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February 11, 2005
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
FEATURE ARTICLES
COUNTY BULLETIN BOARD
COMMUNITIES IN ACTION
OTHER NEWS
TRAFFIC ALERT
The General Plan - A Blueprint for Hawai`i Island's Future
On February 2, 2005, the County Council passed the General Plan after long consideration and deliberation. This important document, required by the County charter, sets the Council's policy for the long-range, comprehensive physical development of the County.
What is the General Plan?
The General Plan is the county's blueprint for the future. It contains the county's overall goals, policies, and courses of action. It contains chapters on economic development, land use, natural beauty, transportation, housing, and other topics.
The General Plan plays an especially important role in land use planning. The General Plan includes a Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide ("LUPAG") map. Zoning and other major land use changes have to be consistent with the General Plan and the LUPAG map.
The General Plan is also supposed to guide major public improvements, such as new roads and other public facilities.
Why do we have a General Plan?
Both the county charter and state land use laws require the County to have a General Plan. The General Plan is enacted by ordinance passed by the County Council.
The previous General Plan was passed in 1989. The law requires that there be a comprehensive update of the General Plan every ten years. In 1999, the Planning Department began a major review of the General Plan. In April, 2001, the Department sent a revised version of the General Plan to the Planning Commission, which held nine hearings on the Plan, and sent it on to the County Council in January 2002. The General Plan was passed on February 2, 2005.
The General Plan
The new General Plan contains many changes and innovations. Among them are the following:
How to access the General Plan
The General Plan can be viewed on the County's website, http://co.hawaii.hi.us. For further information, contact the Planning Department at 961-8288.
Bottle Redemption Centers - Updated Locations, Hours of Operation
Qualifying Beverage Containers:
What's IN: Eligible (redeemable) beverage containers include:
Soft drinks, soda, water, tea and coffee drinks, and certain alcoholic drinks (beer, malt beverages, mixed spirits, wine coolers in metal, glass or plastic, 64 oz or less.
What's OUT: Ineligible (unredeemable) containers include:
Milk, wine and hard liquor containers.
Reminder: ONLY eligible containers labeled HI5¢ can be redeemed.
Qualified beverage containers may be redeemed for cash at the following locations:
*All Arc of Hilo centers are closed from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm for lunch.
CURRENTLY OPEN DAYS/ HOURS OF OPERATION* OPERATOR
Hilo Transfer Station - M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am -5:00 pm Arc of Hilo
Sat and Sun from 6:30 am - 5:00 pm
(closed Tuesdays)
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 - 6:00 pm
(closed Tuesdays)
Kealakehe Transfer Station - M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Arc of Kona/Kona Krafts
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
(closed Tuesdays)
Waimea Transfer Station - M, W, TH, F from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Arc of Kona/Kona Krafts
Sat and Sun from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
(closed Tuesdays)
Hilo, 30 Makaala Street Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5 pm Atlas Recycling
Sat-Sun, 8 am to 3 pm
Kona, Pawai Place next to Kona Rent-All in Old Industrial Area Atlas Recycling
Mon-Fri, 7 am to 4 pm
Sat-Sun, 8 am to 3 pm
Weekend Sites -- Closed from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for lunch:
Keauhou Transfer Station - Sat 7:30 am -6:00 pm Arc of Kona/Kona Krafts
Sun 7:30 am -5:00pm
Pahoa Transfer Station- Sat 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Arc of Hilo
(opening March 5th) Sun 7:30 am - 5:00pm
Puako Transfer Station - Sat 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Arc of Kona/Kona Krafts
Sun 7:30 am - 5:00pm
Wai`ohinu Transfer Station - Sat 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Arc of Hilo
Sun 7:30 am - 5:00pm
Atlas Recycling Center. LLC is offering redemption monthly or semi-monthly in the following communities:
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.
Information can also be obtained from the County's website http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm#dir_solidwaste and from the State Department of Health (808/586-4226) www.hi5deposit.com
King Kamehameha Sewage Pump Station Renovation Starts
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 3rd 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.
Water Conservation Notice for North Kona
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:
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.
Notice of Availability of R&D Grants for 2005-2006
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:
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.
Nominations Sought for Outstanding Older Americans Month
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).
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.
Update as of February 8
Work continues on the makai side of Kuakini from Palani Road to Kona West Condos. Signing and striping of Kalawa Street from Kalani Street to Hualalai and Ololi Road have started and are anticipated to be completed this week.
Waterline work on Hanama Place is in progress.
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.
Mahalo nui loa for your support of this community improvement project.
For job postings, visit our website: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/civil_serv/civ_serv.htm
Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618
Or visit our webpage: co.hawaii.hi.us
Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.
COMMUNITIES IN ACTION
Workshops on Sustaining Community Group Initiatives
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:
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:
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).
Positive Coaching Workshops set for Feb 16, March 2, March 16
The Positive Coaching Alliance will be holding its latest series of workshops in February and March.
The following workshops are scheduled:
Registration on all three days begins at 5:30 p.m. Workshops begin at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Aupuni Center conference room on the Hamakua end of the old J.C. Penney's on Pauahi Street, Hilo (which now houses the new County offices).
Materials fee: $5 per person (collected at the door).
All workshops are open to the public.
For information and reservations, send name, contact telephone number and email addresses to PCABigIsland@hotmail.com .
For more information on Positive Coaching Alliance, check http://www.positivecoach.org .
Free Mulch Available at Kealakehe, Hilo Transfer Stations
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.
Please also note that green waste drop offs have resumed at the Kealakehe Transfer Station. A big Mahalo to all residents for your patience and cooperation.
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.
Chinese New Year Festival in Downtown Hilo
On Saturday, February 12, the 3rd Annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival celebrates the Year of the Rooster. The festivities begin with the Big Island Shaolin Arts Lion Dancers' traditional Chinese blessing of the Kress Building on Kamehameha Avenue in Downtown Hilo at 9 a.m.
This year's festival gives special recognition to the late Senator Hiram Fong who was the first to bring lion dancers to downtown in 1996 to bless the Kress Building.
The Kamehameha Avenue parking lot between Haili and Kalakaua Streets will be closed from 8:45 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. for the blessing after which the lion dancers will make their way up to Kalakaua Park.
Following the parade of the lion dancers, the Festival will run at Kalakaua Park from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Among the featured activities:
The Festival is funded in part by a grant from the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and is free to the public. For further information, contact Alice Moon & Company at 933-9772 or email amoon@bigisland.com.
How-To Sessions at Hawaiian Quilt Show in Waimea Feb 26-27
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.
ReefTalk in Waimea March 8 on Sediment and Reef Ecosystems
Dr. Paul Jokiel, researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, will give a talk entitled "Are Land-Derived Sediments Affecting Reef Ecosystems?" in Waimea on March 8.
Dr. Jokiel will provide insights on the effect of land use practices on reef ecosystem inhabitants, with an emphasis on land-derived sediments. Dr. Jokiel has conducted extensive reef research among the Hawaiian Islands for over 30 years. He will focus on understanding coral reef ecosystems and has disturbing, but not surprising, information to share.
When: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Thelma Parker Memorial Library at Waimea Middle School
Admission is free.
REEFTALKS are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College
Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the Malama Kai
Foundation, the Hawaii Community Foundation and CZM/DBEDT.
For more information, call University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program Extension Service at 329-2861.
(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)
| February 13, 2005 Sunday |
| Where/Location: South Hilo - Various locations in Downtown Hilo. |
| What: Repaint parking stalls. |
| February 14, 2005 Monday |
| Where/Location: South Hilo - Haili Street from Halai Street to Kamehameha Avenue. |
| What: Repaint centerlines. |
| February 15, 2005 Tuesday |
| Where/Location: South Hilo - E. Puainako Street from Ohuohu Street to Pilipaa Street. |
| What: Layout pavement markings. |
| February 16, 2005 Wednesday |
| Where/Location: South Hilo - E. Puainako Street from Ohuohu Street to Pilipaa Street. |
| What: Install thermoplastic centerlines. |
| February 17, 2005 Thursday |
| Where/ Location: South Hilo - E. Puainako Street from Ohuohu Street to Pilipaa Street. |
| What: Install thermoplastic edge of pavement lines, with guidelines, crosswalks, arrows, and stoplines. |
| February 18, 2005 Friday |
| Where/ Location: South Hilo - E. Puainako Street from Ohuohu Street to Pilipaa Street. |
| What: Install raised pavement markings. |
| Street Lights and Traffic Signal Projects |
| Week of February 13, 2005 |
| Where/Location: South Kohala - Paniolo Avenue and Lua Kula Street |
| What: Circuit upgrade and trenching pole numbers 17 (Paniolo) and pole numbers 3-6 (Lua Kula). |
Temporary Loading Zones on Ali'i Drive go into effect till March 18
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:
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.
Kawailani Street Partial Closure from Jan 3 to Feb 17 for Bridge Work
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 Thursday, February 17, 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.
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
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
County of Hawaii WebSite Address: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/
County Forms Online: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/forms/forms.html
County Maps Online: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/maps/maps.html
County Project Summaries And Updates Online: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/projects.htmUse the following links to the specific region:
North Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/nh/NH-M.htm
East Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/eh/EH-M.htm
South Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/sh/SH-M.htm
West Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/k2k/K2K-M.htmProcurement Notices: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/purchasing/bids.htm
Information & Complaints: cohinfo@interpac.net
County Departments: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/email.htm
Hawaii County website: co.hawaii.hi.us
To add or remove your name from distribution, e-mail Janet Snyder: jsnyder@co.hawaii.hi.us
For more information, contact:
Janet Snyder
Phone: (808) 961-8223
Fax: (808) 933-1521
e-mail: jsnyder@co.hawaii.hi.us