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MEDIA RELEASE

The Waimea Fire Station will be temporarily relocated beginning 8 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 2010, due to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) renovations and the removal and abatement of hazardous materials.

Waimea Fire Station personnel will be temporarily stationed at a residence located at 66-1250 Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) for a few months while the work is being done. The residence is located on the Kona side of the permanent station approximately one mile west on Mamalahoa Highway.

For all emergencies, calls should continue to be routed through 9-1-1.

MEDIA RELEASE

Resources will Aid Worker Training in 19 States and Washington, D.C. Hawaii to receive $13,395

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $5.9 million in grants to support transportation-related job training in 19 states and Washington, D.C.

The grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s On the Job Training/ Supportive Services (OJT/SS) program will fund apprenticeships and training opportunities for underrepresented or disadvantaged people pursuing careers in transportation, engineering or construction.

“America can never have enough well-trained employees to keep our transportation system running smoothly,” said Secretary LaHood. “These grants will help put people back to work and train those who keep America moving.”

Created in 1998, the OJT/SS program promotes training opportunities for women and minorities who continue to be underrepresented in the highway construction industry’s skilled and semi-skilled crafts, such as masonry and carpentry.

“Ensuring transportation workers are properly trained is an important part of economic recovery,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. “These grants will help us build a skilled workforce to keep our nation’s highway system the best in the world.”

Details of today’s awardees are as follows:

MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Billy Kenoi was among eight U.S. mayors selected to attend the 47th National Session of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, August 4-6, 2010, in Los Angeles.

The event was a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the American Architectural Foundation and the United States Conference of Mayors. All expenses for the trip to Los Angeles are paid by the Mayor’s Institute.

The two-and-a-half day symposium offered mayors a better understanding of urban design, and provided an opportunity to learn how to approach unique design challenges. Eight urban design professionals also participated in the symposium.

Mayor Kenoi presented a case study from Hawaii County, soliciting responses from the other mayors and designers on conceptualizing new ways of solving design issues. The mayors were expected to return to their communities with a better understanding of design and the design process.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with some of the best urban design professionals and mayors in the country,” said Mayor Kenoi. “There’s much to learn about making Hawaii County a better place to live through better design and planning and I was honored to be selected to represent our island at this symposium.”

Hawaii County’s design case study was the Honokohau TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) site plan, which is anchored by the new Ane Keohokalole Highway, new mass transit routes and the new West Hawai‘i Civic Center currently under construction.

TOD is a neighborhood development approach encouraged under the new, award-winning Kona Community Development Plan, using transit design that makes the most of not only personal automobile travel, but also biking, walking and transit systems.

The county is looking to provide alternatives to private transportation as a central theme to ensure the sustainability of both the village and the island, and the symposium was designed to explore strategies for the County to influence the design and construction of what will be Hawaii County’s next town.

The consolidation of municipal services as the central piece in a new transit-oriented development will be a first for Hawaii County. The site is located about five miles north of downtown Kona and about a mile from Kealakehe High School.

Mayor Kenoi is the first mayor of Hawaii County to attend the Mayors’ Institute on City Design.

Other mayors selected to attend this year included Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, host of the Institute; Sam Adams of Portland, Oregon; Ralph Becker of Salt Lake City, Utah; Richard J. Berry of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bob Foster of Long Beach, California; Ann Johnston of Stockton, California; and Jim Suttle of Omaha, Nebraska.

For more information on the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, visit the website at www.micd.org.

For more information on the Honokohau Village TOD, visit the website atp http://honokohauvillage.com/

MEDIA RELEASE

WATER SHUT-OFF NOTICE

Affected area: All services along Puna Trail in the Keaukaha Military Reservation, from the maintenance building to the Air National Guard facility, including the firing range in Wai Kea, South Hilo, Hawaii

Water will be temporarily turned off in the above-mentioned area on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to do waterline work for the Keaukaha Military Reservation Joint Military Center Project.
Upon resumption of water service, the waterlines will be flushed and cleaned during which time you may notice turbid and/or discolored water.
You may also notice trapped air in your plumbing which will be released as you initially use water.

Please pardon these temporary inconveniences. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Carl Nishimura, District Supervisor, at 961-8790.

DATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010
TIME: 8:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.

MEDIA RELEASE

Seated: Justin Gaspar, May Lee, Clifford Antonio, Clive Okino, Blayne Matsui, Kupono Mata. Standing: Josiah Coe, Corey Kaneko, Jeremy Riddle, Daniel Murray, Michael Abran, Donovan Hegarty, Peter Roan.

The 13 members of the Hawai’i Police Department’s 78th Recruit Class were recognized Friday (August 13) during ceremonies held at the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.

The police recruits, who just completed six months of intensive training, will now undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.

During Thursday afternoon’s ceremony, Chief Harry Kubojiri told the recruits to treat the public with respect and to never compromise on integrity. He read two letters of commendation written by the public but said that kind of recognition will be the exception and not the rule. “I expect you to perform your job well enough to warrant a letter like these every day—even though the letter may never come,” he said. “If you do that, you can go home at the end of your shift knowing you represented our department to the best of your ability—and the pride of a job well done will be all the recognition you need.”

Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida, who appeared on behalf of the mayor, told the recruits to ask themselves every day, “What have I done to make this county a better place?”

Police Commissioner Carol Ignacio read a poem on the importance of a positive attitude.

County Councilman J Yoshimoto stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity and compassion.

The keynote speaker, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brandon Gonzales, told the recruits that the public will hold them to a higher standard. “You’re expected to perform perfectly even though you are humans just like the rest of us,” he said. He added that a major part of their job will be to change the public’s perception of police by establishing trust.

Class President Justin A. Gaspar noted that the recruits come from backgrounds that include school teachers, salespersons, construction workers, students, security guards and Marines. Some already knew each other, he said, while others came from as far away as Washington State and Connecticut.

Three of the recruits received special recognition for their excellence in training. They were Class Secretary May Lee, who excelled in physical fitness training, Clive Okino, who excelled in academic training, and Clifford Antonio, who excelled in firearms training.

The other recruits recognized were Gaspar, Michael Abran, Josiah Coe, Donovan Hegarty, Corey Kaneko, Class Vice President Kupono Mata, Blayne Matsui, Daniel Murray, Jeremy Riddle and Peter Roan.

MEDIA RELEASE

Prosecuting Attorney Jay T. Kimura announced today that:

On August 9, 2010, a Hawai’i County jury rejected the self-defense claim of Kauai resident Jordan Flores, 29, and found him guilty of assault in the second degree. Third Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara accepted the verdict and set sentencing for October 12, 2010 at 8 o’clock a.m.

Investigation by the Hawaii Police Department revealed that on April 12, 2008, the victim of the assault and his girlfriend attended a birthday party at a private residence near Pahoa. Shortly before midnight, approximately 15 men entered the residence where the party was being held. Within minutes, the victim was attacked by Flores and knocked unconscious. The victim was lying on the floor unconscious, with a fractured jaw and bleeding profusely from his mouth when witnesses pulled Flores off the victim.

Assault in the second degree is a class “C” felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.00.

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced Hawai‘i is joining a nationwide effort started by California First Lady Maria Shriver in 2005 to connect residents with money-saving resources and opportunities.

Participating in the WE Connect campaign is part of Governor Lingle’s push for statewide economic recovery.

“My Administration is proud to offer various state programs to residents through WE Connect,” said Governor Lingle. “Providing Hawai‘i’s working families with a springboard to greater opportunity and success during these difficult economic times is important for our state’s recovery and long-term success.”

The WE Connect campaign aims to bring various resources to the attention of those seeking opportunities, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working families and individuals. For example, the EITC allows qualifying families of four to earn up to $5,028 in credits. In 2008, Hawai‘i recipients of the EITC reached 88,000 and received more than $155 million in credit.

“We launched California’s WE Connect program in 2005 when we found that so many families struggling financially were not aware of the money-saving programs and support services that were already available to them,” said First Lady Shriver. “Today, the need for these vital resources is greater than ever, and we are pleased that Governor Lingle has partnered with us to expand WE Connect nationally and ensure that millions more families in need have an opportunity to get ahead.”

The WE Connect campaign is multi-faceted, with the primary push being WEConnect.net, a website with links to resources, locations, and contact information for helpful organizations and offices. The WEbConnector tool is designed to help people determine whether they qualify for any assistance programs: EITC, Child Tax Credit, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infant, and Children’s Program (WIC), or Child Care Credit.

Because of the recent economic downturn, many who have not previously qualified for programs may now be eligible, so all residents are encouraged to explore their options on WEConnect.net

“With unemployment in decline, Hawai‘i’s residents are gaining economic ground,” said Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. “Our residents clearly benefit from these assistance programs, but how to obtain financial help and job opportunities is not always easy or clear. WE Connect can provide additional help to get people back on their feet on their own.”

The Hawai‘i site features links to public and private local resources, such as food pantry locations, free tax locations, job postings, career fairs, internship and volunteer opportunities, and free legal help locations. Contact information for public community schools and social service offices are also listed on the website.

The Hawai‘i WE Connect site also provides small business resources, including links to online business registration though the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and advice for new business owners.

Visit: www.WEConnect.net

MEDIA RELEASE

Renewing and issuing parking placards for persons with disabilities should be more convenient under new procedures announced by the State of Hawai‘i Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB).

The DCAB will mail reminder notices to persons whose placards are expiring in the next 30 days with new instructions for renewal by mail.

“We hope this new service to renew removable windshield placards by mail will be more convenient for people,” said Francine Wai, DCAB executive director.

The renewal by mail service is available to all placard holders statewide. Reminder notices for holders of expiring placards will contain a new application form. The completed application form verifies the disability certification by a licensed physician. The form and a copy of a picture identification card may be returned to the DCAB office in a postage paid envelope that will be sent with the renewal application.

Removable windshield placards are issued to qualified individuals with disabilities when certified by a practicing physician that they have a medical condition that restricts them from walking more than 200 feet without stopping to rest. A vehicle may park in designated accessible parking spaces when displaying a placard or license plate.

Prior to August 1, 2010, qualified persons with disabilities could receive two removable windshield placards valid for four years issued by a county agency or renewed by mail from DCAB. After August 1, 2010, changes to state law will allow only one removable windshield placard to be issued, valid for a period of six years. A person with a disability who is the registered owner of a motor vehicle may request a disabled person’s license plate in lieu of the second windshield placard at the County Department of Motor Vehicle Registration office.

Effective October 1, 2010, all renewals for a removable windshield placard will be conducted by mail. Should a County issuing office or Satellite City Hall receive an application for renewal, the application will be forwarded to the DCAB office for processing. There is no fee for a renewal of a long-term removable windshield placard.

First-time applicants must still apply in person at a County issuing office (in Hawaii County, it’s the office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni St., #2602, Hilo, or in Kona at 75-5722 Hanama Place, #102.

The Counties will continue to issue temporary removable windshield placards and replacement placards for a fee, as is the current practice.

If you have any questions, call the County Disabled Parking Office at 961-8005. For more information visit the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) website. http://hawaii.gov/health/dcab/home/index.htm

For additional questions, contact William Nakamatsu at the Disability and Communication Access Board at (808) 586-8121 (v/tty) or by email at william.nakamatsu@doh.hawaii.gov

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Parks and Recreation announces the cancellation of the Public Hearing scheduled for 9 a.m., August 13, 2010, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room relating to proposed changes to Rule 3 – Rules Relating to the Equestrian Center.

The department recognized an error in the posting of the Public Notice (requirement of 30-day notification) and will reschedule the hearing to a later date. The notice will be published in the Hawaii Tribune Herald when the new date, time and location is determined.

The staff apologizes for any inconvenience this error has caused to individuals who were planning to attend the hearing.

All written testimony that has been submitted to P&R will be kept on file for use at the next public hearing. For information, contact Robert A. Fitzgerald, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, 961-8311.

MEDIA RELEASE

Aloha ,

From native forests to traditional fishponds, reefs and beachs to forest and sacred pu’u, from mauka to makai, much of Hawai’i's surviving natural and cultural resources-our natural heritage and cultural landscape-lie within conservation districts.

You can make a difference just by spreading the word!

In the waning days of the Lingle Administration, DLNR is proposing major changes to the laws which protect Hawai’i's conservation districts. The proposed changes to these laws will fundamentally alter the way certain kinds of decisions are made for 2 million acres of public and private lands in Hawai’i. This will affect the future of “ceded” lands, nearshore and submerged lands, watersheds, and all mauka areas under conservation.

We know these kinds of regulatory changes aren’t super sexy, but if you’ve ever seen a bulldozer in a wahi pana, you know why these kinds of hearings are where the action is at!

Are these Laws working? What happens when we change them?
This is the first major change to these legal protections since 1994. Yet, no study of these rules has been done, no working group was convened to evaluate these changes and their implications. We should be asking ourselves: In what ways are these laws working for communities? For landholders? For native species and habitats? For island ecosystems?

In fact, there was no public process to examine, evaluate or ask about how these laws are working before these draft rules were released. Nor have we effectively answered questions about what these changes mean, and how they will affect communities, species, habitats, landholders, and ecosystems. In informational meetings, DLNR staff were unable to answer critical questions about what these changes to the law will mean in practice. Yet, DLNR is committed to changing these laws by December. This is not how conservation decisions should be made.

What you can do
(1) Take a look at the rule changes at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl Can you understand them? Can you tell how they will affect the future of the conservation lands in your area? If the answer is NO, you are not alone!
(2) Attend a Hearing. Be heard! Tell DLNR you want to know why they are changing the law, and how it will affect you and the things you care about in Hawai’i nei.
(3) Tell your hiking club, fellow practitioner, hula sisters, surf buddies, or anyone else you enjoy these places with! Attend the hearing as a hui (everything is better with friends).

The hearing for Kona and Hilo is coming up soon!

Aug. 5, Wailuku, Maui, 6PM, Velma M. Santos Comun. Center, 395 Waena Place

Aug. 9, Kona, Hawaii, 6PM, Mayor’s Conf. Room, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Rm 103

Aug. 10, Hilo, Hawaii, 6PM, State Office Bldg., 75 Aupuni St., Conf. Rm. C

Aug. 11, Kaunakakai, Molokai, 6PM Mitchell Pauole Center, 90 Ainoa Street

Aug. 12, Honolulu, Oahu, 6PM, Kalanimoku Bldg., 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm 132

Aug. 19, Kapaa, Kauai, 6PM, Kapaa Library, 1464 Kuhio Hwy

*OCCL website says hearings are “not to exceed two hours.”

Talking points

• These laws affect over 2 million acres of conservation lands. Why is this process so rushed? If we haven’t changed these laws in 15 years, why do we suddenly need to have new laws by December?
• Why haven’t we fully studied how these laws are working? How are these laws serving communities? Native species? Ecosystem function? Landowners? Cultural practitioners? Hikers? Divers? Surfers?
• We should know the full implications of these laws before the changes take affect. Why can’t DLNR tell us what these changes will mean on the ground, in practice?
• How will these changes impact many “ceded” public trust lands that are in conservation districts?
• Lands in the Conservation District are there for a reason-because they are rare or beautiful, ecologically important or unique, culturally significant, or important to what makes Hawai’i…Hawai’i. Let’s uphold our promise to protect them for future generations!

Mahalo nui,
Us Guys at KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance

1140 Bethel St., #415
Honolulu, HI 96813
www.kahea.org
blog.kahea.org

phone: 808-524-8220
email: kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management is temporarily closing the White Goods Recycling Area at the Pāhoa Transfer Station due to ongoing construction at the site.

It is not known exactly when white goods (large appliances) recycling may resume at the site. It is anticipated that the closure will last a few months. The closure will allow construction to improve the facility to proceed as quickly as possible and shorten the temporary inconvenience to the residents. These site improvements will greatly enhance the recycling opportunities at the Pāhoa Transfer Station and complete necessary repairs to the facility.

Residents may take their white goods/appliances to the Hilo Scrap Metal Facility adjacent to the Hilo Transfer Station on Leilani Street. Residents may also take non-automotive and non-appliance scrap metal to the Kea‘au Transfer Station scrap metal bin. All businesses and other non-residential entities are prohibited from using the Transfer Stations and should take their scrap metal and appliances to the Hilo Scrap Metal Facility.

For more information on scrap metal recycling, please visit our website at www.hawaiizerowaste.org or contact the Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division’s Recycling Section at 961-8270.

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON— Senator Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement following the confirmation of Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to serve as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kagan’s nomination was approved by the Senate today 63-37 with Senator Inouye voting in favor.

“Elena Kagan is widely-regarded as one of the nation’s leading legal scholars.  Her public service and legal experience, work as a teacher, service as a White House and Senate aide, and representing the government as the nation’s Solicitor General, have contributed to Ms. Kagan’s intellect, judgment, and independence.”
 
“As the first woman to serve as Dean at Harvard Law School, Ms. Kagan was highly respected for her ability to build consensus among diverse groups.  She diversified the political discourse on campus by hiring professors from a wide political spectrum.  While working as a White House aide, Ms. Kagan was known to reach across the aisle to work with both Democrats and Republicans on issues like restricting tobacco companies from targeting ads at children.  As the daughter of a public school teacher and a housing lawyer, Ms. Kagan understands that decisions made by the Supreme Court have an impact on the lives of Americans.  As Solicitor General, she has argued cases to protect consumers, prevent elections from being taken over by special interests, and protect our national security.  Ms. Kagan recognizes the extraordinary role of the Supreme Court to uphold the law and enable all Americans to receive a fair hearing and an equal chance at justice.”

“I have no doubt that Ms. Kagan will be an exceptional addition to the Supreme Court.  I had the chance to meet with the Solicitor General and was impressed with her intellect and demeanor.  Her judicial temperament, integrity and ability to navigate complex issues will be an asset to our highest court.  I have had the privilege of seeing the makeup of the court diversify through the years and it is a better institution because of it.”

Senator Daniel K. Akaka said, “I was proud to support Elena Kagan’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court today. She is highly qualified and exceptionally intelligent. I know she will do a tremendous job upholding our Constitution. When she is sworn in, there will be three sitting female justices for the first time in our history. The court will be closer to reflecting America.”