MEDIA RELEASE

“Would I have to pay an impact fee if I built a dog house on my lot?”

Don’t laugh! It’s a legitimate concern raised by a Hawaii Island resident recently during a discussion about what impact fees would mean to Hawaii County.

The answer: No!

But questions will be encouraged during the Waimea Community Association Town meeting when as North and South Kohala County Councilman Pete Hoffmann presents “Impact Fees 101” – a lesson in what impact fees are, how they work and why he believes they could help Hawaii Island more effectively address infrastructure shortcomings.

The monthly meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 in Waimea School Cafeteria and everyone is welcome.

Hoffmann’s impact fees presentation will replicate presentations he has made to fellow council members.

Also on the WCA agenda will be a wrap-up report by Barrie Moss and Melora Purrell on the Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project, which was funded by $2.9M in federal stimulus funds. The project is expected to conclude by the end of February.

There will also be a brief discussion of plans for the 16th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival (9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at venues all around town).

The meeting will begin with a brief update on the recently released Draft Environmental Assessment for the long dreamed of Waimea Trails and Greenways project, now called Ke Ala Kahawai o Waimea.

The trail would effectively connect residences, businesses and schools from Church Row to a future County park site on Kawaihae Road across the Kamuela View Estates subdivision.

The county Department of Parks & Recreation and the Waimea Trails and Greenways Committee invite residents to an informational meeting 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Waimea School Cafeteria to learn more about this 4.8-mile, multi-use path that will follow the meandering route of Waikoloa Stream.

The Draft EA is available for review through Feb. 21 and may be downloaded from the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website at http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html

All who attend WCA monthly Town Meetings are asked to help continue the association’s commitment to supporting Waimea’s food pantries by bringing a donation – preferably cash or a check – or non-perishable food items. Cash or checks are given to the Waimea pantries to purchase gift certificates from Waimea grocery stores and farmers markets so that recipients are able to buy fresh items such as vegetables, fruit and milk as well as other essentials. Checks may be payable directly to a food pantry so the donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Starbucks-Waimea will again contribute hot coffee to the meeting, and WCA officers urge those enjoying it to express their gratitude by making a donation on the spot to the food pantry collection drive.

For information, call WCA President Sherman Warner at 885-1725 or visit www.WaimeaTown.org