December 2, 2005

Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

CONTENTS

• Improvements at Intersection of Palani Road and Highway 180 in Kona
• VASH -- Volunteers who Spread the Aloha to Visitors in Distress

• Kona Community Development Plan Brainstorming Sessions
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days: Dec 3 in Hilo, Dec 10 in Kona
• County of Hawai`i Holds Christmas Open House December 13
• 2004 County of Hawai`i Data Book Available in Print and On-Line
• Environmental Management Commission Seeks Applicants
• Holiday Closures of County Transfer Stations, Landfills
• Office of Housing Seeks Requests for Proposal for 2006 CDBG/HOME Program
• County Seeks Applicants for Cost of Government Commission
• HI 5¢ Redemption Centers – Locations and Hours of Operation
• Kuakini Highway Construction Update
• Job Announcements

• 21st Annual Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec 10
• Ah Quon McElrath to Address International Human Rights Day Rally Dec 10
• Filipino Festival Honors Filipino Centennial and Rizal Day Dec 10
• Christmas Tree Recycling is Here Again
• Free Mulch is Now Available at Hilo, Kona Transfer Stations

• Solutions Task Force Video Conferences on December 12
• New Graduated Drivers License Law Goes into Effect January 9
• Timelines for Spring Semester 2006 at West Hawai`i Campus of HawCC

• Signs and Markings Projects
• Update on Fiber Optic Cable Project in Hilo

UPCOMING EVENTS

HAWAII COUNTY WEBSITE

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The County of Hawai`i is on track with improvements to alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of Palani Road and Highway 180 in Kailua-Kona.

The County signed a contract on November 30 with general contractor Isemoto Contracting Co., Ltd. for the project which includes installing a left-turn pocket, widening the road and improving drainage. The work will also involve the removal of a large red gum eucalyptus tree from the County right-of-way.

The improvements will take place on approximately 1,000 feet on Palani Road, and about 200 feet on Highway 180.

The actual cost of the project is $1.07 million, according to the Department of Public Works.

Traffic currently backs up from the Old Mamalahoa Highway to Hinalani Street and beyond with motorists making left turns from Palani Road onto Highway 180.

The work, which is scheduled to begin in January 2006, is expected to be completed by the end of 2006. The contract calls for 180 consecutive working days, weather permitting.

The work will not involve lane closures during daytime weekday work hours, Public Works Director Bruce McClure said. Two lanes of traffic will be open between 5:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Paving work which takes place at night will cause some lane closures, McClure said. There will be no pneumatic work from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and no vehicle back-up alarms from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Department of Public Works thanks the community for its support and apologizes for any inconvenience caused during the improvement work. For further information, please contact Keone Thompson of the Department of Public Works at 961-8013.

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Visitors Aloha Society of Hawai`i, better known as VASH, is there to help. VASH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.

Its mission is to ease the trauma, stress and anxiety faced by visitors who fall victim to crimes, medical emergencies and other adversity during their stay in Hawai`i.

VASH volunteers work to show our visitors that we care about them and are ready to help visitors in trouble. By showing our Aloha, we help visitors leave with a feeling that although misfortune occurred, its effects were mitigated through compassion and practical assistance.

VASH volunteers respond quickly and compassionately to referrals from the police, hospitals and other agencies. VASH offers assistance and support by providing the following services:

• Information and referral for lost/stolen credit cards, passports and identification
• Emergency transportation
• Garnering of resources for meals, lodging and other essentials
• Assistance with changes to travel plans
• Emotional support

We also have a specially trained group of volunteers who provide bereavement support to friends and family if a visitor dies while on vacation here.

The "visitor aloha" program was first launched in 1996 by a sub-committee of the Rotary Club of Honolulu. The program on Oahu was established as its own nonprofit agency in 1997. That program served as parent agency to the Big Island VASH program until its incorporation in 2002.

The program acknowledges that crime or other tragic occurrences can happen anywhere — even in paradise.

VASH services are provided on all four of the major islands.

• Oahu (808) 926-8274
• Maui (808) 244-3530

• Kaua’i(808) 482-0111
• Hawai`i(808) 756-0785 (West side) and (808) 935-3130 (East side)

"We appreciated having a (VASH) contact who ‘took us under their wing’ to help us with all the details we needed to conquer in a strange community." (LaDonna, Minnesota)

"I have told many people about the ‘guardian angel strangers’ that took over and never left me stranded." (Queen, Minnesota)

"Your organization should be renamed the Visitor Angel Network. We have never experienced such caring and giving people." (Harold, Pennsylvania)

Achieving our mission requires a community-wide effort. Please consider becoming a VASH volunteer.

VASH provides training to enable volunteers to respond to visitor needs. Volunteers are needed island-wide.

VASH depends on gifts of both cash and in-kind goods and services from local businesses and individuals. There are many ways to support VASH and make a difference in the experience of Aloha for our visitors in distress.

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The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) is the County of Hawaii’s pilot community development plan. The goal is to make this planning process an inclusive and community-based process.

To encourage community participation, Community Brainstorming Sessions are being held as an opportunity for residents to share their ideas about the future and how they can help to shape the future of Kona. The results of the sessions will be compiled and shared at the first of a series of community workshops to be held in early February 2006.

There will be several opportunities for the public to participate in the small group sessions. The community is encouraged to attend a session in their neighborhood or even host a meeting in their home.

Meetings are conducted by volunteer facilitators following a protocol which requires that no more than 12 people to attend each session. Meetings will be added as needed and anyone can host a meeting of their own. The following sites have offered to host sessions on the following dates:

Weekday sessions are from 6 -8 pm, Saturday sessions are from 3-5 pm. The community is encouraged to sign up and use this opportunity to share their thoughts. For further information and to reserve a space, please contact the Hawaii County Resource Center at 326-7269.

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The County of Hawai`i's Household Hazardous Waste collections will take place again in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

Don't miss this opportunity to clean your garage of unwanted and dangerous items. These collection days are part of a twice-yearly amnesty program to dispose of household hazardous waste products.

The collections will take place:

• Saturday, December 3, 2005, at the Hilo Transfer Station, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 10, 2005, at the Kealakehe Transfer Station, 7:30 AM to 2:30 p.m.

Dumping household hazardous waste in your trash, which will go to the landfill, can cause groundwater contamination. Household hazardous waste collected on the designated dates is shipped to the mainland for safe disposal.

Hazardous waste materials being accepted include:

• automotive fluids
• all types of batteries
• corrosives
• mercury thermometers
• oil-based paints and stains, solvents and thinners
• garden supplies
• poisons
• miscellaneous hazardous household chemicals
• **Clean and/or contaminated used motor oil will also be accepted.

Please note: There will be a special latex paint and base collection.

Usable paints will be offered to the public for trade that day. All remaining usable paints will be sent to the Kea`au Recycling and Reuse Center for resale. Any unusable paints collected during the collection will be properly disposed of in the local landfill.

Materials that WILL NOT be accepted include industrial waste, explosives, pyrophoric, water-reactive, biological, infectious, radioactive, and shock sensitive materials, as well as compressed gas cylinders, flares, fire extinguishers, detergents, non-hazardous items and non-household generated waste.

For further information, please call the County's Recycling Hotline at 961-5044.

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In the spirit of the season, the County of Hawai`i cordially invites the community to our Christmas Open House on the evening of Tuesday, December 13.

When: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Where: Hawai`i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street

The seasonal celebration will feature the Kanilehua Chorale, conducted by Julianne Cross; the Waiakea Ukulele Band, directed by George Camarillo, Jr.; and Na Pua Mae`ole of Pahoa Intermediate and High School.

Welcoming you will be Mayor Harry Kim and Hawai`i County Council Chairman Stacy Higa.

Refreshments will be served. Please be sure to stop by to enjoy the festivities.

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The 2004 County of Hawaii Data Book, a publication of the Department of Research and Development, is now available for purchase. This publication represents a part of the continuous effort by R&D to provide informational services to other governmental agencies and the general public.

This edition is the 23rd in the series and is intended to serve as a convenient collection of statistics on the social, economic and political organization of the County of Hawaii.

The data book contains a wealth of information about Hawaii County, including such 2004 data as: 162,971 resident population; 159,627 motor vehicle registrations; 432 persons per police officer; $50,455,000 floriculture and nursery product sales; 58,861 residential electric consumers; 38,016 waterworks services; 975,051 domestic visitor arrivals; 303,662 international visitor arrivals; 137.49 inches of rainfall in Hilo, and 87.42 inches of rainfall in Kealakekua.

Many federal, state, County and private organizations cooperated with R&D in the preparation of this data book. They are credited in the source references that accompany the tables to which they contributed.

The 2004 County of Hawaii Data Book may be purchased for $15.00 per copy from the Department of Research & Development, at the Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 109, Hilo, HI 96720-4252, Phone: 961-8366; or the Office of the Mayor, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy #103, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, telephone 329-5226. Copies may also be ordered by sending $20.00 per copy (postpaid) to the department.

The 2004 County of Hawaii Data Book (as well as previous editions) is also currently available on the County of Hawaii website: http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us   .

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The Environmental Management Commission will soon have two vacancies when terms expire on December 31, 2005. Community-minded residents are encouraged to apply for the vacancies for commissioners to represent. :

• District 2 (Council member Donald Ikeda's district) and
• District 5 (Council member Gary Safarik's district).

Members of the Environmental Management Commission advise the Department of Environmental Management on waste reduction strategies, recycling, litter control, community involvement, and other issues related to the functions of the department.

Under the Hawaii County Charter, appointments to the commission are made by the Mayor with Council approval. Commissioners serve 5-year staggered terms.

The commission is made up of nine members, each representing one of the nine Council districts.

To obtain an application, please contact the Office of Information and Complaints, Mayor's Office, Room 217, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo. Phone: 961-8223 or at the Kona Mayor's Office, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona. Phone: 329-5226.

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The Department of Environmental Management wishes to inform the community that all County of Hawaii Solid Waste Transfer Stations and Landfills will be closed for the following Holidays:

• Christmas Day – December 25th – Sunday
• New Years Day – January 1st – Sunday

Personnel will be available to answer questions at each transfer station. All locations will reopen the day after the holiday.

We respectfully ask your kokua. The Solid Waste Division Employees appreciate the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families and thank everyone for their cooperation.

For more information, please call Bobby Gonsalves, Solid Waste Operations Superintendent at 961-8514.

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The County of Hawaii`s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) is currently planning for its 2006 Consolidated/Action Plan process for the aforementioned programs.

The County’s five-year 2005-2009 CP describes the County's housing and community development needs, funding plans, priorities and objectives, and includes the County's Annual Action plan for the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds.

The County of Hawai`i is, therefore, seeking eligible project proposals to include in its 2006 Annual Action Plan to HUD.

The County expects to receive approximately $2,500,000 for its CDBG Program and $1,000,000 for the HOME Program.

Project proposals submitted to the OHCD must comply with the program criteria, meet eligibility requirements, program objectives, and be consistent with the County’s priorities and objectives as contained in the County’s 2005-2009 CP.

All original project proposals and two (2) copies must be received by 4:30 p.m. on January 12, 2006, by the OHCD, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720-2456.

The proposal forms and federal guidelines covering the eligible activities will be available at the following locations beginning October 28, 2005, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Proposal forms will also be mailed, upon request, after October 28, 2005.

Hilo Armory, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Phone: 961-8379

Hanama Place, Suite 103, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway

Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740 Phone: 329-5226

In addition, copies of the County’s current CP; Citizen Participation Plan and past performance of CDBG and HOME funds are also available at the Office of Housing and Community Development, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i.

The County’s approved 2005-2009 CP is also available for public review at the Hawai`i State Public Libraries in Honoka`a, Kamuela, Kohala, Pahala, Pahoa, Kailua-Kona and Hilo.

A brief description of the CDBG and HOME Programs are as follows:

Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383) created the CDBG Program, which became effective January 1, 1974. Under the CDBG Program, a community is able to develop a flexible, locally designed comprehensive community development strategy in order to address the program's primary objective: "...development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income."

Under the CDBG program, grants or loan assistance may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO), (non-profit organization) for the following activities provided that these activities either 1) principally benefit low and moderate income families, 2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or 3) meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.

• Acquisition, disposition of real property, relocation payments, clearance
• Public facilities
• Public service
• Payment of non-federal share
• Homeownership (i.e. subsidize interest, mortgage guarantee, down payment, closing cost)
• Rehabilitation and preservation
• Economic development, micro-enterprises
• Planning and administration

The HOME Program was created under Title II (the HOME Investment Partnership Act) of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. The purpose of the HOME Program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for very low and low-income persons.

Under the HOME Program, equity investments, interest-bearing and non-interest bearing loans or advances, deferred payment loans, grants, may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, developers, owners, community housing development organizations or other private organizations are eligible to utilize HOME funds for the following activities.

• Development hard costs defined as the actual cost of constructing or rehabilitating housing.
• Acquisition costs.
• Related soft costs defined as other reasonable and necessary costs incurred and associated with the financing or development (or both) of new construction, rehabilitation or acquisition of housing assisted with HOME funds.
• Relocation costs.
• Cost related to tenant-based rental assistance.

Applicants applying for HOME funding are required to match for every $1.00 of federal HOME funds expended for the project with at least $.25 of eligible matching funds.

For more information, please contact the Office of Housing and Community Development at 961-8379.

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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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The following is a primer on the State of Hawai`i's beverage container redemption program works, and the location of the County of Hawai’i’s beverage container redemption sites:

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:

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.

DID YOU KNOW….that the Department of Environmental Management has a new information line? Call 961-5044 for HI5¢ redemption, recycling, and other solid waste information. Or visit:

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

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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.

Here is the update for this week:

• Utility work continues north of Kuakini Highway/Hualalai Road intersection.
• Retaining wall work and electrical work on-going fronting McDonald’s with curb and gutter to follow.
• Retaining wall work is ongoing, in front of Kuakini Tower. Curb and gutter construction to follow.
• Retaining wall work continues in front of Kona Ranch House.
• Two 20-inch waterline valves were installed on Ololi Road in front of Kona Ranch House and South of Kuakini Highway/Hualalai Road intersection last week.
• The south-facing driveway at Kona Shell Station has been completed.
• Adjustment of manhole frames and covers is in progress, in preparation for final asphalt concrete pavement installation, with roadway excavation scheduled for next week.

Please note: With the Kuakini Highway project nearing completion, the weekly Kuakini Highway talk story meeting held every Tuesday morning has been discontinued effective November 22, 2005. However, Information on project status will be provided via this newsletter, the County website at www.co.hawaii.hi.us and the Mayor's West Hawaii Office at 329-5226.

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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.

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The 21st annual Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade, whose theme this year is "Na Mele O Kalikimaka - Songs of Christmas", will be held Saturday, December 10, 2005 from 5:00 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for the best parade participants in the categories of: Commercial, Floats, Keiki, Marching, Best Crowd Pleaser, Best School Entry, Best Musical Entry, and the Best in Lights Entry.

The parade starts at Kona's Kekuaokalani Gym, continuing along Kuakini to Palani to Ali`i Drive and on to the Coconut Grove Marketplace.

Awards to follow at Coconut Grove Marketplace.

• Big Island Honda on Kuakini Highway
• King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
• Torchy's Restaurant
• Pancho and Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante
• Kimo's Family Buffet at Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel
• Waterfront Row
• Rio's Seafood Grill & Bar

For parade entry form or sponsorship, please call Renee H. Kraft at 345-2108 or Barbara Kossow at 329-5226. E-mail Konakolohe@yahoo.com .

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Ah Quon McElrath, a pioneer in Hawai`i's labor movement, will be the featured speaker at rally in Hilo marking International Human Rights Day on Saturday, December 10.

She will join other speakers including Mayor Harry Kim, Hawai`i County Council Chairman Stacy Higa, Hawai`i State AFL-CIO president Randy Perreira and Hawaii Newspaper Guild Administrative Officer Wayne Cahill.

WHEN:         Saturday, December 10, 2005, 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Kamehameha Avenue parking lot (fronting the canoe halaus), Hilo

International Human Rights Day brings together labor leaders, union members and community allies to highlight a key human rights issue involving workers' loss of freedom to form unions and collectively bargain for contracts with employers.

For further information, please contact the Hawai`i Newspaper Guild office in Hilo at 969-3088.

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The entire community is cordially invited to the Filipino Fiesta, in honor of the Filipino Centennial and Rizal Day on Saturday, December 10. The Filipino Fiesta is a time for the entire community to rejoice with cultural music, traditional folk-dancing and feasting. It is a time of joy in a spirit of cooperation and giving, while working towards the common goal of a brighter future.

WHEN:         Saturday, December 10, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Kamehameha Park Gym, Kapa`au, North Kohala

Free admission to a day of entertainment, delicious food, cultural displays, demonstrations, Parol Lantern-making contest and plenty more.

Kohala is known for its annual Rizal Day, honoring Dr. Jose Rizal, who was executed for his pro-independence activities by firing squad on Dec. 30, 1896. His two novels are credited for galvanizing the Filipino national identity, which led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896 against Spain.

The Centennial Celebration will honor the Filipino laborers of the plantation era and their descendants who have enriched Hawaii's multi-ethnic culture.

The day's events start at 10:00 a.m. with a parade that includes the Grand Marshal, 104-year-old Jose Carpio who came in 1946; as well as Ms. Philippines Rose Rosimo, the grand dame of Kohala and a bevy of beauty queens representing various islands in the Philippines. The parade will travel from Kohala High School to the Kamehameha Park Gym, where the other activities will commence.

Entertainment will be provided by local groups and the Philippine Cultural Group of Hawaii of Honolulu will be the featured entertainers.

There will also be a "parol" Filipino lantern contest, symbolizing the light in the midst of darkness.

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This holiday season the County of Hawai`i's Solid Waste Division and Highway Maintenance Division will again be holding the annual island-wide Christmas Treecycling community project.

After Christmas until Sunday, January 8, 2006, the County of Hawai`i will be collecting and chipping Christmas trees at the following 10 transfer stations: (Chipping of the Christmas trees will be done at each site.)

• Hilo
• Honoka`a
• Ka`auhuhu
• Kea`au
• Kealakehe
• Keauhou
• Pahoa
• Puako
• Waimea
• Wai`ohinu.

The public is asked to remove all decorations, nails and stands. Please be aware that no plastic bags, flocked trees, or other rubbish will be accepted, as they damage the chippers.

Free Christmas tree chips will be available on site on a first come, first serve basis between January 9 and 15, 2006. The timing will depend on available equipment. Chipping Christmas trees and making the material available for use in gardens helps the County divert thousands of trees from landfills. Tree chips add valuable mulch to the soil, too.

Residents and businesses alike are encouraged to participate in this practical and beneficial recycling opportunity.

For more information, please call the County of Hawai`i Recycling Hotline at 961-5044.

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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.

Materials not accepted at these green waste drop-off sites include:

• No garbage bags
• No plastic
• No lumber (No logs greater than 5’ in length, no logs greater than 18" in diameter)
• No glass
• No metal
• No rocks

Please note that 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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Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action Traffic and Animal Control Task Force Groups will meet on Monday, December 12, 2005 via video conference at the Kona Mayor's Office - 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy and Hilo Prosecutor's Office - 34 Rainbow Drive, with a new site added: the County Council Office in Waimea, next to Waimea Feed Supply.

Time: 10 a.m.- 11 a.m.

Agenda will be to continue working on "Speeding In Neighborhoods". The group will also review the new Graduated Driver’s License law effective January 9, 2006. Also updates on the "Community Road Safety Watch" program. Contact: Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or email konalil@hawaii.rr.com  

Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Agenda will be to continue working on the proposed Animal Control Ordinances and community projects. Contact: Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net  

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

The community is encouraged to learn about the new Graduated Driver's License Law, which goes into effect on January 9, 2006. The law phases in driving privileges for drivers under age 18.

Under the new law, teens must hold a learner's permit for six months before obtaining a provisional license. Unless supervised by a parent or guardian, the new teen driver may not transport more than one passenger under 18 years old (except household members) or drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

A full license may be issued once the teen turns 17 and has held the provisional license for at least six months.

Two seminars are scheduled on the Big Island to present the details of the new law:

• Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 7 to 9 pm at the Hilo High School Library.
• Thursday, December 1, 2005 - 7 to 9 pm at the Kealakehe High School Library.

These seminars are a collaborative effort of the Department of Transportation, County Police Departments, MADD and State Farm Insurance.

For further details or to view the Graduated Drivers License brochure, g to www.solutionsislandhawaii.com   .

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The West Hawai`i campus of Hawaii Community College is now accepting applications for the Spring 2006 semester. The priority application deadline for new/transfer/returning students is December 9.

The Office of Student Services located in Kealakekua will be open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) to accept applications from 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Spring semester begins January 9, 2006 and ends May 12, 2006. Interested individuals can call the Student Services Office at 322-4856 for additional information.

College representatives will also be at the annual Hawaii College and Career Fair on November l8th, 2006 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

Continuing students who attend the College this fall semester may now pre-register for the spring semester on line based on their time ticket information. Check the web at http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ucwh   for a listing of the spring schedule of classes.

Hawaii Community College offers the liberal arts Associate of Arts (AA) degree to prepare students to transfer to UH campuses of Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu as well as to mainland colleges and universities.

Three certificates in special areas of study are also included as options within the AA degree:

• Environmental Studies
• Hawaiian Lifestyles
• Human Services.

Hawaii Community College presents options in Early Childhood Education, Food Services, Hotel Operations, Nursing, and a special Substance Abuse certificate.

Of special importance are the three teacher licensure programs in the Neighbor Islands offered in 2006 by UH-Manoa College of Education with an application deadline of January 13.

The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, the Post Baccalaureate Certification in Special Education, and the Bachelors of Education in Elementary Education are all taking new applicants for the cohorts beginning 2006.

Check the web at http://www.hawaii.edu/coe/departments/outreach/programs.html   .

These programs require Internet access, computer access, and some weekend travel.

Please check the web address for the center for a complete list of degrees offered.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

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Motorists are advised of the following work locations as contractors begin installing a conduit system in the Hilo area. From Monday, December 5th through Friday, December 9th, Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following locations:

• Along Bayfront Highway Avenue between Waianuenue Avenue and Kanoelehua Avenue. There will be no lane closures.

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 9th 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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County of Hawaii WebSite Address: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/

Information & Complaints: cohinfo@co.hawaii.hi.us
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

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For more information, contact:
Janet Snyder
Phone: (808) 961-8223
Fax: (808) 933-1521
e-mail: jsnyder@co.hawaii.hi.us

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