County of Hawai'i

Home , Hilo High School

COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Annual Report FY 2015-16 1 ‘Āina Pūlama - Protected Open Spaces One of the County’s most unique responsibilities is the purchase and perpetual protection of Hawai‘i Island’s most special lands. Since taking office, Mayor Billy Kenoi has completed the acquisition of 8 properties totalling 4,411 acres of land that will be protected as open space forever. 4,413 acres are currently in the trust.

Cover: The shoreline at Kahuku, Ka‘ū. At 3,128 acres, Kahuku is the largest holding in the open space program. Purchase completed in late 2016.

This Spread: Pohoiki, Puna. The 26.7 acre property was purchased in November 2015.

2 County of Hawai‘i COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16

Office of Management 4 Office of Aging 8 Civil Defense Agency 11 Office of the Corporation Counsel 15 County Council / County Clerk 16 Department of Environmental Management 18 Department of Finance 20 Hawai‘i Fire Department 22 Office of Housing & Community Development 26 Department of Human Resources 29 Department of Information Technology 31 Department of Liquor Control 33 Mass Transit Agency 34 Department of Parks & Recreation 35 Department of Planning 42 Hawai‘i Police Department 47 Office of the Prosecuting Attorney 50 Department of Public Works 52 Department of Research & Development 58 Department of Water Supply 63 Boards & Commissions 65 Sister Cities 68

Annual Report FY 2015-16 3 MANAGEMENT

• Continued to provide leadership, direction, and assistance to County departments as they work toward their goals and objectives. • Managed the County’s FY 2015-16 operating budget of $462,978,628. The budget, which required no increase in property tax rates, maintained funding for critical, core County government services and made strategic investments in services and infrastructure, BILLY KENOI RANDY KUROHARA despite increased costs in areas such as the Mayor Managing Director retirement fund, healthcare premiums, and energy. • The All three bond rating agencies, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch, continued the county’s bond ratings of AA2, AA- and AA- respectively. • Provided support and assistance to departments as they completed the administration’s last push of projects, including: • Ali‘i Kai Park BOBBY COMMAND T. ILIHIA GIONSON • Hale Kīkaha Micro-Units Deputy Managing Director Executive Assistant • Hōkūlani Park • Hōnaunau Rodeo Arena • Māmalahoa Highway Bypass • Mauna Kea Recreation Area • Pāhoa District Park • Waimea District Park

CRAIG KAWAGUCHI JOE KEALOHA COUNTY PHYSICIANS Executive Assistant Executive Assistant County physicians advise on medical matters, render medical opinions, and conduct physical examinations as requested by the County. The County physicians are Dr. Alan De Silva and Dr. Walter Wang.

INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The Information and Assistance Center provides clerical CLARYSSE NUNOKAWA CHARMAINE SHIGEMURA and administrative staff assistance to the Office of the Executive Assistant Executive Assistant Mayor, including correspondence management, human resource functions, preparation of Mayoral messages, proclamations and certificates, and processing applicants for County Boards & Commissions.

Hilo: Hawai‘i County Building, Room 2603 Phone (808) 961-8211 | Fax (808) 961-6553 AUGUSTO TULBA KAREN TESHIMA Kona: West Hawai‘i Civic Center Building C Phone (808) 323-4444 | Fax (808) 327-6003 Executive Assistant Executive Assistant [email protected] | hawaiicountymayor.com

4 County of Hawai‘i Hawai‘i Island Sustainability Forum Hosted the forum on February 8, 2016 at Mauna Lani, featuring Inger Andersen, Secretary General of the International Union for the Conservation of Updating Community Nature; Celeste Connors, Executive Director of Hawai‘i Mayor Kenoi spoke at luncheons for Green Growth; Dr. Samuel ‘Ohukani‘ōhi‘a Gon, Nature the Hawai‘i Island and Kona-Kohala Conservancy of Hawai‘i; and Nainoa Thompson, Chambers of Commerce. Polynesian Voyaging Society. (! Hāwī Banyan Tree (! Waipiʻo Lookout Hāwī Banyan Tree (! Waipiʻo Lookout .9 Acre, $753,612 1.8 Acres, $902,120 ‘Āina Pūlama - (! February 2015 October 2007 (! Hāwī Banyan(! Tree (! Protected Open Spaces (! (! .9 Acre, $753,612 1.8 Acres, $902,120Waipiʻo Lookout (! (! Pāoʻo (! 10.6 Acres, $1,889,172 Added Kahuku, Pohoiki, and .9 Acre, $753,612 1.8 Acres, $902,120 November 2010 February 2015 October 2007 the Hāwī Baynan Tree to the Kaiholena County’s trust of open spaces. February 2015 October 2007 227.6 Acres, $10,555,850 (! January 2010 & June 2013 (! ʻOʻoma (! (! 217.6 Acres, $6,234,934 (! (! (! Hāwī Banyan Tree (! December 2013 (! (! (! ! Waipiʻo Lookout (! (! ( Kīpapa (! (! ! 16.8 Acres, $6,244,176 (! ( February 2012 & October 2014 .9 Acre, $753,612 1.8 Acres, $902,120 (! (! (! Pāoʻo Pāoʻo Waiʻōpae 322.2 Acres, $2,660,000 10.6 Acres, $1,889,172 10.6 Acres,February $1,889,172 2015 October 2007 Acquisition Pending 2016 (! Pohoiki 26.7 Acres, $1,606,134 November 2010 (! November 2015 (! November 2010 Kahuku (! (! 3,127.9 Acres, $2,600,000 (! Acquisition Pending 2016 (! (! ʻĀina Pūlama (! Kāwā 785.2 Acres, $5,859,312 County Open Spaces Pāoʻo Annual Report FY 2015-16 January 2008 & October 2011 Prepared February 2016 5 10.6 Acres, $1,889,172 Kaiholena Kaiholena 227.6 NovemberAcres, $10,555,850 2010 227.6 Acres, $10,555,850January 2010 & June 2013 January 2010 & June 2013 Kaiholena 227.6 Acres, $10,555,850 ʻOʻoma January 2010 & June 2013 ʻOʻoma 217.6 Acres, $6,234,934 (! (! 217.6 Acres, $6,234,934 December(! 2013 (! December 2013 ʻOʻoma (! (! 217.6 Acres, $6,234,934 Kīpapa (! (! December16.8 Acres, 2013(! $6,244,176 (! Kīpapa February 2012 & October 2014 16.8 Acres, $6,244,176 (! (! (! Kīpapa (! (! February 2012 & October 201416.8 Acres, $6,244,176 Waiʻōpae (! 322.2 Acres, $2,660,000 February 2012 & October 2014 (! (! Acquisition Pending 2016 (! (! Waiʻōpae 322.2 Acres,Waiʻōpae $2,660,000 (! Acquisition322.2 PendingAcres, $2,660,000 2016 Pohoiki Acquisition Pending 2016 26.7 Acres, $1,606,134 November 2015 Kahuku (! PohoikiPohoiki 3,127.9 Acres, $2,600,000 26.7 Acres,26.7 $1,606,134 Acres, $1,606,134 (! Acquisition Pending 2016 NovemberNovember 2015 2015 (! Kahuku Kahuku ʻĀina Pūlama 3,127.9 Acres, $2,600,000 (! (! Kāwā 3,127.9 Acres, $2,600,000 785.2 Acres, $5,859,312 County Open Spaces (! Acquisition Pending 2016 (! Acquisition Pending 2016 (! January 2008 & October 2011 ʻĀinaPrepared PūlamaFebruary 2016 (! Kāwā ʻĀina Pūlama Kāwā785.2 Acres, $5,859,312 County Open Spaces 785.2 Acres,January $5,859,312 2008 & October 2011 CountyPrepared Open February 2016Spaces January 2008 & October 2011 Prepared February 2016 Blue Zones Project What began as a New York Times bestseller book by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner about the five places in the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives has evolved into a global movement to improve communities – and the movement has come to Hawai‘i Island with the Blue Zones Project. It offers a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to make positive changes to the environments where they live, work, and play, improving well-being through policy, building design, social networks, and the built environment.

East and North Hawai‘i are two of the three communities in Hawai‘i selected for this project with the support of HMSA and Healthways. According to the project’s leadership, these communities demonstrated the civic leadership, motivation and overall community readiness to carry out this community-wide initiative. Kickoff events were held in Hilo at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Waimea at the Kahilu Town Hall on October 17, 2015. The East Hawai‘i kickoff, which attracted over 1,200 attendees, doubled as Mayor Billy Kenoi’s 4th annual Health Fest.

For Mayor Billy Kenoi, the Blue Zones Project compliments his administration’s initiative to build the infrastructure Hawai‘i Island’s residents need to live active, healthy lifestyles. From district parks built in Pāhoa and Waimea, to improvements to existing parks, to bike lanes and sidewalks being incorporated into roadway projects, to new keiki playgrounds islandwide, Mayor Kenoi’s administration has made an unprecedented push to expand infrastructure for healthier lifestyles. Mayor Kenoi has also convened the Active Living Advisory Council to advise him on important community initiatives and ways the County can assist and support them. The council joined Mayor Kenoi in September to honor Hawai‘i Island employers who helped their workers live healthier lifestyles.

“We want to empower all members of our community to take responsibility for their health and well-being,” Mayor Kenoi said. “We all recognize that we can’t tackle the global or national 6 County of Hawai‘i healthcare crisis, but we can start with ourselves, our neighborhoods, and our community,” Annual Report FY 2015-16 7 AGING

applications per month at the East Hawai‘i ADRC, and 80 per month at the West Hawai‘i ADRC.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING • The ADRC continues to create new and lasting connections in FY 2015-16 via in-service training C. KIMO ALAMEDA, PH.D. to over 25 community agencies, including but not Executive On Aging limited to Bayada Home Health, Hilo Medical Center, ILWU, Hilo Visayas Club, Hospice, Life Care Center in Services and supports from the Hawai‘i County Office of Hilo and Kona, Regency at Hualālai, Tūtū’s House, Aging (HCOA) are targeted to seniors who are frail and Americare Hawai‘i, and Helping Hands Home Care. in need of home and community-based services. These services supplement the activities provided to active • HCOA also coordinated 27 TV interviews which seniors by Elderly Activities Division (EAD), which is were individually aired Monday and Tuesday nights organizationally placed under the Parks and Recreation. on the Nā Leo Public Access TV. This weekly show Although separate on the organizational chart, HCOA called, “Rise Above Hawai‘i with Dr. Kimo” reaches and EAD work together to ensure that all seniors and approximately 55,000 households significantly caregivers are offered the opportunity to benefit from increasing awareness of services HCOA provides. county and contracted services and supports. • The Silver Bulletin continues as HCOA’s monthly During FY 2015-16, the Office of Aging’s operating public education newsletter provided to subscribers, budget was $621,193. By obtaining an additional $2.6 by mail and at various pick-up points throughout million in federal and state grant funds, the Office of the island. 4,200 copies of the Silver Bulletin are Aging was able to administer a variety of services for distributed each month. older persons, people with disabilities, and caregivers • HCOA also provides a monthly caregiver newsletter on Hawai‘i Island. These services include those for a) mail-out, “The Comfort of Home Caregiver Assistance anyone, regardless of age; b) active seniors; and c) frail News, Caring for You, and Caring for Others.” seniors who chose to age in their homes instead of an The newsletter is mailed to approximately 500 institution. caregivers and covers an array of subjects that address caregiver needs. The newsletter provides suggestions on self-care, inspirational quotes, AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER safety tips and a monthly quiz. Copies are shared • HCOA’s East Hawai‘i Aging and Disability Resource with various providers and constituents within the Center (ADRC) provide services for all consumers community. regardless of age. These services include • Throughout year, HCOA and the aging network information, referral, and options counseling for focused on strengthening support for Family home and community-based services. There is also Caregivers island-wide. Two Caregiver Conferences an ADRC set-up at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center with -- one in Hilo and the other in Waikoloa served over similar services. Each month, the ADRC provides 200 participants. Those served included caregivers, information, assistance, and referral to a minimum providers, community partners and the general of 500 consumers, and options counseling to public. In both conferences HCOA worked closely over 100 clients and their families. Also, the office with community and state partners to highlight processed an average of 125 parking placard educational activities which included keynote

8 County of Hawai‘i speakers, break-out educational workshops and The Retired Seniors Volunteer Program continually family caregiver resource fairs. produces more volunteers than all other counties • FY 2015-16, a minimum of four events reaching combined. In FY 2015-16, over 1,400 volunteers an estimated 100 elders, their caregivers and participated in the program at over 150 volunteer professionals in the Aging Network to enhance their stations. knowledge of elder abuse and neglect issues. • SENIOR TRAING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM • HCOA’s conducted its first annual training for (STEP): Each year HCOA works closely with the grandparents raising grandchildren which attracted Hawaii County STEP program to ensure that older 21 grandparents providing them with tools to adults have opportunities for returning to the work help relieve the stress associated with raising force. In FY 2015-16, 36 seniors were placed in grandchildren. supportive employment programs with the intention of securing stable employment after two years. • Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Community Leader Training took place in Waimea at • TRANSPORTATION: In FY 2015-16, Coordinated Tutu’s House. Seven completed the course which Services for the Elderly (CSE) provided over 1000 will allow an enhancement of the program by helping seniors with transportation to-and-from congregate to facilitate more trainings moving forward. meal sites, medical and health related visits and other community resource services. HCOA SERVED ACTIVE SENIORS and CAREGIVERS HCOA SERVED FRAIL SENIORS AGING IN Through state grant funds, HCOA was able to execute county-to-county contracts with Hawai‘i County Elderly PLACE Activities Division for the provision of services. These HCOA solicited the interest of over 15 community contracted services for active seniors include: agencies to provide wrap-around services and supports • CAREGIVER RESPITE: In FY 2015-16, HCOA helping frail seniors and their families divert long-term contracted for over 100 hours of individual institutional placement. Agencies were selected through counseling, peer support groups, and training to a competitive Request for Proposals process and then help caregiver’s better cope with the burdens of monitored quarterly for the appropriate delivery of caregiving. HCOA also contracted to service more services. Hawai‘i Island providers contracted by HCOA to than 50 caregivers providing them with over 4,000 provide community-based services include, but are not hours of temporary relief from their caregiving limited to Services for Seniors, Kona Day Care, Hawai‘i responsibilities at home or in an adult day care Island Adult Day Care, Ho‘onani Place, Mastercare, setting. Metrocare, Nurse Procare, Seniors Helping Seniors, Aloha Maiden, and Care Resource Hawai‘i. • LEGAL COUNSEL: HCOA’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program provides a variety of legal services for • KUPUNA (Elder) CARE PROGRAM: In FY 2015-16, the people at risk for abuse or long-term placement. Kupuna Care Case Management program provided During the fiscal year, HCOA contracted Legal Aid assistance to 376 clients, families, and caregivers in for the provision of legal services to an estimated identifying needs, exploring options, and mobilizing 260 individuals with 80% of cases resulting in a informal as well as formal supports to achieve the satisfactory resolution. highest possible level of client independence. Case Management assistance includes assessing needs, • CONGREGATE MEALS: In FY2016, the Hawai‘i County developing care plans, and coordinating provision Nutrition Program (HCNP) served 1,025 seniors with of services among Hawai‘i County providers. The an average of three federally approved meals per Kupuna Care Home and Community Based Services week. The purpose for gathering at these meal sites program provided the following services: are not just for a meal but more for socialization and fun. HCNP also provided transportation to over • Personal Care, Homemaker, and Chore Services 200 seniors to-and-from these sites. Over 90% of were utilized for a total of 13,319 hours of congregate participants rated their site meals and assistance to seniors unable to perform daily facilities as “Good” or “Very Good”. activities (such as eating, dressing or bathing) or instrumental activities of daily living such as • RETIRED SENIORS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP): shopping or light housework.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 9 Outstanding Older Americans Award Luncheon Over 300 family members and well-wishers attended the luncheon held on May 6 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The 2016 outstanding seniors included Roy Haslip, Eric Mukai, Dan Reimer, Robert Terukina, Roy Wilson, Beverly Brand, Doreen Henderson, Clair Inman, Shirley Ann Kauhaihao, Pearl Kawahara, Mary Ann Lim, Filomena Miyamoto, Pauline Shinshiro, and Billie Jean Whitney. Following the program, a drawing was held to pick two winners to represent the Big Island at a statewide function held on O‘ahu. The lucky winners were Roy Haslip and Clair Inman.

• Adult Day Care services were provided for a total Veteran’s Home at $11,200 and Foster Home Care of 9,256 hours of care for dependent adults in or a Care Home between $3,000-$5,000. Kupuna a supervised, protective group setting during Care case management reduced out of pocket costs some portion of a twenty-four hour day thus through its “least restrictive placement” approach allowing socialization for the kupuna and rest to transition planning that involves the development and recuperation for the caregiver(s). of lasting informal partnerships for seniors at every • Case Management Services were provided for a level. By listening to our kupuna and our partners total of 7,850 hours of assistance in assessing in care, the whole community benefits from the needs, developing care plans, and arranging leveraging of this Kupuna Care funding stream. services for 376 seniors and their caregivers. • HOME DELIVERED MEALS: In FY 2015-16, the Hawaii HCOA is proud to report that of the 376 Kupuna Care- County Nutrition program served 387 homebound funded seniors receiving case management in 2016, seniors with 5 meals per week with the intent of over 70% percent were able to stay in their homes at alleviating the cost and meal prep burdens so that an average cost to HCOA of $2,500 per month. This these kupuna can age in their home around familiar is an astonishingly low figure when average monthly surroundings. costs at Hilo’s Life Care Center run $12,405, Okutsu

10 County of Hawai‘i CIVIL DEFENSE

These new sirens are activated by satellite-induced signals and bring the total number of outdoor warning siren systems in the County to 83, an increase of 12 from last year. • HCCDA Public Notification and Warning Systems: The Blackboard Connect Mass Notification subscribed service continues to support the need ED TEIXEIRA to provide timely public information, alerts, and Administrator outreach messaging to about 12,000 customers. In addition, the Fire Department and Water Supply JOHN DRUMMOND have used this service for emergency personnel WILLIAM HANSON recall, call back, and emergency customer service Administrative Officers messages. Various social media and web-based platforms are continually used and expanded to post The overall mission of Hawai‘i County Civil Defense and disseminate emergency information. For this Agency (HCCDA) is two-fold: Emergency Management, reporting period, the HCCDA active alerts webpage which includes programs and activities in Preparedness, on the County of Hawai‘i website and Facebook Hazard Mitigation, Response and Recovery; and, pages were regularly updated in a timely fashion Homeland Security, which includes grants management with emergency and Lava Flow 61g information as it and projects that address cyber-security and capacity- became available. building. For the year 2015-2016 a great deal of emphasis was directed to the response to and ultimate • Public Access Television: Coordination for the use mitigation of the Dengue Fever Outbreak occurring from of an emergency broadcast channel was initiated in October 2015 to April 2016 that affected all Big Island May that will result in a new partnership between Districts involving 264 confirmed cases. County of Hawai‘i and Na Leo TV. This initiative involves the use of a channel in times of emergency for emergency broadcast information including BUDGET an Emergency Broadcast feed to the naleo.tv web Wages and Salaries 778,222 site. When the project is complete, Hawai‘i County Other Current Expenses 213,002 emergency officials can now broadcast over local cable whenever necessary. Equipment 500 • Interagency Vog Dashboard: Discussions about an Federal Grants 400,000 online interagency vog dashboard have resulted in a Total $1,391,724 collaborative partnership between the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (Durham University, UK), Hawai‘i State Department of Health, USGS PREPAREDNESS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawai‘i County • HCCDA Outdoor Warning Siren System: In the last HCCDA, National Park Service, County of Hawai‘i year, the HCCDA worked collaboratively with the Mayor’s Office, Center for the Study of Active State to install outdoor warning siren systems in the Volcanoes (University of Hawai‘i) and the US following areas: Kings Landing, Holoholo Kai BP, Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. Honokaope Beach, Hāli‘i Kai, Kolea Kai, Waikaumalo This interagency partnership has been established Park, Kukuihaele Park, Mahukona Park, Kapa‘a to implement recommendations from a collaborative Beach park, Hawaiian Paradise Beach , Kapoho study between Dr. Claire Horwell and the USGS, Vacation Land, Wa‘awa‘a. funded by the British Council Researcher Links

Public Safety Building, 920 Ululani St. | Phone (808) 935-0031 | After Hours (808) 935-3311 | Fax (808) 935-6460 [email protected] | hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense

Annual Report FY 2015-16 11 Program and Durham University, UK, to examine how Corps (MRC); and Neighborhood Watch. The County people who live downwind of Kīlauea Volcano cope of Hawai‘i maintains a Citizen Corps Council whose with volcanic gas emissions. members are appointed by the Mayor. Council • Emergency Radio Modernization Project: HCCDA membership includes representatives from Affiliate is a partner in the County-wide emergency radio organizations such as the Volunteer Organizations modernization project. As of June 30, the $30 Active in Disasters (VOAD) and Red Cross; HCCDA, million project is approximately 75% complete. Initial Fire Department, Prosecutor’s Office, and the site work is done with new equipment installed Department of Health. and operational. Generator and Air Conditioning • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) upgrades have also been completed at sites. Mobile Program Development: CERT is an active and radios have been installed in 95% of the county ongoing resource for HCCDA and communities in vehicles requiring radios, and portable radios have response and recovery efforts. Six (6) CERT Basic been issued to county departments. Training courses were conducted. As a result, • Alternate Dispatch Center: A new Alternate Dispatch 79 students graduated. Every other year, CERT Center installation in the area formerly used by the members need to recertify. For this period, 52 Amateur Radio Operators in the HCCDA office is 75% members were recertified. As of June 30, 2016, complete as of June 30. When complete, this will on record there are 462 active CERT members serve as an alternate dispatch center for Police and in Hawai‘i County. During this reporting period, Fire in the event their main dispatch location needs the comprehensive final draft of the 2016 CERT to be evacuated. Amateur Radio operations will Guidelines was completed and has been submitted be moved to the former alternate dispatch location for review and approval. upon completion of the radio project. • Lava Viewing Area Oversight: The lava flow outbreak • Radio, Conference, Community Awareness from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on May 24, 2016, advanced toward and Education Presentations: Requests from Pūlama Pali and along the western boundary of communities throughout the island for radio, the former Royal Gardens Subdivision and into the conference, community awareness and educational Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Although the lava presentations are accommodated as much as flow does not pose a threat to any community at this possible and usually occur twice a month on time, it does present an opportunity for residents average. All presentations include information and visitors alike to view lava along the portion of about emergency management programs involving: the Emergency Road section or Highway 130 under preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery as County of Hawai‘i jurisdiction. On June 30, 2016, appropriate. More importantly, HCCDA emphasizes the County of Hawai‘i opened a 3 mile stretch of the the importance of relationships at the community, Emergency Access Road section of Hwy 130 to lava agency, government, and policy levels to effectively viewing between the hours of 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., daily. manage emergencies. This year, topics included the Dengue tips, tools, and Fight the Bite campaign, Lava viewing along the County’s portion on the tsunami awareness, Lava Flow 61g, Disaster Emergency Access Road has attracted both visitors preparedness, emergency management, auxiliary and kama‘āina (local and/or native born residents). communications, and community emergency Since its entry into the sea on or about July 26, response. 2016, visitors and kama‘āina may cross over into the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park gate at Mile • Citizen Corps: County of Hawai‘i’s Citizen Corps Marker (MM) 24.5 and follow the road for another meets monthly at the EOC. The Citizen Corps’ 1.2 miles to see the active lava flow. The safety of mission is to harness the power of every individual visitors and kama‘āina remains the top priority in through education, training, and volunteer service lava viewing operations. HCCDA assumed the lead to make communities safer, stronger, and better in the planning, interagency coordination, and on- prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, site supervision of Kalapana Lava Viewing activities crime, public health issues, and disasters of all beginning June 17, 2016. kinds. Citizen Corps is comprised of community volunteers primarily representing: Community The County’s lava viewing operations continue to Emergency Response Teams (CERT); Fire Corps, require a team effort by various County departments, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Medical Reserve other government agencies, and private contractors.

12 County of Hawai‘i HCCDA developed new Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) for the County of Hawai‘i Lava Viewing. The SOG provides information and procedures to ensure the Active Community safety and security or residents and visitors. Emergency Response Teams

HAZARD MITIGATION Hawai‘i First Federal CU S. Hilo • Hawai‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: The HELCO S. Hilo Hawai‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Hilo Bayfront S. Hilo Agency (FEMA) in August 2015. Approval of the Multi- HOVE Ka‘ū Hazard Mitigation Plan is a federal requirement the absence of which may prevent the County of Hawai‘i HPP Puna from being eligible for federal disaster assistance. At Kailapa S. Kohala the county level, multi-hazard mitigation plans are revised and approved every five years. The Multi- Kailua-Kona N. Kona Hazard Mitigation Plan took months to complete. Kalani Honua Puna FEMA reimbursed the County of Hawai‘i $60,706 or 75% of the cost to update the plan. The purpose of Keaukaha S. Hilo the 2015 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is to provide a Leilani Estates Puna strategy to reduce or eliminate loss of life or property caused by a disaster from a natural hazard i.e. heavy Miloli‘i S. Kona rains and flooding; hurricane; tsunami; earthquake; N. Kohala N. Kohala lava flow etc. Orchidland Puna RESPONSE AND RECOVERY S. Kona S. Kona • Hurricane Season 2015: The 2015 Hurricane Season Pa‘auilo Hāmākua was the second-most active season on record with Palisades N. Kona 26 named storms, only behind the 1992 season. A record-tying 16 of these storms became hurricanes, PPH N. Hilo and a record 11 storms became major hurricanes U of N N. Kona throughout the season. The central Pacific, the portion of the eastern Pacific between the International Volcano Puna Dateline and Longitude 140 degrees West had its most Waiākea S. Hilo active year on record, with fifteen tropical cyclones forming in or entering the zone. The season officially Waikoloa S. Kohala started on May 15 in the East Pacific Ocean and on Waimea S. Kohala June 1 in the Central Pacific; they both ended on November 30. The above-average activity during the season was attributed in part to the strong 2014-2016 The following CERT elements El Nino event. HCCDA, other county departments and agencies, to include State, federal, and non- are awaiting approval: government stakeholder organizations participated in ‘Āinaloa Puna Emergency Operations Center activations in preparing for and responding to the potential effects of fifteen Discovery Harbour Ka’ū tropical cyclone systems. Fortunately, none of these Kaloli Point Puna systems made landfall on the County of Hawai‘i. Kalapana Seaview Estates Puna • Dengue Fever Outbreak: On October 29, 2015, the State Department of Health (DOH) reported two Laupāhoehoe N. Hilo confirmed cases of dengue fever originating on Hawai‘i Island.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 13 Dengue Fever Outbreak Response

A week later on November 5, 2015, fifteen cases (HC-ACS) Program: The HC-ACS is the emergency had been confirmed by DOH and were concentrated communications service for the County of Hawai‘i. in Ho‘okena and Hōnaunau on the west side of HC-ACS provides high surf, costal inundation, the island. By November 11, 2015, the number of and weather reporting from their vantage points confirmed cases had risen to 33. By late December in and around multiple communities throughout 2015 cases of dengue fever had appeared in Hawai‘i Island. HC-ACS also forwards HCCDA alert virtually every corner of Hawai‘i Island with the case messages and can provide emergency back-up count at 181. Communities impacted by dengue communications at Fire Stations and other location included: Ho‘okena, Hōnaunau, Miloli‘i, Waipi‘o as requested by the County of Hawai‘i. HCCDA Valley and those in lower Puna. activated and HC-ACS provided communications services to assist the County in emergency To stem the tide of the dengue fever outbreak, in communications in preparing for and responding to early November 2015, State and County officials the potential effects of Hurricanes Guillermo, Hilda, formed a Unified Command to undertake mosquito Ignacio, Jimena and Olaf. control measures and to engage in public education and outreach efforts. A “Fight the Bite” campaign was introduced by the Unified Command, as a HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS PROGRAM strategy to reduce the mosquito population and • 2015 HLS Grant: In the last year, HCCDA staff protecting people from mosquito bites. This labored collaboratively in laying the groundwork to campaign and other mosquito control measures expend the FFY 2015 HLS Grant Award of $540,000 helped to mitigate the cycle of dengue infection for the purchase of mobile generators for the and transmission as demonstrated in the decline of Department of Water Supply. The outcome of this cases from February 2016 through March 2016. groundwork resulted in the final award of $760,000 in HLS grant monies. As of April 26, 2016 the total number of confirmed cases of dengue fever on Hawai‘i Island increased • 2016 HLS Grant: An Investment Justification to to 264, with the latest estimated onset of illness Enhance Evacuation Shelter Emergency Back- occurring on or about March 17, 2016. By the end of up Power Capabilities was submitted focusing on April, 2016, no new, confirmed cases of dengue fever installation of up to 22 transfer switches in County were reported. and other evacuation shelter facilities. A budget of $580,000 was established for this important grant-funded project. As the sub grantee for HLS • CERT Activations: HCCDA activated and CERT grant funds, HCCDA may also receive an additional members provided door-to-door notification of costal $20,000 for under the Whole Community Resilience hazards pre-landfall for the following Hurricanes: Investment Justification. Notification for the award Hurricanes Guillermo. Hilda, Ignacio, and Olaf. of the 2016 HLS Grant Program was initiated by the • Hawai‘i County Auxiliary Communications Service State Department of Defense in May, 2016.

14 County of Hawai‘i CORPORATION COUNSEL

permanent injunction of the County’s flood mapping efforts for the Nāpō‘opo‘o junction, Joseph v. Davis, et al., which alleged the Plaintiff sustained serious injuries when a propane hot water heater exploded and Collins v. County, which sought damages when his house was destroyed by fire. • This office also obtained favorable results at trial MOLLY STEBBINS WILLIAM BRILHANTE, JR. in County v. Smith, a condemnation action, as well Corporation Counsel Assistant Corporation Counsel as in two separate Merit Appeals Board trials which involved claims brought by various Fire Department LAUREEN MARTIN Battalion Chiefs. Litigation Supervisor • 82 new claims against the County for damage or AMY SELF injury were investigated by the office; 20 of these Counseling & Drafting Supervisor claims were denied. Payments on claims for FY 15- 16 totaled $61,854.04 which includes payments on • The Office of the Corporation Counsel’s budget for new claims filed as well as claims continuing from FY 15-16 was $2,762,113. Over 77% of that amount previous fiscal years. The office also assisted in filing went to salaries and wages. The office’s 16 attorneys property damage claims on behalf of the County and and 12 support staff provided legal services to over obtained a total of $31,651.40 for damages or repair 20 departments, 20 boards and commissions, and to County property where another party was at fault. 2,500 County employees. At the close of the fiscal • The office’s collection efforts recouped over year, there were 14 attorneys and 12 support staff. $207,000 in outstanding solid waste, water service • The office received over 1,560 requests for legal fees and property damages owed to the County. assistance. This number includes requests for legal • The office provided training to County employees opinions, requests to provide review and comment, in a wide range of legal areas, such as Contract requests to draft documents and miscellaneous Drafting, Ethics, Introduction to Contested Case legal requests. In addition, the office reviewed over Hearings, Preventing Retaliation in the Workplace 1,870 contracts for legal sufficiency. The Counseling for Supervisors, Sunshine Law and the Uniform & Drafting attorneys provided legal advice and Information Practices Act. Other specialized guidance at over 1,260 meetings, including board trainings were done for Police, Hawaii Island Humane and commission meetings and meetings with other Society Officers, Tax Board of Review, Mass Transit, County departmental personnel. The Litigation the Fire Department and the Department of Public attorneys appeared at over 560 hearings involving Works, such as: Civil Liability Training for new Police the County. Supervisors, Police Officer Recruits and Police and • The office settled five major lawsuits which included Fire Dispatchers, a Tax Board of Review Workshop, two wrongful death cases, one partial paraplegic ADA for Hele-On Bus Drivers, and Investigation and case and two lawsuits filed by the ACLU. The Documentation for Code Violations for Inspectors. potential liability for these lawsuits exceeded $15 In total, the office offered 11 different classes and million and the County successfully resolved these trained a total of 457 County officers and employees. matters for $741,400. In addition, the office organized the 8th Annual Statewide Municipal Law Conference. • The office also obtained dismissals in eight lawsuits including Smith v. County of Hawai’i, which sought a

Hilo Lagoon Center, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 | Phone (808) 961-8251 | Fax (808) 961-8622 [email protected] | hawaiicounty.gov/corporation-counsel

Annual Report FY 2015-16 15 COUNTY COUNCIL & COUNTY CLERK

The Hawai‘i County Council is comprised of nine members, each elected from one of Hawai‘i County’s nine Council districts and serving two-year terms (term expires 12/05/16). At the end of FY 2015-16, the nine Council districts were represented by the following Council Members:

DISTRICT 9 DISTRICT 1 –VICE CHAIR DISTRICT 2 MARGARET WILLE VALERIE POINDEXTER AARON CHUNG North and South Kohala Portions of South Hilo, North Hilo, Portion of South Hilo Hāmākua, portion of Waimea

DISTRICT 8 DISTRICT 3 KAREN EOFF DENNIS “FRESH” ONISHI North Kona Portion of S. Hilo, portion of Kea‘au

DISTRICT 7 – COUNCIL CHAIR DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 4 DRU MAMO KANUHA MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID DANIEL PALEKA JR. GREGGOR ILAGAN Portion of N. Kona, portion of Portion of N. Kona, S. Kona, Ka‘ū, Portion of Puna (Western) Portion of Puna (Eastern) S. Kona greater Volcano area

Hilo: Hawai‘i County Building, Room 1402 Phone (808) 961-8225 | Fax (808) 961-8912 Kona: West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building A Phone (808) 323-4260 Pāhoa: 15-2662 Pāhoa Village Rd., Room 304 Phone (808) 965-2713 | Fax (808) 965-2707 STEWART MAEDA JON HENRICKS BONNIE NIMS Waimea: 64-1067 Māmalahoa Hwy., Suite C-5 County Clerk Deputy County Clerk Legislative Auditor Phone (808) 887-2069 | Fax (808) 887-2072 Legislative Auditor: 1266 Kamehameha Avenue, Suite A-8 Phone (808) 961-8386 | Fax (808) 961-8905

16 County of Hawai‘i • The total operating budget appropriated for FY 2015- • Monitored the 28th State Legislative Session by 16 was $4,433,709 with an additional $900,000 compiling an extensive list of 232 bills of significant for Contingency Relief that was distributed equally interest to the County and provided daily reports among the Council Members to fund County- to the Council on legislative activity for those bills related projects or to provide grants to nonprofit throughout the legislative session. organizations pursuant to Section 2-139 of the • Assisted the Council with the budget review process, Hawai‘i County Code. which included the submittal of 142 nonprofits to OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK be included in the operating budget and the review and transmittal of 20 budget amendments and • The County Council held 24 regular meetings, four all amended drafts of the operating and capital special meetings, and one public hearing; enacted budgets. 129 ordinances and adopted 322 resolutions. • In addition, LRB initiated and/or completed the • Council Services copied 133 DVDs of the meetings, following special projects: conducted two training scanned 2,718 documents, and researched 132 classes for Council district staff on legislative requests from the public. drafting and budget procedures and amendments; • The Council’s committees conducted 92 regular updated, published, and distributed over 720 meetings, one special meeting (three-day special copies of the informational brochure, Your County session of the Committee on Finance to conduct the Government; completed the ten-year revision of the annual departmental program and budget reviews), County Code and initiated the necessary steps for one public hearing, and completed 144 Committee the republication and distribution of 115 copies of reports. the County Code; assisted with the coordination of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties’ annual SUPPORT SERVICES conference; created new identification badges for • The Support Services Division reproduced employees of the Legislative Branch; and performed 3,723,362 black and white copies and 520,908 other duties as assigned. color copies of various documents including maps, booklets, and posters; mailed 315,646 pieces of LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR various weights and is responsible for driving to • The Office of the Legislative Auditor conducts various County departments and agencies located impartial financial and performance audits of County in the Hilo area to pick up and distribute all inter- agencies, programs, and operations; is responsible departmental envelopes and mail. for procuring an independent certified public accountant to conduct a post-audit of the County’s ELECTIONS financial transactions; and initiates audit evaluations • The Elections Division conducted the Primary or special studies either on request of the Council or Election in 2016, processed 15,749 new and on its own initiative. updated voter registration affidavits, mailed out • For FY 2015-16, expenditures for the Office of the 30,560 absentee ballots for the Primary Election, Legislative Auditor totaled $613,940 or $182,911 and processed 4,837 absentee walk-in voters for (23%) below the projected budget amount of the Primary Election. The Statewide Online Voter $796,851. Registration system (OLVR) was implemented on August 1, 2015. As of June 30, 2016, 1,269 • Pursuant to Hawai‘i County Charter §10-13, new voters registered using the OLVR system and external auditor, N&K, CPAs, Inc., completed their 2,484 voters used the system to update their voter second year of a four-year contract (FY 2013-14 information. through FY 2016-17). On May 16, 2016, N&K CPAs Inc. presented their financial audit reports to the LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH BRANCH Committee on Finance. The reports included an • During FY 2015-16, the Legislative Research Branch Audit Opinion on the County’s Comprehensive Annual reviewed and provided drafting assistance for 242 Financial Report, Financial Statement Audit and resolutions, 34 bills, and 116 proposed amendments Management Report of the Department of Water to legislation before the Council; completed the Supply, and Single Audit Report on Federal Financial Annual Report for the Office of the County Clerk; and Assistance Programs required for FY 2014-2015. updated the online version of the Code.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 17 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

establish procedures for water shut-off in efforts to address sewer delinquencies. The Hawai‘i County Code was amended by Ordinance No. 14-136 which authorizes the termination of water service for non-payment of sewer service charges effective December 31, 2015

BOBBY JEAN JOHN MEDEIROS LEITHEAD TODD Deputy Director WASTEWATER Director • Completed conceptual plans for the community outreach and preliminary phases for the R-1 upgrade ROBIN BAUMAN, Business Manager of the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant in GREG GOODALE, Solid Waste Division Chief support an Effluent Reuse Program for West Hawai‘i. DORA BECK, Wastewater Division Chief • Began community outreach activities for the Nā‘ālehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement Project as part of the planning for a new wastewater Budget treatment and disposal system to serve Nā‘ālehu Administration 1,176,318 and eventual Large Capacity Cesspool closure. Wastewater 12,259,210 • The USEPA agreed to DEM-WWD’s suggested Solid Waste 28,053,563 modified version of their Administrative Order Vehicle Disposal 4,478,217 compliance schedule for realistically meeting the EPA’s deadline for the repair of the undercut portions TOTAL $ 45,967,308 of pipe support for the Hilo WWTP outfall pipe. • Phase I of the North Kona Sewer & Effluent Reuse Employees Project went into construction. Administration 19 • Executed a contract with a consultant to begin Wastewater 52 design of a sewer system for the Lono Kona Solid Waster 110 Improvement District Project. TOTAL 181 SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING • A Notice of Award was made and a Notice to Proceed BUSINESS SERVICES is expected to be issued with approval of the FY16- • Continued to collaborate with the Office of the 17 budget for the construction of a Compost and Corporation Counsel to pursue judgments on green waste processing facility. This facility will allow seriously delinquent landfill and wastewater for the acceptance of food waste, contaminated customers. paper and green waste. It will also process the green • Continued working with the Department of Water waste in a way that will kill invasive species. Supply to amend administrative rules and to

18 County of Hawai‘i Transfer Stations Improved Both the Volcano and Glenwood Transfer Stations were completed and have been in full use. Improvements included: removal of deteriorated retaining walls; addition of covered concrete docks for recycling and rubbish bins; redevelopment of both transfer station site plans to increase traffic flow and provide potential sites for future services as requested by communities. Construction was performed by Loeffler Construction.

• The SWD was accepting waste tires from October to • A Consultant selection was made for the design May in support of the Counties efforts to eradicate of the closure system for the South Hilo Sanitary the Dengue Fever outbreak in the County. The SWD Landfill. The Contract award is expected to be made collected over 50,000 tires during this time period. in the early part of FY16-17 and design work for the • Green waste collection services began for both closure is expected to begin in late summer/early fall the Waimea and Volcano Transfer Stations. The of 2016. materials being collected in these bins is expected to significantly reduce the amount of green waste that is going down the refuse chutes.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 19 FINANCE

• Driver Licensing administered a total of 11,585 written tests and 5,440 road tests. As of December 30, 2015, Hawaii County had 132,461 licensed drivers. In addition, we issued 5,011 initial State identification cards, renewed 615 and issued 2,457 duplicates.

• On January 1, 2016, Driver Licensing began issuing DEANNA SAKO LISA MIURA Limited Purpose Driver’s license to individuals Director Deputy Director who are unable to provide proof of legal presence in the United States at our Hilo and Kona offices. KAY OSHIRO, Accounts Information and the list of required documents for NANCY KELLY, Budget Hawai‘i’s Legal Presence law that became effective last year can be found at: http://www.hawaiicounty. HAMANA VENTURA, Property Management gov/finance-dl-hi-legal-presence. JEFFREY DANSDILL, Purchasing • The highlights at the West Hawaii Civic Center STANLEY SITKO, Real Property Tax Vehicle Registration and Licensing (VRL) office were SCOTT KNOWLES, Risk Management the installation of an ATM machine in July 2015 and CHRIS NAKANO, Treasury the QFlow system in April 2016. The ATM machine sits within the lobby area and provides customers NAOMI O’DELL, Vehicle Registration & Licensing with another avenue to making payments. The QFlow system is our current numbering system for this office. Customers are provided a number During FY 2015-16, the department was authorized the at check in and called to the next available clerk following budget appropriation: electronically through our TV monitor. Information regarding vehicle registration, including transfers, Administration and Budget 579,350 can be found at: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/ Accounts 800,618 finance-vrl-general-info. Purchasing 578,781 • The number of on-line vehicle registration renewals Treasury 359,356 increased another 20% this year to an average Real Property Tax 3,885,672 of 1,350 online renewals per month. Customers Risk Management 87,694 wanting to take advantage of this on-line service Property Management 2,133,390 can renew their registration at: https://mvr.ehawaii. Vehicle Registration & Licensing 3,779,323 gov/renewals/index.html?county=hawaii. TOTAL $ 12,204,184 • On-line Real Property Tax payments increased by 13% for a total of 15,371 payments. The actual The Department of Finance also oversees the tax collection amount increased 29% to a total of appropriation for debt service, pension and retirement $21.6 million. To make a Real Property Tax payment contributions and health fund. Listed as Miscellaneous on-line go to: https://payments.ehawaii.gov/ Accounts, the net budget for these items totaled propertytax/hawaii/index.html. $111,104,942 for FY 2015-16. • The Real Property Tax Office deployed tablets for the appraisers to use in the field which not only provides up to date mapping services, but reduces time and errors when duplicating efforts. Along with

Hawai‘i County Building, Room 2103 | Phone (808) 961-8234 | Fax (808) 961-8569 [email protected] | hawaiicounty.gov/finance

20 County of Hawai‘i New Waimea Vehicle Registration & Licensing Office The office moved out of the Waimea Police Station to their new and larger location at the Waimea Center, 65-1158 Mamalahoa Highway. The new office officially opened on November 19, 2015. Two employees were added to the staff and this location is now able to service vehicle registration, driver’s license and state identification cards.

the other counties in the State, the staff continued • The Budget Office processed 138 non-profit grant to test the Marshall and Swift valuation service applications for fiscal year 2016-2017. 134 were which included review of data controls. A total of 111 awarded by the County Council totaling $1,500,000. properties were sold due to delinquent taxes over two separate tax sales held in January 2016 and • The County of Hawai‘i was again awarded a June 2016. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers • Property Management completed the acquisition Association for its Comprehensive Annual Financial of Pohoiki Bay in Puna on November 17, 2015, Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June encompassing 26.762 acres near Pohoiki Park, 30, 2015. The County’s CAFRs can be found at: and Kahua Olohu in Ka‘ū on June 30, 2016, http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/browse. encompassing 13 acres of former Makahiki aspx?dbid=1&startid=25023. lands. Funding for these purchases came from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources • The Purchasing Division implemented the Contract Preservation Fund and ensures that these lands Management Module in the Eden Financial System remain preserved in open space and protected in allowing departments to view contract documents perpetuity for the people of Hawai‘i. Information and payment history for the procurements processed regarding the PONC Fund can be found at: http:// through the Division. The division updated the pCard records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/browse. Manual to be in compliance with current purchasing aspx?dbid=1&startid=13770. policies and procedures along with adding greater clarity to the oversight and approval process. • In February 2016, the Treasury Division issued $235,765,000 in general obligation bonds. The • The Purchasing Division’s Office Supply Storeroom net interest cost on these bonds was 2.31%. The closed on June 30, 2016. Departments will now proceeds of the bonds were used for new projects order supplies online using a competitively procured as well as to pay off outstanding bond anticipation contract, with supplies being delivered directly. notes and refund existing debt to save on interest The County will eliminate the cost of stocking the cost. Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, reaffirmed the supplies onsite, as well as offering competitive County’s bond ratings of Aa2 and AA- respectively. pricing on a wider range of office supply items required by the departments.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 21 FIRE

HIGHLIGHTS • Filling of critical vacant positions in the Fire Department through internal promotional examinations and new hiring. • Continued to provide optimum service to the residents and visitors of Hawai‘i County by DARREN ROSARIO RENWICK VICTORINO coordinating effective training with partnering Chief Deputy Chief agencies and providing proper staffing. GANTRY ANDRADE • National Fire Academy (NFA): continue training Assistant Chief – Emergency Operations with the NFA Programs; on and off campus courses offered to our personnel. GLEN HONDA • Conducted a Hazmat Technician training course, Assistant Chief – Support Services certifying 12 new Hazmat Technicians. • Completed Driver Training class and testing to issue The Hawai‘i Fire Department operates with 360 career permits for 11 Volunteer Fire Fighters to begin driver or paid Fire Fighters assigned to three shifts at 20 fire training and become certified drivers. stations Island-wide, 49 Water Safety Officers protecting 12 beach parks, 141 Volunteer Members (20 volunteer • Completed Radio/Communications training and companies), 13 Fire Radio Dispatchers, and 26 distributed portable radios to all Volunteers. Administrative Services Personnel. • Smoke Detector/Home Inspection Program reached 104 homes and over 520 detectors were installed. The Department is primarily responsible for fire • Conducted Fire Prevention Week/Month assemblies protection and suppression, pre hospital emergency at 27 elementary schools with over 6,000 children. medical services, land and sea search and rescue, hazardous materials response, ocean safety, and fire • Arson K9 Kaimi was instrumental in the conviction of prevention and public education for the County. an arson case. • Fire Prevention started a new kitchen hood, duct and As the State of Hawai‘i contract provider for Emergency suppression system enforcement program. Program Medical Services (EMS) for the County of Hawai‘i, the focuses on ensuring that the three main components Department receives funding from the State Department of the commercial kitchen system meets Fire Codes. of Health Emergency Medical Services Branch to Also, the owners of the restaurants are educated on operate 15 Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport the proper maintenance of the systems which will units (ambulances) and one Air Medical (ALS) transport bring continued compliance. helicopter. Those funds account for approximately 35% • The Hawai‘i Fire Department hosted the 20156 of the department’s annual operating budget. Ocean Safety Drowning Prevention conference in August 2015 with attendees from throughout During FY 2015-16, the Hawai‘i Fire Department the state. We also hosted the State Jr. Lifeguard responded to a total of 24,551 calls for assistance Championships at Hāpuna Beach with 170 from the public: 750 fire/Explosion related, 16,960 participants. EMS related, 124 water/land rescue, 195 hazardous conditions, 1,744 public service, 4,082 good intent, • The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) 331 false, 14 severe weather, and 5 public complaint held their annual Board of Directors meeting and incidents. conference here on Hawai‘i Island. One of our Water

22 County of Hawai‘i Graduation of the 44th Fire Fighter Recruit Class on June 10, 2016. 25 Fire Recruits were assigned to various stations to further their training.

Safety Officers, Darren Hauanio was presented with Challenge that was held in September 2015 in an award for bravery from the USLA for an incident Sacramento, California. that occurred at the Kahalu‘u Beach. • Worked with the 93rd Civil Support Team in a multi- • Implemented a Confined Space Rescue Program agency table top and full-scale exercise simulating and trained all of our rescue personnel. Three of response to a chemical leak with an active shooter. our personnel are also trained as Confined Space • In August 2015, HFD rolled out its long awaited High instructors that allows our department to conduct Performance (HP) CPR training to all Operations our own training internally. personnel. The feedback for the training, concept • The annual Daniel Sayre awards dinner was held on and vision was greatly appreciated by all personnel September 5, 2015 and there were 14 recipients involved. Since inception, multiple cardiac arrest of this award. To date, the Sayre Foundation has survivor incidents have been positively documented. provided over one million dollars to the Hawai‘i Fire • On August 10, 2015, eight personnel started the Fall Department toward training and equipment. 2015 MICT program with the Kapi‘olani Community • Conducted a simulated Search and Rescue (SAR) College. Personnel undertook 11 months of exercise with the US Coast Guard. We also reviewed extensive, intense, didactic, and clinical and the MOA that is currently in place with the USCG and internship training. The didactic training was held the County of Hawai‘i. here on island with a portion of their clinical and • We have made available and have send personnel to internship training done on Oahu. All eight personnel training that is federally funded by the Department successfully passed the KCC MICT program. of Homeland Security and Office of Domestic • EMS Bureau actively contributed with the “Fight the Preparedness for classes in radiological incidents, Bite” campaign in the Dengue outbreak servicing response to terrorist bombings, and incidents the vulnerable populations and communities with involving weapons of mass destruction. limited to no access to healthcare. As part of the • Procured four radiological meters for our two Hazmat Multi-Disciplinary Team, EMS Bureau personnel stations in East and West Hawai‘i. These units were assisted with public outreach, handed out repellent, funded by the Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted field screening and blood draws of (LEPC). The LEPC also provided funding for three suspected cases. of our personnel to attend the Hazmat Continuing • North Hawai‘i Community Hospital (NHCH)

Annual Report FY 2015-16 23 Rescue Water Craft Implemented our Rescue Water Craft (Jet Ski) program in July 2015 stationed at Hāpuna and Isaac Hale Beaches. We have 68 documented rescues utilizing our RWC for FY 2015- 16. Our RWC were also utilized for safety at the Ironman, Honu and Hilo triathlons and many other ocean events and demonstrations.

underwent Trauma Reverification Site Survey. During • Alternative funding acquired for Fiscal Year 2015-16 the survey by the American College of Surgeon period through the efforts of Captain Jesse Ebersole: reviewers, it was noted that our HFD EMS teams had State Highway Airbags ($45,464); State Highway exemplary marks for their patient documentation Emergency Lighting ($78,641); State Highway (ePCR) on trauma, “some of the best in the country!” CPS Program ($13,500); State Highway eDraulic as it was officially reported. ($30,000); AFG SCBA replacement (1.3 million); • Hands Only CPR wrapped up its 3rd academic school Office of Aging ($100,000); Shippers Wharf Prof year. Over 7,000 people to date have been trained Development ($55,000). in Hands Only CPR.

24 County of Hawai‘i New Haihai Fire Station Construction began in April 2016 for a brand new fire station on Haihai Street in Hilo, a $10.6 million project to replace the antiquated and undersized Kawailani Fire Station. The new station will ensure continued fire and paramedic service to the growing Waiākea area of Hilo. The new Haihai Fire Station is being built on the corner of Haihai Street and Laulā Road, across from the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Over the course of Mayor Kenoi’s administration, the Fire Department also added 11 ambulances, seven fire trucks, and a new rescue helicopter to replace a 28-year-old aircraft. The $6.2 million Makalei Fire Station was built to improve response times in North Kona, which was previously served by the Kailua Fire Station, seven miles to the south.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 25 HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Kamakoa Nui – Waikoloa Workforce Housing: Completed last 38 homes in Phase IV. Awarded contract and started construction on the final 16 homes for the project in Phase V. All 16 Phase V homes were sold prior to the start of construction. Contracted and conducted road survey as part of the road dedication process. SUSAN AKIYAMA KEN VAN BERGEN • Fair Housing: Conducted 26 seminars and provided Administrator Assistant Administrator technical assistance for inquiries, grant application and tax exemptions; started Analysis of Impediments CHRISTINE NGUYEN, Accounting to Fair Housing Study. SHARON HIROTA, Existing Housing • Affordable Housing: Implemented Chapter NOEL FUJIMOTO, Grants Management 11 affordable housing requirements on four development projects that will result in 291 units. Implemented HRS 201H to provide exemptions for Budget one project to develop 169 units. Housing Fund 18,215,824 (85% Federally Funded) Kulaimano Elderly Housing 325,548 EXISTING HOUSING (41% Federally Funded) • Rent Assistance Program: Assisted over 1,800 low Ouli Ekahi Housing 350,070 and moderate-income persons/families through the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Tenant TOTAL $ 18,891,442 Based Rent Assistance Programs. Maintained a 99% utilization rate of funds. Received approximately The expenditures from the Housing Fund include $1 million increase in program funding based on $13,952,267 expended on Section 8 Rental previous year’s accomplishments. Assistance and Family Self Sufficiency Programs. • Family Self Sufficiency Program:Working with 16 families. Graduated six participants from the program, paying out $39,211.00 in escrow savings. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • Home Repair Programs: Nine low and moderate- • Friendly Place and West Hawai‘i Emergency Shelter: income homeowners received loans and completed Started design renovations for a commercial kitchen, their home repairs. expanded meal service and expanded service to • Section 8 Homeownership Option Program: clients to 24/7. Completed one Homeownership transaction. • Ulu Wini Housing Program: Finalized lease with • Ho‘owaiwai Empowerment Services: Contracted Habitat for Humanity for West Hawai‘i ReStore in the with Hawaiian Community Assets in providing free adjoining Educational Training Facility. Added 12 monthly Financial Education Workshop, Homebuyer additional parking stalls. Designed a new rockwall Education Workshop and one-on-one financial with signage to be constructed. education and literacy counseling services.

26 County of Hawai‘i • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): Coordinated GRANTS MANAGEMENT three two-day tax clinics in East Hawai‘i. Completed • Applied and was awarded federal HUD and USDOL over 1,200 federal tax returns that resulted in over Workforce grants totaling $6,462,645. $1,127,000.00 in tax refunds and credits that were collected by eligible individuals. In September 2015, • Workforce Development Programs: Assisted 169 awarded a $50,000.00 grant which provides a adults, 142 dislocated workers and 138 youth with financial incentive to encourage Section 8 Program employment and training activities. The One Stop participants to have their payment electronically Partners hosted various training workshops and job deposited into a checking or savings account. fairs. • In April 2016, awarded a $150,000 grant as part of • Projects: Provided 71 new households with Tenant the Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative that Based Rental Assistance; completed 60 affordable helps families with rental/utility security deposit, rent senior rental units at the Mohouli Heights Senior and utility payments. Neighborhood, Phase I; completed ten Self-Help houses in Hawaiian Paradise Park, Phase IV in • Created and implemented programs providing Kea‘au, Hawai‘i; rehabilitated nine homes in the opportunities for residents of Nā Kahua Hale O Ulu Residential Emergency Repair Program; completed Wini to increase their financial capacity through Removal of Architectural Barriers projects at the financial education, incentivized savings programs Honoka‘a Tennis Courts and Honoka‘a Rodeo Arena; and entrepreneurship opportunities and activities. completed construction of a certified kitchen for the • Holomua: County of Hawai‘i Mobile Resource Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island; and completed Center is utilized to provide social and economic site and infrastructure improvements for the Hilo development services to underserved communities. Adult Day Care Center.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 27 Hale Kīkaha Micro-Units Awarded contract and started construction in FY 2015-16 for the $2.5 million, 23-unit development on Pāwai Place in Kailua-Kona’s industrial area, adjacent to the area’s homeless shelter. Hale Kīkaha will provide on-site wraparound social services to residents to increase their chances of success. The complex was dedicated in November 2016. Kīkaha means to soar, and the name Hale Kīkaha represents the County’s hope for and commitment to the28 residents that will call the project home. County of Hawai‘i HUMAN RESOURCES

• Revised the Rules of the Department of Human Resources, Title 1 - Rules of the Director effective January 31, 2016. • Coordinated County’s Leave Sharing Program: two requests for shared leave hours were approved; 56 employees donated 1,687.60 hours of vacation leave. SHARON TORIANO • Facilitated Flexible Spending Plan: As a cafeteria Director plan under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, the County’s Flexible Spending DEE ANN SADAYASU Plan allows participants to pay for health Administrative Services insurance premiums and medical and dependent JENNIFER SAKAMOTO care expenses with pretax dollars. As a result, Classification and Pay participants realize both state and federal income TERI SPINOLA-CAMPBELL tax savings as well as FICA tax savings. In Plan Equal Opportunity Year 2015-2016, the County saved approximately $526,849 in FICA taxes. During this period, 2,021 RYAN CHONG employees participated in the plan. Health & Safety DIANE NODA • Assisted the County Tuition Reimbursement Labor Relations Committee in awarding $14,962.48 to nine employees. GABRIELLA CABANAS Recruitment and Examination • Participated in the state-wide UPW Repricing Pilot Program that received a total of 71 requests, of WAYLEN LEOPOLDINO which 55 were heard. Hearings were held on four Personnel & Organizational Development islands to provide each requestor the opportunity to testify in person. • Assisted Civil Defense with provision of American • The Department of Human Resources is the Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for two dengue central human resource agency for the County of fever outreach meetings. Hawai‘i. The department is responsible for strategic workforce planning, employment, equal opportunity, • The EO Officer coordinated with the Department of personnel and organizational development, Public Works to create a route for easier pedestrian compensation and benefits, employee and labor access around the Ho‘olulu Complex in Hilo. relations, and occupational health and safety. • Coordinated island wide influenza vaccines with KTA • During FY 2015-16, the department’s operating for 428 employees. budget was $2,044,371. In addition to the Director • Heard and responded to 18 employer-level and Deputy Director, the department had 24 grievances. permanent full-time positions and one student • Participated in the negotiation of one collective position from the Hawai‘i Community College under bargaining agreement (for new bargaining unit 14). the Cooperative Vocational Educational Program. • Conducted 241 open-competitive recruitments and 83 internal recruitments to fill 400 vacancies.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 29 The County of Hawai‘i’s 50th Annual Employee Recognition Program was held on Monday, November 16, 2015, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Mayor Billy Kenoi honored and recognized 19 outstanding County of Hawai‘i employees for their dedicated service and commitment to the people of Hawai‘i County. Three employees were selected as Manager, Supervisor and Employee of the Year:

Manager of the Year Supervisor of the Year Employee of the Year Lee Lord Christian Wong Darren Savella Business Manager Captain Custodian/Groundskeeper Office of the Prosecuting Fire Department Police Department Attorney

• Received 10,968 applications. Reviews, Performance Improvement Plans) and • Participated in seven job fairs and conducted two two departmental training sessions (Internal recruitment talks promoting the County of Hawai’i as Investigations). the employer of choice • Conducted 14 customer service trainings in both • Delivered “The Legal Framework for Making East and West Hawai‘i that covered customer service Electronic Documents Accessible to People with basics, building relationships, telephone and email Disabilities” at the Municipal Law Conference in communication, effective communication, critical August 2015. thinking and problem solving skills. Also conducted Customer Service Training tailored for 49 Hawai‘i • Conducted three supervisory Anti-Discrimination and County Mass Transit Bus Operators. Harassment training sessions for 31 participants and nine non-supervisory classes for 181 participants. • Conducted 19 supervisory skills trainings in both East and West Hawai‘i that covered supervisory • Provided and/or coordinated over 94 island wide basics, clear communication, morale improvement, safety training on various safety topics. influential leadership skills, conflict resolution, • Conducted five county-wide training sessions on adapting to change, employee development, team personnel management (Discipline, Job Performance building, critical thinking, and problem solving.

30 County of Hawai‘i INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• A new Internet connection and Firewall was established at WHCC and the Internet traffic load balanced between East and West, increasing speed and security for users. • Completed grant funded VoIP upgrade and Call manager virtualization as well as an Enterprise GIS upgrade. DON JACOBS Director • DIT provided hands-on training to County employees in Adobe Fillable Forms, ADA compliance and SHEILA CADAOAS, Program Manager SharePoint Intranet editing. DIT also purchased BURT TSUCHIYA, Program Manager online training with unlimited course vouchers that can be used by any County of Hawaii employee. The FY 2015-16 was a year of technical improvements and course materials span back office technical products growth for the County. Major upgrade projects have from Cisco, Microsoft, VMware and more, as well as increased the efficiency, reliability, security and user end user training for Windows 8.1, Office 2013 suite accessibility to resources and technologies. and SharePoint. • Completed a County wide PC replacement program for units with the XP operating system. • The County network was redesigned and reconfigured to implement a higher level protocol, • Completed a migration to a new HawaiiCounty. Layer 3, to provide more reliable and secure gov domain. This included the implementation of connections. New switches were placed into service internal exchange email as well as Email server at the County Building, Aupuni Center and ADRC. consolidations. Trusts were established with other County domains to allow for shared email services, • Increased the number of servers that have been and large applications such as Eden Financial virtualized. This saves the county money in Enterprise Software and Laserfiche document equipment, physical space requirements, electrical management. and A/C costs as servers are bundled and run on shared equipment. • Assisted County Departments with upgrades to mission critical applications such as: • The County network was extended to include faster and more reliable network connectivity for remote • CommunityViz Project with Planning Department locations: North Kohala, Keauhou, Kailua, Pahala, in support of the General Plan update. Hawaii Paradise Parks, Kawailani, Kaumana, • Implementation of iasWorld and Qpublic website Makalei, Waiakea, Waikoloa and Captain Cook updates for Finance/Real Property. Fire Stations. As well as Aunty Sally Luau House, • Implementation of Qflow and the opening of the Kealakekua Traffic and the Mass Transit Agency. Waimea VRL satellite office for Finance/VRL.

Hilo: 345 Kekūanāo‘a St., Suite 45 | Phone (808) 932-2960 | Fax (808) 981-2037 Kona: West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building F | Phone (808) 323-4357 [email protected] | hawaiicounty.gov/information-technology

Annual Report FY 2015-16 31 • Implementation of federally mandated Affordable • End user PC support calls declined in FY15/16, and Care Act reporting for Finance/Accounts and response time to support calls improved. This is a Human Resources. result of the deployment of new PC’s combined with • FireRMS upgrade to version 5.01, created a local removing local administrative permissions on PC’s. emergency Planning committee (LEPC) website Removing local administrative permissions on PC’s and implementation of First Watch for the Fire increases reliability of systems by preventing the Department . installation of unapproved and unlicensed software and closing a security gap for malware and virus • HURREVAC software implementation, Radio intrusion. System Upgrade project assistance and Dengue Fever Outbreak mapping for Civil Defense. • The IT department provides technical support to its core users as well as County agencies who have • Technical assistance and presentations on ADA their own IT staffs. In FY2015-16, nearly 10% of technology at the 8th Annual Statewide Municipal technical support provided was in the support of Attorney’s Training Conference - Ho’okaulike . other agencies. This number is anticipated to grow • Use of grant funds allowed IT to upgrade both the as more shared technologies are deployed. County VoIP phone system as well as the County GIS Mapping system while reducing FY15/16 budget expenditures.

32 County of Hawai‘i LIQUOR CONTROL

• The department supports programs and events that promote compliance and education of our liquor laws. 36 district contingency fund grants, requested by our Council Members, were processed through the Department of Liquor Control. Funds provided for safe, secure, alcohol-free and drug-free places for students to have their activities such as Project GERALD TAKASE Grad, Robotics, international student exchanges and Director more. Community events such as Ka‘ū’s Splash Bash, community beach clean-up days, art therapy The department is a regulatory agency of the County of sessions, a ho‘olaule‘a and food distributions, to Hawai’i consisting of the Liquor Commission, the Liquor name a few, focused on health and wellness through Control Adjudication Board, the Director, administrative clean, healthy activities in alcohol-free and drug-free staff and investigators. The primary function of the locations. department is to regulate the manufacture, importation, • Funding was provided to assist with the D.A.R.E. Day sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors. activity on the Big Island. • This activity, in a safe, secure and supervised The Liquor Commission consists of nine volunteer environment, is a celebration for students in grades members representing each council district and is 5-8 who have completed a 10 lesson alcohol-free authorized to grant, renew or refuse and set conditions and drug-free curriculum. to applications for liquor licenses. The Liquor Control • The department had two public service Adjudication Board consists of five volunteer members announcements air on Lava 105.3FM and KKOA that hear and decide complaints on violations of the 107.7FM radio. Both reminded drivers to not drink liquor laws and may impose penalties as provided by law. and drive and was therefore aired around the Christmas and New Year holidays. The other aired The department’s staff provides administrative services as summer began and more drivers, especially our to and on behalf of the Liquor Commission and the college and high school students, were more likely to Liquor Control Adjudication Board and performs duties be on the road. that regulate the liquor industry. The investigators • The National Conference of State Liquor conduct on-premise checks on a daily basis and are Administrators (NCSLA) awarded the 2018 National responsible for investigating and citing licensees for NCSLA Conference to the Hawai‘i County Department violations of the liquor laws. of Liquor Control. The department will be the host to approximately 500 attendees and their • The department’s budget for FY 2015-16 was families at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in June 2018. $1,990,913.00. The department is not a general Conference preparations have begun. fund agency and collects annual license fees, • Support for the Weekend Bus Rides for the University percentage fees on gross sales of liquor as well as of Hawai‘i campuses ended due to low ridership. fines to subsidize the department’s operational Although the intent was to provide safe, alcohol-free costs. Any funds that are not expended will be and drug-free rides for our university students to run refunded to the licensees. errands, shop at the Prince Kuhio Mall or go to the • The Department of Liquor Control donated $9,000 movies, participation was not high enough to keep as part of its Project Grad Public Program. These this program going. funds helped to provide 8 high school senior classes • Compliance checks are conducted year round with fun-filled, alcohol-free and drug-free activities on against retail and dispenser licensees to combat the their graduation nights. sale of liquor to minors.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 33 MASS TRANSIT

HIGHLIGHTS • Bus ridership amounted to 874,424 passenger trips while the shared ride taxi program provided 137,890 passenger trips. • Received 2 – 49 passenger motor coach vehicles to replace part of an aging fleet. TIFFANY KAI • During fiscal year 2015-2016, a total of 257 taxicabs Administrator were registered in the County of Hawai‘i. • Completed specifications and awarded a bid to BETTY ALCOVER implement Hele-On Kāko‘o Paratransit services, Transit Operations Assistant complementing fixed routes in the Hilo and Kona areas. Services will offer origin to destination The Mass Transit Agency provides island-wide public service for individuals with a disability who are transportation for Hawai‘i County known as the Hele-On unable to utilize the regular Hele-On bus services. Bus system. Hele-On Bus riders consist of the general Services will begin July 1, 2016. public including seniors, students, and workforce. In • Expanded the Intra Kona bus route to service the addition, the Mass Transit Agency has a Shared Ride Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui Campus. Taxi program available through use of a voucher system. The agency also provides administrative support for the • Continued to support various local community events Transportation Commission and oversees taxicabs. and student programs by providing safe and efficient transportation. BUDGET • Island-wide bus shelter program is ongoing. With the The budget for FY 2015-16 was $12,043,904. General assistance of Public Works, bus shelters for Hawai‘i funds and Highway funds covered operating costs County were redesigned. for bus drivers, the shared ride taxi program, fuel, insurance, salaries and wages for eleven County Transit • Selected a consultant to develop Hawai‘i County’s employees, and various programs. Transit Master Plan.

1266 Kamehameha Ave., Suite A-2 | Phone (808) 961-8343 | Fax (808) 961-8745 [email protected] | heleonbus.org

Mass Transit Baseyard Facility Construction Begins Awarded contract and began construction of the Mass Transit Baseyard facility. The facility will house 55 buses, administration and operations personnel.

34 County of Hawai‘i PARKS & RECREATION

Recreation Division $3,419,473 A q u a t i c s $ 2 , 4 6 7 , 2 1 6 Ho‘olulu Complex $1,039,613 Pana‘ewa Recreation Complex $759,308 Beautification Fund $352,700 CLAYTON S. HONMA JAMES M. KOMATA Bikeway Fund $ 2 2 3 , 0 0 0 Director Deputy Director Cemetery Fund $10,000

PAUL ARCEO, Hawai‘i County Band ROXCIE WALTJEN, Culture and Education The mission of the Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide a wide array of services for the public with ROANN OKAMURA, Elderly Activities Division excellence, integrity and aloha. Department highlights in TROY TAMIYA, Hilo Municipal Golf Course FY 2015-16 included: JAMES “PAT” DALY, Parks Maintenance • Opened Ali‘i Kai Park in Kona; MASON SOUZA, Recreation • Opened new keiki playgrounds in Naalehu, Pahala and at Mauna Kea Recreation Area; DEAN GOYA, Ho‘olulu Complex • Broke ground for the new 24-acre Waimea District PAMELA MIZUNO, Pana‘ewa Recreation Complex Park; • Started a $17 million renovation/upgrade to the Hilo BUDGET Municipal Golf Course; The Department of Parks & Recreation’s total operating • Obtained a $643,250 grant from the state budget for FY 2015-16 was $26,542,161. Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Hunter Education Program to pave the entrance road to the Administration $2,336,847 Hilo Trap and Skeet Range, remove invasive albezia Culture and Education Division $291,317 trees lining the road, replace the high and low houses, and to purchase a diesel generator, mobile Hawai‘i County Band $228,738 office, four-wheel-drive utility vehicle, three trap West Hawai‘i Band $28,538 machines and two skeet machines. Elderly Activities Division $4,369,392 CULTURE AND EDUCATION DIVISION Coordinated Services $1,265,252 The mission of the Culture and Education Division is to County Nutrition Program $1,670,294 promote, perpetuate and encourage activities involving Elderly Recreation $592,972 culture, art and the humanities. Retired Senior VP $391,605 • Conducted 113 workshops/classes throughout Hawai‘i Island in various disciplines such as music, Senior Community Svc $449,269 arts, dance, crafts, and natural sciences; Hilo Municipal Golf Course $1,347,256 • Coordinated and conducted the July 1, 2015, Parks Maintenance Division $9,668,763 Paradise Cruise Car Show at the Honoka‘a High School football field. The free event featured the

Annual Report FY 2015-16 35 display of more than 200 classic cars from the sale. Ethnic food booths, shave ice, smoothies and mainland and throughout Hawai‘i, along with food ice cream. Approximately 5,000 people attended and entertainment. the event co-sponsored by the Queen Lili‘uokalani • Coordinated and conducted the Fourth of July Hilo Children’s Trust. Bay Blast 2015 at Mo‘oheau Park. The free event • Coordinated the Hilo World Peace Festival on Moku include the Paradise Cruise Classic Car Expo, food Ola, Coconut Island in Hilo, October 3, 2015. Event booths and entertainment throughout the day featured food, entertainment, crafts informational culminating with the Hawai‘i County Band concert booths and free canoe rides. Approximately 3,500 and the fireworks exhibition in Hilo Bay. Event was a people attended the day-long event sponsored partnership with Destination Hilo, the Hilo Jaycees, in partnership with the Downtown Improvement State of Hawai‘i and the County of Hawai‘i. Association, Soka Gakkai International USA, and the • Coordinated and conducted the He Hali’a Aloha International Committee of Artists for Peace. No Lili‘uokalani Festival on September 5, 2015, • Coordinated and implemented the Japan Navy at Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo. The free festival Training Squadron Cultural Exchange October 9–13, featured entertainment, crafts, demonstrations, 2015, that included a greeting at the pier, a wreath information booths, a floral rain, a mass hula where laying ceremony at the Alae Cemetery, evening social 400-plus hula dancers danced their rendition and dinner aboard the ship, cultural exchange and of “E Lili’u E” throughout the park, Taiko drum performance at the Hilo Civic and a Goodwill Softball performance, Japanese Tea Ceremony and other Game. Events conducted in partnership with the entertainment. Children’s games /activities included Japanese Community Association and the Honorary a jumping castle and water slide. Hawaiian arts and Consul General of Hawai‘i. crafts offered various unique one-of-a-kind items for

Kaipalaoa Landing Improvements A historic site and favorite surf spot in Downtown Hilo got major improvements. Mālama Kaipalaoa, a community working group, has been caring for the landing since 2009. The half-acre park was transferred from the state to the County of Hawai‘i in 2013. Thanks to the coordinating efforts of Mālama Kaipalaoa, planning and design for the project was done pro bono by local planning and design professionals. The $349,000 in improvements were completed in August 2016.

36 County of Hawai‘i • Assisted in the coordination of the Merrie Monarch featured two young musicians. Keiki Hula Competition October 10, 2015, at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium by providing technical WEST HAWAI‘I BAND assistance with event posters and programs. Awards were presented to halau in three age groups for Delivered 26 performances, including free monthly three places. A total of 15 halau from throughout concerts at Hale Hālāwai, along with at Hulihe‘e Palace, Hawai‘i competed. and in support of parades, veterans’ ceremonies, and holiday events. • Coordinated and executed the 2015 Christmas Wreath Exhibit at Aupuni Center in Hilo. Wreath exhibit coordinated in partnership with the Hawai‘i ELDERLY ACTIVITIES DIVISION Ballroom Dance Association. Wreaths were on The mission of the Elderly Activities Division (EAD) is to display for the month of December. Event was free provide and/or facilitate a wide array of services for the and open to the public. public with excellence, integrity and aloha. The Division • Coordinated and conducted “Magic of the Season operates six related programs: Coordinated Services 2015” in the Hawai‘i County Building December for the Elderly (CSE); Elderly Recreation Services (ERS); 7–8, 2015. The free event featured nightly live Hawai‘i County Nutrition Program (HNCP); Retired & entertainment, refreshments, seasonal decorations, Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); Senior Training & games and activities for the public to enjoy. Employment Program (STEP); and Special Programs (SP). • Developed, coordinated and conducted the “2016 • The Elderly Activities Division served 11,737 older Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival” held adults and conducted evaluations on all six EAD February 6, 2016, in Waimea. It featured live programs. entertainment, food, crafts, cultural demonstrations, • Provided 11 district events for 1,966 older adults. Taiko drums, mochi pounding, tea ceremony, quilt Events included: Senior Walkabout, Laupāhoehoe exhibit, Japanese movie in the Kahilu Theatre and Ho‘olaule‘a, Senior Karaoke Recital, Ground other cultural activities commemorating the tradition Golf Spooktacular, Christmas at the Casino, ERS of “Hanami”. More than 40, 000 attendees recorded Teachers/Volunteer Christmas Party, Splendor at sites throughout Waimea town. of Christmas, 1st Annual Hawai’i Senior Ukulele • Re-allocation of Recreation Specialist I and Culture Festival, Hawai‘i State Senior Karaoke Revue, Big Recreation Technician positions completed, Island Talent Show and the Big Island Senior Line approved and made official effective March 1, 2016. Dance Round-Up. • Project Assistance grant provided to Pohaha I Ka • Provided six countywide/state/national/international Lani, a nonprofit organization, to coordinate and events for 2,558 older adults; implement the Waipi‘o Valley Kalo Festival on June • Scheduled a wide variety of classes (educational, 4, 2016. Financial assistance provided through recreational, cultural and health) at 25 senior discretionary funding from Councilwoman Valerie centers for the benefit of 3,332 participating older Poindexter. adults; • Coordinated Hula Haku Lei Making Workshop June • The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program benefitted 6–7, 2016, held at the Culture & Education Office from the work of 1,120 volunteers age 55 and older and conducted by instructor Debra Kirkendall. who provided a combined 97,815 hours of volunteer service through 169 volunteer stations. HAWAI‘I COUNTY BAND • Provided 173 RSVP volunteers who assisted in the The Hawai‘i County Band provides musical services for Food Basket’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition island residents and visitors by performing free monthly Program; concerts and working with community organizations • Nutrition Services served 59,614 congregate meals to enrich Big Island events. The Band delivered 40 to 1,025 seniors; performances in FY2015-16. These included free • Nutrition Services delivered 59,699 “Meals on monthly concerts at Mo‘oheau Park, along with support Wheels” to the homes 346 homebound seniors. for parades, concerts, patriotic ceremonies, and special events in Hilo, Volcano, Waimea and Ka‘u. Performances • CSE staff completed 2,559 referrals for seniors

Annual Report FY 2015-16 37 Pāhoa District Park – Covered Play Courts

Pāhoa & Waimea District Parks The story of active recreation in Puna and Kohala used to be one of a lack of fields and courts. Two major investments in building district parks alleviated the scarcity of places for our park patrons to practice their favorite sports. Both parks feature a covered facility with three play courts for basketball, volleyball, or tennis. Waimea features a multi-purpose field with lighting for nighttime use, expanding the field’s available hours. Pāhoa features two baseball or softball fields, and two multi-purpose fields. The $24 million Pāhoa District Park opened in October 2016. The $24 million Waimea District Park followed, opening in November 2016. 38 County of Hawai‘i Annual Report FY 2015-16 39 Waimea District Park – Multi-Purpose Field with Lighting needing services/benefits such as supplemental more than 200 facilities islandwide. Its mission is to security income, Medicare, Medicaid, tax assistance, provide the public with safe, clean, and aesthetically food stamps, and essential transportation; pleasing recreational facilities. • CSE staff provided 8,815 chore-service hours to • Received 1,979 work-order requests, of which 951 qualified seniors; were completed for a completion rate of 48 percent; • Arranged seven EAD Senior Advisory Council • Completed 58 beautification and improvement meetings in July 2014 and January 2015 for 40 club projects, including tree planting, landscaping, land- presidents and representatives along with EAD staff clearing, painting and major repairs island-wide; to discuss senior activities, services and concerns; • Staff provided logistical support in the form of • Provided island-wide transportation services to 45 personnel, equipment, supplies, and funding for disabled individuals under age 60 and accomplished numerous events and functions. Some of the larger 1,533 trips; ones included: Kamehameha Day Celebration at • Provided transportation services for 1,157 seniors Hilo’s Coconut Island; Hilo Bayfront Fourth of July and completed 39,924 trips. festivities; Hilo Community Players’ Shakespeare in the Park performances at Kalākaua Park; Hilo Bayfront Canoe Races; American Heart Association HILO MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Run at Lili‘uokalani Park; Ho‘olaule‘a in Downtown As operator of Hawai‘i Island’s only public golf course, Hilo; Hawai‘i County Fair at Ho‘olulu Complex; the Department of Parks and Recreation strives to Veterans and Memorial Day Ceremonies at provide a quality recreational experience for the golfing veterans cemeteries; Ireito Memorial Services at community with excellence, integrity and aloha. Alae Cemetery; Kamehameha Day Parade in North Kohala; the Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival; the • During FY 2015-16, 57,325 rounds of golf were Merrie Monarch Festival; the Kona Ironman World played and 12 tournaments were held at the course. Championships; and various softball tournaments; Extensive renovations to the course required closing portions from February through March 2016, • Conducted 468 comprehensive weekly safety resulting in fewer rounds of play and tournaments inspections of assigned facilities; when compared with previous fiscal years. • Conducted more than 181 safety-training classes • Performed daily inspections and maintenance of covering a myriad of Hawai‘i Occupational Safety and equipment, course vehicles and safety gear; Health Division (HIOSH) and site-specific topics; • Aerated all course greens twice during the fiscal year; • Superintendent and West Hawai‘i district superintendent conducted numerous unannounced • Applied weekly application of fertilizer, herbicide and safety audits in all seven districts; pesticide to greens, fairways and tees; • A total of 48 vandalism incidents were reported at a • Weekly rolling of greens, except for a two-month combined cost of $54,827; period due to equipment failure; • Recorded and followed up on all 35 service • Performed monthly top dressing of greens; complaints received during FY 2015-16. • Conducted quarterly inspection and repair of course structures, clubhouse facilities and warehouse; RECREATION DIVISION • All staff attended monthly safety talks; The Recreation Division’s mission is to provide a • Achieved objective of having at least half of the staff diversified recreation program that addresses the needs attended at least one training course; and interests of the respective communities in a safe • Achieved objective to receive a rank of satisfactory environment with zero tolerance for illegal drugs or or better on 80 percent of service surveys received violence. from golfers. • Held the 3rd Annual Jimmy Yagi Summer Hoops Camp for children 9-17 years old July 21-24, 2015, PARKS MAINTENANCE DIVISION in Hilo; The Parks Maintenance Division supplies personnel • Held a keiki triathlon and ‘ohana fun day July 18, and equipment needed to maintain, repair, and beautify 2015, at the Pāhoa Community Center.

40 County of Hawai‘i • Held the annual Summer Fun Program, with more than 1,200 keiki participating; • Held keiki age-group and exponent track meets at Konawaena and Kamehameha fields; • Held the 20th Annual ‘Ohana Shoreline Fishing Tournament August 21-23, 2015, attracting more than 50 participants; • Held the ‘Ike Kai Marine Program for keiki enrolled in grades 5-12 from Oct. 5-7, 2015, at Kawānanakoa Gym; • A record 251,436 people visited the Pana‘ewa Zoo • Held free Halloween events around the island; during FY 2015-16. This attendance, an increase of more than 37,000 visitors from the previous fiscal • Held the ‘Ike Kai Marine Program for keiki enrolled year, included numerous mainland and international in grades 5-12 from March 21-23, 2016, at visitors who enjoyed the free zoo and gardens. Kawānanakoa Gym; • The year’s biggest highlight by far was the addition in • Held a free Easter program for keiki 5-12 years old March of two Bengal tiger cubs that Great Cats World March 26, 2016, in Hilo; Park in Oregon donated to the zoo; • Held various sports camps around the island. • Two alligators were obtained from Colorado Gators and Reptile Park and added as a new exhibit in April; AQUATICS • Obtained two emus that had been turned in to the • Held the Richardson Ocean Park Roughwater Swim Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture as part of that on July 26, 2015; agency’s amnesty program; • Novice Swim Championships were conducted • A sacred ibis hatchling was born at the zoo in October 24, 2015, at Kona Community Aquatic February and is on exhibit with its parents; Center; • Worked with the nonprofit Friends of the Zoo to • Learn to Swim Program conducted at all pools; support their popular Christmas for the Animals events in December 2015; • Held lifeguard training classes in Hilo, Pāhala and Honoka‘a; • Worked with the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association, Kamehameha Schools, the Kiwanis Kids and the • Conducted Hawai‘i Fire Department/water safety Boys Scouts to perform volunteer work days that officer training and testing at Hilo’s Kawamoto Pool included starting construction on a hale project, Jan. 11-15, 2016. building two concrete slabs that made frog/lily pad and vireya sculpted benches ADA accessible, HO‘OLULU COMPLEX construction of two new picnic tables, repairs to • The 53rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival was held existing picnic tables, various plantings, and other March 27-April 2, 2016; maintenance as needed; • Other major Ho‘olulu Complex events included the • Provided a venue for three rodeos, including the Hilo Jaycees Hawai‘i County fair, American Cancer Hawai‘i Horse Owners’ Association 2016 Pana‘ewa Society’s Relay for Life, Merrie Monarch Keiki Hula Stampede Rodeo that has grown to become the Festival, Haili Invitational Volleyball Tournament, largest event of its kind in Hawai‘i; University of Hawai‘i at Hilo basketball and baseball • Provided a venue for three dressage events; games, high school and college commencements, • Hosted the American Driving Society’s Pleasure various high school football, basketball and softball Driving Show and two of its clinics; games, Paradise Roller Girls roller derbies, and HI- PAL Winter Basketball Classic. • The Friends of the Zoo (FOZ) held its Annual Plant Sale and Exhibition on May 3, 2015. This popular event serves as a fundraiser for the zoo and the FOZ. PANA‘EWA RECREATION COMPLEX

Annual Report FY 2015-16 41 PLANNING

Action Committees; newly formed Cultural Resources Commission; and finalization of the Ka’ū and Hāmākua CDP’s will continue throughout the remainder of this fiscal period.

BUDGET DUANE KANUHA JOAQUIN GAMIAO-KUNKEL There have been several personnel changes in the past Director Deputy Director year and a half. In addition to replacing the Zoning Clerks with the new Land Use Plans Checkers to facilitate the DARYN ARAI, Planning Division new building permit process, we’ve added a Planner I position in Hilo and Kona. These positions were created SUSAN GAGORIK, Administrative Permits to give immediate relief to the shortage of contracted MARTY SHIMIZU, Administrative Services Community Planning Assistants for the CDPs around the BENNETT MARK, West Hawai‘i Division island and provide essential in-house assistance to the lead CDP Planners. In spite of the personnel changes, APRIL SURPRENANT, Long Range Planning the department has remained within S&W budget. DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE The department has been moving forward with ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION several mandated initiatives, the foremost being the • The entire list of applications for the Geothermal comprehensive review of the Hawai‘i County General Relocation Program is nearing completion. There are Plan. This effort is being coordinated through the two (2) remaining applications, which we anticipate departments Long Range Planning Division and over a will be going into escrow shortly. Currently, we have multi-year period, will involve several major consultants five (5) acquired properties which are scheduled for in areas ranging from scenario software development to auction in October and the last two (2) remaining scenic corridor studies to economic projections. properties will be auctioned after acquisition. • There was a launch of new computers with an Initiated this fiscal year was the strategic planning upgraded MS operating system. This new system groundwork for implementation of a planning and necessitated upgrading and/or changing of several permitting re-organization between the Planning of our software programs to meet core requirement Department and Department of Public Works (DPW). needs. Adobe was upgraded and now we’re going Planning will assume a pre-check of all building permit through a GIS upgrade. Tax Mapping is changing to applications before the applications can be submitted Parcel Fabric; training and software changes are to DPW’s Building Division. This new approach to permit presently in progress. We anticipate a building permit processing will be initiated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015- program change that will replace Eden, Magnet and 16 and is anticipated to foster more predictability, Lotus. This will simplify our permitting process and transparency, and fairness after an expected transition enhance customer service. period during which the various staff members and the • Planning Department website http://www. public will become more familiar with the new process. cohplanningdept.com continues to provide considerable information to the public. All notices and information regarding the Planning Department Ongoing departmental functions related to servicing and its various boards, committees and commissions the various Community Development Plan (CDP)

42 County of Hawai‘i can be found on our website. Added features of a condensed format. This reduced lines and white the website cover Cultural Resource Commission, space which saved a considerable amount of money Banyan Drive Redevelopment and the General Plan. for the county. • Administrative Permits Staff continued to develop a manual of operations for the Administrative Permits ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS DIVISION Division by identifying a Vision, Mission, Focus • The Land Use Plan Checkers continue to serve the Areas and Actions that this division needs to work public as our “first responders and greeters”. They on to become a more efficient, sustainable, and provide the introduction to the Planning Department progressive division. by providing general land use information and • Monthly Administrative Permits staff meetings answers to the myriad of public inquiries related served as an important component for staff to the Zoning Code, Subdivision Code, SMA, development and teamwork. Due to the size of this Complaints, Planning Commission, and CDPs. division and the diverse nature of the Division’s They also conduct land use pre-checks for building responsibility, this is a valuable opportunity for permits and intake Building Permits in Magnet – Section reports, to dialogue hot topics, and to cross- which include: residential, non-residential, and PV train on subjects to broaden our understanding of building permits. The Building Permit application the tasks and challenges faced. is then forwarded to Department of Public Works • Monthly Hot Topics meetings is held as a common – Building Division for plan review and issuance. ground for Hilo Admin Permits Division and Kona Implementation of this new ‘Permit to Build’ process Planning staff to discuss hot topics that require will require continued coordination, collaboration, dialogue and consistency in practice and application. and review to ensure whether the process meets the expectation of a more streamlined, transparent, • We continued to receive a Senior Clerical Aide, predictable, and expedited process. Continual under the Senior Community Service Program, who monitoring of the process and coordination among provides valuable support to our staff. the affected agencies will be necessary to assess the • Collaboration between Land Use Plan Checkers procedures and explore ways to effectively create a and Planning Inspectors in Kona and Hilo on code successful process. interpretation and compliance issues remain both a • The Administrative Permits Division continued to priority and a challenge. process the various administrative permits and requests that are approved by the Planning Director. This included reviewing: Additional Farm Dwelling LONG RANGE DIVISION Agreements, Di Minimis, Non-Significant Zoning, • General Plan (GP) Comprehensive Review: Ohana, Planned Unit Development Applications, Initiated the GP comprehensive review process and Pre-Existing Lot of Record determinations. in Feb 2015. Contracted various consultants In addition: Plan Approvals, Subdivisions, to provide background research. Started and Consolidations, and Variances applications were ongoing review and analysis as well as community processed. Also, the Land Use Plan Checkers and stakeholder engagement. Using scenario reviewed and conducted intake of Building Permits, a planning to develop different potential land use high volume of Requests for Public Records, Zoning and infrastructure patterns and then using various Clearance forms, and various Land Use inquiries indicators to determine how they compare. Next at the counter, by phone and email. Planning steps: development and compare scenarios, vet Inspectors investigated complaints and potential with public and stakeholders, develop preferred SMA, Planning Permits, Zoning, and Subdivision scenario, prepare recommended amendments, and Code violations. Going forward, PUDs will no engage communities and agencies to review and longer be reviewed by this division due to code refine. Department is currently mandated to present amendments requiring a public hearing by Planning recommended GP amendments to County Council by Commission for PUDs. February 2018. • Public Notices (Subdivision, Variances, Dept. wide • Agency Partnerships. Through the General Plan Public Notice, etc.) for the Hawai‘i Tribune Herald review process and other long range planning efforts, and West Hawai‘i Today continued to be prepared in we have been diligently striving to develop stronger,

Annual Report FY 2015-16 43 cohesive partnerships with other County, State, • Interagency Climate Adaptation Council (ICAC). and Federal agencies and stakeholders on both a A committee chaired by BLNR and Office of management and staff level in an effort to lessen Planning accountable for developing a statewide agency silos and promote collaborative relationships. technical report outlining the state’s vulnerability • Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP). and potential adaptation to sea level rise. Worked with emerging community-based efforts • Pacific Island Climate Science Center and UHH. in Puna to move forward with implementation of Working on a scientific study to understand actions in the PCDP including: historic shoreline changes at various vulnerable • Pāhoa Village: Adopted the Village Design locations around the island. It is anticipated Guidelines and an ordinance that created the the outcome will better inform the future Special Village District for Pahoa Town. PD has establishment of shoreline setbacks. worked with the community to establish the • Public Access. Currently working with Ala Design Review Committee. Need to contract Kahakai and Na Ala Hele to execute a revised for Pahoa Village Master Plan and Wastewater MOU regarding our ongoing partnership. In the Feasibility Plan, which is already in the CIP. coming year, develop and adopt a program and • Possible future village center plans for Volcano amend necessary codes to better implement and Mt. View. public access and better partner with other entities. • County acquisition of parking lot behind Luquin’s in Pāhoa for public parking. • Rule Amendments: Planning Commission Rule 9 (SMA Rule) needs to be amended to be • Developing alternative/emergency roadway consistent with HRS 205A. Planning Department connections between neighboring subdivisions. Rule 11 (Shoreline Setbacks) needs to be • Pahoa Regional Park currently under amended to provide more scientific definition to construction. how shoreline setbacks are determined. • PD has worked with Transit to improve bus routes • Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT): through HPP and established a new route to the Participated in various meetings and workshops held Hilo airport. by the HDOT regarding the Statewide Transportations • Ka’ū Community Development Plan. Draft CDP Plan, the State Transportation Improvement is complete as recommended by the Steering Program, and the State Transportation Action Committee. Planning Director is now reviewing prior Committee. to forwarding to Planning Commission and then to • Administrative Programs: Continue to manage and Council. oversee Board of Appeals, Capital Improvement • Hāmākua Community Development Plan. Draft CDP Program, Fair Share, Professional Services, Coastal is near completion, with final Steering Committee Zone Management Program and contract with the recommendation anticipated in October, 2016. state, policy development (draft/amends rules and codes, draft/comment on state legislation), etc. • Hilo Mobility Master Plan. We contracted with SSFM and completed the research and community outreach phase. A final draft is underway with the PLANNING DIVISION consultant after having received comments from various agencies. We anticipate the final draft to go The Planning Division continues to evolved in the way out for public review in early 2017. it services the various land use-related bodies that inform the Planning Director, the Mayor and the County • Complete Streets Roadway Design Manual. Council. The Division currently supports the Windward Contracted with SSFM. Project estimated to start in and Leeward Planning Commissions, the Cultural the early 2017. Resources Commission, and the Banyan Drive Hawaii • Coastal Zone Management: Redevelopment Agency. The Division also assists the Planning Director as a party in proceedings before the • Ocean Resources Management Plan (ORMP). State Land Use Commission. Continue to participate regularly in the ORMP monthly working group and quarterly policy group meetings. Managing support activities requires that resources are optimized to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in

44 County of Hawai‘i processing applications, code and rule amendments, will provide the information necessary to support the and applicant-initiated reviews in a timely manner. development of land use master plan concepts that will Updates, amendments and enhancement of codes and result in a preferred master plan being adopted in Spring operating rules are scheduled before the Commissions 2018. that are gear to providing clarity of application and process and conformance with other existing regulations. The department has also initiated rulemaking for Consolidation of support activities of the various Planning Commission Rules relating to Planned commissions and advisory bodies within one division Unit Development Permits due to an amendment has capitalized on staff knowledge and resources and to the Zoning Code, which provides opportunities to provided consistency in operational structure. This is effect housekeeping measures to other rules of the led to preliminary discussions on whether the Board Planning Commission, including possible adjustment of Appeals should also be supported by the Planning to processing fees, and clarity of requirements. The Division. Department is working to conduct a joint meeting of the Planning Commissions by the end of the calendar year The Cultural Resources Commission (CRC) has seen so that substantive and housekeeping amendments to its second year as a Certified Local Government their rules can be considered and hopefully adopted. (CLG), reviewing projects in both Hilo and Kona, offering comments, recommendations and programs To ensure the continued efficiencies of and compliance that promote the protection of historical and cultural with processes before the Planning Commissions, a resources. Commissioners also have been attending significant amount of effort is made by the Department various workshops relevant to preservation processes to offer consultation with existing or potential applicants to enhance their effectiveness in their roles. As a newer to manage applications or requests in a manner that commission, continuing education will be essential attempts to minimize incomplete filings or unresolved as well as establishing a historic sites inventory for issues that would inhibit the Planning Director and the the island in order to establish the commission as a Planning Commissions from making their best informed vital component in the historic and cultural protection decisions. This coordination is also extended to process. The most difficult struggles the CRC has applicants working with and responding to governmental experienced is with the State Department of Land agencies and community organizations. While much and Natural Resources-Historic Preservation Division effort and time is devoted to this practice, we believe it (SHPD) that has been less than responsive to program is a valuable service that brings the best work product enhancements and grant opportunities supported by the before our Commissions. In order to facilitate public CRC. These frustrations have been shared with SHPD input into the process, the Department has also utilized and we look forward to improvements in the working its website to post relevant information on applications relationship. that have generated a significant amount of public interest. The Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA) was established this year in response to the On a similar note, a significant amount of time and Windward Planning Commission declaring the Banyan effort is devoted to working with applicants to maintain Drive peninsula as a “blighted area”. Through staff their land use approvals and ensuring compliance with analysis, public outreach, and collaboration with Agency its conditions of approval and performance deadlines. members, the Banyan Drive peninsula is proposed first The economy, while slowly improving, has apparently and foremost with a cultural and community focus. not reached that point of recovery where applicants are Future development of this geographic area should financially able to capitalize on their land use approvals celebrate its location along the sea and visibility of the and meet their performance deadlines. There are mountains. Secondly, the intent of this area will be to also a number of applicants that have exceeded the provide publicly accessible open space and natural range of uses allowed by their permits or approvals, resources. A modest degree of resort and commercial- prompting enforcement action by this office and the related components will also be incorporated to Commission. In both of these situations, the department contribute to the economic vitality and success of the has taken a proactive role to manage things to the redevelopment area. The BDHRA is expected to adopt a extent represented to and expected by the Planning conceptual land use plan that will form the basis for the Commissions. development of an environmental impact statement that

Annual Report FY 2015-16 45 Working with the various advisory bodies and intelligently. The Action Committee has made an commission through a single division has given the effort to encourage the various communities to Department and opportunity to closely coordinate engage and participate in the General Plan update reviews between these entities in order to facilitate efforts. the process and minimize confusion, duplication of • Kona Community Development Plan (CDP). The reviews or process, and inadvertent oversight. This has Kona CDP Design Center consists of planning staff, promoted the cross-pollination of ideas and resources and staff from other county and state agencies, and amongst the division staff that strengthens the review provides review of proposed “Smart Code” - master process and ensures that decisions made have been planned projects, consistent with the Kona CDP. assessed from multiple vantage points and will be one of Design Center planning staff has also reviewed the primary goals of this division over the upcoming year. Planned Unit Development (PUD) projects that utilize Kona CDP Clustered Rural Subdivision Guidelines, and preliminary master plans in the Kona Urban WEST HAWAI‘I DIVISION Area. The Action Committee has reviewed the Kona • North Kohala Community Development Plan CDP and has identified goals that may need to be (NKCDP). Action Committee has continued its revised to make the CDP more implementable. The efforts to implement the NKCDP through its 7 Action Committee recommended changes to the subcommittees (Growth Management; Public Access; General Plan, and Zoning Code, and recommended Water, Parks and Roads; Power, View Planes and that the 2008 Kona CDP 10-year review start Erosion Control; Affordable Housing, Agriculture, immediately. The Action Committee wanted the with their newest subcommittee-Historical and Zoning Code to include a definition for the regional Cultural Preservation). Each subcommittee meets community development plans, recommended that monthly and encourages public participation. The a process be started to create a redevelopment plan Action Committee has delved into opening Pratt for Kailua Village. The Action Committee sees its role Road as an emergency bypass road, and has made as providing guidance to the Planning Department, CIP recommendations. The Action Committee also when requested, on whether a proposed project is actively participated in providing comments on the consistent with the CDP, with respect to applicable General Plan. goals, objectives, and policies. • South Kohala Community Development Plan. Action • Kailua Village Design Commission. The commission Committee continues to operate with location- is responsible for reviewing proposals for buildings based subcommittees for Waikoloa, Kawaihae, and signs in the Kailua Village Special District. Puakō, and Waimea. Action Committee continues to The commission has been successful in making work on implementation of the plan and to involve constructive design recommendations to applicants, communities with their subcommittees and liaison consistent with the Master Plan for Kailua Kona, groups. The Action Committee has supported which has resulted in applicants modifying their community efforts such as Puakō’s research to get building designs, landscaping, and signage, to be an innovative wastewater system, and has monitored consistent with the Master Plan. The commission proposed developments in the district, with the has expressed that the sign code and its intent to protect the land and culture, and to develop implementation in Kailua needs improvement.

46 County of Hawai‘i POLICE

Police Stations Honoka‘a: 45-3400 Māmane Street, Honoka‘a Laupāhoehoe: Pu‘ualaea Homestead Road Hilo: 349 Kapi‘olani Street Pāhoa: 15-2615 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road Nā‘ālehu: 95-5353 Māmalahoa Highway Kona: 74-611 Hale Māka‘i Place HARRY KUBOJIRI PAUL FERREIRA Waimea: 67-5185 Kamāmalu Street Chief Deputy Chief Kapa‘au: 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway

MARSHALL KANEHAILUA Phone Numbers Assistant Chief – Administrative Bureau Emergency: 911 | Non-Emergency: 935-3311 Information On Arrested Adults: 961-2213 HENRY TAVARES Assistant Chief – Area I Operations East Hawai‘i West Hawai‘i Crime Stoppers 961-8300 329-8181 PAUL KEALOHA Drug Tip Hotline 934-8423 329-0423 Assistant Chief – Area II Operations Reports/Records 961-2233 326-4646 Community Policing 961-8181 326-4646

MESSAGE FROM CHIEF HARRY KUBOJIRI

In FY 2015-16, as in previous years, the Hawai‘i Police Plans moved forward for additional presentations into Department followed its mission to work cooperatively the 2016–2017 fiscal year. Community interactions like with the community to enforce the laws, preserve peace these, in conjunction with Community Policing operations and provide a safe environment. throughout the island, help us stay in touch with the needs of our community. On November 21, 2015, we earned renewal of our accreditation status, maintaining the Hawai‘i Police On May 16, a memorial wall dedicated to Hawai‘i Island Department as part of an elite group of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty was unveiled during a agencies accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Police Week ceremony at the South Hilo police station. for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA).® This was The monument honors the four Hawai‘i Police Department our first reassessment since initial accreditation in 2012. officers killed in the line of duty since 1918: Manuel Our officers faced numerous challenges this year, as Cadinha (1918), William “Red” Oili (1936), Ronald murders and attempted murders increased from previous “Shige” Jitchaku (1990) and Kenneth Keliipio (1997). The years and detectives worked tirelessly to solve those monument was the brainchild of Jitchaku’s sister, Momi crimes. Of the 10 murders and 19 attempted murders Cazimero, who said her mission to create it began with committed, only three remained unsolved at the end of the loss of her brother on May 7, 1990. the fiscal year. I am honored to oversee the men and women of the Also this year, our officers continued providing Active Hawai‘i Police Department as we continue to develop Shooter information to the public to help individuals learn partnerships with the community so we can work together how to increase their survivability should they encounter to keep you safe. an active shooter or other type of active violent incident.

hawaiipolice.com

Annual Report FY 2015-16 47 ADMINISTRATIVE governmental movement in of a police officer and one inter-departmental promotion in of a civilian. • The department operated on a budget of Internally, 13 sworn officers were promoted, seven $60,362,138 in FY 2015-16. civilians were promoted and 18 officers and one • The Dispatch Center received 214,566 emergency civilian received temporary promotions. 911 calls (including 12.6 percent that were • The Word Processing Center transcribed nearly transferred to the Hawai‘i Fire Department). In 30,000 reports totaling more than 265,000 minutes all, dispatchers documented 233,793 requests and 2,205,394 completed lines of dictation. for police service, a 4.2 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. • The Communications Maintenance Section installed radios, sirens and warning lights in 88 • Under the management of the Accreditation Section, police vehicles, repaired 38 Civil Defense sirens, the Hawai‘i Police Department received its second conducted 57 preventive maintenance inspections of accreditation award In November 2015. The award district stations, made 65 inspections or preventive indicates that the department has been abiding by maintenance visits to radio sites and assisted other the established 469 various accreditation standards county agencies with similar tasks. that are nationally and internationally recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Law • The Computer Center deployed new Mobile Data Enforcement Agencies®. Terminals, completed the deployment of desktop computer systems, began work on replacing the • The Records and Identification Section issued 4,096 Record Management System, Computer Aided firearms permits, registered 9,798 firearms, and Dispatch and Field Based Reporting systems, and processed requests for 5,194 copies of criminal responded to approximately 3,100 calls. reports, 5,100 copies of accident reports,17,669 court documents, 6,307 fingerprints, 6,123 photo • The Public Relations Section published 667 media receipts and 9,883 property receipts. releases to the department’s website and through the Nixle service that allows the public to receive text • The Training Section provided 60,660 hours of messages, emails or both directly from the Hawai‘i training to existing personnel and two recruit classes. Police Department. Among the many topics were how to deal with mental health issues, “Aloha in Difficult Times” and “Cultural Diversity.” PATROL • The Traffic Services Section issued 91 road closure As always, officers in the South Hilo, North Hilo, permits, sent 202 violation letters to motorists, Hāmākua, Puna, Ka‘ū, Kona, South Kohala and North conducted 44 school crossing guard checks, routed Kohala Districts patrolled our streets to keep our citizens 719 abandoned vehicle cases to the Department of safe and responded to more than 200,000 requests for Environmental Management and received $407,632 police service. in federal grant funds for traffic enforcement and equipment purchases to improve traffic safety. • The Human Resources Section conducted various CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS open and internal recruitments for sworn and Criminal Investigations Section detectives investigated civilian vacancies in cooperation with the Hawai‘i 10 murders and 19 attempted murders. In all, CIS County Department of Human Resources. This detectives investigated 2,747 major crimes, including resulted in the hiring of 22 police officer recruits 892 burglaries, 347 thefts and 746 financial crimes. and 20 civilians. Additionally, there was one inter-

48 County of Hawai‘i VICE SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM Vice Section officers conducted 2,199 drug The Special Response Team provided three security investigations resulting in 499 arrests and 1,531 details and responded to one hostage situation, two charges. In addition, Vice officers recovered the following barricaded situations and five special assignments. illegal drugs: • 11.3 pounds of crystal methamphetamine TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT • 8,996 marijuana plants The Traffic Enforcement Unit investigated 16 fatal • 148.1 pounds of dried marijuana crashes. Of those, 10 involved drugs, alcohol or both • 909.6 grams of hashish and 18 people were killed. TEU officers conducted 173 • 591.6 grams of heroin DUI sobriety checkpoints and arrested 241 motorists for driving under the influence of intoxicants. TEU officers • 109.4 grams of cocaine conducted 178 seatbelt/distracted driver checkpoints • 1,730 assorted prescription pills and issued 6,709 moving citations. JUVENILE AID Juvenile Aid Section detectives investigated 1,164 cases, OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS including sexual assaults, domestic violence, other The Office of Professional Standards conducted 17 crimes against women, child pornography and juvenile- administrative investigations, 55 internal inquiries into related crimes. actions by police department personnel, and provided 36 in-service training sessions to employees. CRIME LAB The Crime Lab completed 1,324 cases, assisted in 113 CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE call-outs and conducted 48 in-service training sessions. The Criminal Intelligence Unit submitted 361 intelligence reports, conducted 327 criminal history checks, provided 144 in-service training sessions and provided COMMUNITY POLICING intelligence information, which, in whole or in part, led to The Police Department continues to expand and improve the initiation of 124 criminal investigations. its Community Policing partnerships with community, neighborhood and business organizations. These partnerships help the police department with preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime, arresting those who commit crimes and providing a safe environment through the use of a proactive problem-solving techniques, enhanced community awareness and increased community and neighborhood involvement.

At the end of FY 2015-16, the Community Policing Unit had 36 authorized positions island wide, including a supervising sergeant in Area II and a lieutenant in Area I. Of those, 27 positions were allocated for community police officers, six for school resource officers and one for a civilian clerk.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 49 PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

• Sent 4,892 notification letters to victims • Provided federal funding to Child and Family Services and YWCA Sexual Assault Support Service for services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. • Provided information/training to four organizations and participated in 10 community events on program MITCH ROTH DALE ROSS services for victims Prosecuting Attorney First Deputy • Also participated in Safe Dates Program (11 high school classrooms, 9 sessions each) In FY 2015-16, the Office had a total projected operating budget of $6,581,243 of which 37% or $2,464,745 • Supported the growth of STARS (Surviving to Thriving was from asset forfeitures and federal and state grants. *Advocacy *Resources*Support) a homicide The U.S. Department of Justice provided funding for the survivors education and support group that meets Victims of Crime Act, Violence Against Women, Juvenile monthly. This year we completed the Memorial Accountability Block Grant, Big Island Juvenile Intake Peace Garden in front of the Prosecutors Office and & Assessment Center, State and Community Highway co-sponsored the annual Remembrance Luncheon Safety Grant, Hawai‘i Airport Task Force participation, attended by 64 people. Victim/Witness program, Career Criminal Prosecution, Specialized Sexual Assault Grant. and the Highway CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Safety training project. • Coordinated a Statewide Department of Transportation funded “Prosecuting Drivers Under TRADITIONAL PROSECUTION the Influence and Trial Advocacy” training for 57 • Processed 15,133 in-custody, bailout and referral Prosecuting Attorneys and Police Officers cases, consisting of 18,255 charges • Sponsored/co-sponsored activities and workshops to • Serviced daily court calendars for four circuit courts, improve criminal justice system response three district courts, three family courts, two drug • Coordinated the Domestic violence walks and vigils courts and two mental health courts in Hilo, Kona in Hilo and Kona and Waimea courthouses. Calendars from these courts covered all districts. • Facilitated quarterly Legal Procedures Subcommittee meetings • Filed 220 Grand Jury cases • Facilitated the Family Violence Interagency • Issued 860 administrative subpoenas Committee meetings in East and West Hawai‘i • Participated in State Asset Forfeiture program as a • Hawai‘i County Committee on the Status of Women means of discouraging illegal activity. Received a projects included real women writing competition percentage of proceeds totaling $16,595 and equal pay campaigns • Continued to administer the Specialized Sexual VICTIM SERVICES Assault Unit program through a Department of the • Opened 2,265 cases for victim assistance Attorney General funded grant • Served 6,651 (4,722 victims, 335 secondary • Continued to coordinate Smarter Sentencing and victims, 1,195 witnesses, 380 other) Smart Prosecution reform in Hawai’i County

50 County of Hawai‘i • Facilitated 12 community volunteer Victim Offender Oriented Prosecution strategies. The basic focus Conferencing facilitators in completing the initial 8 of these strategies is to build partnerships and act deferred prosecution cases involving both adults and proactively to solve reoccurring crime related issues. juvenile defendants and crime victims. • Handled over 20 council contingency fund requests • The Community Oriented Prosecution project provided outreach and support to all communities on the Island of Hawai‘i JUVENILE ISSUES • Sponsored/Co-Sponsored workshops and seminars • Provided federal grant funding to The Salvation to address community issues including drugs, Army Family Intervention Services to engage and burglary, residential theft, shoplifting, homelessness, strengthen families of youth who are referred by trespassing, blight, and agricultural crimes Hawai’i Police Department, Family Court Juvenile • Provided seminars and talks in the community Services, or otherwise self-referred and at schools on youth leadership, traffic safety, • Continued federal grant funding to The Salvation criminal justice processes and positive coaching to Army Family Intervention Services to implement the strengthen communities Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center • Provided strategies to combat crime and reduce the • Sponsored “Sexual Assault Prosecutions” trainings demand on the criminal justice system in East and West Hawai’i County. In East Hawai‘i 59 • Launched the Start By Believing campaign to build attended and in West Hawai‘i 29 attended. the awareness of the importance of believing sexual • Provided a “Patterns and Dynamics of Child Sexual assault victims when they first report abuse and Abuse Cases” in Waikoloa. Eighty-one attendees. assaults. • Co-sponsored the Pacific Islander Youth • Active partner with the Going Home Hawai’i Empowerment Day with Micronesians United-Big Consortium that works to provide support services Island and 133 high school student attendees. for inmates being released to Hawai’i County. • Co-Coordinated Career Opportunities Expo to assist • Co-sponsored monthly Brown Bag Conflict Resolution youth in career planning; 227 youth attendees. sessions with Ku’ikahi Mediation Center with over 125 participants throughout the year. ELDERLY ISSUES • Partnered with our elder abuse law enforcement ADMINISTRATIVE/OTHER collaborators (Prosecutor’s EA Unit, HCPD CID • Received $1,493,645 in federal funding for the captains, APS supervisors and DCCA investigators) to Victims of Crime Act program, a Sexual Assault continue the collaboration meetings initiated during deputy, Traffic Safety training, Justice Assistance the grant-funded period Grant, Assistance to the Airport Task force, Big • Participated in regular meetings of the DOH/Public Island Juvenile Intake & Assessment Center, HI Teen Health Nurses-sponsored elder interdisciplinary team Outreach Program and Technology Improvement meetings which meet monthly to problem solve the projects more complex elder care cases. • Received $382,060 in funding for Career Criminal • Provided three elder abuse prevention presentations. Prosecution and the Victim/Witness program. • Participated in two “talk story” meetings with • Continued testing of iPads for use by prosecutors in residents of senior housing complexes and the courtrooms numerous smaller meetings and conversations • Coordinated volunteers for Hilo, Kona and Waimea about problems being experienced by residents of offices. Volunteers provided support to clerical, senior housing complexes. administrative, legal and investigative staff. • Active participant of the Hawai’i County Magic of the Season event COMMUNITY STRATEGIES • Coordinated Hawai‘i Island United Way Campaign The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has with 28% of staff participating adopted and continues to employ Community • Staff participated in 21 community charity events

Annual Report FY 2015-16 51 PUBLIC WORKS

The Department of Public Works is composed of six divisions; Administration, Automotive, Building, Engineering, Highway, and Traffic. The Administration division provides technical support services in four main areas: dissemination of information, clerical support, fiscal coordination, and human resources. Automotive repairs and maintains a fleet of county vehicles and WARREN H.W. LEE BRANDON GONZALEZ equipment. Building is responsible for maintenance Director Deputy Director and construction of public facilities, permitting, and inspection of commercial and residential construction. RANDELL RILEY, Automotive Engineering is responsible for design, construction, inspection of County infrastructure, regulatory and DAVID YAMAMOTO, Building compliance, flood control projects and bridges. BEN ISHII, Engineering The Highway Division oversees the operation and VINCENT KASARSKIS, Highway Maintenance maintenance of culverts, drainage, and more than 954 miles of public streets and highways. Traffic oversees RON THIEL, Traffic installation, operation, and maintenance of signs and road markings, traffic calming devices, 10,165 street lights and 112 traffic signals. All divisions perform The Department of Public Work’s Mission essential functions during Civil Defense emergencies. Statement is “Working together as ONE, to improve the quality of service for the health ACCOMPLISHMENTS and safety of our Big Island ‘Ohana.” The • Cemetery Road Reconstruction: The work included department’s Vision Statement is “We will be the removal of lava associated with the October 25, a premier Public Works department highly 2014 Pu‘u o‘o Volcanic Eruption that crossed onto Cemetery Road and repaving the 500-foot stretch of respected for the excellent services provided by roadway that was completed within the forty working our highly skilled and responsive employees.” day time frame on December 9, 2015. The final cost of the project was within the budget of $150,000 EXPENDITURES Division General Fund Highway Fund Beautification Fund Total Administration $1,355,103 $357,566 $1,712,669 Automotive $4,086,999 $4,086,999 Building $7,288,339 $7,288,339 Engineering $1,902,904 $41,206 $1,944,110 Highway $329,415 $18,497,716 $18,827,131 Maintenance Traffic $7,253,498 $7,253,498 Total $14,962,761 $25,792,419 $357,566 $41,112,747

Aupuni Center, Suite 7 | Phone (808) 961-8321 | Fax (808) 961-8630 [email protected] | hawaiicounty.gov/public-works | twitter.com/dpwhi

52 County of Hawai‘i and 75 percent of the construction cost was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. • Kahilu Road Improvements: This project was a partnership between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the County Department of Public Works (DPW). DHHL provided funding for road construction materials and DPW provided the Public Works issued labor and specialized equipment. Work consisted of resurfacing and widening the existing single lane Kahilu Road between Pualahilahi Alanui Road 11,930 permits and Uahanai Alanui to a twenty-foot wide asphaltic concrete pavement (two ten-foot wide lanes) with for building, electrical, two-foot wide gravel shoulders. Speed humps and roadway markings were also installed as part of the project to prevent speeding. The one mile stretch of plumbing, and signs in roadway was completed within the forty five working day time frame on March 7, 2016 and under budget. FY 2015-16, worth • Ka‘iminani Drive Improvements: This project reconstructed the heavily traveled roadway from the $991.7 million. top, at Māmalahoa Highway, to Ahiahi St. The 1.8 mile project also included driveway tie-ins, building retaining walls, and the adjustment of underground utilities, drainage, new signage and safety improvements. The project was completed on July 1, 2016. The Federal Highway Administration funded eighty (80) percent of the $17 million project cost, flow on Kīlauea and Kino‘ole Streets. As part of and the County the remaining twenty (20) percent. the “Complete Streets” Initiative, the new roadway • Kamehameha Avenue: Kamehameha Avenue was designed with marked bicycle and pedestrian Reconstruction project, from Ponahawai Street to routes including ADA compliant sidewalks from the the canoe landing near Wailoa Bridge involved the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to Mohouli Street. The reconstruction of the four-lane-roadway, sidewalks, new extension also provides access to undeveloped and curb ramps; adding turn pocket lanes, center State of Hawai‘i lands for beneficial public uses left turn lanes, and bike lanes; improving drainage; and provides an alternative evacuation route during installing LED streetlights; and upgraded the traffic tsunami. The project improvements spanned over signal at the Pauahi Street intersection. Project cost one mile, and included .5-mile of a 60 foot wide new was $13.2 million and was completed on November roadway, a 100 foot bridge across Waiākea Stream 16, 2015 designed to handle a one hundred year storm flow; bike lanes, sidewalks, and intersection signalization • Kapi‘olani Street Extension: From its early roots on Mohouli and Lanikāula Streets. The Kapi’olani found in County planning document as early as Street Extension establishes the groundwork for a 1967, to the ground breaking and blessing ceremony new era of growth with the University of Hawai‘i at held in March 2015 and now seeing it all come to Hilo by providing a connector road that will open up fruition with the grand opening held on August 18, 42 acres on land in urban Hilo for development of 2016 of this $14.1 million dollar project, The County badly needed student housing. The single largest of Hawaii is proud of the completion of the Kapi‘olani impediment to growth for UH Hilo is the lack of Street Extension that extends Kapi’olani Street from housing for out-of-state and local students, and Lanikāula street to Mohouli Street in South Hilo. the university owns land next to campus where this In addition to providing greater connectivity within housing can be built. The Kapi’olani Street Extension Hilo for the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus will provide access to these lands while also and the Waiākea Educational Complex, the project providing a new two-lane transportation corridor that provides a new two-lane transportation corridor will ease traffic congestion and connect Kāwili Street that eases traffic congestion and improves traffic

Annual Report FY 2015-16 53 to Waiānuenue Avenue. maneuverable boom and powerful vacuum source • Māmalahoa Highway Bypass: The Māmalahoa to quickly and efficiently move from basin to basin, Highway Bypass Road and Nāpō‘opo‘o Road cleaning out rocks, dirt, leaves, litter and other Intersection Improvement project involved the debris that can clog storm drains during rain events. construction of a two-lane roadway from Haleki‘i Storm drain lines need to be cleaned regularly. Street 2.2 miles to the vicinity of the Nāpō‘opo‘o Leaves, sticks, cans, bottles, bags and other large Road/Māmalahoa Highway intersection. The $30 debris can infiltrate a storm system through gutter million county funded project includes two travel grates. Significant amounts of sand and gravel can lanes, paved shoulders, traffic signals at Nāpo‘opo‘o also build up on the bottom of storm lines. The intersection, driveway tie-ins, water utilities, and accumulated debris prevents the storm water from drainage improvements. The purpose of the bypass draining effectively, causing backups that flood road is to mitigate traffic congestion in the north and streets. Contracting out storm drain cleaning work south direction. It is designed to safely move traffic is time consuming and expensive. The County’s past such congested areas as Honalo, Kainaliu and proactive approach to be more cost efficient led to Konawaena schools. the purchase of the $495,000 combination cleaning truck that enables work to be done in-house. The • Māmalahoa Highway Improvements, Iona Court equipment purchase also grants the ability to to Kamāmalu: This project included the subgrade respond to drainage issues in a timely manner. reconstruction, and resurfacing of the roadway; Highway Division personnel were trained on how to water lateral adjustments and other related operate the unit and put it into action on Railroad improvements. Majority of the work was done at Avenue and Mona Loop with exceptional results. night and the project was completed on May 2, 2016 With the addition of this combination cleaner truck, and at the cost of $1.6 million. the County of Hawai‘i Highways Division is better • Manono Street Improvement: The Manono Street equipped to assist in flooding and emergency events. project began Jan. 12 and was completed on May • New Traffic Control Marking Truck:The Traffic 27, 2016. The benefit of this street renovation Division deployed a new Peterbilt thermoplastic project is the incorporation of “complete Streets” line truck to install and maintain traffic control components, making it safer for bikers and markings. The 2015 Peterbilt Model 320 truck pedestrians, plus taking care of drainage issues. This equipped with a thermoplastic pavement marking project consisted of improvements to Manono Street unit allows the Traffic Division to install and maintain between Lanikāula Street and Kekūanāo’a Street. linear traffic control markings at a rate that meets This involved new concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, (MUTCD) road markings retro reflectivity standards. utility relocation, roadway signing and striping and The $580,000 truck is utilized for island-wide other related improvements. The Federal Highway maintenance and striping projects. Prior to receiving Administration is funding 80 percent of the $4.5 the new truck, striping was done using walk-behind million project cost, and the County the remaining 20 thermoplastic landliners which were not meeting percent. MUTCD standards • Roadway Resurfacing: The Highways Division • Queen’s Lei: The Highways Division installed and resurfaced a total of 21 miles in the FY 2015-16. paved a 1- mile long, 10 foot wide shared use path • Traffic Striping:The Traffic Division Striped 162 miles as part of the Queens’ Lei Project, a vision kept in FY 2015-16. alive by the advocacy of PATH (Peoples Advocacy • New Drywell/Culvert Vacuum Pumping Truck: The for Trails Hawai‘i). When fully completed, Queens’ County continued its efforts for efficiency, versatility Lei, will be a 16.7-mile circulation loop for bicyclists and cost saving as the Highways Division deployed and pedestrians consisting of a shared-use pathway a new Vactor 2100 combination truck to clean connecting all of North Kona. A blessing and drainage systems. With its powerful water flow, the celebration of the 1st mile was held on Saturday, Vactor 2100 combination cleaner is ideally suited April 23, 2016. to flush the lines and safely remove debris from • Kuauli Road Right Turn Lane: The installation of a storm drain systems to ensure proper operation. right turn lane on Kuauli Road where it intersects This versatile unit is also equipped with a highly the Volcano Highway (makai side) heading towards

54 County of Hawai‘i Major Road Work Completed on Kamehameha, Kaumana Two major roadways in East Hawai‘i are offering motorists a much smoother ride after County crews and contractors completed projects to improve them. Running along Hilo’s Bayfront, Kamehameha Avenue is heavily used by residents and visitors alike driving between Downtown Hilo and the Banyan Drive resort area, Ho‘olulu Complex, Hilo International Airport and points beyond. The Kamehameha Avenue project was a complete reconstruction of the four-lane roadway from Wailoa Bridge to Ponahawai Street. Mauka of Kamehameha Avenue, Department of Public Works crews worked to resurface over two miles of Kaūmana Drive, the main artery connecting the neighborhoods of Kaūmana with Hilo below and the Daniel K. Inouye Highway above. Before the completion of the Pū‘ainakō Street Extension, narrow, winding Kaūmana Drive was the only way to get to Saddle Road from Hilo. Since taking office, Mayor Kenoi’s administration has prioritized improving our island’s roadways. Whether building new roads like the Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kealakehe, connecting existing roads like the La‘aloa Avenue Extension in Kona, or improving roads like Māmalahoa Highway through Waimea, improving our transportation system allows people to spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 55 Kea‘au was completed on May, 27, 2016. The Bridge repair and restoration project was completed project was done in-house and included the widening on June 3, 2016. The Hakalau Bridge is located of the approach to intersection, paving, striping, and mauka of Highway 19 on Kanna Road, between signage improvements. The new lane makes turning Chin Chuck Road and Kaiwiki-Homestead Road. onto the highway safer for motorists and helps The repair work involved the rehabilitation of the reduce traffic congestion at the intersection. original bridge structure replacing the old timber • Blind Person Route: In taking the initiative to components with new wood preservative treated ensure the safety of all pedestrians including those components. This project was contracted out to with visual disabilities, the County of Hawai‘i has Glover. installed “Blind Person Route” signs on Pi‘ilani • Mā‘ili Stream Bridge Repair and Restoration: Mā‘ili St., Kalanikoa St., Kuawa St. and Manono St. Stream Bridge, located on Kaiwiki Road began Road shoulder Improvements were also done repair/restoration work on Monday, July 6, 2015 including widening, paving, striping and installing and was completed on July 23, 2015. The repair raised pavement markings. This began with a work involved the rehabilitation of the original bridge request to Teri Spinola-Campbell, the County ADA structure replacing the old timber components with Coordinator, from a citizen who is blind, to make new wood preservative treated components. This improvements and accommodations to enhance project was done in-house by the DPW Special the safety of pedestrians with disabilities in this Projects Group involving the the Highways, traffic, particular area. After an assessment of the area, Engineering, and Building Divisions. the County Department of Public Works deemed • Waiānuenue Avenue Accesibility Improvements, the improvements necessary for public safety and Carvalho Park to Rainbow Drive: The roadway and also as an opportunity to install facilities that would shoulder improvements on Waiānuenue Avenue benefit all users of the roadway. Other specific between Carvalho Park and the makai intersection of signs that were installed are Blind Person Crossing Rainbow Drive was completed on June 2, 2016. The Signs and also Guide Dog with Blind Person. The one-way section of Rainbow Drive that transitions signs also help the police in keeping the area clear from Waiānuenue Avenue is now closed permanently of obstructions. The County also recently installed and guardrails were installed to serve as permanent audible cross-walk signals on the busy Manono St., structures to provide a safer pedestrian/wheelchair Kamehameha Ave., and Lihiwai St. intersection to route to cross the bridge. The in-house project also further enhance pedestrian safety. These devices included the widening of the existing T-intersection give audible and visual cues for pedestrians to safely for bus and vehicular access to Rainbow Drive. cross the intersection. The Department of Public Works is continuously striving to improve the quality • Waikoloa Village Road Accesibility Improvements: of service for the health and safety for all users of Improvements were made to make the Waikoloa Fire Hawai‘i Island’s roadways, including pedestrians, Station accessible to all. This included renovating bicyclists, children, the elderly, individuals with sidewalks, parking, and access isles to comply with disabilities, and motorists. ADA standards. • LED Streetlight Conversion: The Traffic Division • Permit To Build: The County of Hawaii launched converted 6,892 LPS streetlights with LED lighting its redesigned Building Permit Application and in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The goal is to have a Inspection Process on July 1, 2015. This process 100% conversion by December 2016. made it possible for specific types of building permits to be issued within two days of application • Kahana Drive Bridge Restoration: The Kahana Drive filing. The new system relies on the applicant to Bridge repair and restoration project was completed submit a complete application and pre-check is on June 30, 2016. The Kahana Drive Bridge No. 46, the key. All building permit application will be pre- located mauka of Highway 19 on Kahana Drive. The checked by land use clerks who will determine repair work was done in-house by the DPW Special whether an application is complete and all land Projects Group and involved the rehabilitation of the use conformance issues have been resolved. The original bridge structure replacing the old timber building permit application process begins once components with new wood preservative treated the pre-check process is finalized and an approved components. application is submitted. • Hakalau Bridge Repair & Restoration: The Hakalau

56 County of Hawai‘i Ho‘olulu Complex Paving Many Hawai‘i Island residents have not-so- baseball to horse racing. The park was named fond memories of sloshing through the muddy in honor of Ho‘olulu, a high chief born around grass and gravel parking areas of Hilo’s 1794 to Kahikoloa and Kame‘eiamoku, one of Ho‘olulu Complex on their way to events at the “royal twins” who supported Kamehameha the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, football in his rise to power. Ho‘olulu was a trusted games at the Dr. Frances Wong Stadium, advisor to Kamehameha. Ho‘olulu and his baseball games at the Walter Victor Complex, brother Hoapili were chosen to safeguard the Hawai‘i County Fair, or the Merrie Monarch Kamehameha’s iwi. Ho‘olulu died in 1865. Festival at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium. With the paving of the parking areas Kino‘ole Street in Hilo is named for Ho‘olulu’s around these facilities, these memories are daughter Kino‘oleoliliha. Ho‘olulu’s sister now a thing of the past. Kekikipa‘a was the mother of Chiefess Kapi‘olani, for whom the elementary school The Highways Division worked with the and street in Hilo is named. Ho‘olulu’s brother Department of Parks & Recreation to pave Kepo‘okalani was the great-grandfather of the Ho‘olulu Complex parking areas. Paving King David Kalākaua, for whom the Merrie work began on February 8, 2016, and was Monarch Festival is named – so it is fitting completed on March 25, 2016. The pavement that the festival is held at Ho‘olulu Complex. reduces the maintenance time and expenses the previous parking areas required. Paving the parking area is the latest in a series of improvements to the 56-acre Ho’olulu Complex facilities and grounds host Ho’olulu Complex in recent years. Since taking thousands of people every year for basketball, office in 2008, Mayor Kenoi’s administration volleyball, tennis, baseball and football games, invested over $6 million in improving Ho‘olulu concerts, craft fairs, May Day programs, mixed Complex and its facilities. This includes martial arts, graduations, senior programs at repainting the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium Aunty Sally’s, graduation and birthday parties, and Aunty Sally’s Lū‘au Hale, re-roofing the swim meets, the Merrie Monarch Festival, and Butler Buildings, and a new dressing room the Hawai’i County Fair. building and additions to the lobby of Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium. Future projects include Ho‘olulu Park first opened in 1899, and over reroofing the Civic Auditorium and building theAnnual years Report has FY hosted 2015-16 a variety of events from additional ball fields across Kuawa Street. 57 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Hawai‘i introduced the cultivation and methodology in producing tea. Two projects targeted youth: The 4-H educated their members on best management practices for livestock production, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island introduced raising garden vegetables and pickle producing to its youth. • Promotion of Local Products: Support provided to JOHN DE FRIES DONN MENDE promote local food, foliage and flower product, and Director Deputy Director improve the export market. Trade show participation promoted the quality and beauty of Hawai‘i’s foliage GLENN SAKO, Agriculture and flowers, and educated buyers on arrangements and display, while marketing efforts included the JANE HORIKE, Business Development potential for Rainbow Papaya to enter the Chinese WILLIAM ROLSTON, Energy market. Local events included bringing in Canadian JUSTIN FINESTONE, Film buyers on island to see products’ origination, with food events focusing on locally grown products. ELIZABETH DYKSTRA, Integrated Resource Center • Development of Local Industries: Collaborated to FRECIA CEVALLOS, Tourism hold the 1st Cacao Conference in East Hawai‘i; providing an opportunity for producers and processors to network and attend workshops to The department’s budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year increase production. Supported the construction was $3.9 million. Department operations are divided of a new certified packing house to ship Sharwil into six program areas that provide advocacy, support, Avocado; 1st export shipment in 25 years sent to coordination, and funding to non-profits in crucial Philadelphia, Minnesota, and New York. Follow up segments of Hawai‘i Island’s economy. This department meetings held to discuss increased shipments. conducted a solicitation for proposals during the year that provided more than $0.9 million in supplemental • Little Fire Ant Voucher Program: Received funds funding to various non-profit agencies and educational to implement a voucher program to encourage institutions across the department’s six program areas. residents to attend certified pesticide training classes; vouchers issued will off-set the cost of qualified ant baits and hand spreader. AGRICULTURE Supporting and growing agriculture is vital to Hawai‘i Island not only for the economic benefits, but also BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT for food security and for preserving the island’s rural The Business Development Program supports workforce character. The Agriculture program advocates for and training initiatives and the development of small supports the industry. businesses in key economic sectors. • Training New Farmers: Granted funding to 5 projects • Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program: Continued support with focus on training and educating new farmers resulted in 78 businesses participating in the on farming methodologies, including planning and program that provides tax reduction incentives to varieties of product. The Kohala Center had its qualified businesses. Hāmākua, Hilo-Puna, and Ka‘ū third cohort in new farmer training, the Hawai‘i zones received new 20-year designations and the Tropical Fruit Growers Association put on numerous Kona zone was expanded and re-designated for 20 educational grower workshops, and the University of years.

Hilo: Hawai‘i County Building, Room 1301 | Phone (808) 961-8366 | Fax (808) 935-1205 Kona: West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building C | Phone (808) 323-4700 [email protected] | hawaiicountyrandd.net

58 County of Hawai‘i • Soil and Water Conservation District: Continued • Advocated for changes to decoupling support of the County’s Grubbing and Grading mechanisms which saved ratepayers statewide ordinance by providing $300,000 to six (6) Soil and $10-20 million annually while improving the Water Conservation Districts to preserve the island’s utility’s business ability to incorporate more land and water resources. consumer generation. • Multi-Purpose Manufacturing Advance Development • A proposed Merger between NextEra Energy Enterprise (MMADE in Hawai‘i): R&D participated, and Hawaiian Electric Industries (PUC Docket along with a coordinated group of business No. 2015-0022) in which County of Hawai‘i was leaders, government, PISCES and the aerospace Intervener - PUC Decision was extended into July organizations to develop the manufacturing facility. 2016. Currently in the first phase of conducting a Feasibility • The Long-Range Electric Utility Planning Docket Study utilizing $100,000 of the $8.5M awarded called Power Supply Improvement Plans (PUC by the State, for a facility that will support the Docket No. 2014-0183) County of Hawai‘i is establishment of new business opportunities in the one (1) of only three (3) Interveners in the PUC Science and Technology field. Docket with on-going filings in January, April, • Workforce Development Program: Collaborated with June 2016. This PUC Docket will continue into the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to develop an Energy 2017. Science Certificate Program as well as supported • LED Lamp Retrofit Program:Continued its the Moon-RIDERS project at Kealekehe High School, partnership with the Department of Public Works which is a unique flight technology project for the – Traffic Division and by end of June 2016 had design, development, testing and flight operation of a retrofitted 75% of the approximately 10,000 lamps lunar surface flight experiment jointly developed with island-wide with the light-emitting-diode (LED) Street PISCES, NASA-Kennedy Space Center, and a private Lamp retrofits. The conversion is from the existing school on O‘ahu. Low-Pressure Sodium Lamps to the LED technology, which show savings of approximately 50% per installation and last longer with less required ENERGY maintenance. All 10,000 lamps are expected to be Reducing our dependence on imported resources installed by November, 2016. for energy is one of the biggest challenges of our generation. The Energy program advocates for more renewable energy and lower electricity costs for local FILM & MEDIA PRODUCTION families and businesses. The Hawai‘i Island Film Office, formerly known as the • Lālāmilo Wind Farm Repowering: Collaborated with Big Island Film Office supports film, television, and new the Department of Water Supply (DWS) allowing DWS media production on the island while marketing the to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement to power island as a location to filmmakers worldwide. North Hawai‘i’s water needs with a 3.3 MW Wind Farm. Official groundbreaking of the project was held • Permits: The County of Hawai‘i issued permits for on September 30, 2015; subsequently, the Wind 85 productions in FY 2015-16, accounting for an Turbines were erected in April 2016 and the project estimated $2 million in spending and 175 local is on-schedule for blessing and completion by the jobs on the island. These numbers do not include end of September, 2016. Savings of approximately productions that did not need a county permit but $1 million/year to be passed on to DWS customers. shot on state or private land. • Public Utilities Commission Dockets: Represented • Film Office Rebranding:To enhance the economic the interests of electric utility ratepayers before the development of Hawai‘i Island’s Film/Creative Public Utilities Commission in the following actions: Industries, the Big Island Film Office was rebranded as the Hawai‘i Island Film Office. New marketing

Annual Report FY 2015-16 59 and outreach tools put in place included a new • Information: Compiled and disseminated the logo, custom website, and newly branded social county’s monthly economic statistics; published media presence of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the 2015 Hawai‘i County Data Book; hosted and LinkedIn. managed the department’s eCivis Grants Network • Transmedia Accelerator: Along with the State of subscription through which county agencies and Hawai‘i and Global Virtual Studio, the County is nonprofit organizations island wide researched a partner in the GVS Transmedia Accelerator, an 6,156 grant opportunities, saved 208 opportunities innovative business accelerator for entrepreneurs for potential grant submission, and shared 229 grant telling stories across multiple media platforms. The opportunities with colleagues. partnership will accelerate a cohort of businesses • Workshops: Hosted and supported public from around the state every year with products information sessions reaching 175 participants. made for the world right here in Hawai‘i. The GVS Workshops included: grant writing; meetings with Transmedia Accelerator program is housed at federal funders such as the U.S. Department of Honua Studios in Kona’s Kaloko industrial area. The Commerce Economic Development Administration County’s investment in FY 2015-16 was $220,000. and USDA Rural Development; Hawai‘i Export • Locations Trade Show: As part of the Film Offices Seminars; HTDC Manufacturing Assistance program; of the Hawaiian Islands, the film office maintained R&D Economic Development Grant workshops; and a presence at the 2016 Locations trade show in Hawai‘i Green Growth Aloha+ Challenge Statewide Los Angeles, a premiere showcase for film locations Measures Meeting in Kohala. around the world. Between meetings with studio • Small Business Support: Developed and published executives and filmmakers stopping by the booth, a guidebook “How to Start a Business in Hawai‘i fielded over 80 inquiries regarding future production County – A resource guide for successful business on Hawai‘i Island. development”; opened two County one-stop • Big Island Film Festival: Supported the 11th annual Business Resource Centers in Hilo and Kailua- festival, a five-day event screening nearly 60 feature Kona which fielded over 197 requests for business and short films for thousands of audience members assistance and over 50 requests for data, grant at venues around the Mauna Lani Resort. information, and other related needs from December through June; partnered with the DCCA Business Action Center to provide monthly Business Action INTEGRATED RESOURCE CENTER Center Days in West Hawai‘i; operationalized Kona Street Eatz, a public-private pilot program that The Integrated Resource Center supports established a food truck park in Kailua-Kona and entrepreneurship and small business development, supported local vendors with marketing and small providing access to information needed for economic business assistance; launched the Hawai‘i County development initiatives in the public and private sectors, Entrepreneurship Program for an inaugural cohort of and research of new industries and policies that promote 13 participants in the six month curriculum with local sustainable economic growth. small business owners participating as speakers and mentors in the program.

60 County of Hawai‘i ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, TOURISM PLANNING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The Tourism program supports and advocates for the • Provided funding and technical support for the visitor industry, particularly in initiatives where the visitor Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board to industry benefits residents, while also providing support develop the 2015 update to the Hawai‘i Island to non-profit organizations. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy • County Product Enrichment Program: Supported (CEDS). The CEDS is a required document for many 15 projects with over $300,000 in Hawai‘i Tourism federal grant programs, particularly the Economic Authority funding, including the Hawai‘i Poke Festival, Development Administration’s Planning, Public Hawai‘i Yoga Festival, the Hula Arts at Kilauea, the Works, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Ka‘ū Coffee Festival, HawaiiCon, Haari Boat Festival, programs. Kona Night Markets, tours at the Kona Historical • Provided funding and hosting support for the Society, and special events in Kailua Village. Hawai‘i Green Growth’s Aloha+ Challenge Statewide • Supplemental Funding: Supported 10 initiatives with Measures committee that is charged with over $850,000 in County funding, including the Bike development of the Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard Share Pilot Project, marketing activities of the Big sustainability indicators and measures. Island Visitors Bureau, the Aloha+ Challenge, Lead, • Conducted research on the feasibility of a mobile Inspire, Explore Program, the Pasifika Festival, pier food processing facility; ‘ulu processing needs; and greetings and cultural programs in Hilo and Kona, coffee exports. and the Hawai‘i Island Tourism Roadmap. • Provided technical support to the “Partners in • Industry Partners: Engaged with visitor industry Prosperity” public-private economic development partner organizations including the Big Island Visitors planning initiative led by partners in the business Bureau Advisory Board, Destination Hilo, Destination community and the University of Hawai‘i. Kona Coast, Hawai‘i Agritourism Association, Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, People’s • Convened a Dark Sky stakeholders group to Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, Kailua Village Business develop an application to the International Dark Improvement District, and Visitor Aloha Society of Sky Association for designation as a Dark Sky Hawai‘i. Community. This initiative aims to protect wildlife and residents from light pollution, reduce energy costs through energy-efficiency measures using appropriate night illumination, and promote eco- tourism.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 61 Lālāmilo Wind Farm A major milestone in the Department of Water Supply’s efforts to use less energy while delivering water to its customers, the Lālāmilo Wind Farm was completed and came online in September 2016. Five turbines are generating up to 3.3 megawatts to power the Lālāmilo wells, which supply water to the Kohala Coast.

The project is expected to save Hawai‘i Island water ratepayers up to $1 million a year in energy costs. A third-party developer built the five turbines at no cost to the taxpayer or ratepayers. The developer owns and will operate the system, and sell wind-generated power to the Department as a supplement to grid-supplied electricity.

62 County of Hawai‘i WATER SUPPLY

NORTH KOHALA • Hala‘ula Well Development – Phase 2: Phase 1 (exploratory well drilling and testing) is completed. Phase 2 includes the outfitting of a production well, construction of a new reservoir, control building, and existing waterline replacement. The project is anticipated to be advertised for construction bids in KEITH OKAMOTO KAWIKA UYEHARA October 2017. Estimated cost: $5,500,000. Manager – Chief Engineer Deputy SOUTH KOHALA DARYL IKEDA, Operations Division • Waikoloa Reservoir No. 1 Repairs: This project includes the repair and improvement of Waikoloa KURT INABA, Engineering Division Reservoir No. 1 to the State’s current Dam Safety RICK SUMADA, Finance Division standards. Final plans as well as environmental studies have been submitted to various government With a customer base of over 42,000 water service agencies for review. The project is anticipated to be accounts, the DWS has a staff of 162 employees advertised for construction bids in November 2016. operating from several locations around the island. In Estimated construction cost: $6,000,000. addition to the main office at the Waiākea Office Plaza • Waimea Water Treatment Plant Compliance on Kekūanaō‘a Street and the Operations Center on Upgrades, Phase II: Construction of this project is Leilani Street in Hilo, the Department maintains district on-going. This project includes the construction of a offices and base yards in Waimea, Kona, and Ka‘ū. The new microfiltration membrane processing building Department is organized into four major divisions. with appurtenant equipment. The new facility will treat the Waimea surface water with microfiltration membranes, and nearly double the treatment plant ONGOING PROJECTS capacity. The project is anticipated to be complete by June 2017. Cost: $11,000,000. NORTH KONA • Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, Phase 2: The HĀMĀKUA construction is on-going for this project that will • Āhualoa-Honoka‘a Transmission Waterline, Phase install approximately 5 miles of 16-inch waterline 2: Construction of this project is substantially between Kealakehe Parkway to Keāhole Airport, complete. Along with Phase 1, this project increases which is currently being served by a 12-inch the water system transmission capacity of the waterline. Water system cost: $3,444,000. Āhualoa and Honoka‘a Water System by increasing • Water Use and Development Plan Update (Keauhou the transmission line size to a 12-inch waterline. Aquifer System Area): The Department continues This project includes approximately 3 miles of new to collaborate with stakeholders as well as the waterline. Phase 1 and 2 Cost: $7,200,000. State Commission on Water Resource Management • Kapulena Well Development, Phase 2: Construction in completing Phase 2 of the plan. The update is on-going. This project includes outfitting a not only incorporates new information from other production well, construction of a new reservoir, agency plan updates, including the Kona Community control building, and appurtenant facilities. Nearly Development Plan, but also addresses many of the $1 million in federal money will help fund this concerns brought about by the petition to designate project, which will become the main water source for the Keauhou Aquifer System Area. The plan is the Kapulena and Kukuihaele Water Systems. The scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. project is anticipated to be complete by February 2017. Cost: $4,900,000.

345 Kekūanao‘a St., Suite 20 | Phone (808) 961-8050 | Fax (808) 961-8657 [email protected] | hawaiidws.org

Annual Report FY 2015-16 63 NORTH HILO OPERATIONS DIVISION • Laupāhoehoe (Manowai‘ōpae) 0.5 MG Reservoir: Deepwell pump production increased slightly, and power This project is nearly complete, and replaces an costs dropped slightly from the previous fiscal year. FY undersized and aging reservoir with a new 500,000 2015-16 well production was slightly higher than the gallon reservoir. The project also involves realigning past year. Also, energy use increased in FY 2015-16. piping from two deepwells and a new control Energy savings from the Lālāmilo Wind Farm project will building. The project is anticipated to be complete by be reflected in FY 2016-17. fall of 2016. Cost: $4,200,000. FY 2015-16 FY 2014-15 FY 2013-14 SOUTH HILO Production 10.8 bil gal 10.3 bil gal 10.4 bil gal • Pāpa‘ikou Transite and G.I. Pipeline Replacement Energy Use 58,286 Mwh 56,258 Mwh 54,615 Mwh - Phases 1 and 2: Design was completed for the Energy Cost $16.6 million $19.8 million $20.5 million project, and is pending Federal funding. This project will replace undersized and aging asbestos cement The Power Cost Charges to the water service customers (transite) and galvanized waterlines. The project dropped from $2.32/1,000 gallons, to $1.70/1,000 is anticipated to be advertised for construction gallons on June 1, 2016. bids in April 2017. This project will replace approximately 15,000 linear feet of waterline, and Featured Operations Division Projects: services approximately 240 customers. Estimated • Continuous upgrading and development of Water construction cost: $7,000,000. Loss Management Program as well as Supervisory • Pauka‘a Waterline Relocation: The design of this Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. project is nearly complete and is expected to begin • Continued water meter change out program for construction late in 2016. This project is to replace meters 30 years and older. and relocate an existing leaking waterline that • Continued proactive repairs and measures in line is inaccessible. The project is anticipated to be with safe drinking water requirements. advertised for construction bids in October 2016. • Repaired the following wells: Lālāmilo A, Haina, Estimated construction cost: $150,000. ‘Ō‘ōkala, Pāhoa A, Hōlualoa, Haleki‘i, Honokōhau. • Pi‘ihonua-Kūkūau 2.0 MG Reservoir and Transmission Waterline: This project was recently WATER SERVICE awarded and construction will start in August of Lock/ Unlock/ 2016. This project will replace an undersized and New Change Move Remove Reinstall Service Meters Meters aging reservoir, and increase transmission capacity Meters Meters to a large portion of the South Hilo Water System. 77 2,217 557 570 25 This project is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017. Cost: $8,100,000. SERVICE LATERALS • Santos Lane – Nohea St. G.I. Pipeline and Service Main Repairs/ Changes Repairs Hydrants Lateral replacement: Construction of this project Connections will begin in the fall of 2016. This project will replace 25 108 410 57 existing galvanized waterlines and service laterals. State funding of $550,000 will be utilized. Cost: PLANT REPAIRS $650,000. Tank Mechanical Tank Electrical Tank Meter Box 75 512 162 KA‘Ū Pump Motor Pump Control Buildings • Hawaiian Ocean View Well No. 2 – Planning and 114 141 32 Design: The contract for this project has been executed, and will utilize State funds. The project Reservoir Repairs Answering Service Calls involves the gathering of public input on the 18 4,319 feasibility and potential of a second water source for the region. Estimated cost: $725,000.

64 County of Hawai‘i BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE County Boards & COMMISSION WITH DISABILITIES Advises the Mayor on sustainable agriculture Advises the Mayor on matters related to Commissions bring development strategies and programs. persons with disabilities, recommends together citizens with Marissa Harman, Chair actions to improve quality of life. a variety of skills and Tane Datta, Vice Chair Pauline Aughe Sotero Agoot Richard Dinges life experiences who are Loreto Obra Janice Mancini active in and respected Tim Richards Sabine “Sam” Nagasawa Michael Robinson Joshua Pratt by the community, and Nina Ann Tanabe Pamela Punihaole knowledgeable about Eric Tanouye Susan Shirachi and able to represent David Tarnas Laura Tobosa Troy Keolanui the entire community’s Rodney Yonemura CULTURAL RESOURCES interests and concerns. COMMISSION BOARD OF APPEALS Advises the county on protection, Hears appeals from the decisions of the preservation and perpetuation of historic and These Boards & Directors of Planning or Public Works cultural resources on Hawai‘i Island. Commissions advise regarding matters within their jurisdictions. Deborah Chang Dean Au Ronald Dela Cruz the Mayor and Nancy Carr-Smith Theresa Donham various departments, Frank Commendador Lily Dudoit oversee programs or Max Newberg Pauline Ke‘ala Lee Loy Kelly Ann Valenzuela Nicole Lui departments, and Mark Travelino Barbara Meheula work with the County to Boone Morrison BOARD OF ETHICS Christine Wada make our community Interprets the County’s Code of Ethics for stronger. These listings officers, employees and the public, conducts ENERGY ADVISORY hearings on violations and renders opinions. are as of June 30, 2016. Dr. Kū Kahakalau, Chair COMMISSION Advises the Mayor on energy sustainability. Douglass Adams Steven Burns Kenneth Goodenow Since the Kenoi David De Luz, Jr. Darnell Pili Kalele Thomas Goya G. Rick Robinson administration Michael Kaleikini took office, over Kelvin Kohatsu COMMITTEE ON AGING Jenna Long 400 people have Advises the Mayor and Office of Aging on John Richards matters relating to senior citizens. Judith Hayducso, Ex-Officio answered the call Dorothy Baxter to serve. We thank Judith Bell Jim Cisler ENVIRONMENTAL our volunteer Lily Inouye MANAGEMENT COMMISSION commissioners for George Ito Advises the Department of Environmental Teana Kahoohanohano Management. their contribution of Meizhu Lui Richard Bennett time and expertise Robert Masuda Luana Neff Amos Meyers, Jr. Trina Nahm-Mijo that make our Steve Ono Susie Osborne Hawai‘i Island a Donna Payesko Jeff Fear Chris Ridley James Fritz better place to live. Earl Tanaka Thomas Randle Rowena Tiqui

Annual Report FY 2015-16 65 FIRE COMMISSION KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN KONA CDP ACTION Appoints and advises Fire Chief. COMMISSION COMMITTEE Robert Becher Reviews projects within the Kailua Village Oversees the implementation and update of David DeLuz Special District requiring plan approval. the Kona CDP. Carol Ignacio Alvin Akina Barbara Defranco James “Kimo” Lee Theresa Andreae Kari Kimura Marcella St. Ambrogio Fanny Au Hoy Shane Nelson Scott Susman Paul Bleck Gregory Ogin W. Mapuana Waipa Adam Broderson Douglas Payne Ralph Yawata Peter Dahlberg Hiram Rivera Ann Kern George “Keoki” Schattauer GAME MANAGEMENT Shaun Roth J. Curtis Tyler III ADVISORY COMMISSION Zon Sullenberger Charles Young Advises county, state and federal officials on issues related to hunting and fishing as KA‘Ū CDP LIQUOR COMMISSION well as traditional gathering rights. STEERING COMMITTEE Adopts regulations related to liquor control, Cleon Bailey Steers development of the Ka‘ū CDP. and grants licenses for the manufacture, Mark Bartell Leina‘ala Enos, Chair importation and sale of liquor in the County. Paul Bueltmann Eldridge Naboa, Vice Chair Leinaala Enos Willie-Joe Camara Patti Barry Stephen Lopez Kenneth DeCoito John Cross Donn Mende Ryan Kohatsu Bob DaMate Dwayne Mukai Thomas Lodge Ron Ebert Shelby Nahale-a Robert White Michelle Galimba Riley Smith Dwayne Yoshina Loren Heck Art Taniguchi Marino Ramones William Takaba HAWAI‘I COUNTY Simon Torres Rodney Watanabe WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD NORTH KOHALA CDP LIQUOR CONTROL Oversees the administration of Workforce ACTION COMMITTEE ADJUDICATION BOARD Investment Act programs. Oversees the implementation and update of Hears complaints regarding violations of Kevin Balog the North Kohala CDP. liquor laws or rules and imposes penalties. Greg Barbour Kristen Dircks Joseph Kealoha John De Fries Richard Elliott Bryan Lindsey David De Luz, Jr. Benjamin Ney Sidney Fuke Ann Ebesuno John “Jack” Hoyt Claude Onizuka Blayne Hanagami Veronica “Lani” Eugenio Glenn Hashimoto John Winter MERIT APPEALS BOARD Jak Hu Faith Yates Hears appeals relating to recruitment and Holly Ka‘akimaka examination, position classification, and Jim Kennedy SOUTH KOHALA CDP other employment actions. Vivian Landrum ACTION COMMITTEE Jubilee Kuewa Alison Lee Oversees the implementation and update of George “David” Nahuina Gretchen Magnuson the South Kohala CDP. Ida Otake Chris Manfredi Eddie Akau Julie Tulang Alton Nosaka Julia Ann Alos Chad Okinaka Joel Cohen PENSION BOARD Debbie Perkins Mark Gordon Oversees pensions for Police, Fire, Debbie Shigehara Roger Harris and County Band employees who do Charmaine Shigemura Diane Kanealii not participate in the State Employee Retirement System. Donald Straney John Mueller Nyala L. Neill George (Robbie) Robertson Guillerma (Irma) Sumera Josephine (Jojo) Tanimoto Emma Souza

66 County of Hawai‘i LEEWARD PLANNING PUNA CDP ACTION VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION COMMITTEE COMMITTEE Advises the Mayor, Council and Planning Oversees the implementation and update of Advises on matters pertaining to the Director in matters concerning planning and the Puna CDP. operation of veteran’s cemeteries and other land use in Kohala and Kona. Lawrence Brown issues. Nancy Carr-Smith Frank Commendador Minoru Hanato Scott Church June Conant Delbert Nishimoto Collin Kaholo Sharon Daun John Okino Perry Kealoha Farris Etterlee George Yamamoto Barbara Nobriga Madie Greene Oliver “Sonny” Shimaoka Leila Kealoha WATER BOARD Keith Unger Susie Osborne Oversees the County water system and the Rene Siracusa Department of Water Supply. WINDWARD PLANNING Elmer Solis Russell Arikawa COMMISSION Bryant Balog Advises the Mayor, Council and Planning SALARY COMMISSION Leningrad Elarionoff Director in matters concerning planning and Establishes the salaries of elected officials Brenda Iokepa-Moses land use in Puna, Hilo, Hāmākua, and Ka‘ū. and appointed directors. Sue Lee Loy Joseph Clarkson Brian De Lima G. Rick Robinson Donn Dela Cruz George Handgis Craig Takamine Charles Heaukulani Pudding Lassiter Jay Uyeda Greg Henkel Melvin Morimoto Kanoe Wilson Donald Ikeda Marcella Stroh Myles Miyasato COMMITTEE ON THE Raylene Moses TAX BOARD OF REVIEW STATUS OF WOMEN Hears disputes between taxpayers and the Advises on the status of women within the POLICE COMMISSION Real Property Tax Division. County of Hawai‘i. Appoints and advises Police Chief. Donald David Jewel Castro Investigates charges brought by the public Richard Dinges Farrah-Marie Gomes against the department or any of its Grace Reinhard Lee Ann Heely members. Melvin Ventura Cyd Hoffield John Bertsch Wesley Takai Jessanie Marques Arthur Buckman Mele Spencer Robert Gomes Sr. TRANSPORTATION Debra Toledo Peter L. Hendrichs Jak Hu COMMISSION Regulates passenger carrying motor Keith Morioka vehicles and advises on mass transit and Guy Schutte other transportation matters. Michael Akau PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN Amy Bircher SPACE, AND NATURAL Wendy Davis RESOURCES Kris Hoke PRESERVATION COMMISSION Paul Maddox Maintains an islandwide prioritized list of Alton Nosaka lands worthy of preservation. Kenneth Obenski Barbara Bell David Bishaw Tim DeLozier Susan Fischer William Meyers Cynthia Nazara Marilyn Nicholson Rene Siracusa Kekaulike Tomich

Annual Report FY 2015-16 67 SISTER CITIES

Mayor Billy Kenoi joined Mayor Michihiro Takeuchi and a delegation from Sumoto City in August 2015 to plant a pine tree in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the relationship between Hawai‘i County and Sumoto City.

Since forming our first sister city relationship in 1962 Some sister cities are similar in character and share with Ohshima Island, Japan, the County of Hawai‘i has other common bonds, like La Réunion. Our relationship been engaging cities and islands around the world. Sister with the small French island off the coast of Madagascar is cities are agreements between cities and counties in based on the many similarities it shares with Hawai‘i Island geographically distinct areas to promote cultural, economic, – both islands are located in the middle of vast oceans, and and educational ties, intended to foster friendship and are situated over volcanic hot spots. La Réunion’s active understanding between different cultures and to encourage volcano, 8,632-foot Piton de la Fournais (“Peak of the trade and tourism. The sister city program formally began in Furnace”) is a shield volcano like our Kīlauea, and is listed the United States in 1956 at the urging of President Dwight among earth’s most active volcanoes. Réunion National D. Eisenhower, who proposed a people-to-people citizen Park and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are both United diplomacy initiative. Hawai‘i County lawmakers recognized Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization World the importance of this initiative and codified sister city Heritage Sites. Both islands have dense rainforests, a high relationships in the Hawai‘i County Code. level of endemism, and even green sand beaches.

Many of our sister cities share a historical, cultural, or Other sister city relationships offer reciprocative ethnic relationship with the people of Hawai‘i County. Our educational, technological, or economic benefits that are relationship with Nago City was established in April 1986. mutually beneficial to the citizens of both places. Kona and Nago City is located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Kumejima, Japan are two of the few places in the world and Hawai‘i Island is home to many people of Okinawan with a pipeline to deliver deep sea water, an asset with the descent. Teams from Nago City visit Hilo every year to potential to meet three of the world’s most pressing needs: participate in Hui Okinawa’s Haari Boat Race. In 1990, the food, clean energy and fresh water. County of Hawai‘i received three Haari boats from then Mayor Tetsuya Higa of Nago City. Students from Nago City The development of Kumejima’s ocean thermal energy visit Hawai‘i Island annually. conversion plant, the first operational facility in the world, occurred in tandem with the development of OTEC on

68 County of Hawai‘i Makai Ocean Engineering activated their ocean thermal energy conversion facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory in Kona this August as renewable energy experts from Hawai‘i Island and Kumejima, Japan gathered for the sixth annual Ocean Energy Workshop in Kona. The combined expertise of both islands has lead to advances in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, with a facility now operational on each island.

Hawai‘i Island. The pioneer of Manabu Kinoshita, Past Chairman OTEC in Kumejima, Dr. Yasuyuki & Advisor Takashi Kotoidani, Ikegami, was a close friend of Executive Director Tsuyoshi Hawai‘i Island’s late Guy Toyama. Saihana, and Directors Tomoyasu The sixth annual Ocean Energy Bansho and Kimitoshi Hiroi Workshop with government and from the Sumoto International private industry officials was held Association. In commemoration of in Kona in August 2015. the anniversary, Mayor Takeuchi and Mayor Kenoi joined together Hawai‘i County recently with members of the Sumoto celebrated the 15th anniversary delegation and representatives of its sister city relationship of Hawai‘i Island’s Japanese with Sumoto City, Japan. The community to plant a black pine relationship was established on tree in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens. August 9, 2000 by Sumoto Mayor Also traveling with the Sumoto Keiichi Nakagawa and Hawai‘i delegation were 12 high school County Mayor Stephen Yamashiro. students who were hosted by Hilo Mayor Billy Kenoi and the Kiwanis Kumejima Mayor Haruo Ota High School’s Key Club. Since Club of East Hawai‘i hosted a participated in a cultural 2000, Key Club members’ families delegation from Sumoto from ceremony with Hawai‘i County have hosted visiting students in August 19–24. The delegation Mayor Billy Kenoi, further their homes every year. Hilo High included Mayor Michihiro Takeuchi, School students have also been Director Katsunori Uesaki, and strengthening the bond visiting Sumoto for cultural and Subsection Chief Kyoko Okuda between the two islands. educational exchange, four groups from Sumoto City and Chairman since 2007.

Annual Report FY 2015-16 69 Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki and the Yurihama delegation joined Mayor Billy Kenoi and members of the Hawai‘i Island community in February 2016 to plant a pine tree in commemoration of 20 years of sister city friendship with Yurihama.

The County of Hawai‘i also Mayor Billy Kenoi and the recently celebrated the 20th Japanese Chamber of Commerce anniversary of its sister city and Industry of Hawai‘i hosted relationship with Yurihama, a delegation from Yurihama Japan. The relationship was from February 18-21, 2016. established on November 17, The delegation included Mayor 1996 by Hawai‘i County Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki, Council Stephen Yamashiro and Mayor Chairman Tetsuharu Mitsui, Masanao Inoue of Hawai-Cho. In Chamber President Mamoru 2004, Hawai-Cho merged with Nakashima, and Yurihama the adjacent towns of Togo and Town International Relations Tomari to form Yurihama. Coordinator Julianna Keleher. In commemoration of the Located on the western shore The Yurihama delegation anniversary, Mayor Miyawaki of the main island of Honshu, toured the island, including and Mayor Kenoi together with the Yurihama area’s economy is members of the Yurihama based on farming, fishing, and a visit to the Natural Energy delegation and representatives tourism. They are known for their Laboratory in Kona to see the of Hawai‘i Island’s Japanese natural hot springs and annual innovative businesses there. community planted a black pine Hawaiian festival. Students from tree at Lili‘uokalani Gardens. Hilo and Yurihama visit each other The commemoration was also on alternate years, with Yurihama an opportunity to formally thank students visiting Hilo this July. the people of Yurihama for their $17,586 donation to the people of Puna recovering from the impacts of the lava flow.

70 County of Hawai‘i Hawai‘i County’s Official Sister Cities

Ohshima, Japan – February 1962 Izu Ohshima, which means “Big Island,” is home to waterfalls, valleys, black sand beaches, hot springs, camillias, and Mt. Mihara, an active volcano standing at 2,507 feet.

Nago, Okinawa, Japan – April 1986 The first place in Japan where the cherry blossoms bloom, and home to a Cherry Blossom Festival similar to Waimea’s. Teams from Nago participate in Hilo’s annual Haari Boat Race.

La Serena, Chile – November 1994 La Serena is home to the southern twin telescope of Mauna Kea’s Gemini North. This sister city relationship was based on the link of our astronomy communities and the benefits to both areas.

Yurihama (formerly Hawai-Cho), Japan – October 1996 A Hawaiian festival takes place every July with hula hālau from all over Japan and Hawai‘i. Also, students from Yurihama and Hilo Intermediate School participate in an annual student exchange.

Shibukawa, Japan – January 1997 Just as Mauna Kea is considered the piko of the Pacific, Shibukawa is the bellybutton of Japan. The annual Ikaho Hawaiian Festival features winning hālau from Hilo’s Merrie Monarch Festival.

Sumoto, Japan – August 2000 Students from Sumoto and Hilo High School have participated in a student exchange every summer since 2000. Sumoto City is famous for its Kobe Beef, Naruto oranges and Awaji onions.

Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan – May 2011 Kumejima has a deep sea water pipe like Kona’s Natural Energy Lab, and the development of ocean thermal energy conversion there occurred in tandem with similar development here.

Ormoc, Philippines – September 2011 Located in the province of Leyte, Ormoc is an economic, cultural, commercial and transportation hub. Ormoc harnesses their geothermal resources to generate electricity for the whole region.

Gokseong, South Korea – September 2011 Gokseong is the center of nature-friendly agriculture devoted to restoring the environment. A Mountain View piggery was the first to adopt Korean Natural Farming methods in the U.S.

La Réunion, France – January 2012 A French island located east of Madagascar, La Réunion’s environment is both unique and Annual Report FY similar2015-16 to Hawai‘i Island. Like Kīlauea, their Piton de la Fournais Volcano is a World Heritage Site.71 County of Hawai‘i 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 hawaiicounty.gov

72 County of Hawai‘i