On Wednesday (June 30) Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi announced a plan to save the county $7M via furlough days for most county employees.

The first of 24 furlough days will be on Friday (July 2) with the closing of county business and administrative offices and will continue to occur on the first and third Fridays of each month through June 2011.

Public safety employees such as police, dispatchers, fire and civil defense are exempt from the furlough days. All police district records offices, except the South Hilo Records Division, will be closed on furlough days.

Public Works an other United Public Workers union employees will working a normal schedule with their two non-paid furlough days replacing normally paid sick days or vacation days during the month.

Hele-On bus service will operate normally on furlough days though the Mass Transit Agency offices will be closed. The Mooheau Bus Terminal is operated by the Downtown Improvement Association and will be open on furlough days.

County swimming pools may schedule furlough days at other times other than Fridays and schedules will be posted at each pool. The Hilo Municipal Golf Course and Panaewa Complex including the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo will be open as usual on furlough days.

Waste management including transfer stations will be open according to current schedules.

Scheduled recreational classes at county parks and the Hoolulu Complex in Hilo will be open as usual.

What’s closed on Furlough days:

• Some county pools on alternate days other than Fridays (check the schedules at the pool).
• Drivers Licensing offices in Hilo, Ka‘u, Kona and Waimea will be closed.
• Property Tax offices will be closed. Note that property taxes are due on August 20 which is Admissions Day so the offices will be closed on that day for the holiday and the furlough day will be taken on Monday, August 23. Taxpayers should visit the office to pay their taxes before August 20.
• The County Office of Immigration will be closed.
• Department of Parks and Recreation in Hilo and Kona will be closed.
• Elderly programs and facilities will be closed.
• Elderly nutrition sites will not be serving meals and Meals on Wheels program will not be operating on furlough Fridays. Extra meals will be available to take home on Thursdays.
• The Office of Corporation Counsel will be closed.
• The Mayor’s office and other County departments at 25 Aupuni Street will be closed. Mayor Kenoi still plans to have meetings and will make his staff available to the public on furlough days.