January 28, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

What were once the sleepy small towns of Kona – Honalo, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, and Captain Cook – are now bustling towns full of kama‘ainas, malihinis, tourists – and commuters.

Along with the commuters come problems associated with vehicular traffic. Motorists traveling through this area are experiencing these traffic problems every day, especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The Department of Public Works is looking for ways to address these traffic problems, by working with the communities and even the commuters, who pass through these towns.

People in West Hawai‘i are well aware of the traffic problems along this stretch of highway.

Traffic access mismanagement, whether it be from vehicles trying to make left turns, pedestrians crossing the street, vehicles parking along the main thoroughfare, or driver habits, all contribute to the slowing down, or even stopping of through traffic.

As Public Works and the Kona Traffic Safety Committee join forces with our local communities, we are hoping some of these traffic problems can be solved.

Known traffic problem areas are in the town core areas of Honalo, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, and Captain Cook. In the Honalo Town area, traffic in the afternoon peak travel time has been known to back up all the way north to Higashihara Park. This is coupled with the problems in the town of Kainaliu. The traffic back-up in Kainaliu joins with the Honalo traffic back-up.

As the traffic approaches the town of Kealakekua, it slows down again. This again happens, although not as bad, as the traffic goes through the town of Captain Cook. Usually in Captain Cook and further south, the traffic has dissipated and traffic delays are relatively minor as compared to the Honalo Town area.

During the morning peak, the traffic problem is pretty much reversed; although not as bad as the afternoon peak. This is due in part to the town businesses not being open and fewer other town activities during this time.

The Hawai`i County Department of Public Works has joined forces with the Kona Traffic Safety Committee and local merchants to come up with ideas to relieve these traffic problems.

Public Works has created small working groups to discuss traffic issues and identify the problems. The basic objective is to improve traffic flow and increase the safety for vehicles and pedestrians by implementing relatively simple, doable, and quick to construct measures. Any type of traffic delay will be investigated, and some measure of improvement will be implemented.

As an example, one successful project is the constructed left-turn pocket at Haukapili Street, also known as the roadway up to the Kona Community Hospital. This was completed in late 2003 and had the goal of keeping the southbound through-lane of traffic moving. By getting a left-turning vehicle into its own lane to wait for a clear left-turn movement, it allows the through traffic to keep moving.

Other examples of alternative traffic measures

1. The Department of Public Works is working with the County Transit Agency (Hele-On bus) and the Department of Education school bus program in a combined effort to create park & ride/municipal parking lots throughout the various towns.

By creating these parking lots, Hele-On and school buses will have a place to pick up and drop off passengers/students, out of and away from the main flow of traffic. This will allow through traffic to keep moving. In addition, the town merchants can benefit from the additional and more user-friendly parking spaces.

2. Creation of left turn pockets like the one at Haukapili Street are under consideration. At some locations, installation of a two-way left-turn lane between the two opposing through lanes may provide relief. The very narrow right-of-way through the town areas may limit the type of measures that can be implemented in many areas, however.

If you are interested in joining any one of the four Kona area working groups, please contact Casey Yanagihara of the Department of Public Works, at (808) 961-8004.

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The Tax Board of Review hears all disputes between the County and any taxpayer, including those regarding assessed values and exemptions, and in which appeals have been filed.

The grounds of appeal to a real property tax assessment are as follows:

• Assessed value of the property exceeds by more than 20% the ratio of assessment to market value;
• There is lack of uniformity or inequality resulting from the use of illegal assessment methods or an error in the application of the methods;
• Denial of an exemption to which the taxpayer is entitled and for which all requirements are met;
• The assessment methods used were illegal or unconstitutional.

Most appeals are either for a home exemption, which they weren’t aware they needed, or that they don’t feel their property should be valued so high.

Some of the problems the board dealt with last year were solved by adding another deadline for home exemption filing, and by a change in the law for home sites on farmland.

The number of meetings the Tax Board of Review conducts in a calendar year depends on the number of appeals filed with them. The statutory deadline for filing an appeal for the year’s assessment is April 9 of the assessment year or, for an amended notice of assessment, 30 days from the date of the amendment.

The Board meets on or before April 9 of the calendar year for its organizational meeting at which time the Chair and Vice-Chair are chosen for the year. The Board members also decide the year’s hearing schedule at this meeting. The hearings usually start in June or July, with two consecutive full days of cases twice a month.

The number of appeals in the past three years has ranged from 300 to 400 cases. Based on these numbers, the Board met every other week, alternating the location between Hilo and Kona. While the last meeting of the year was held in late October or early November in the past three years, it is anticipated that recent new ordinances affecting exemptions and real property assessments will require the Board to meet through December.

The County reimburses board members for travel mileage, and provides meals and lodging accommodations for these consecutive days of meetings.

The Tax Board of Review is a hard-working body requiring full-day commitments from all five members. It also involves overnight commitments at least once a month normally between July and the end of the year, depending on the hearing location and residence of the individual member.

There is currently one vacancy on the five-member Tax Board of Review. The following districts are not currently represented on the Tax Board of Review: District 2, represented by Council member Donald Ikeda; District 4, represented by Council member Stacy Higa; District 5, represented by Council member Gary Safarik; District 8, represented by Council member Angel Pilago; and District 9, represented by Council member Pete Hoffman. Residents of these districts are encouraged to apply for a position on the Tax Board of Review.

A potential board member needs to be very flexible regarding the time commitment for this board. Board members need to be able to commit to a long day, which will only be made shorter if the Real Property Tax Division is able to reach settlements with people filing appeals.

The ideal board member should be patient, able to listen carefully and have a basic understanding of geographic locations on the Big Island.

"Volunteering for this Board is very satisfying because most people really appreciate being able to share their feelings about their appeal with someone who cares, who listens, and who is fair." Linda Smith

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

Atlas Recycling Center. LLC is offering redemption monthly or semi-monthly in the following communities:

• Pahoa
• Waimea
• Hawi
• Ocean View
• Pahala
• Naalehu
• Laupahoehoe
• Waikoloa
• Honoka’a

Please contact Atlas at 935-9328 (Hilo) and 329-6868 (Kona) for precise locations and days/hours of operation.

For more information relating to redemption activities under the new beverage container deposit program, please call our Recycling Specialists with the Department of Environmental Management, Linda Damas (961-8527) or Craig Kawaguchi (961-8549). Additional sites are pursuing permits in Hilo and South Kona.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management, Wastewater Division will be renovating the King Kamehameha Sewage Pump Station located at the corner of Ali’i Drive and the Kailua-Kona Harbor Access Road fronting the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

This work is anticipated to commence during the 3^rd week in January of 2005 and will last approximately five (5) months. Work will take place between the hours of 8 am and 5:30 pm during week days and possibly Saturdays.

This renovation project will add capacity to the pump station resulting in better ability to accommodate the increasing number of future developments in Kailua-Kona. As an added benefit, renovation of the King Kamehameha Sewage Pump Station helps with preparing for future abandonment of the Queen Emma Sewage Pump Station located at Emma Square. This should enhance the area for nearby businesses as maintenance activities by Wastewater Division personnel will no longer be required in Emma Square.

During the construction period of the renovation project, businesses along Ali’i Drive can anticipate uninterrupted sewer service and conduct their business in a normal fashion.

Pedestrian traffic will be safely re-routed around the construction area at the King Kamehameha. There will be very little impact to vehicular traffic.

Some construction work will take place at the Emma Square location while giving consideration to pedestrian traffic. This work may include minor improvements to the rock wall and concrete walkways with the intent of making the area safer for pedestrians.

The public is welcome to direct any questions or concerns during construction to the Construction Manager, SSFM International, Inc. at 933-2727. General questions may be directed to the Wastewater Division at 961-8338.

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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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Mayor Harry Kim is seeking the public’s assistance to recognize older individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others or in their community.

Mayor Kim is seeking nominations to the Hawaii County Office of Aging for the prestigious Outstanding Older American Awards. Applications for nominating outstanding older Americans may be obtained by calling the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) or 327-3597 (Kona).

The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2005.

Agencies, clubs and individuals are encouraged to nominate an individual (age 65 plus) to honor and recognize their achievements after attaining the age of 60 and their contributions to our community. All nominees will be honored at a special awards luncheon to be held on May 13, 2005 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

To express his deep appreciation for the immeasurable contributions made by seniors in Hawaii County, Mayor Kim has proclaimed May as Older Americans Month.

The theme for this year’s Older Americans Month will be "Celebrate Long Term Living." The theme reflects a positive view of aging and longevity. As only 5 percent of our senior population reside in an institutional settings, millions of older Americans continue to be active contributing members of society. With continuing improvements in health care and a growing trend towards healthier life styles, we need to indeed celebrate long term living.

For further information, call the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) or 327-3597 (Kona).

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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.

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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West Hawai`i CompuCycle Event in Kona Jan 29

Recycle Hawai`i, with assistance from Community Technology Center Hawai`i and a generous grant from the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management and Dell, Inc., is sponsoring a computer recycling project.

When: Saturday, January 29^th 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Old Airport Park Pavilion in Kailua-Kona.

Bring in any make or model of computer and related equipment, including monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, laptops and cell phones.

Usable equipment will be refurbished and, for a small fee, made available to local schools and non-profit groups. To sign up for a refurbished computer, please contact Community Technology Center Hawai`i at 934-7748.

Electronic items NOT accepted include televisions, stereo equipment and other appliances.

For more information contact Recycle Hawai`i at (808) 329-2886 or email at: info@recyclehawaii.org

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The Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation cordially invites everyone in our community to the 12^th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 5 from 9 am to 3 p.m. Opening ceremony and dedication begin at 9 am on the lanai of the Kahilu Theater.

This extravaganza is a partnership event coordinated through the efforts of the community, private business and government agencies.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the late Hisao Kimura, who contributed to and supported the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival since its inception.

A variety of cultural interactive exhibits, displays and demonstrations will be featured at the Kamuela Hongwanji, Church Row Park, Kahilu Theater, Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Top Stitch, YMCA Hall and Parker Ranch Center. The festivities will include entertainment, food, Mochi-Tsuki (mochi making), Japanese tea ceremony, Bon dance, Taiko drums and craft fairs where unique, one-of-a-kind items will be on sale.

For further information, call Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Arts Division at 961-8706.

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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Task Force Groups will be having their first video conference of the year on Monday, February 7, 2005.

The meeting room for West Hawaii will be at the Kona Mayor's Office at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy and for East Hawaii the meeting room will be the Hilo Prosecutor's Office at 34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo.

Below are the times, contact information and partial agenda for the Task Force Groups.

Time: 10am - 11am

Agenda: Continue working on "Speeding In Neighborhoods". Review of Road Safety Watch and "What is CTAP?" Contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com

Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm

Agenda: Continue working on the proposed Animal Control Ordinances – and report on Parks and Recreation Committee. Contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net 

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

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Hawai`i County Resource Center and the Hawai`i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development present workshops in Kona, Kea’au and Na’alehu on Sustaining Community Efforts.

The workshops will focus on:

• Strategies and tools to help community groups maintain their passion
• Interactive discussions and exercises
• Ways to collaborate and celebrate
• How to bring in new participants
• How to determine when you've completed your mission

Three dates and locations to choose from

• February 19 in the Mayor's Conference Room in Kailua-Kona
• February 26 at the Ola`a Community Center in Kea`au
• March 5 at the Na`alehu Community Center - Senior Nutrition Center
• All workshops begin at 9:30 am and end at 1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided, and we will work through lunch.

Cost (pay at the door)

• $8.00 for lunch and materials

Who should attend

• Informal grassroots community groups
• "Healing Our Island" mini-grant recipients
• Coalitions between schools and communities
• Small 501(c)(3) groups

To Register (limited to 2 persons per group)

• Please provide name(s), organization, and contact information to hcrc@co.hawaii.hi.us , or call Louise Winn (324-1021), Debbie Chang (961-8085) or the HCRC message line (961-8035).

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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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Visitor Aloha Society of West Hawai’i (VASH West Hawai’i ) needs volunteers to help provide supportive services to visitors who are victims of crime or other distress while vacationing in West Hawai’i.

Volunteers generally assist by providing information, emergency transportation, and acting as a liaison with other agencies on behalf of the victim. Volunteers from North Kohala to South Point can help visitors victimized by crime in their areas. Bilingual volunteers are also needed to assist in translation for foreign visitors.

A volunteer orientation and training session will be held on Thursday, February 10th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the offices of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 208, Kailua-Kona. Lunch will be served immediately following the training.

The mission of VASH is to share our Aloha spirit by helping visitors go home with a positive impression of Hawai`i despite their misfortune. For more information or to register for the training, please contact Linda Allen at 808-756-0785 or by email at vashwh@yahoo.com .

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Hawaii's oldest Hawaiian quilting club, Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea, presents its biennial Hawaiian Quilt Show February 26-27 at Kuhio Hale in Waimea. Club members will display their quilts and offer lessons on the Hawaiian style of quilting.

How-to sessions will include pattern tracing. The Hawaiian quilt traditionally features a pattern in a single color that is appliqued on to a background of white or solid color. Stitches in Hawaiian quilts follow the outlines of Hawaiian motifs like breadfruit, explains Dorothy Badua, Ka Hui Kapa Apana O Waimea president.

"It’s as if they echo a pattern’s shape, just as the ocean waves echo the shores of the islands." The topographical lines of Hawaiian contour quilting create a subtle and effective visual rhythm that is special in the world of quilting, " Badua said.

The non-profit group will sells patterns, pillows, wall hangings and quilts during the show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday February 26 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, February 27. For further information, call 775-9894.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

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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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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://165.248.6.166/data/calendars0405.asp
Prince Kuhio Plaza: http://www.princekuhioplaza.com/html/Events.asp
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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Hawai‘i County ... a nice place to live.