8/29/08 Weekly Report: Hawai`i County Unveils Prescription Drug Discount Card Program; County Departments of Water Supply, Public Works Win EPA Awards

The following information is courtesy of the Hawai`i County Council, which helped arrange for this program through the National Association of Counties (NACo).

The Hawai`i County Council has announced the introduction of a discount card program to help Hawai`i County residents cope with the high cost of prescription drugs. The program is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2008.

The County is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

Who is eligible to use the discount card?

It’s one card per person.

The cards may be used by all Hawai`i County residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted by nearly all the island’s pharmacies.

In addition, a national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies, including many Neighbor Island pharmacies, will honor the NACo prescription discount card.

Best of all, there is no cost to our taxpayers for NACo and the County to make these money-saving cards available to residents.

Who may benefit from using this card?

The prescription drug discount card can be used anytime a prescription is not covered by insurance.

Those who may benefit include the uninsured, underinsured, and Medicare Plan D participants for non-covered drugs.

The discount card can be used to pay for meds not covered by your insurance plan (i.e. prescription meds you would have to pay out of pocket.)

Can I use my insurance and the discount card on the same purchase?

You cannot use your insurance and the discount card on the same purchase. However, you can choose whichever gives you the better price.

Call CVS-Caremark at 1-877-321-2652 to get an estimated price using the discount card on a particular prescription. Then you can compare prices before going to the pharmacy.

The prescription card is activated the first time it’s used at the pharmacy. The person’s name and ID number are joined for the first time, for ease in processing thereafter.

Pet prescriptions may also be covered

Residents may also save on prescriptions for their pets. If a pet is prescribed a medicine that is also used to treat human conditions (such as antibiotics), the pet owner may save by using the prescription discount card. Simply ask the veterinarian to write a prescription and present it at a participating pharmacy, along with the prescription discount card.

The pet owner will pay either a discount price or the retail pharmacy’s regular retail price, whichever is lower.

How do I get a discount card?

Cards will be available at the County Clerk’s’ Office, the Mayor’s Office in Hilo and Kona and at all County Council Offices.

Cards are also available at the RSVP desk in the lobby of the County building at 101 Pauahi Street, in Hilo, the Office of Aging at Hilo Lagoon building and Coordinated Services for the Elderly in Hilo and Kona.

What pharmacies are participating in the program so far?

The following Big Island pharmacies are currently participating in this program:

Costco Pharmacy
Foodland Medicine Cabinet
Hilo Pharmacy
K Mart Pharmacy
Kamehameha Pharmacy
KTA Pharmacy
Longs Drug
Malama Compounding Pharmacy
Mina Pharmacy
Oshima Drug
Pahoa RX Pharmacy
Pharmerica 4237
Puna Pharmacy
Safeway
Shiigi Drug Company
Ululani Pharmacy
Village Pharmacy-Waimea, LLC
Waikoloa Pharmacy
Wal Mart Pharmacy
Windward Pharmacy

**The above is a preliminary list; pharmacies not listed here may subsequently opt to participate.

The discount card program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc. Big Island residents can get more information about the program by:

Calling Caremark toll free at 1-877-321-2652
Going online at www.caremark.com/naco .

NACo is a national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,600 counties.

NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers’ money.

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County Depts of Water Supply, Public Works Win EPA Awards

The 2008 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Award for Sustainable Health Protection Assistance Award was presented to Mayor Harry Kim and the Department of Water Supply yesterday at the Mayor’s Office in Kailua-Kona by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson on August 26, 2008.

The County was honored with awards for its 2008 Hawai`i Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Project and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Project of the Year.

Earlier this year, Stuart Yamada, Administrator of the State Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch nominated the Department of Water Supply for their award. States nominate one project for the “Pisces Award”, which recognizes the most innovative and effective clean water loan projects. The “Aquarius Award” recognizes the most innovative and effective drinking water loan projects.

“The EPA applauds Mayor Kim and the County of Hawai`i for its work on projects that will supply safe drinking water and provide improved wastewater treatment for the Big Island’s residents,” said EPA Administrator Johnson.

The drinking water award was in recognition of the Department of Water Supply’s work in improving drinking water sources for the Pahala and Honomu communities. The projects included drilling new wells and installing new pumps, piping and chlorination systems, and at Honomu the building of a new concrete reservoir, the EPA said in a news release.

The County Department of Public Works was recognized for its innovative financing and leadership on replacing existing cesspools at County facilities with on-site wastewater systems. It also assisted other partners in improving wastewater systems, according to the EPA.

“The Finance and Engineering Divisions within our Department (of Water Supply) deserve this accolade of excellent service to the people,” stated Manager Milton Pavao. “Specifically, the Department of Water Supply demonstrated financial integrity in its management of the project and achieved regular compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, ensuring public health benefits.”

Department of Water Supply Civil Engineer Keith Okamoto worked closely on the project: “The use of the two new wells ensures that a sustainable water source with exceptional water quality is available for two small communities on the Island of Hawai`i, particularly during a drought event,” Okamoto said.

The Department of Water Supply is a semi-autonomous agency of the County of Hawai`i which operates by rules and regulations adopted by the Water Board.

As a semi-autonomous agency, the Department operates and maintains its water systems with revenues generated wholly through water sales. The primary function of the Department is to provide safe domestic water service through its 24 water systems and 67 sources scattered throughout the island.

The individual water systems are not interconnected except in the more densely populated districts of South Hilo and Kona. The Department continually strives to provide dependable, high quality, potable water at a reasonable cost.

For further information, please contact Kanani Aton, Public Information and Education Specialist at (808) 961-8050 ext. 204 or 0Hkaton@hawaiidws.org

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COUNTY BULLETIN BOARD

Konawaena Pool Reopens September 2 Following Repairs

The Konawaena Pool will reopen on Tuesday, September 2 following extensive renovations that provide the public a newly tiled pool basin, a completely new pool circulation and filtration system, a new solar heating system for the pool's water, a new roof system, and a new paint and deck coating system for the entire facility.

The pool also sports new accessories such as 1-meter diving board, lane markers, water polo goals and similar items.

The following is the Konawaena Pool schedule, which is currently opened on weekdays only:

WEEKDAYS

September - November 2008

Public Recreational & Adult Lap Swim

9:30 – 11:45 am Mon-Fri

Public Recreational & Adult Lap Swim

1:15 – 3:00 pm Mon-Fri

Novice Swim Team

3:00 – 4:00 pm Mon-Fri

Public Recreational & Adult Lap Swim

4:15 – 5:15 pm Mon-Fri

The pool is closed on Weekends & Holidays. Schedule subject to change.

The staff of the Department of Parks and Recreation would like to thank the public for their patience throughout this lengthy repair project. For more information regarding schedule or facility call 961-8694.

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Block Grant Evaluation Report Available for Review thru Sept 12

The County of Hawai`i, through its Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), has developed its proposed consolidated annual performance evaluation report (CAPER) for its 2007-2008 CDBG program.

The purpose of the report is to provide the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with information on the financial and physical development status of each CDBG-assisted activity within the County.

The proposed report will be available for public review and comment from August 29, 2008 through September 12, 2008, at the following locations:

Office of Housing and Hawai`i County Services

Community Development (Hanama Place)

50 Wailuku Drive 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Ste. 103

Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740

Phone: (808)961-8379 Phone: (808)329-5226

Copies of the draft CAPER may also be obtained by calling the OHCD at (808) 961-8379.

The OHCD will consider any written comments and views expressed by citizens on the draft CAPER and may modify the reports, if it is deemed appropriate.

Citizens who wish to comment on the draft CAPER must submit their comments in writing to the OHCD, 50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720-2484, or fax your comments 808/961-8685 by 4:30 p.m. on September 12, 2008.

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Apply for Mail-In Absentee Ballot for Primary by Sept 13

One of the most convenient ways to cast your vote in the upcoming Primary and General Elections is by absentee voting. Registered voters in Hawai`i may apply for a mail-in absentee ballot now. Please note that the deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot for the Primary Election is Saturday, September 13 at 4:30 pm.

Please remember, you must be registered to be allowed to vote. Here are two key deadlines:

(2008 Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline was August 21, 2008.)
2008 General Election Voter Registration Deadline: October 6, 2008.

What is absentee voting?

Absentee voting is designed to make voting more convenient for voters. Any registered voter may request to vote absentee, either:

In person
or By mail

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

In Person

Walk-in absentee polling places in Hawai`i County are located at:

Hilo -The Elections Division in the Hilo Iron Works Building
Kona - The Elections Satellite Office in the Ali`i Plaza (at the corner Hualalai and Kuakini across from Union 76 station)
Pahoa – The Pahoa Market Place
Kohala – The North Kohala District Courthouse
Waimea – The Waimea Community Center
Pahala – The Pahala Community Center

Please contact the Hawai`i County Elections Office at 961-8277 to find your nearest Walk-In Absentee Polling place.

When does in-person absentee voting take place this year?

2008 Primary Election: from September 8 through September 18, 2008

2008 General Election: from October 21 through November 1, 2008

What should I do to get an absentee ballot by mail?

To vote an absentee ballot by mail you may do one of the following:

Write to request an Application for Absentee Ballot:

Hawai`i County Elections Office

Hilo Ironworks Building, 1266 Kamehameha Ave., A-1, Hilo, HI 96720

Or call: 961-8277 (or the Neighbor Islands toll-free number: 1-800-345-5915)

Note: This information is available in alternate formats. If you require special assistance (i.e., large print, taped materials, etc.) please call 961-8277 (or the Neighbor Islands toll-free number: 1-800-345-5915).

Write a letter of request to Hawai`i County Elections Office your request must include the following information:

Name under which you are registered to vote
Address as registered
Birth Date
Social Security Number
Election(s) in which you intend to vote absentee: Primary, General or both elections.
Address to which your ballot should be mailed (for each election you are requesting an absentee ballot), if different from registered address.
Your signature

Applications for Absentee Ballots shall be mailed to: Hawai`i County Elections Office, Hilo Ironworks Building, 1266 Kamehameha Ave., A-1, Hilo, HI 96720

Applications are also available at the following locations:

Hawai`i State Libraries
Office of Election’s website at www.hawaii.gov/elections .
At 23 Satellite locations islandwide. Please see www.co.hawaii.hi.us/elections/Satellite_VR_Locations.html
U. S. Post Offices

And you can go online to download an Absentee Ballot application at http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/voteabsentee.htm .

What are the deadlines for Absentee Ballot applications/requests?

Absentee Applications/requests will be accepted:

2008 Primary Election: from July 22, 2008 through Saturday, September 13, 2008

2008 General Election: from October 2, 2008 through Tuesday, October 28, 2008

All absentee ballots must be received by the clerk issuing the ballots no later than the close of polls on Election Day.

For more information, please contact:

Hawai`i County Elections Office

Hilo Ironworks Building, 1266 Kamehameha Ave., A-1, Hilo, HI 96720

Call: Toll Free: 1-800-345-5915 or 961-8277

Or you can go to www.hawaii.gov/elections .

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Hawai`i Farmers Urged to Apply for 2008 Crop Year Disaster Assistance

The following information is courtesy of the Hilo branch of the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program is geared to help farmers who have sustained crop losses during the 2008 crop year.

Overview of the Buy-In for Disaster Assistance Programs

On June 18, 2008, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) was enacted into Public Law 110-246. This Act amended the Trade Act of 1974 to create five new disaster programs, collectively referred to as Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs. Those programs include:

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP)
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
Livestock Indemnity Program* (LIP)
Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

To be eligible for these programs, producers must purchase at least catastrophic risk protection (CAT) level of crop insurance for all insurable crops and/or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for non-insurable crops.

For the 2008 crop year only -- how the Buy-In works

For the 2008 crop year only, producers who were eligible to obtain at least CAT level crop insurance or NAP, but did not, can “buy-in” to be eligible to participate in the applicable Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs by paying the administrative fee that would have been applicable if the producer had timely applied for CAT or NAP.

Deadline to pay Buy-In fee is September 16, 2008

The 2008 Act allows producers to pay a “buy-in fee” at their administrative county Farm Service Agency office by the deadline date of Sept. 16, 2008.

The buy-in fees do not provide any CAT crop insurance coverage or NAP coverage but do allow producers to gain eligibility to participate in the applicable Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs.

How to “Buy-In”

All producers who wish to become eligible in 2008 for the Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs must visit their administrative county FSA office and fill out form CCC-752 and/or form CCC-753. The county offices will determine the appropriate buy-in fee required.

The deadline for the buy-in is Sept. 16, 2008.

Call your Farm Service Agency office in Hilo at 933-8340, 933-8341 or 933-8335 for more information.

How much is the Buy-in Fee?

The 2008 Buy-in Fees for CAT and NAP Covered Crops are as follows:

$100 per crop, but not more than $300 per producer per county, or $900 total per producer, for all counties, less any previously paid fees for CAT and/or NAP.

These fees and limits apply separately to both CAT and NAP covered crops.

Therefore, producers may be required to pay buy-in fees under both CAT and NAP to meet whole farm eligibility requirements for the new disaster programs of SURE, ELAP and TAP.

For more information, please call the Farm Service Agency at 933-8340, 933-8341 or 933-8335.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance Programs?

Eligibility for the SURE, (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Programs), TAP (Tree Assistance Programs) and ELAP (Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-Raised Fish):

Producers must obtain a crop insurance policy for each insurable commodity, and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for each non-insurable commodity on the farm to be eligible for assistance under SURE, TAP, and ELAP.

What qualifies as a farm under these assistance programs?

In the 2008 Farm Bill; in general, the term “farm” means the sum of all crop acreage in all counties that is planted or intended to be planted for harvest by the eligible producer.

In the case of aquaculture, the term “farm” means all fish being produced in all counties that are intended to be harvested for sale by the eligible producer.

In the case of honey, the term “farm” means all bees and beehives in all counties that are intended to be harvested for a honey crop by the eligible producer.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)

Producers must timely obtain a crop insurance policy for insured crops or timely file the required paperwork for NAP for the grazed land.

Any insurance already purchased to meet the eligibility requirements for these programs must be at a minimum level of 50 percent yield coverage and at 55 percent of the insurable price.

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) is exempt from the risk management purchase requirement and therefore, does not require a waiver.

The background of the Buy-In program

For the 2008 crop year, the deadline to apply for crop insurance and NAP passed prior to enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill. As a result, when the requirement to obtain insurance or NAP as a condition of eligibility for SURE, TAP, ELAP and LFP was enacted, many producers would have been excluded from eligibility.

Therefore, for the 2008 crop year only, producers who do not have all crops on the farm covered with the risk management protection programs of crop insurance and/or NAP and wish to be eligible for the SURE, TAP, and ELAP in 2008, or wish to have grazing acres eligible for LFP in 2008, can do so by paying the applicable buy-in fee by Sept. 16, 2008.

Note: Payment of the fees will NOT provide crop insurance coverage or NAP eligibility.

How the program works and what is covered

The Supplemental AG Disaster Program supplements our NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program). For the NAP program, crop damage from natural disasters such as the vog (sulfur dioxide emissions), heavy rains, flooding, drought, high winds, earthquake or frost triggers the claim process. The loss threshold that makes a farmer or rancher eligible for payment is 50 percent. The NAP works on what is planted in the ground as of the disaster. It is yield-based.

The SURE program is revenue-based and is calculated over the entire year for all crops. Any crop damaged by a natural event such as vog is eligible.

For example, Protea are badly affected by the vog from Kilauea Volcano.

Other examples include:

Fruits damaged by high winds.
Vegetables damaged by flooding.
Forage damaged by drought.
Virtually any vegetable, flower, foliage, fruit is eligible for coverage.

Important note:

Farmers and ranchers need to purchase the NAP insurance for the year 2009 to be eligible for the supplemental programs next year.

Waivers of the Buy-In fee for some producers

Producers who meet the definition of a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource Producer, or Beginning Farmer or Rancher as defined in section 2501 (e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)), do not have to meet this risk management purchase requirement and, therefore, are not required to pay the buy-in fee.

Definitions

A Socially Disadvantaged farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. For entity applicants, all members of the entity must be socially disadvantaged. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.

On Hawai`i Island, a majority of our farmers are social disadvantaged, so farmers are urged to call the Farm Service Agency at 933-8340, 933-8341 and 933-8335 to find out if their fee will be waived for the buy-in.

A Limited Resource Producer is a producer with both of the following:

Direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than $100,000 in both of the previous 2 years (as adjusted for inflation using Price Paid by Farmer Index as compiled by NASS); and
Total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of 4, or less than 50 percent of county median household income in both of the previous 2 years (to be determined annually using Commerce Department Data).

Limited Resource Producer status can be determined in an automated system using the Web site for USDA Limited Resource Farmer and Rancher Online Self Determination Tool at http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/tool.asp . The automated system calculates and displays the adjusted gross farm sales per year and the higher of the national poverty level or county median household income.

A Beginning Farmer or Rancher is an individual or entity who: (1) has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years, AND (2) substantially participates in the operation. If the applicant is an entity, all members must be eligible beginning farmers or ranchers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of Discrimination, please write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Laupahoehoe Pool to Close for Six Months for Renovations from August 11

The Department of Parks and Recreation announced that as of Monday, August 11 the Laupahoehoe Swimming Pool will close for approximately six months during an accessibility improvement and renovations project.

The nearest public swimming pools are Honokaa Pool and the Sparky Kawamoto Pool in Hilo. Please see P&R website at http://co.hawaii.hi.us/parks/aquatics_program_guide.htm or the schedule below:

Honokaa Pool Schedule (Ph# 775-0650)

August 2008

Early Bird Swim	8:00 – 10:00 am	Mon-Fri
Public Recreational Swim	10:00 – 11:45 am	Mon-Fri
Adult Lap Swim	1:00 – 2:30 pm	Mon-Fri
Public Recreational Swim	2:30 – 3:45 pm	Mon-Fri

WEEKENDS

Adult Lap Swim	9:00 – 10:45 am	Sat/Sun
Public Recreational Swim	10:45 – 11:45 am	Sat/Sun
Public Recreational & Adult Lap Swim	1:00 – 3:45 pm	Sat/Sun

The pool is closed on Holidays. (Schedule subject to change.)

Sparky Kawamoto Swim Stadium Schedule (Ph# 961-8698)

August 11-29, 2008

Public Recreational Swim	9:00 – 10:45 am	Mon-Fri
Adult Lap Swim (Short Course)	11:00 – 12:15 pm	Mon-Fri
Adult Lap Swim (Long Course)	12:15 – 1:30 pm	Mon-Fri
Public Recreational Swim	1:30 – 3:45 pm	Mon-Fri
Novice Swim Team Practice	3:00 – 4:00 pm	Mon-Fri
Fitness Training	4:00 – 5:00 pm	Mon-Fri
Age Group Swim Team Practice	4:00 – 6:00 pm	Mon-Fri
Public Recreational Swim	6:00 – 7:10 pm	Mon-Fri

WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS

Public Recreational Swim	9:00 – 10:45 am	Sat/Sun/Hol
Adult Lap Swim (Long Course)	11:00 – 1:00 pm	Sat/Sun/Hol
Public Recreational Swim	1:00 – 3:45 pm	Sat/Sun/Hol

For further information please call Larry Davis, Aquatic Program Administrator, Department of Parks and Recreation at 961-8694.

P&R thanks the public for their understanding and patience during the construction period.

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Training Session on Immigrant Victims of Violence/Human Trafficking Sept 19

A training session will be held on immigrant victims of violence and human trafficking on Friday, September 19 in Kona, sponsored by the County of Hawai’i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and Hawai’i County Immigration Information Office.

Presenters include:

Jennifer Rose, J.D., UH-Manoa Gender Equity Office
Calleen Ching, Staff Attorney, Na Loio
Frank Kalepa, US Immigration Customs Enforcement
Laura Brucia Hamm, M.ED, Hale Kipa
Dew Kaneshiro, J.D.
Rose Bautista, J.D., Hawai`i County Immigration Information

This training is open to all working with immigrant populations and or Domestic/Family Violence. Topics will include: Challenges in Assisting Immigrant Survivors of Abuse, Cultural & Organizational Barriers, Visas, Working with Interpreters and Translators, Sexual Exploitation Prevention & Human Trafficking.

WHEN: Friday, September 19, 2008, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

WHERE: Hale Halawai, Kailua-Kona

Please RSVP by September 12. Limited Seating.

Cost: FREE.

Continental Breakfast & Bento Lunch Provided. Limited parking at Hale Halewai Center; please carpool if possible.

Please RSVP by providing the information below and faxing it to (808)961-8908

Attn: Claudia Wilcox-Boucher or by email: cwb96720@yahoo.com .

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Deadline is September 18 for Affordable Housing Interest Forms

Housing interest forms for Kamakoa at Waikoloa, the new affordable workforce housing project in West Hawai`i, will be accepted until September 18.

These forms must be filled out before an island resident will be prioritized for one of the 125 units now being developed.

Housing interest forms for Kamakoa are available at the Waikoloa Workforce Housing office in Hilo at 56 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720. Please call 935-7755 or visit online at www.Kamakoa.com .

Initiated by the County of Hawai`i, Kamakoa at Waikoloa is being developed by Waikoloa Workforce Housing (WWH), LLC. WWH is a non-profit organization established by the Hawai`i Island Housing Trust for the planning, financing, development, and management of the Kamakoa project. WWH is being assisted in the development of Kamakoa by UniDev Hawaii, LLC, a company that has assisted other states, counties, and universities in meeting their workforce housing needs through the development of exemplary communities.

Isemoto Contracting began work on June 13 at the housing site which is located north of and adjacent to Waikoloa Village in South Kohala. Phase 1A of Kamakoa is expected to include a mix of single family homes, townhouses and bungalows and a community center. Models of the homes are expected to be ready in early 2009.

WHH’s mission for Kamakoa is to create a sustainable community that responds to the affordable housing needs of the West Hawai`i workforce community. Its goal is to provide a varied selection of housing at below market prices, while maintaining the highest quality of design and construction.

Resort employees in the Waikoloa and Kohala Coast area and public sector workers will be given highest consideration for this housing.

Housing interest forms for Kamakoa are available through September 18 at the Waikoloa Workforce Housing office in Hilo – 56 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, Ph. 935-7755 or online at www.Kamakoa.com .

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Kokua Kailua – Enjoy Concerts and Shop, Dine, Buy Local in Kailua Village

A resourceful Kokua Kailua campaign has been created to encourage residents to enjoy the offerings found within Kailua Village. Sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Destination Kona Coast and the Kailua Village Merchants Association, Kokua Kailua is designed to rally support for merchants and restaurants affected by the economic downturn and to remind residents to shop, dine and buy local.

Offering a series of monthly celebrations with musicians, artists and merchants, Kokua Kailua is working in conjunction with the successful Hulihee Palace concerts. For each monthly Hulihee Palace Concert & Village Stroll event, Ali`i Drive will be turned into a pedestrian mall from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Concert attendees are encouraged to stay for an after-concert Village Stroll. Musicians and artists will take to the street in a fun, festive, family event where residents can listen to music, experience creativity at art demonstrations, shop for special items and dine at nearby restaurants.

The Hulihee Palace Concert on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m. is a hula concert that honors King Kamehameha III on the Kuakini Lanai adjacent to Hulihee Palace. Concert attendees can take full advantage of the free chair check offered at Emma's Square.

Merchants will offer display booths in the street, featuring unique products along with special discounts for additional shopping in their stores. Prize drawings are scheduled to take place throughout the afternoon with merchandise and certificates donated by Honu Huts, Kona Gem & Mineral, Pikake Beads, Tropical Bags, Splasher's, Big Island Triathlon and Del Sol.

While you’re in Kailua Village, come to the Hulihe`e Palace Sunday Concert Series, featuring free Hawaiian music concerts featuring local musicians and artists on the Hulihe`e Palace south lawn at 4:00 p.m. the following Sundays:

August 24
September 21
October 19
November 16
December 21

For your comfort, bring your own beach mat or chair.

After the concert, take a stroll through Kailua Village and enjoy our outdoor cafés and restaurants, with special kama`aina pricing at participating restaurants and merchants.

For more information contact Marie Aguilar at 334-0562 or Inde Coggin at 329-9694.

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County Info Meetings on Housing Programs to Boost Home Ownership

The County of Hawaii – Office of Housing and Community Development will be holding informational meetings for the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and Homeownership Option Program (HOP).

The FSS program is a voluntary, employment based program which helps Section 8 families obtain the skills they need to achieve financial independence. Support is offered to participating families through local agencies, case management, education, job training, newsletters, workshops, support meetings and other appropriate services.

A key benefit is that an escrow savings account may be established for the family.

The HOP allows first time homeowners to use their Section 8 rental subsidy to meet their monthly homeownership expenses. Participants must meet certain eligibility requirements.

You must call 959-7476 (Glen Shigehara) to reserve a space.

If there is insufficient participation, times may be cancelled or combined.

The meetings are scheduled for:

WHEN: Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Sessions are at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pahoa Community Center.

WHEN: Thursday, October 16, 2008. Sessions are at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 1990 Kinoole Street, Ste. 104, Hilo.

WHEN: Monday, October 20, 2008. Sessions are at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: 1990 Kinoole Street, Ste. 104, Hilo.

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Hawai`i Island Community Group Collects Backpacks for our Homeless Neighbors

Now that school is ending for the summer, many students will be discarding their backpacks and then purchasing new ones at the start of the next school year. The Hawai`i Island Leadership Series (Ulumau), a community group with members islandwide, hopes to take advantage of that with a drive to collect backpacks to donate to the homeless population of our island.

Why does this group want to give backpacks to the homeless?

Backpacks were determined to be among the items homeless individuals need most.

How many homeless people are there on this island?

The state commissioned a study, which found that in 2007 the Island of Hawai`i had 1,290 homeless individuals, including 688 in families with children. While the overall homeless population dropped two percent on the Island of Hawai`i between 2005 and 2007, the number of unsheltered chronically homeless rose 25 percent, according to the 2007 Point-in-Time Count, published by the state’s Hawai`i Public Housing Authority Homeless Programs Branch.

Do any of the unsheltered homeless include children?

Yes. The unsheltered individuals in families with children numbered 534, while the number of sheltered individuals in families with children was 154.

How do I donate a backpack?

You may drop it off either with a School Resource Officer at yo