October 28, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

A most rewarding and enjoyable experience awaited a group of Hawai`i County workers and others who pitched in to plant trees on Kaho`olawe Island earlier this month.

For four days, the volunteers from the Big Island dug, shoveled, fertilized and irrigated 800 native plants as part of a project to restore the former site of Navy bombing practice.

Volunteers stay in the barracks of the island's base camp, sleeping in bunk beds. It's early to rise for breakfast, lunch in the field and a hearty dinner in the evening.

Planting is hard but truly satisfying work, as you see the hillside of the worksite at the island's Pu'u Moa`ulanui transformed by your team's planting efforts.

"Everyone in the team is there to help in the restoration of Kaho`olawe and should carry that thought with them as their main purpose for being there," according to a KIRC briefing sheet provided to volunteers before they arrive on the island.

The time on the team exceeded expectations; the rare opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Kaho`olawe, recovering after years of bombing, was a chance of a lifetime.

The company is good, and participants in the Big Island crew reported that they had tremendous fun the entire time.

The Big Island volunteers look forward to returning to the island to resume restoration work, and to savor the progress of the trees they put into the red earth of Kaho`olawe.

The only cost to the volunteer is the airfare to Kahului, Maui.

Volunteers pay their own way to Maui, and then the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) shuttles the team to Kaho`olawe by helicopter at no cost to the volunteers.

Accommodation and meals are also provided at no cost to the volunteers.

The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, a state agency, manages the island, the submerged lands and the surrounding waters, extending two miles from the shoreline.

For 50 years, Kaho`olawe was used for bombing practice. In April 2004, the Navy ended a 10-year cleanup of unexploded ordnance on Kaho'olawe. However, an estimated one-third of the island is yet to be cleared. It is not uncommon to find unexploded ordnance exposed by erosion, and there was no unexploded ordnance cleanup in the waters surrounding Kaho'olawe.

According to Sol P. Kaho'ohalahala, the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission's executive director, about one-third of the island has yet to be cleared of ordnance, and there was no cleanup of unexploded ordnance in the waters surrounding Kaho`lawe.

Kaho'olawe continues to be unsafe for public use, and access to the island is permitted only for cultural and environmental restoration purposes.

In May 2004, the KIRC adopted its five-year strategic plan to guide its planning and action priorities. High on the list is restoration of the island and its waters, along with increasing the culturally appropriate, safe use of the reserve toward the fulfillment of KIRC's vision for Kaho'olawe.

KIRC has made significant progress in restoring the island and supporting ongoing cultural and educational activities on the island. These activities are carried out in accordance with state law.

Under law, the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve is restricted to the following specific uses:

• Preservation and practice of all rights customarily and traditionally exercised by Native Hawaiians for cultural, spiritual and subsistence purposes;
• Preservation and protection of the island's archaeological, historical and environmental resources;
• Rehabilitation, revegetation, habitat restoration and preservation;
• Education.

Commercial uses of Kaho`olawe are strictly prohibited.

The island supports a continuous presence of KIRC staff, in addition to Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, environmental restoration volunteers, educators, scientists and students who visit the island for extended periods.

Access to the island is currently restricted to those who are invited or whose request to participate in approved activities has been granted. Except for trolling on two weekends a month in certain areas, access to the reserve's waters is also prohibited.

Access to the island and the reserve waters must be strictly controlled for the foreseeable future because of the very real risk unexploded ordnance poses for unescorted visitors.

The staff and commissioners of KIRC appreciate the aloha of all who want to help in the restoration and rebirth of Kaho'olawe. Volunteers come from all corners of our Hawai`i community, from all of the islands and all walks of life.

A couple of testimonials from the Big Island volunteers reflect the exceptional time had by the entire team in October 2005.

"Since I got back at any opportunity, I'm talking about it to other people," said Valerie Corcoran of the County's Family Support Division in Kona. "What a great experience; it was extraordinary."

Laurine Carvalho of the County's Data Systems Department said : "It was a wonderful experience. As I stood on the 1, 400 elevation summit with my eyes closed, I had a feeling of being at peace with myself. I cleared my thoughts and listened to what I could hear. Like going back in time and listening to the winds sharing their stories of travel. As I breathe in deeply and let my body relax as I exhaled, I felt a cleansing…don’t know how to explain it except to say I felt enlightened. Being able to help in healing the land by laying my hands on her and help heal her wounds by bandaging her dry and broken skin with plants, mulch and water helped in a sense that it also helped in healing my being."

"It was a great experience and honor," Ms. Carvalho said.

Rose Bautista, the County's Immigration Information Specialist, said: " It was an awesome experience. I truly enjoyed being part of a hardworking team that went to Kaho`olawe to do something great, revegetate the island and participate in the preservation of the Hawaiian culture. The beauty of Kahoolawe is exhilirating! As an individual, I not only experienced the sweat and hard labor of cultivating the land, but also gained a greater understanding of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, experienced the "mana" of the island that can only be felt in Kaho`olawe, and gained a deeper appreciating of Mother Earth the way Hawaiians do. I encourage everyone to experience KAHOOLAWE!!! Lastly, the food was 'da bomb'".

Fellow volunteer and retired GTE Hawaiian Tel executive Alan Okinaka said: "There aren't any ten minutes of my waking moments that go by that I don't think about Kaho'olawe. It is truly time for us to heal and restore Kaho'olawe. The island served us well in preparing our armed forces and keeping our country safe, and it is now time for us to repay this debt spiritually and physically.

"I cannot help but feel that the island spoke to our na'au. That connection was obvious for most as they kept working hard regardless of how difficult the task or how harsh the environment. Everyone knew what they had to do to fulfill the why of what they were doing," Mr. Okinaka continued.

"The fellowship we developed over the few days was exciting and as captioned on the KIRC website, it will be lasting. I still feel the wind on my face, the red dirt in my hair, the smell of the land, and the sound of quiet," Alan Okinaka said.

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The public is advised that construction work for Mamalahoa Highway/Hina Lani Street traffic signals in North Kona will commence on or about October 24, 2005.

The roadway work includes traffic signal improvements, excavation, and roadway signing and striping. The final pavement marking and striping will be done towards the end of the project so as to provide a better final surface.

The work is expected to take approximately six months, weather permitting.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving through this area since heavy equipment will be in use. Lane closures, and delays can be expected, and motorists should plan their trips accordingly.

Lane closures will only occur at night and/or on weekends.

There will be no lane closures from 5 am to 7 pm weekdays. No pneumatic hammer work will be permitted from 10 pm to 7 am. No vehicle backup alarms will be permitted from 6 pm to 6 am.

For a more detailed schedule information, please contact T&T Electric, Inc. at 935-9029.

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Start your Halloween fun off with a celebration of Kealakehe's recycling project at the Kealakehe Transfer Station. Join project participants on Monday, October 31 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. for an event dubbed "Trash or Treat."

The event marks a milestone for the area's recycling efforts over the past year. Since the Kealakehe Recycle project began in October 2004, more than 660 tons of traditional recyclables, not including metal or green waste, have been diverted from our landfill.

This West Hawai`i recycle project has evolved in response to community input. Project goals included:

• maximum recovery of resources
• on-island reuse
• composting and recycling
• involvement of the commercial sector in recycling
• compliance with state waste management goals.

A two-stream sort method at Kealakehe simplified recycling, and the landfill diversion rates climbed.

Originally contracted to Business Services Hawaii by Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Recycle Hawaii was contracted to provide education and training for the project. Since June 2005, County of Hawaii has managed the facility.

"HIEDB congratulates all parties involved that have helped make the Kona pilot demonstration project a success," said project manager Skylark Rossetti. "The project proves that with just two recycle containers in your home, we can all make a difference for our island."

The Halloween afternoon event is sponsored by County of Hawai`i, Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Recycle Hawai`i and Business Services Hawaii.

Please RSVP to Skylark Rossetti or Liz Barton at HIEDB at 935-2180.

Drive mauka towards the police station off of Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kona and travel a short distance beyond the Hawaii Humane Society.

HIEDB (Hawaii Island Economic Development Board) is a private non-profit corporation organized in 1984 for the purpose of furthering balanced economic development and job creation on the Island of Hawaii.

For information on the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, please contact the HIEDB office at 935-2180.

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Join with members of our Hawai`i Island community to help the families of servicemen and women deployed overseas.

In many cases, the families of our deployed servicemen and women need a hand with chores or homework -- needs that would normally be dealt with by the service member.

While the National Guard has a Family Assistance Coordinator in the County of Hawai`i who handles these needs for the more than 250 Hawai`i Island families of the Guard and Reservists, he and the families could use our help.

Mayor Harry Kim and Council Chair Stacy Higa have put out a call to County workers to volunteer time to help their neighbors whose loved ones are deployed.

We welcome anyone in our community who is willing to offer aloha and a small amount of time and to help the families of our deployed servicemen and women.

To offer your help, please contact the Guard's Family Assistance Coordinator David Ferreira at 933-0931 or 756-0370.

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Hawai`i County is currently recruiting citizen volunteers to serve as commissioners on the Cost of Government Commission.

This Commission was created by Charter amendment in 2000. The Commission serves for a period of 11 months only, and is empaneled one year after the Mayor is elected into office.

Their mission is to study and investigate present operations within the County of Hawai`i, and make recommendations to the Mayor and Hawai`i County Council on how improvements in County government may be made.

Amid rising demands placed on the County, limited resources and the need to provide our citizens the very best service, the importance of this Commission is evident. Please consider volunteering your time and life experience to help your County government to better serve you and your fellow citizens.

Completed applications can be dropped off at the above County offices.

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Residents can once again recycle many of the same types of items that they used to bring to the now-closed Community Recycling Center on Railroad Avenue in Hilo.

At the Hilo Transfer Station (just beyond the HI5 Redemption Center), residents can now recycle the following:

• Cardboard and brown paper bags
• Newspapers and magazines
• Glass (mayo jars, wine bottles, etc.)
• Aluminum (pie tins, etc.)
• Plastics #1 & #2 (milk jugs, detergent bottles, etc.)
• Office paper (white, ledger, colors – no brights)

Got recycling questions? Call the County Recycling Specialists at 961-8527, 961-8549 or 961-8554.

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Waimea area residents can now recycle non-HI5 glass and other recyclables at the Waimea Transfer Station, just opposite the transfer station chutes.

Two separate containers are accepting the following:

• Glass – all non-HI5 glass, such as mayonnaise jars and wine bottles;
• Mixed Recyclables – flattened cardboard and boxboard, newspaper and magazines, mixed office paper, junk mail, phone books, rinsed aluminum and tin cans, plastics #1 and #2 (rinsed & no caps).

What happens to these recyclables?

The glass is crushed and used on the Big Island. The mixed recyclables are bailed and shipped to mainland sorting facilities, where they’re earmarked for new product markets.

Got recycling questions? Call the County Recycling Specialists at 961-8527, 961-8549 or 961-8554.

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With the Pacific hurricane season now upon us, it is very important for all of our Hawai`i residents to be familiar with hurricane preparedness measures.

The County of Hawai`i’s Civil Defense Agency reminds the community that all areas of our Island of Hawai`i can be prone to hurricane hazards.

Residents must be aware that all parts of Hawai`i Island could be exposed to hurricane hazards, despite a common belief that our mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa shield parts of the island from hurricane winds.

We hope our residents will take the time to familiarize themselves with hurricane preparedness measures by reading the County of Hawai`i’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

The Hurricane Preparedness Guide is now available on the County’s website . To access the Hurricane Preparedness Guide, click on http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cd/hpg/main.html . There is also a link to the Civil Defense page http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_defense.htm .

If you’d like a hard copy of the Hurricane Preparedness Guide, copies will be available from the Civil Defense Agency after July 1.

For further information, contact the Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031.

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The County of Hawai’i’s beverage container redemption sites have new hours of operation beginning August 1. There is a new site that recently opened in Hawi on Saturday, August 20. Hawi now has official certification and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am-4:30 pm, closed from 1-1:30 pm for lunch.

Qualifying Beverage Containers:

What’s IN: Eligible (redeemable) beverage containers include: soft drinks, soda, water, juice, tea and coffee drinks, and low alcohol content drinks (beer, malt beverages, wine coolers, mixed spirits) in metal, glass or #1&#2 plastic, 64 oz. or less.

What’s OUT: Ineligible (unredeemable) containers include: milk, wine and liquor containers.

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

**Transfer Station centers closed daily from 1:00-1:30pm for lunch.**

Please contact Atlas Recycling LLC at 935-9328 (Hilo) or 329-6868 (Kona) for further information about additional scrap value paid on aluminum cans and their mobile redemption sites in rural communities.

Certified redemption centers are now accepting flattened aluminum and plastic HI5¢ beverage containers.

Flattened containers are weighed at redemption sites to determine deposit payment. The public is reminded that reverse vending machines will not accept flattened or crushed containers.

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 HI5¢ program or visit:

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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.

Information is also available via the County website at co.hawaii.hi.us.

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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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The Waikoloa community is cordially invited to a presentation by the County of Hawaii Planning Department and the Department of Research and Development and community planning consultants which they employ.

WHERE: In the restaurant portion of the Clubhouse, Waikoloa

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2 AT 6:30 pm

A Regional Community Development Plan that is being worked on with the North and South Kona communities. The County aims to go around to all of Hawaii Island's regions and create a specific plan for the future development of the various regions of the island.

All districts will have the opportunity of formulating Community Development Plans. This planning effort is unprecedented in Hawaii County's history. For the first time, communities are being asked to develop Community Development Plans that will be adopted by ordinance and become law.

Waikoloa residents are encouraged to play an active role in the development of the plan for the Waikoloa community. Please come to the meeting November 2 so that you can become involved in the process.

This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the planning process from the County departments that are involved, and to hear from consultants assisting with creating the Community Development Plans.

This will be the start of a process that will result in planning for the future needs of the Kohala region.

So, please attend the meeting if you can. Please tell your friends and neighbors who live in Waikoloa about the meeting. This is an opportunity to learn and to begin giving meaningful input.

The folks in Waimea and Kohala are already organizing their input. Check out their websites www.waimeaplan.org  and www.kohalaplan.org .

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West Hawai`i veterans will be honored at the second annual Veterans Luncheon on November 11 in Kona.

WHEN: Friday, November 11 (Veterans Day) at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Kealakehe High School cafeteria

At this year's luncheon there will be a special tribute to the 442d Regimental Command Team and the 100th Battalion.

The lunch is free for all veterans. Please pick up your tickets from one of the following West Hawaii Veterans groups:

• Korean War Veterans post #279
• Veterans of the Purple Heart post #731
• American Legion post #20
• Disabled American Veterans post #7
• Veterans Center at Pottery Terrace.

Veterans with tickets will be allowed to bring one guest.

Local restaurants and businesses have offered to donate platters of prepared food, but since we hope to feed 500, we could always use more donated food. The lunch is being hosted by American Legion post #20 and the Kona United Methodist church, so all donations are eligible for a tax deduction.

For further information contact Andy Archibald at 329-1532 email: andy-barbara@hawaii.rr.com or

Joe and Lee Pretsch at 325-7999 or joelee007@juno.com .

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The Hawaii State Office for USDA Rural Development, in partnership with USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service is pleased to announce a 2007 Farm Bill Listening Session.

The forum has been scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Keauhou Beach Resort Convention Center.

The Farm Bill Forum will be hosted by Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr, who will be joined by Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson. Also expected to attend will be Governor Linda Lingle, Congressman Ed Case, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii Department of Agriculture Chairperson Sandra Kunimoto.

This is an opportunity to provide input into how best to shape future farm and rural policy at USDA. Listening sessions like this are being held across the nation to obtain community input into the next Farm Bill.

"The 2007 Farm Bill will affect America's entire agricultural community, so I believe our entire agricultural community should have a say in the process. I welcome input from across the nation about what is working and what we can do to improve farm policy," said Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture in a statement.

The 2002 Farm Bill (officially entitled the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) authorizes many USDA programs, including farm price and income support programs. New legislation must be enacted prior to the bill's expiration in 2007.

The primary topics addressed at the forums will reflect various concerns affecting rural America such as commodities, conservation, and rural economic development.

Among the main areas under discussion:

• How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to compete effectively in global markets?
• How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?
• How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly

distribute assistance to producers?

• How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

• How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

• How should these agricultural product, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 1-(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). If you plan to attend, please contact USDA/Rural Development at 933-8313 or

933-8326 (F) so we can get a rough head count.

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The 2005 Carousel of Care-Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself conference, aimed at offering practical help to caregivers, will be held on November 30 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

This conference offers a wealth of information for caregivers, featuring expert speakers, resource exhibits of local agencies and organizations and volunteer coaching.

This conference aims to help caregivers get through their daily routines safely and easily. Moreover, the conference provides an opportunity to network with other caregivers.

Volunteers from the community coach the caregivers in a variety of leisure activities like art therapy, scrap-booking, tea ceremony and flower-arranging, and provide therapeutic services like massage, Healing Touch, and music therapy.

When it started back in 1999, the Hawaii Community Caregiver Network (HCCN), assisted by the Hawaii County Office of Aging (HCOA) and the Alzheimer’s Association had a pretty good idea that family caregivers needed as much help as they could get.

Caregivers are the true heroes of health care in our nation.

HCCN recognizes that caregivers need to preserve their own health and maintain a balanced lifestyle and designed this all-day caregiver conference to help caregivers do just that. According to the response that first year and every year for the past seven years, they were right.

Caregivers need to share experiences and learn what works and what doesn’t. They can take comfort from others who empathize with the emotional roller coaster ride they all experience.

Deadline to register: November 14. Space is limited and attendance will be on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or an enrollment application, please call the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 327-3597.

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FREE MULCH is now available at both the Hilo and Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Stations. At the present time, no loading fees are being charged, although the public is advised to ask the operator for loading assistance. There may be a short wait time if the operator is busy.

The public may drop off green waste at either facility between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm seven days a week. Loading assistance is available at the Hilo and Kailua-Kona processing sites Monday through Saturday.

Residents are encouraged to contact any of the local trucking firms to arrange for delivery of large loads of mulch to their homes or places of business. Although there is no charge for the mulch and loading fees are waived, the public will need to pay their own delivery charges as negotiated with a local trucking firm.

EKO Composting Systems has assumed the operations of the County of Hawaii’s green waste drop-off and pick-up areas at the Hilo and Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe) Transfer Stations as of July 1, 2005.

The County is working on the development of a composting facility at the materials recovery area of the West Hawai`i Sanitary Landfill, which will also include receiving bays for used cooking oil and grease trap waste. When the new composting facility is completed, EKO will commence the production of high quality, U.S. Council certified, compost.

In addition, EKO Composting Systems along with partner company Pacific Biodiesel will be initiating the capture of waste oils for the production of biodiesel.

The public should be aware that there are size requirements that must be met in order to drop off residential and commercially hauled green waste at the processing facilities at Kailua-Kona and Hilo green waste yards.

These size requirements must also be followed for any green waste dropped at the Keaau Recycling and Reuse Center, as well as for any green waste disposed of at one of the County’s 21 residential solid waste transfer stations.

At this time, no pallets may be delivered to the green waste processing facilities although the County intends to begin receiving pallets for chipping starting next year.

If loads delivered to the green waste drop-off sites and/or County transfer stations do not meet these criteria, the other option will be to dispose of the load at either the County’s South Hilo or West Hawai’i Sanitary Landfills. Green waste loads that do not meet acceptable requirements will be charged a special handling fee of $85/load in addition to the tip fee of $65/ton IF taken to either County landfill.

For further information, please contact the County’s recycling coordinator at 961-8942.

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Under a new law effective January 2005, all recreational thrill craft (personal watercraft) operators must complete a certification class offered by an accredited institution of higher education on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft.

Hawaii Community College OCET will offer this course on Saturday, October 29 in Hilo and Kona from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tuition is $109. Please call 974-7531 for more information and to register.

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The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii is putting out a call for Hawaii residents to share their personal internment stories at the Japanese Culture Day in Hawaii celebration on November 19, 2005, 10-2 pm at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.

The story of Hawaii residents who were taken from their homes and relocated to internment camps on the U.S. Mainland during World War II is an important family story in the Japanese-American community. This occasion is an opportunity to share those experiences.

Anyone interested in sharing his or her personal story is invited to send in a written submission using the following questions:

• What is your most vivid memory of internment?
• How did internment affect your life afterwards?
• What lessons did you learn from the experience?
• What would you like to share with future generations?

The committee is planning for several relaxed settings in which the people who have stories to share can "talk story" prior to the Japanese Culture Day on November 19.

Later, several will participate onstage at Sangha Hall in a facilitated talk story session led by Randy Hirokawa, UHH dean of arts and science.

Those with a story to share should send their written submission by September 26, to Japanese Community Association, P. O. Box 1124, Hilo, HI 96721 or fax to 935-8314. Please Include your full name and contact information.

There will be a display of personal mementos during the Japanese Culture Day in Hawaii.

The event will also offer demos and displays including Tea Ceremony, bonsai, ikebana, traditional crafts such as oshibana, chigiri-e and shishu, as well as mochi-tsuki, kendo, and Japanese food. Entertainment includes taiko, koto, song and dance, as well as, Calligraphy and Shichi-go-san Kimono Dressing for children ages 7-5-3.

For more information, please contact Jan Higashi at 961-6848.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

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Mayor Harry Kim announces that the public is encouraged to report streetlight outages to enhance safety for the upcoming Halloween activities. Please report any streetlight outages before Wednesday, October 26, 2005 to allow for timely repairs.

The public is also reminded that information such as street name, pole number and specific location (the specific address or intersection) will help ensure that the lights are repaired in an efficient and timely manner.

You may contact the Department of Public Works, Traffic Division at 961-8341. Please leave a message if calling after 4 p.m. on weekdays, weekends or holidays.

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Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors begin installing a fiber optic cable conduit system in the Hilo area.

From Monday, October 31st through Friday, November 4th, Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Waianuenue Avenue between Ululani Street and Lele Street. At this time, no work will be done in the area to affect school parking.

The work will start at 8:30 am and continue until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow for extra travel time.

Contractors are in their 4th week of work and estimate the work to be completed at the end of February 2006.

For further information, please contact Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509. Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.

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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.