties. That is the full extent of legal governmental entities in the state.

Some government functions that are handled at the city or county level in other states are state functions in Hawai‘i, and the opposite is also true. This brief article will list a few of the ways that government in Hawai‘i differs from government in other states.

Centralized powers. The State of Hawai‘i is the most powerful political entity in Hawai‘i. Counties are creatures of the state, and have only those limited powers granted to them by the state. For example, the counties do not have the power to impose any taxes for general purposes other than real property taxes. Counties cannot impose sales tax, excise tax, or income tax, for example.

Public health. The State Department of Health is responsible for public health and other related duties. This is in contrast to other states, where health is often a local responsibility.

Schools and libraries. The State Department of Education operates the public schools within the state, as well as the community and school libraries. No local funds such as real property taxes are used for education in Hawai‘i.

Document recordation. Recording of all legal documents is done with the State Bureau of Conveyances in Honolulu. This is in contrast to most mainland jurisdictions, where the local county or city clerks are the repositories for legal documents.

Motor vehicles. Both motor vehicle registration and drivers’ licensing are County functions. There is no centralized statewide Department of Motor Vehicles.

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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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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 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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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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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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For information and registration form, please go to: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/ems2004.pdf

Bring the entire family for a day of fun at the park.

Check out the displays and entertainment for the kids.

The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry will be conducting a FREE bone marrow donor registration and testing. Potential donors must be between 18 & 60 and in general good health. For more information, call the Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry at 1-877-443-6667.

Proceeds to benefit the Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry and also help a County of Hawaii Firefighter’s 3 year old son in his battle with leukemia.

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This work could give us a better understanding about the damage additional nutrients in ocean water may cause for the Big Island and the State.

The meeting begins at 6:30pm at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Marina in Kailua Kona.

The West Hawai'i Fisheries 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.

The Mission of the Council is to effectively manage fishery activities to ensure sustainability; enhance nearshore resources; develop and implement management plans for minimizing resource depletion and conflicts of use; provide for substantive involvement of the community in resource management decisions and encourage scientific research and monitoring of the nearshore resources and environment.

The Council has eight very active committees who are always seeking new members to sustain their broad scope. All of the interested ocean community is cordially invited to the Council meetings on the third Thursday of every month. For information and/or directions, please call Marni Herkes at 987 2171 or email marnih@turquoise.net.

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If this day-long event was a reality TV series, it would be "The Average Joe" meets "Cops," "Law & Order" and "Animal Police." Here, friends and neighbors have the positive opportunity to meet and connect with "CPO's" (Community Policing Officers) and other authorities with a common goal: to keep Hawai`i County the best place to live on the planet. "Solutions" delivers results by providing substantial information, along with an open forum for questions and answers from people who know.

With no more commitment than the $25 fee to cover lunch, participants receive an impressive roster of eye-opening presentations from people on the frontlines. Included are talks by Mayor Harry Kim, Police Chief Larry Mahuna, Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira and many others.

There's more: a "reality check" on the Drug Court process, along with people who've been through it, a new drug-screening test demonstrated on conference organizers, and practical, sometimes humorous, tips for combatting neighborhood dilemmas such as block-to-block speeders, midnight barkers, and the suspicious-looking happenings you're most niele about.

Emceed by Lieutenant James Sanborn, responsible for the over 150 Neighborhood Watch programs island-wide, "Solutions" guarantees listeners will walk away with better ideas on solving the top problems that affect our communities: traffic, property crime, animal control and the #1 "Fear Factor," drugs.

"Solutions 2004" is the brainchild of Conference Chair "Kona Lil" Beaufrere, a kama`aina-in-the-making who came to the Big Island like many of us did, to have a better life. Leaving behind the 9-to-5 and work-only social life, she determined to make a difference in her new home town. "When we were getting ready to move over, I met all my neighbors for the first time -- at our garage sale," says Beaufrere, "and we lived in that town 16 years. I wanted to be involved in Hawai`i."

She started that involvement on the Board of Directors of Kona Heavens and got interested in the Neighborhood Watch program, which had not been active. While making plans for a training program, the idea quickly expanded. Before she knew it, Beaufrere was in the middle of "Solutions 2002," sitting down with other community members across tables from CPO's and other authorities for the first time. Their goal was to identify the top three issues of concern in Big Island communities. They were 1-drugs, 2-traffic, 3-property crime, 4-police manpower & staffing and 5-animal control.

But it didn't take Beaufrere, a former telecommunications professional, long to figure out that those were symptoms of a bigger problem. "It all boils down to communication education," she said. "If we can improve the way we communicate, we can improve everything."

Overwhelmed by the response to "Solutions," a sign-waving campaign, "Hugs Not Drugs," began to take shape. And this, more than any other single program, apparently has impacted awareness in a positive way. "You know why?" says Beaufrere. "It's because when you're standing on the corner waving a sign, you talk to the person next to you. And thanks to Mayor Kim and his team, the person standing next to you might be a police officer or a firefighter, or somebody else you'd like to know. That's where the process starts."

Neighborhood Watch, Hugs Not Drugs, Youth Builders, Drug Court, Police Officers, Firefighters, Government officials, friends and family. Why would so many busy people spend so much time and energy on problems that impact us all? What can you do to help -- even if you only have five minutes a week? Ask Kona Lil at Solutions 2004 on May 1.

To register visit www.solutionsislandhawaii.com or call 325-0039.

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Only pre-requisites? Applicants must have:

• 3.0 grade point average or better, and
• the ability and desire to attend four-year college.

Students can pick up paper applications from their high school counselors or download the application at: http://www.collegeconnections.org/documents/scholarsapp.pdf.

The 50 CCH Scholars will be selected in early May and will receive one year of individual and family counseling through May of 2005.

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North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) has received recognition from the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Partner Program, a landmark initiative to improve the environmental performance of the health care sector.

Through the H2E Partner Program, health care facilities like North Hawaii Community Hospital are working together to change the culture of an industry – recognizing that health care should be at the forefront of environmental and community health awareness. H2E gives special recognition to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to meaningful and sustainable mercury elimination, toxicity reduction and waste minimization programs.

H2E is a joint program of the American Hospital Association, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association. H2E goals are to virtually eliminate mercury in health care by 2005, cut health care waste in half by 2010 and to significantly reduce the use and production of toxic and hazardous substances used in health care.

H2E’s Director Laura Brannen states, "North Hawaii Community Hospital is to be commended for taking the steps necessary to create an environmentally friendly approach to health care".

NHCH’s CEO Stan Berry says, "We are proud of our efforts to clean and maintain our precious Hawaii environment and we are thankful to be recognized for our efforts by H2E. We are also grateful for the leadership and partnership we have received from the County of Hawaii’s Environmental Management Department. Without the County of Hawaii’s active participation and support, we would not have been able to make the progress we have made in this critical work. I wish to also note the efforts of B.J. Springer, Environmental Services Leader, Debbie Kaina, Director of Materials Management, Sarita Angulo de Widman, RN, and all the members of our Recycling and Environmental Committee."

NHCH is a 35-bed, full-service, acute-care medical center located in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is a community-owned, non-profit hospital that is managed by Adventist Health of Roseville, CA. It opened in May, 1996, and serves the 30,000+ residents and visitors of North Hawaii and the Hamakua and Kohala Coasts of the island of Hawaii.

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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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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 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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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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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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Mr. Neil Tift, Director of Professional Advancement at the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families (NPNFF), Washington. D.C.

Open to all interested persons. For the registration form, please go to: Making Room for Daddy Flier.pdf.

Fee: $10.00, MUST accompany the registration form. Registration forms and fees must be in by Friday, April 23, 2004. Cash accepted. If check or money order, make payable to: CASH. A cash receipt will be provided at registration.

Mail registration forms and fees to:

Keawe Health Center
Attn: Haunani
46 Keawe St.
Hilo, HI 96720-2459

For more information, contact the Malama A Ho`opili Pono Project, Hilo Office at 808-974-4291 and ask for Haunani or Donna.

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Two Sessions:

Session 1: For Agency Personnel: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session 2: For Parents, Community Members: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

For information, directions or to reserve a space, call Phyllis at 934-3305 or Aileen at 959-9461.

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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 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 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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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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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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Signs and Markings Projects

April 19, 2004

Where/Location: Puna District; Nanawale Estates Subdivision.

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

April 20, 2004

(No road work scheduled)

April 21, 2004

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.

April 22, 2004

Where/Location: Puna District; Nanawale Estates Subdivision.

What: Restripe centerline markings.

April 23, 2004

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

What: Restripe all pavement markings.

Contract Crew Striping Projects

April 19, 2004 - April 23, 2004

Where/Location: Puna District; Kahakai Boulevard.

What: Restripe centerline markings.

Traffic Signal and Street Light Projects

Week of April 19, 2004

(No projects scheduled.)

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Preliminary Sewer Repair Work Underway at Kea’a Street, Keaukaha

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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