December 31, 2004

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

The Hawai‘i State Constitution states that the people of Hawai‘i believe all public officers and employees should exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct. To that end it requires that every political entity adopt a code of ethics. Accordingly, the County of Hawai`i has adopted a Code of Ethics which strives to ensure that the public has trust and confidence in the integrity of government.

The Board of Ethics is established by the County Charter. It consists of five members who are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council. The term of a board member is five years.

There are no district residency requirements, however in general members have come from all parts of the county.

The state constitution prohibits members of ethics commissions from taking an active part in political management and in political campaigns.

The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am. The meetings are usually held in Hilo, but when the Board is hearing a matter which concerns a member of the public or employee who is in another district, the hearing will usually be scheduled in that district.

The workload of the Board varies depending upon how many inquiries or complaints it receives. In both 2002 and 2003, the Board issued nine opinions interpreting code provisions in each year.

The Board also receives and reviews financial disclosure forms and gift disclosure forms. Support services to the Board are provided by the Office of the Corporation Counsel.

The Board interprets the Code of Ethics for members of the public as well as for County officers and employees. Members of the public or any County officer or employee may ask the Board for an informal advisory opinion interpreting a particular provision of the Code of Ethics where a particular course of action is contemplated or proposed. This advisory function comprises most of the Board’s work. It is an opportunity for people to know where they stand before embarking on a particular enterprise.

An example of an advisory opinion of the board resulted from an inquiry as to whether a supervisor could engage in a business relationship with a subordinate.

Under the code, such a business relationship would be a violation if the subordinate might be intimidated in the discharge of official duties as a result of the business relationship. In this case, the supervisor asked the question and after hearing the facts and circumstances, the Board advised that such a business relationship should not be undertaken.

The code also covers post-employment of County officers and employees. Under the code, an officer or employee cannot within twelve months of termination of employment or office with the County, accept employment with a business where the officer or employee had been directly concerned during County service or had obtained information which is not available to the general public.

Example: Under these provisions, an opinion has been issued that a former employee was restricted from accepting employment as a consultant to a contractor where the former employee had negotiated the contract with the contractor while employed by the County.

Many of the inquiries concern conflicts of interest provisions of the code. Under these provisions officers and employees of the County cannot use their official position to obtain special privileges for themselves or for close family members.

Likewise they cannot engage in any business or transaction which might reasonably tend to be incompatible with the proper discharge of their official duties.

Examples: Under these provisions, a board member was advised that there was no code violation if the member accepted work which did not involve matters which would come before the board on which she served. In another opinion, employees in certain categories of employment in the real property tax office were advised that it would be a conflict to accept outside employment performing fee appraisals for property located in the County of Hawai‘i.

The Board may be asked by members of the public to look into actions already taken by County officers and employees to determine if an ethics code violation has occurred.

• In this situation, the complaint is forwarded to the employee or officer and the person is given an opportunity to respond.
• The Board holds a hearing to listen to both sides and to make a decision on the information presented.

• Depending upon the circumstances, the Board has issued opinions; in some cases finding a violation, and in others, no violation.

In one such complaint, a petitioner alleged the improper use of county vehicles. Under the circumstances presented, no violation was found.

There have been some complaints that officers have not treated members of the public in a fair and courteous manner (a requirement under the code).

In the situation where an officer or employee does not follow the informal advisory opinion, the Board may begin proceedings for a formal advisory opinion. If a formal opinion is issued and there is no compliance of a formal opinion, the matter is referred to the appointing authority with the power to discipline the individual.

In other words, the Board does not itself take any action against the individual. It must be handled by the appropriate authority. However, the records of the Board do not indicate that this has ever been necessary.

The Code of Ethics also requires that candidates for office, officers of the County (including board and commission members) and regulatory employees must file financial disclosure forms.

The disclosure of financial interests includes sources of income, name of creditors, interests in business held, real property interest in the county and creditor interests.

The financial disclosures of candidates for elective office, all elected officers, County department heads and deputies and the managing director and deputy managing director are public and filed with the County Clerk. All other financial disclosures are confidential and filed with the Board of Ethics. The Board reviews the disclosure forms and then keeps them filed. They are not available for public inspection.

The Code of Ethics provides that no officer or employee is to accept or solicit, directly or indirectly, any gift under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence the officer or employee in the performance of the officers’ or employees’ official duties or is intended as a reward for any official action on the officers’ or employees’ part.

The gift can be in the form of money, a service, a loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, a thing or a promise.

If a gift is offered and not under the circumstances described wherein the gift should not be accepted, then the employee or officer may accept the gift but it may be that the gift needs to be disclosed.

A gift disclosure statement needs to be filed with the Board of Ethics on June 30^th of each year under the following circumstances:

• The officer, employee, spouse or dependent child of the officer or employee, received directly or indirectly from one source any gift or gifts valued singly or in the aggregate in excess of $100;

• The source of the gift or gifts have interests that may be affected by official action or lack of action by the officer or employee; and

• The gift is not exempted from reporting requirements.

Under the code, certain gifts such as those received by way of inheritance or trust or gifts from a relative, political campaign contributions which comply with state law and items available to the public generally and exchanges of approximately equal value on holidays or other special occasions.

"After living and working on Hawai‘i island for 20 years, and newly retired from formal employment, I sought membership on the Board of Ethics out of both a sense of civic responsibility and a personal conviction that we should strive for a government second to none in terms of honesty, openness, and moral and ethical practices.

Having been a board member for over two years and exposed to a wide variety of County government activities, I’m happy to report that – in my judgment – we have such a government in Hawai‘i County and I’m personally gratified in having had a small part in ensuring that we continue to operate in this fashion in, often, stark contrast to other municipalities around the country.

For me, it’s all about keeping our island a wonderful place to live and I highly recommend that more citizens get involved in this effort by serving on County boards and commissions in areas of their interest and/or expertise." Bob Williams

Questions about the Board of Ethics can be directed to the Office of the Corporation Counsel at 961-8251. For information or application forms to join the Board of Ethics, call 961-8223. You can also pick up application forms at the County Building at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 217 or the West Hawai`i Mayor’s Office at Hanama Place, Kailua-Kona.

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The Beverage Container Deposit Program (a.k.a. Bottle Bill) will provide an economic incentive for recycling which has been proven effective. Bottle bills have increased recycling rates by upwards of 70% in the 10 states with deposit laws.

The Bottle Bill will reduce litter in our parks and beaches, and will spur new recycling habits among the community, which may translate into more recycling of other materials as well.

Under the new law eligible beverages include:

• soft drinks
• juices
• water
• teas
• coffee drinks
• sports drinks
• beer
• wine coolers that are sold in containers of 64 fluid ounces or less.

Affected types of containers include glass, plastic #1 and #2, and metal.

Excluded beverages are:
wine
milk
hard liquor.

Starting January 1, 2005, only containers marked with the label "Hawai`i 5¢" or "HI 5¢" can be redeemed for a nickel.

Consumers should not stockpile unlabeled containers for future redemption, as they cannot receive a refund on unlabeled containers. Unlabeled containers should be recycled and/or disposed of in the normal manner.

Please recycle them.

There are recycling collection containers for glass and aluminum at many of the County’s transfer stations. Plastic #1 and #2 can now be recycled at the Kea`au and Kealakehe recycling centers located at each of those transfer stations. Other locations accepting aluminum and glass are identified in the Hawai`i Island Recycling Guide available online at www.recyclehawaii.org.

There are two fees associated with this program that may show as line items on customer receipts:

A non-refundable 1¢ container fee is being charged on affected containers as of October 1, 2004.

And as early as November 2004, a refundable 5¢ deposit per beverage container will be charged for the purchase of glass, aluminum, and plastic containers defined under the Bottle Bill.

These fees will show up on customer receipts below the taxable subtotal since the State Department of Taxation has determined that both the container fee (1¢) and redeemable deposit (5¢) are not subject to general excise tax.

The 1¢ non-refundable container fee is being assessed to support the costs of recycling and program administration. The container fee, along with unredeemed deposits, provide the funds for paying a 3¢ handling fee to vendors in Hawai`i County who operate redemption centers and document that all collected material has been legally recycled.

Redemption centers cannot begin to operate until January 1, 2005.

Beginning in January 2005, you can get the 5¢ deposit back when you recycle the container at a permitted redemption center. On Hawai`i Island, retailers are not required to operate permitted redemption centers at their stores.

By law, retail establishments will be required to post the location of nearby permitted redemption centers when selling deposit containers.

Permitted redemption centers will likely be run by private recyclers, and will be located throughout the island and at strategically-located County transfer stations. (See the next article for the latest listing of redemption centers, locations and hours.)

Redemption centers will only refund a deposit on containers that are:

• Labeled as a deposit beverage (marked "Hawaii 5¢" or "HI 5¢")

• Empty and clear of liquid or foreign matter

• Not crushed (do not crush your containers)

For more information on the Bottle Bill, visit the following website: http://www.hi5deposit.com

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The ARC of Hilo and Atlas Recycling will be operating beverage container redemption centers around the Big Island, with the first centers beginning operations on January 1, 2005.

Qualified beverage containers may be redeemed for cash at the following locations:

Kea`au Transfer Station – M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am-5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Kealakehe Transfer Station – M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Waimea Transfer Station – M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Pahoa Hardware - Monday from 10 am to 1 pm Atlas Recycling

Cooper Center, Volcano - 1^st & 3^rd Monday from 2 pm to 5 pm Atlas Recycling

Waimea Middle School Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Honokaa Salvation Army - 2^nd & 4^th Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Laupahoehoe old Hosp./Verifone 2^nd & 4^th Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Hilo Transfer Station - M, W, Th, F from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Kohala High School, Hawi- 1^st & 3^rd Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

South Point U-cart, Oceanview – 1^st & 3^rd Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Ka`u High & Elem. Schools, Pahala – 1^st & 3^rd Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Naalehu Elem/Interm. Schools – 1^st & 3^rd Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Wai`ohinu Transfer Station - Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Keauhou Transfer Station - Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Puako Transfer Station - Sat and Sun from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch

Waikoloa Elementary – Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm Atlas Recycling

Ho`oulu Lahui/ Kua O Ka La Charter School - Sat & Sun 7:30 am-5:00 pm ARC of Hilo
Closed from 1pm – 2pm for lunch
(located at mile marker 16, on the Pahoa-Kalapana Road).

HILO, 30 Makaala Street Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5 pm
Sat-Sun, 8 am to 3 pm

KONA, Pawai Place next to Kona Rent-All in Old Industrial Area
Mon-Fri, 7 am to 4 pm
Sat-Sun, 8 am to 3 pm

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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.

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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The County of Hawai`i will publish the 2003-2004 Annual Report as an insert in the January 2 (Sunday) editions of the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald and West Hawai`i Today.

Copies of the County of Hawai`i’s Annual Report are also available to the public at Room 217 of the old County Building at 25 Aupuni Street and the Kona mayor’s office at Hanama Place.

Copies are also available at the reception desk of the new County Building at 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo.

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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 County of Hawai`i’s Real Property Tax Division would like to inform the public that there is no need to file a separate claim to receive an additional home exemption (20% of assessed valuation) granted recently, provided the home owner already has his or her home exemption claim on file.

The additional exemption of 20% of assessed valuation will be automatically applied to homeowners who already have their home exemption claims on file.

A new claim is necessary if you purchased a new home or changes occurred in the use of your home such as renting or conducting a business.

For further information, please contact the Real Property Division in Hilo at 961-8201 or in Kona at 327-3540.

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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.

In observance of the holidays and to minimize traffic congestion during the holidays, there is no construction work this week. Work will resume on Monday, January 3, 2005.

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: 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 the Akolea Road Bridge in South Hilo will be closed to traffic from Monday, January 3, 2005 through Monday, January 14, 2005.

The road closure period may be extended due to inclement weather. The closure is required to construct flood damage-related improvements to Akolea Road Bridge and its approaches.

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 R. I. Namba Construction, Inc. at (808) 839-1786.

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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 County of Hawaii, Department of Public Works announces the reopening of the Kealakehe Connector Road, between Kealakehe Street and Keanalehu Drive. This road will be opened only for school bus travel, beginning again on Monday, January 3, 2005.

School buses will be allowed to use this connector road on school days, during the following times:

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

The purpose of this reopening is to help:

(1) Reduce the vehicular traffic on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road;

(2) Substantially reduce the travel-times for the school buses;

(3) Encourage student ridership.

The Kealakehe Neighborhood Watch group will be stationed in the area to monitor this activity.

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

For more details, please contact 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.