May 13, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

The HI⁵ beverage container redemption program is working; the news on recovery rates on the Big Island is good.

Hawai’i’s Beverage Container Deposit Program has rounded the first four months of 2005 with excellent results. To date, 72.1 million containers have been redeemed and recycled in the state of Hawaii.

The Big Island has had excellent participation with a recovery rate close to 40% in January to March of this year. Overall, the statewide recovery rate is expected to climb higher as retailer participation in redemption activities kicks in on Oahu on July 1, 2005.

On the Big Island alone through mid April, approximately $570,000 has been refunded to Big Island consumers. Reports indicate that there are fewer cans and bottles littering our roadsides.

Our Big Island communities deserve a big Mahalo for their participation and patience in getting this much needed recycling effort off the ground and headed towards success.

For further information, please call the Recycling Specialists with the Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai’i, at 961-8527 or 961-8549 for information about the HI 5¢ program or visit: www.hi5deposit.com http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm

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Traditionally, the third week of May is observed and recognized nationally as Emergency Medical Services Week. During this period, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations across the country seize this opportunity to share with their communities the services they provide.

The County of Hawaii Fire Department is no different. As the only County government fire department in the State of Hawaii that provides EMS or ambulance services, our department continues to explore new and innovative measures to assure our community is well served and protected.

In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, the Fire Department is sponsoring their 5th annual EMS 5K Family Fun Run/2 Mile-Walk on Sunday, May 22, 2005. The event will take place at Liliuokalani Park, and the public is invited to participate. (Details below).

This year, proceeds from this event will benefit the expansion and renovation of the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room and also help a young mother of three from Hilo who is battling cancer.

This year also marks the 30th year that the Fire Department has been providing emergency medical services in the County of Hawaii. Established in 1975 under former Fire Chief Elvin Kamoku, the first County Mobile Intensive Care Technicians were Garfield Arakaki and Edward Bumatay. The first Emergency Medical Technicians were Wayne Robledo and Michael Kobayashi.

Thanks to these four pioneers and to the vision and foresight of Chief Kamoku, the fire department’s EMS program has grown and flourished into one of the best in the country.

Today, the Hawai`i County Fire Department provides quality advanced life-support ambulance service across our island community, with 15 ambulance units and one air-medical helicopter. All ambulances are manned and staffed with a team of highly-trained and certified personnel on a 24-hour basis. The helicopter unit, which responds island wide, is staffed around the clock with a pilot and uses the team from one of the ambulance units when dispatched.

The air-medical helicopter unit is another prime example of the innovation and progressive service delivery capabilities unique to the County of Hawaii. Recognizing the service delivery limitations and difficulties associated with the geography and demographics of our island, the establishment of a dedicated air-medical response and transport helicopter program was initiated in 1994 to overcome some of the challenges faced on a daily basis. Based out of the South Kohala Fire Station near the ocean side resort area of Waikoloa, the helicopter unit referred to as Chopper-2 provides rapid response and transport to critical injury and illness emergencies on a routine basis.

One key element that is frequently overlooked is the fact that nearly every member of the fire department is or has been trained and certified as either an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Mobile Intensive Care Technician (MICT). This tremendous pool of qualified, capable personnel provides our community with an added measure of service and care.

In the event that the nearest ambulance unit is on another incident or unavailable, the in-district fire company, fire engine, or rescue truck will respond and provide potentially life-saving care until such time that the ambulance arrives. This capability, combined with a staff of trained Fire Radio Dispatchers prepared to give emergency care instructions over the phone to a distressed caller, results in a very effective and efficient pre-hospital care system.

EMS Week, which is celebrated nationwide, will bring together communities and medical personnel to publicize safety, and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medical "front line." This year’s theme, "EMS-Ready, Responsive, Reliable," focuses on the commitment and dedication of the 750,000 EMS technicians who provide an essential community service every day.

The Emergency Medical Services Week coordinators are Fire Equipment Operator /Mobile Intensive Care Technician Lance Uchida (Central Fire Station, telephone 961-8325) and Fire Captain Jerry Lum (Honokaa Fire Station, telephone 775-7506). The fun run/walk race director is Firefighter/Mobile Intensive Care Technician Jesse Ebersole (Central Fire Station, telephone 961-8325).

The County of Hawaii’s Emergency Medical Services Division, a State-funded program, provides 24-hour quality pre-hospital emergency medical care and services to the residents and visitors on Hawaii. Last year, EMS responded to 12,937 calls for assistance island wide. To learn more about your local EMS Division, contact Battalion Chief Paul Paiva at 961-8319.

The 5K Family Fun Run and 2-Mile Walk begins and ends at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo. The route proceeds from Lihiwai Street to the lighthouse tower at Bayfront Highway, then back along the same route to the park. The 2-mile walk also begins at the park to a shorter turn-around point and back.

Both events will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 22nd.

The entrance fee is $20 for adults, $10 for students & seniors (60+), and $5 for children 10 and under. Deadline to guarantee a commemorative T-shirt is May 14, so please register today.

Awards will be presented following the completion of the event. All participants will also become eligible to receive random drawing prizes. Spencer Health and Fitness Center is a major corporate sponsor of the event.

The family fun run/walk will also kick off various events and displays that will continue throughout the day. The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry, American Heart Association, Ululani Pharmacy, and Keiki ID will also be on hand to provide free services to the public.

The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry will also be on hand to conduct free bone marrow donor registration and testing. You can save a life by signing up to become a bone marrow donor. If you are between 18 to 60 years of age and in good general health, you could make a difference in someone's life. For more information or to update your information (if you are previously registered), please call 1-877-HI DONOR (443-6667).

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The Hawaii County Police Department will celebrate Police Week this month with a ceremony at its Hilo headquarters and tours of all police stations on the Big Island.

The week of May 15-21, 2004, has been proclaimed Police Week in honor of police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

A public ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 16 at the Hawaii Police Department Headquarters located at 349 Kapiolani Street in Hilo.

Entertainment will be provided by Ke Ola Pono and the Hilo High School Viking Band. The Hilo High School Army Junior ROTC will present the colors at the opening of the ceremony.

During the week, all district police stations on the Big Island will be open for conducted public tours. Anyone interested in scheduling a tour of a police station should call Officer Alan Kimura of the Community Relations Section at 961-2264.

Police Week has been celebrated since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 of each year as Peace Officers' Memorial Day and the calendar week on which May 15 falls as Police Week.

Also, in 1994, Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, requiring that the American flag be lowered to half-mast on May 15 as a special tribute to more than 14,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in the United States.

Four officers have died in the line of duty on the Big Island. They are Officers Manuel Cadinha in 1918, William "Red" Oili in 1936, Ronald "Shige" Jitchaku in 1990 and Kenneth Keliipio in 1997.

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Because of scheduling conflicts, organizers have cancelled all but a golf tournament for the 15th annual Hawaii Police Commemorative Fund Tournament.

Organizers have cancelled the basketball, softball and volleyball tournaments and a run and walk, which had been scheduled for May 13-15, 2005, at the Kawananakoa Gymnasium and Hualani Park field in Keaukaha.

The golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at the Naniloa Banyan Golf Course. Check-in time will be at 7 a.m.; tee time, at 8 a.m. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Naniloa Golf Course or the Hilo Police Station at 349 Kapiolani Street.

The event is a fundraising tournament with the proceeds generated going towards scholarships at both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College in memory of Hawaii County police officers killed in the line of duty.

Two scholarships have been established at the University of Hawaii's Administration of Justice program in memory of Officers Ronald "Shige" Jitchaku and Kenneth K. Keliipio, both of whom lost their lives in the line of duty.

Two other scholarships have also been established in memory of both officers at the Hawaii Community College, Administration of Justice program.

A total of $24,800 generated from the annual tournament has thus far been donated towards the scholarships.

Individuals wanting more information about the golf tournament, which is open to the public, are asked to call Officer John Stewart or Sergeant Darren Horio at 961-2211 or Detective Greg Esteban at 961-2384.

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Mayor Harry Kim’s 2005-2006 Amended Budget Message is now available on-line. The full text has been added to the County website.

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The East Hawai`i Computer Recycling Day campaign will accept any make or model of computer and related equipment, including computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, laptops and cell phones.

Electronics items NOT accepted include: televisions, stereo equipment, household appliances, etc.

Drop off is free of charge to residents, schools, non-profits and government agencies.

Usable equipment will be refurbished and reused. Refurbished systems will be made available to local schools and non-profit groups via Community Technology Center Hawai`i.

To sign up for a refurbished computer, please contact Community Technology Center Hawai`i directly at 934-7748.

For more information, contact County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942 or Recycle Hawai`i at 961-2676.

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The following is the agenda for the upcoming Environmental Management Commission meeting on Wednesday, May 25.

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What’s IN: Eligible (redeemable) beverage containers include:

Soft drinks, soda, water, juice, tea and coffee drinks, and certain alcoholic drinks (beer, malt beverages, wine coolers, mixed spirits) in metal, glass, or plastic, 64 oz. or less.

What’s OUT: Ineligible (unredeemable) containers include:

Milk, wine, and hard liquor containers.

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

** Transfer Station centers closed daily from 1-2pm for lunch.**

Please contact Atlas at 935-9328 or 329-6868 for further information.

Please call the Recycling Specialists with the Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai’i, at 961-8527 or 961-8549 for information about the HI 5¢ program or visit:

www.hi5deposit.com | http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management, Wastewater Division will be renovating the Kailua Harbor Sewage Pump Station (formerly known as 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 commenced 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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The Department of Water Supply is experiencing drought conditions around the island and is requesting our customers to conserve drinking water. Due to continuing dry weather conditions, water consumption in the affected areas has increased to a point where water sources and water distribution systems are strained. Drought conditions may last for some time, and the Department is requesting all our customers around the island to use water wisely.

This Water Conservation Notice is a request to reduce your daily water usage by 10%.

The following areas are under WATER CONSERVATION:

1. SOUTH KOHALA - Waimea Town.
2. HAMAKUA - Ahualoa, along Kahaua Drive, Kalopa State Park, Kapahu, Paauilo Mauka, and Pohakea.

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 shall 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.

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

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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%. (See above article which lists 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.

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Construction work to widen Kuakini Highway, from Palani Road to Hualalai Road, commenced on November 8, 2004.

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 at www.co.hawaii.hi.us.

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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Life Care Center of Hilo invites the public to a weeklong celebration of Nursing Home Week May 8-14.

The celebration will feature free health screening and a cooking demonstration by Derek Kurisu and George Yoshida of "Seniors Living In Paradise" TV show fame.

Life Care Center of Hilo, located at 944 West Kawailani Street, has been serving the Island of Hawaii since the 1970’s. Among the services Life Care Center offers are skilled and intermediate care, special care units, as well as in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation.

Life Care is celebrating Nursing Home Week with a long list of festivities for the residents and their family members. In addition to the usual celebrations, this year the trained professional staff will be offering several free community services on Wednesday, May 11, from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Nurses will be available for blood pressure screens. Social service workers will be performing memory checks. Rehabilitation staff will provide balance checks. Tours of the facility will be provided by appointment throughout the week.

Derek Kurisu and George Yoshida from "Seniors Living In Paradise" will do a cooking demonstration Wednesday, May 11, at 5:00 pm. for the residents, their families and the community. The KTA-sponsored segment will air at a later date on Channel 27.

For further information, call Chris Ridley at Life Care Center of Hilo at 959-9151.

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Remember how much fun it is to ride a bike? Join your Kona neighbors by bicycling to work on Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20.

Park your car at the Hawai`i County Pool parking lot at Kailua-Kona and meet your fellow cyclists at the "Greeting Station" there 7:00 a.m. - 9 a.m. before pedaling off to work.

Take the alternative, fun and healthy way to work.

For more information, contact Ann Peterson of PATH (People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawai`i) at 326-9495.

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The community is invited to a presentation on the multiple effects of deployment on the Big Island community, given by Dr. Janice M. Brencick, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who has long experience serving in Army Combat Stress Control teams.

Brencick, who has been an Army Reserve Officer for more than 20 years and who worked with soldiers and families during the first Gulf War, is currently in private practice in North Hawai`i.

Her presentation will cover the effects of deployment on families, soldiers and the community at large.

For further information, contact Janice Brencick, APRN-BC, Ph.D at Aloha Clinic at 885-9393.

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The Alzheimer’s Association and the Hawaii County Office of Aging will sponsor a "Brief Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and Understanding and Managing Specific Challenging Behavior" of persons with Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, May 14 at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona.

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2005 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon

WHERE: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Islander Conference Room..

The workshop is free and is open to the general public, but a $5.00 donation is welcome. Parking at the King Kamehameha Hotel is $2.00.

The workshop will be presented by:

• John "Keoni" Kealoha Devereaux, Jr., Ph.D in Neuroscience and Vice President of programs of Alzheimer’s Association-Aloha Chapter.
• Janet Eli, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association – Aloha Chapter.

There are more than 2,000 individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease on the Island of Hawaii, 27,000 in the State of Hawaii, and about 4.5 million in the United States.

This disease affects 10% of people over 65 years old, and nearly 50% of those age 85 and older.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and results in the impairment of memory, thinking skills, and behavior. Many individuals and families are unaware of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Symptoms and behaviors are often ignored or not taken seriously, which often leaves families in stressful and confusing dilemmas. It is essential that our community members seek the education and support they need to help those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The workshop will include information on Alzheimer’s disease, communication, activities of daily living, hallucination/delusions, angry/agitated behavior, paranoia, wandering, as well as problems with bathing, dressing, driving, eating/dining.

For more information or to register for this workshop please call Iris Yugawa at 981-2111.

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Throughout the month of May there will be six Alzheimer’s disease caregiver support groups meeting throughout the Island of Hawai`i.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• 2^nd Monday, May 9 at Pahoa Family Health Center, 10 am–11:30am
• 2^nd Friday, May 13 at Hawaii Island Adult Day Center, 9 am–10:30 am
• 2^nd Friday, May 13 at Neighborhood Place of Kona, 5 pm–6:30 pm
• 3^rd Tuesday, May 17 at Tutu’s House (Waimea),11 am–12:30 pm
• Last Wednesday, May 25 at Keaau Bay Clinic, 9 am–10:30 am
• Last Monday, May 30 at Hilo Lagoon Conf. Room, 5 pm–6:30 pm

For information on these free support groups, please call Iris Yugawa at the Alzheimer’s Association at 981-2111.

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Nationally, our Number One health issue is mental health, mental health problems and mental illnesses.

Good mental health is easy to define in three simple statements:

1. Feeling pretty good about oneself.
2. Feeling pretty good about close relationships with our family.
3. Feeling pretty good about our life in work and with our community.

Mental health problems and mental illnesses, or a conversation about them, take us down a hard path filled with rocks about shame, stigma, and the blame that for too long was put on parents and families. We could all probably benefit by getting some counseling help when those rocks appear in our paths.

We know now that mental health problems may be the result of many factors – loss, sorrow and disappointments. Those factors happen to all of us, and each of us copes in our own way.

Mental illnesses, especially of the severe and persistent variety such as schizophrenia, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, acute anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, are now identified as medical disorders scientifically related to:

• family genetics
• "triggering factors" (events in a person’s life that trigger or set off the early or genetic factors.)

Serious mental illnesses are large rocks in a person’s -- and a family’s -- path to acceptance, the search for treatment and understanding.

Fortunately, many sources of help are now available and most people who engage in getting help, get better. No one needs to be alone with those rocks in the path.

When it comes to getting help, the sooner the better.

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The Big Island community is cordially invited to celebrate We Are `Ohana Day on Sunday, June 5 from noon to 5 p.m.at Wailoa State Park in Hilo.

Live performances by Bruddah Kuz, Brittni Paiva, Rupert Tripp, Jr., Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E, and Lava Roots Dance and Drum will be featured. There will also be presentations by students from Kua O Ka La Public Charter School, Na `Opio O Waimea, and Ka`u Middle School.

The purpose of the event is to bring people together to share a message of hope with those individuals and families in Hawai`i who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. The community, as `ohana and as family, must come together to address the issue.

The day will be filled with music, dance and stories of those who have overcome their addiction and are now in recovery.

The event is free and open to the public. Performing and Fine Artists for World Peace and the North Hawai`i Drug-Free Coalition are sponsors of the event with major funding support from the Hawai`i County Resource Center. Contributing sponsors are KHBC Radio, Creative Arts Hawai`i, Peck Tunes and Kumanu Music.

Performing and Fine Artists For World Peace is documenting the event the video Your Heart Will Lead You Home that supports the popular CD We Are `Ohana-Songs of Hope.

Footage will also be included in the video We Are `Ohana-Stories of Hope and Recovery to be used to support Performing and Fine Artists For World Peace’s outreach project at schools, treatment centers and correctional facilities this autumn.

Everyone is invited to come and be a part of the video. Whether you have stories to share or just come to listen, your participation is welcome.

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The Hawai`i County Resource Center is administering funds appropriated by the State Legislature for community anti-drug initiatives. These funds were established to address the drug and substance abuse problems affecting our youth, our families and our neighborhoods.

The funds are to be made available to non-501(c)(3) organizations and community-based initiatives that traditionally do not have access to other sources of funding.

Application forms are available at www.healingourisland.com and the County’s Research and Development Office in the County Building at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109.

For further information, please call Debbie Chang of the Hawai`i County Resource Center at 961-8085. Deadlines for submitting applications are March 15, April 15 and May 15.

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The County of Hawaii is offering to deliver large loads of shredded mulch to farmers, residents, landscapers or organizations on the West side of the Big Island for a limited time.

From now until the end of June, the County will provide FREE delivery of large loads of approximately 30 cubic yards of shredded green mulch to the following locations:

• From Kawaihae to Ho’okena
• From Palani Road through the Pu’uanahulu District to the Saddle Road Junction.

Call to arrange for FREE delivery on the West side of the island at (808)306-1876.

If you only need small amounts of mulch, you can visit the pick-up area at the Kealakehe/Kailua-Kona Transfer Station. The operator will load your truck for free from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Or bring a pitchfork to load your own vehicle during regular Transfer Station hours 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For more information, call the County Recycling Specialist at 961-8549.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7am-5pm. 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.

Loading assistance is also available free of charge from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (no loading fees at this time).

For more information, contact the County’s Recycling Specialist at 961-8549.

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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), a program of UH Hilo’s College of Continuing Education and Community Service, offers noncredit classes to diverse communities of lifelong learners throughout the Big Island, focusing on those 45 and over. There are no tests, grades, or papers – just learning for enjoyment, personal growth and intellectual stimulation.

OLLI, funded in 2004 by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco, California, is one of more than 60 such programs based at universities across the United States, from Maine to Hawaii, from Harvard to UH Manoa. Lectures, short courses, educational activities and events are planned by community members in collaboration with OLLI coordinators.

Classes and programs are taught by a wide range of talented community members in the arts, sciences, humanities, recreation and health, with a goal of using regional resources and topics of interest. OLLI also seeks to partner and collaborate with art centers, theatres, libraries, schools, clubs, businesses, and community organizations.

The first series of North Hawaii OLLI classes are taking place from May through August. They are:

• Sustainable Landscaping and Gardening: May 21 and June 25, 9-11:30 am, Waimea Outdoor Circle, Ulu La’au Park, Waimea, $25/class
• Play the Ukulele with Grammy-Winner Keoki Kahumoku: May 23, 1-4 pm, Hotel Honoka’a Club, Honoka’a, $25
• Mixed Level Watercolor Painting: June 17 and August 19, 9-11:30 am, Hale Kukui Orchard Retreat, Kukuihaele, $40/class
• Introduction to Organic Agribusiness: June 17, 1–3:30 pm, Volcano Island Honey Co., Ahualoa, $25.

For more information on these and OLLI classes taking place in other regions of the Big Island, to register for classes, or to connect with your area coordinator to discuss future program opportunities, call UH Hilo’s College of Continuing Education and Community Service at 974-7664.

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The Hawai`i Island Leadership Series (otherwise known as Ulu Mau – Lifelong Learning) is seeking applicants for its next class, starting in September 2005.

The series, whose first class began in 2003, is a yearlong program that aims to expand the ranks of community leadership. Once a month classes provide a broad range of leaders from all over the Big Island with knowledge and incentive to meet the needs of our community.

The new class year begins in September 2005 with an orientation, followed by a two-day retreat. From October to June 2006, the classes meet once a month with full-day sessions around Hawai`i Island to provide working knowledge of pertinent issues facing our community.

Subjects explored include: Hawaiian values and history, government, health and human services, the judicial system, diversity of agriculture, sciences and tourism, and future plans for Hawai`i Island.

The class also is assigned a volunteer project to complete within the Ulu Mau class year.

A $10 non-refundable application fee is to be submitted with each application, payable to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. Once notified of acceptance, the $1,000 cost for the series is payable. The fee includes the cost of class meetings, speaker and facilitator fees, accommodation and meals for pre- and post-retreats.

Applications are due no later than May 31. Notification of acceptance will be done on or before June 30.

For more details on the Hawai`i Island Leadership Series or to receive an application form, visit the Kona-Kohala Chamber’s website at www.kona-kohala.com .

Or pick up an application form at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce office at 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 208, Kailua-Kona 96740. Phone: 329-1758.

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Where did all the opihi go?

The prevailing public belief is that every year there are fewer and fewer opihi, and there is some truth to this. However, commercial harvest of opihi has been relatively stable since 1960. No significant decline of the opihi population has occurred on since the 1.25" size restrictions were implemented in 1978, but there has been no recovery of population, either.

Join presenter Chris Bird to learn about the complex interactions between humans, opihi, haukeuke (shingle urchins), limu (seaweed), and other organisms that have impacts on opihi growth rates, reproduction and, ultimately, opihi population size.

REEFTALKS are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College

Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the Malama Kai Foundation. Talks are free public service presentations, held monthly, alternating between the Waimea/Kamuela and Kona areas.

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A conference on E ‘Imi Pono (best practices) in substance abuse treatment will be held at Hawai`i Community College July 17-21, 2005.

This conference is sponsored by Hawai'i Community College Substance Abuse Counseling and Administration of Justice Programs and the Office of Continuing Education and Training.

Among the internationally renowned presenters will be Terence Gorski, Stephanie Covington, Dennis Daley and Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele.

Topics of the conference will include:

• Adolescent and Adult Relapse Prevention
• Girls and Women in the Criminal Justice System
• Adolescents and Adults with Co-occurring Disorders
• Native Hawaiian Approaches to Substance Abuse

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Please call us at 961-8341 to report streetlights that are not working properly. Anyone who answers the phone can help you. Please remember to give us the exact location of the light, including the number of the pole it is on. We need this information because our crew conducts repairs during the daytime hours, when all lights are out. Repairs are normally done within 15 working days.

There are three basic types of malfunctions:

• Lights being completely out
• Lights always on
• Lights blinking (on and off during the night).

Mahalo for your help in keeping our street lights working properly.

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The County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works advises the public that on December 21, 2004 four temporary loading zones went 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 was to remain in effect for a 90-day trial period until 12 noon on March 18, 2005.

Field adjustments were made and it was determined that further evaluation was necessary. The Department of Public Works has extended this trial for an additional 90 days, to end at 12:00 Noon on June 15, 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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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.

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