December 24, 2004

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Junk Car Disposal Program in Hawai`i County

A regrettable phenomenon in our island paradise is the proverbial "rock garden", that is, the rusting collection of derelict cars that dots the Island of Hawai`i.

The following is a brief article to explain the derelict vehicle recycling and disposal from private property program that will begin in July 2005. It also explains the derelict and abandoned vehicle disposal procedures currently in place.

Under a resolution passed by the Hawai`i County Council on December 21, 2004, an amnesty program for the removal and recycling of derelict vehicles on private property is proposed to on July 1, 2005, the beginning of Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

This program will handle derelict vehicles only.

Derelict vehicles have no chance of being used as vehicles again. Derelict vehicles have had major parts removed or material damage to the vehicle has rendered it inoperable. (Abandoned vehicles have a chance of being driven again.)

Among the conditions which define a vehicle as a derelict vehicle:

• The inoperable vehicle is registered for the current registration period and the registered and legal owners no longer reside as the addresses on record with the County Director of Finance;
• The vehicle has been registered for the current or previous registration period and the registered and legal owners disclaim ownership;
• The vehicle registration number and license plates have been removed so as to nullify efforts to locate or identify the current registered and legal owners;
• The vehicle has not been registered for the current or previous registration periods;
• The vehicle registration records of the County Director of Finance contain no record that the vehicle has ever been registered in the County;

• The vehicle is ten model years old or older.

Derelict vehicles are an environmental and safety hazard primarily due to leaking petroleum products and other fluids.

Derelict vehicles also collect sitting water, which provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes and vermin, carrying the risk of transmitting various diseases.

The owner of the property where the derelict vehicle is located must sign an affidavit supplied by the County, giving specific information regarding the vehicle. This affidavit must be filled out before a vehicle will be removed for recycling.

For further information, call the Solid Waste Division at 961-8339.

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The County of Hawai`i currently has in place a program to remove abandoned cars from public roads.

To report a derelict or abandoned vehicle, call Police Dispatch at 935-3311. This is important because the County Abandoned Vehicle Coordinator needs a police report before making arrangements to remove the vehicle.

A police officer will locate the vehicle and attach a notice advising the owner to remove the vehicle within 24 hours.

• If the vehicle has been removed, no further action is taken.
• If the vehicle is still at the scene 24 hours later, an Abandoned Vehicle Report is initiated.

The officer sends the Abandoned Vehicle Report to the Police Traffic Services Section, which gives the report an official report number. This official report number is then faxed to the Department of Environmental Management.

The Department of Environmental Management’s Abandoned Vehicle Coordinator goes to the scene and makes arrangements with a designated towing service firm to remove the vehicle within 72 hours.

If the abandoned vehicle is derelict, (i.e. inoperable), it is hauled to one of two County Salvage Facilities (in Hilo or Kealakehe).

If it’s not derelict, the vehicle is hauled to the police impound site and the Police Department attempts to notify the registered owner. The registered owner is then charged for towing and storage of the vehicle.

The Abandoned Vehicle Coordinator submits quarterly reports on the status of abandoned vehicles to the Solid Waste Division Chief, the Director of Environmental Management and the Traffic Services Section of the Hawai`i Police Department.

For further information, call the Solid Waste Division at 961-8339.

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The ARC of Hilo, along with its partners, Kona Krafts, KTA Super Stores, Ho`oulu Lahui/ Kua O Ka La Charter School and Recycle Hawai`i, announces the opening of their beverage container redemption centers island-wide with the start of the Anuenue Program.

The goals of this program are to provide Beverage Redemption Centers that are easily accessible to the public, increase public awareness of the redemption value of beverage containers, and encourage recycling at the Beverage Redemption Centers. This program will provide much-needed employment and job training sites for low income individuals and individuals with disabilities.

On January 1, 2005, residents will be able to redeem their qualified beverage containers for cash at the following County transfer stations:

Kea`au Transfer Station – Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Kealakehe Transfer Station – M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Waimea Transfer Station – M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

The remaining five redemption sites will open as follows:

Hilo Transfer Station ? from January 12, 2005

Hours: M, W, Th, F from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Wai`ohinu Transfer Station ? from January 22, 2005

Hours: Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Keauhou Transfer Station ? from January 29, 2005

Hours: Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

Puako Transfer Station ? from February 5, 2005

Hours: Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

The final redemption center scheduled to open will be at the Ho`oulu Lahui/ Kua O Ka La Charter School’s future location at mile marker 16, on the Pahoa-Kalapana Road. It will open on March 5, 2005. Their hours will be Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The Arc of Hilo received a grant from the County of Hawai`i to fund the creation of this program that will insure that redemption centers are available to serve residents throughout the island. Recycle Hawai`i has been contracted by the ARC of Hilo to help promote their eight redemption sites.

For more information contact Recycle Hawai`i at 329-2886 or 961-2676, or visit www.recyclehawaii.org.

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Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira has announced that fireworks permits will be issued beginning Sunday, December 26, 2004, at various locations islandwide for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.

The permit sales sites are:

• Elections Conference Room located at the County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 105A, in Hilo (between December 26 and 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily);

• Kona Fire Prevention Bureau office at the Kona Service Center, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona (between December 27 and 30 from 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. daily).

Fireworks permits will also be sold at the following stores:

• Foodland Supermarket, Kamuela

• J. Hara Store, Kurtistown

• M. Nakahara Stores, Hawi

• Sure Save Supermarkets/Puna Fresh Foods, Keaau

• Wiki Wiki Mart #2, Kawailani Street, Hilo

• Island Market, Naalehu

• Pinky’s 5 Eight, Papaikou

• T. Kaneshiro Store, Honokaa

• Pacific Fireworks at following locations:
  -Kopiko Plaza, Kailua-Kona
  -Old Bank of Hawaii Building, Hualalai, Kailua-Kona
  -Parker Ranch Center, F-136, Kamuela

Each permit, which costs $25, will entitle the applicant to purchase 5,000 units of fireworks. Permits will be issued to a person 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable. They are valid only when the fireworks are used at the site, time, and date indicated on the permit.

Firing of fireworks is permitted only between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on New Years Eve to 1:00 a.m. on New Years Day. Permits are required to be prominently displayed in public view at the site on the day at the time of the firing.

A permit may be denied if the proposed use of fireworks presents a substantial inconvenience to the public or presents an unreasonable fire or safety hazard. If the permittee fails to remain in compliance with the requirements, the fire department may immediately revoke the permit.

Chief Oliveira reminds the public that it is unlawful for any person to:

1. Remove or extract the pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks;

2. Throw any ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle;

3. Set off, ignite, discharge or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks:

• At any time not within the periods for use prescribed;

• Within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, convalescent home, home for the elderly or animal hospital;

• In any school building or on any school grounds and yards on any occasion; and

• On any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park; or within 1,000 feet of any building used for public worship during the periods when services are held.

4. It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, purchase, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except that the parents or guardians may allow the minor to use fireworks while under the immediate supervision and control of an adult.

Fireworks sales will not begin until December 26, 2004.

For more information on purchasing fireworks permits or the use of fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 961-8350 (Hilo) or 327-3546 (Kona).

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If you own or lease a home or condominium in the County of Hawaii and use it as your principal residence, you may qualify for a home exemption, which could reduce your property tax bill.

• Homeowners under 60 years of age receive an exemption of: $40,000
• Homeowners between the ages of 60 and 69 receive an exemption of:$80,000
• Homeowners 70 years of age or older receive an exemption of: $100,000
• In addition to receiving one of the exemptions above, effective July 1, 2005, homeowners will receive an additional 20% exemption on the assessed value of their property, up to $80,000.

The filing deadlines for homeowner’s exemption are as follows:

If you are totally disabled due to injuries received while on duty with the armed forces of the Unites States, your principal residence may be exempted from all property taxes, except for the minimum tax.

If you have been declared by authority of law to be a person affected with Hansen’s Disease, you may be exempted, except for the minimum tax, from property taxes on all real property owned up to, but not exceeding a total taxable value of $50,000.

If you are blind, deaf, and/or totally disabled, you may be exempted, except for the minimum tax, from property taxes on all real property owned up to, but not exceeding a total taxable value of $50,000.

The filing deadlines for exemptions specifically available to totally disabled veterans, persons affected by Hansen’s Disease, and persons who are blind, deaf, and/or totally disabled are as follows:

Owners or lessees who are claiming an exemption must have the document transferring ownership or interest in the property recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances on or before the respective exemption filing deadline. The exemptions, once filed and granted, do not have to be re-filed annually, provided all requirements as to use, ownership or occupancy continue to be met.

Property owners are reminded that if the use of the property has changed, e.g. sale or rental of the property, it is mandatory to notify the tax office of the change. Failure to report the change will result in disallowance of the exemption and imposition of a civil penalty.

Exemption forms are available at the Hilo Real Property Tax Office, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4, Hilo, HI 96720 or the West Hawaii Real Property Tax Office, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. For further information, call the Real Property Tax Office in Hilo at (808) 961-8201 or in Kona at (808) 327-3540. Forms are also available on the division’s website at www.hawaiipropertytax.com .

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The Hawai`i County Transit Agency will hold public informational meetings to discuss the following:

• New routes for 2005
• Transportation "kokua" zones
• Changes to existing routes

When: Wednesday, December 22, 2004, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Where: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Islander Room, Kailua-Kona

And

When: Wednesday, December 29, 2004, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where: County Council Room, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo

For more information, please call the Transit Agency at 961-8744.

If you require an accommodation of auxiliary aid and/or services to participate in these meetings (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print), please call 961-8744.

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Due to ongoing dry weather conditions, exceptionally large water consumption, and repairs being done at the Hualalai and Kalaoa Wells, the Department of Water Supply would like to remind customer in North Kona that they are under Water Conservation.

The Water Conservation Notice is a request to reduce your daily water usage by 10%. Listed are some ways to conserve water to reach the 10% goal:

• Wash full loads of laundry only.

• Wash full loads of dishes only.

• Serve drinking water only when requested.

• Do not let the faucet run unnecessarily.

• When bathing, use water only to wet and rinse off.

• Do not fill up the bathtub.

• Use a glass to rinse when brushing your teeth.

• Do not flush toilets unnecessarily.

• Stop lawn sprinkling.

• Stop car and boat washing.

• Stop dust control watering.

• Use drinking water wisely.

Agricultural users should irrigate only at night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This measure will reduce water loss due to evaporation and minimize water system drain during peak demand.

If this trend of large consumption continues, the next water conservation action will be mandatory reduction. Please conserve water.

For more information, please contact Daryl Ikeda of the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.

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The Department of Research and Development annually solicits proposals for projects/activities that aim to improve the economic condition of Hawai`i County. The department is currently soliciting proposals in preparation of the fiscal year 2005-2006.

The Department will consider proposals for supplemental grants in fiscal year 2005-2006 for the following project areas:

• Agriculture. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) innovative agricultural research with application to Hawai`i County; 2) research in areas of urgent interest to the agricultural community; 3) agricultural market research and promotion; and 4) collection and dissemination of agricultural information related to Hawai`i County.

• Tourism. The Department funds programs that market and advertise Hawai`i County as a visitor destination at the national and international levels and provides partial sponsorships of sporting events.

• New Industry and Industry Development. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) development of heritage corridor in Hawai`i County; 2) dissemination of business related information that will enable Hawai`i County businesses to expand, diversify and compete; 3) development of local workforce; and 4) partial sponsorship of leadership capacity building training.

• Energy. The Department funds small grants in the following areas: 1) improvement in efficiency of energy use in Hawai`i County; 2) utilization of renewable energy resources for electricity generation or fuel production; and 3) energy education at K-12 scholastic levels.

• Film. The Department funds small grants to showcase multi-cultural films to the Big Island community.

Sealed proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m., January 31, 2005, in the office of the Department of Research and Development, County of Hawai`i, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai`i.

All proposals reviewed and recommended for supplemental funding by the Department of Research and Development shall be subject to the County of Hawai`i’s Executive and Legislative budget review process.

Notification of the Department’s approval and recommendation for funding will be on February 27, 2005. Proposals submitted after the deadline may be considered, depending on availability of funds.

Questions regarding clarification of any information contained in the Solicitation for Proposals document, including all attachments, must be received in writing on or before January 17, 2005.

For further information call the Department of Research and Development at 961-8366.

The County of Hawai`i reserves the right to reject any proposal.

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Construction work to widen Kuakini Highway, from Palani Road to Hualalai Road, commenced on November 8.

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.

The public is invited to a weekly update on the Kuakini Highway, Palani Road to Hualalai project every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Kona Mayor’s West Hawai`i Office conference room at Hanama Place. Light refreshments will be served.

Representatives from the contractor, Hawaiian Dredging, and the County, Public Works Department are available at the meetings. Everyone is welcome at these informal "talk story" sessions.

Shoulder work fronting the Kona Seaside Hotel has started and work fronting the County parking lot is ongoing. We appreciate the understanding of the community during this busy Holiday Season.

A large project map and a complete set of plans are available for reference at the Kona Mayor's office.

The Tuesday morning updates will continue, and information will also be available via the County website.

For more detailed information on the construction, please contact Hawaiian Dredging Contracting Co., Inc. at (808) 483-4270. You can also call Pete Hendricks, Deputy Managing Director at 329-5226.

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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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Christmas Treecycling Is Here Again

The County of Hawai`i’s Solid Waste Division and Highway Maintenance Division will again be conducting the annual island-wide Christmas Treecycling community project.

After Christmas until Sunday, January 9, 2005, the County of Hawai`i will be collecting and chipping Christmas trees at the following 10 Transfer Stations: Hilo, Honoka`a, Ka`auhuhu, Kea`au, Kealakehe, Keauhou, Pahoa, Puako, Waimea and Wai`ohinu. Chipping of the Christmas trees will be done at each site.

Free tree chips will be available on site on a first come, first serve basis between January 10 and 16, 2005. The timing will depend on available equipment.

In addition, for one day only, the Akaka Falls Lions Club will be accepting Christmas trees at the Honomu and Laupahoehoe Transfer Stations. The volunteer group will be accepting trees Saturday, January 8th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m only. No chips will be available at these two sites. The Akaka Falls Lions Club will be transporting trees to the Hilo Transfer Station for chipping.

The public is asked to remove all decorations, nails and stands. No plastic bags, flocked trees, or other rubbish will be accepted, as they will damage the chippers.

Free tree chips will be available on site on a first come, first serve basis between January 10 and 16, 2004. The duration will depend on available equipment.

By chipping Christmas trees and making the material available for use in gardens, the County can divert thousands of trees from landfills, plus add valuable mulch to island soils.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in this practical and beneficial recycling opportunity.

For more information, please call the County of Hawai`i Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

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Back by popular demand! High-quality free mulch is now available at the new public pick-up area adjacent to the Kealakehe Transfer Station. The access to the new mulch pick-up area is directly across the street from the transfer station chutes. Residents may self-load mulch at the site from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Bring a pitchfork and help yourself.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7:00am-5:00pm. The green waste pick-up and drop-off area is just past the entrance to the transfer station chutes on the right-hand side of the road.

The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the free mulch program. At this time, loading assistance for small vehicles is available only at the Hilo location and fees range from $10-$40 depending on vehicle size.

If you want to arrange for a large truckload to be delivered to your residence, business, or farm, from either the Hilo or Kona green waste processing sites, please call the Big Island Recycling representative at (808) 306-1876 to make those arrangements.

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

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The University of Hawaii at Hilo, through the North Hawaii Education and Research Center, is offering two courses, starting January 10, 2005, at the Parker School in Waimea. The courses are:

• Psychology 100 - a survey of psychology, meeting Monday nights. Begins January 10.
• History 151- World Civilization, meeting Thursday nights. Begins January 13.

Both courses are open to adults pursuing university credit and degrees. The courses are also available to qualified high school juniors and seniors as Running Start classes, offering dual high school and college credit. Scholarships are available to high school students in Gear Up schools.

High School students should apply as "EARLY ADMIT" students. The UH Hilo application and Running Start forms are available with high school counselors. Adults should apply to UH Hilo as "unclassified" students.

For further information, call UH Hilo Admissions at 974-7414. Application deadline is January 14, 2005.

For questions about Running Start and Gear Up, call the College of Continuing Education and Community Service, 974-7664.

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UH-Hilo’s Senior College offers lifelong learning outreach classes to adults over the age of 45 years, in communities throughout the Big Island.

Spring semester classes start Jan. 10, 2005 and run through May 2005. Schedules vary by location. Classes are generally for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours a week, and generally cost $25. (Note: Some courses are free with the teachers donating their time; while other courses are sponsored by community agencies.)

Among the courses will be Hawaiian ethnobotany in Kona, docent training at the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and golf basics in Volcano.

Call the College of Continuing Education and Community Service (CCECS) at 974-7664 for course offerings, schedules, registration and payment.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Where/Location: South Hilo – Kilauea Avenue from Puainako Street to Kamana Street.

What: Maintain centerline markings.

Where/Location: South Hilo – Ponahawai Street and Haili Street.

What: Maintain centerline markings.

Where/Location: South Hilo – E. Lanikaula Street from Kinoole Street to Mililani Street.

What: Maintain centerline markings.

Where/Location: No work scheduled.

What: No work scheduled.

Where/ Location: No work scheduled.

What: No work scheduled.

Week of December 27, 2004

Where/Location: No projects scheduled.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that from December 21, 2004 four temporary loading zones will go into effect along Ali’i Drive as follows:

• 30-minute freight loading zone on mauka side of Ali’i Drive north of the Ocean View Restaurant
• 30-minute freight loading zone on the mauka side of Ali’i Drive south of the Ocean View Restaurant
• Three-minute passenger loading zone on mauka side of Ali’i Drive south of the Ocean View Restaurant
• 30-minute freight loading zone on the makai side of Ali’i Drive across from Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel

This change will be in effect for a 90-day trial period and will remain in force until 12 noon on March 18, 2005. No parking will be allowed in these zones, and the no-parking rule will be enforced. The Department of Public Works asks for your patience and cooperation during this trial period.

For further information, please contact the Department of Public Works, Traffic Division at 961-8341.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that Kawailani Street will be closed to traffic between Oihana Street and Kikaha Street from Monday, January 3, 2005 through Friday, March 18, 2005. The closure is required for the demolition and reconstruction of the Kawailani Street Bridge.

The public is advised to use alternate routes around the project area and to allow for extra travel time. The Department of Public Works, Engineering Division asks for your patience and cooperation during this construction period and apologizes for the inconvenience.

For more detailed schedule information, please contact Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. at (808) 483-4270.

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The public is advised that the Kealakehe Connector Road, between Kealakehe Street and Keanalehu Drive, will be opened for school bus travel beginning on Monday, December 6, 2004.

Once opened, school buses will be allowed to use this connector road on school days, during the following times.

• From 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., buses will be traveling in the mauka direction; and
• From 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., except on Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., buses will be traveling in the makai direction.

The purpose of this opening is to (1) help reduce the vehicular traffic on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road, (2) substantially reduce the travel times for the school buses, and (3) encourage student ridership of the buses.

Our police officers and the Kealakehe Neighborhood Watch group will be stationed in the area to monitor this activity. We ask all motorists to use caution when driving around this area, and be mindful of the changes that have taken place.

Your County Department of Public Works appreciates your cooperation during this period.

For more details, please contact our Department of Public Works at (808) 961-8321.

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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.
Prince Kuhio Plaza: http://www.princekuhioplaza.com/html/Events.asp

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