A meeting to explain these new requirements and to answer questions on applying for or renewing your driver’s license or permit will be held on:

Monday, May 21, 5 – 6 p.m.

Aupuni Center Conference Room

101 Pauahi Street, Hilo

This is the first in a series of meetings to inform the public about the new requirements to help reduce the wait time and ensure that everyone comes in with the correct documents. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we comply with these new Federal and State mandates.

This meeting place is accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations, call 961-8021.

Information about the new requirements is available online at hawaiicounty.gov/finance-dl-hi-legal-presence. If you have questions, please email vehiclerl@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Kohala residents, the Friends of Kēōkea Beach Park, Mayor Billy Kenoi, and other Hawai‘i County officials joined in the festivities held against the backdrop of the sunny skies, gentle breezes and the blue Pacific Ocean.

The Kohala community joined hands in a blessing of the new and improved Kēōkea Beach Park.

“We open this to all the families, children and kūpuna of Kohala,” Mayor Kenoi said before joining Sarah Pule-Fujii, president of the Friends of Kēōkea Beach Park, in untying a maile lei and ushering more than 200 people into Kēōkea Beach Park amid shouts of joy and jubilation.

The park’s main pavilion had been closed since it was badly damaged by the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near Kiholo Bay and also a 6.0 Hāwī temblor on Oct. 15, 2006. The park, which spans more than 7 acres, has since undergone extensive repairs totaling $1.4 million.

A renovated kitchen, a larger main pavilion, new restrooms, and paved accessible walkways now greet visitors to Kēōkea Beach Park.

Mayor Billy Kenoi and Sarah Pule-Fujii, president of the Friends of Kēōkea Beach Park, untie the maile lei signifying the reopening of the park.

Anbe, Aruga and Ishizu Architects Inc. prepared the plans for the project, while Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. was the general contractor. The Friends of Kēōkea Beach Park’s numerous community volunteers assisted Parks and Recreation staff with painting, clearing debris, trimming trees and other maintenance duties.

Roughly 75 volunteers showed up for a recent work day, during which they performed maintenance, landscaping and other chores, said Pule-Fujii, the president of the Friends of Kēōkea Beach Park.

“We painted all of these brand new tables,” she said, adding volunteers also took special care in removing any paint droppings and other ‘ōpala.

“Our kids grew up here,” Pule-Fujii said. “We’re always here. We have so much love for the park. That’s why we put so much into it. We’re really, really thankful.”

Also appreciative for the improvements were the more than 500 Kohala residents who signed their names to thank Mayor Kenoi for his dedication to the Kohala community. Their names were written on a huge paper “lei of thank you” presented to the mayor, who described the gift as the most beautiful lei he’s ever seen.

“It’s such a privilege to come to Kohala,” Mayor Kenoi said. “Every time we come, it’s to celebrate the hard work of the community.”

He said the renovated Kēōkea Beach Park is a pu‘uhonua – a safe haven for families, keiki and kūpuna.

“Here at Kēōkea, we’re here, the County of Hawai‘i, just to honor all the hard work of all of the hands, of all the many families that make Kohala such a special place,” Mayor Kenoi added.

The Kupuka‘a ‘ohana entertained those who gathered to reopen Kēōkea Beach Park, along with John Keawe and DJ Darren Bermudez.

The Kupuka‘as, John Keawe, and DJ Darren Bermudez serenaded the attendees with free live music.

Kēōkea Beach Park’s completion represents the Department of Parks and Recreation’s final Kiholo Bay earthquake-related project, joining Ikuo Hisaoka Gym at Kamehameha Park, Pa‘auilo Gym Annex and others that underwent safety repairs before being reopened for public use.

A view of the Kohala coastline as seen from Kēōkea Beach Park.

Comprising slightly more than four acres and located within walking distance of downtown Hilo, Reed’s Bay Beach Park offers safe access for swimmers, fishermen and boaters with authorized moorings in the bay. The park includes mature trees for shade, grassy areas for play and a protected bay for use by keiki and kupuna alike. Parking is provided at an adjacent 2.3 acre lot.

An improved Reed’s Bay Beach Park on Hilo’s Banyan Drive welcomes families.

During a Hawaiian blessing ceremony, Kumu Kimo Awai told the story of a family whose young child once wandered into ocean and was at risk of drowning, when a force – a large school of small fish called ‘oama – guided the keiki safely back to shore. Today, the park continues this history of being a safe place for our keiki.

Reed’s Bay Beach Park is “a place that celebrates family and protects our children and is a pu‘uhonua, a safe haven for our families that actually protects our children from drugs, and from gangs and from violence,” Mayor Kenoi said after joining dignitaries and members of the Keaukaha community in untying the maile lei to signify the reopening of the park.

Dignitaries, descendants of the bay’s namesake William Reed, and members of the Keaukaha community untied the maile lei signifying the opening of the park.

Reed’s Bay is named after William H. Reed. Born in 1814 Belfast, Ireland, Reed was a businessman who bought Reed’s Island in 1861 and built the first commercial bridge over the Wailuku River. He also created Reed’s Landing, which he used to moor boats carrying lumber for one of his businesses.

Remembering how as a child he played at the park with his parents, Mayor Kenoi thanked contractor Nan Inc., the Department of Parks and Recreation staff, members of the Reed family, and Bill Walter, CEO and president of W.H. Shipman Ltd., which was founded by Reed’s stepson.

Mayor Billy Kenoi spoke to the 100 people gathered to celebrate the reopening of Reed’s Bay Beach Park in Hilo.

Reed’s Bay Beach Park now features concrete walkways complete with integrated seat walls, outdoor showers, drinking fountain and landscaping. Future plans call for picnic tables and additional landscaping to be added this summer as part of an Eagle Scout project.

Leonard Bisel of Leonard Bisel and Associates designed the improvements, while Nan Inc. performed much of the work under a $690,763 contract. With the help of U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, Hawai‘i County obtained a $248,525 federal grant that was used to pay more than one-third of the contract cost, thereby reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.

Assisting with the project were Department of Parks and Recreation personnel, who installed the showers, poured concrete footings, trimmed trees, spread sand, and performed other work.

The project represents teamwork and partnership with the federal and state governments, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald told audience members. He called the project “a great example of laulima – what we can all do together.”

An improved Reed’s Bay Beach Park on Hilo’s Banyan Drive welcomes families.

Sen. Inouye issued a statement read by his field representative, Delbert Nishimoto. Sen. Inouye praised Mayor Kenoi and his administration for delivering projects that improve Hawai‘i County and add to the island’s beauty.

State Sen. Gilbert Kahele, state Rep. Mark Nakashima and Puna Councilman Fred Blas also each spoke at the reopening ceremony. “It’s nice to come down from Puna and see a beautiful place like this,” Councilman Blas said.

The newly renovated Reed’s Bay Beach Park continues a vision then-Gov. John Burns started for the Banyan Drive area in 1969, Sen. Kahele said. “Banyan Drive is a wonderful place. I played here as a child, and I enjoyed the ocean.”

Kumu Kimo Awai performed a Hawaiian blessing ceremony before dignitaries, descendants of the bay’s namesake William Reed, and members of the Keaukaha community untied the maile lei signifying the opening of the park.

Mayor Kenoi announced that a second phase improvements at Reed’s Bay Beach Park, to include a comfort station, will start in August, to avoid impacting summer use of the park, and be finished by year’s end.

For safety reasons, the sand along the park’s shoreline is no longer accessible to motor vehicles, although boat owners with approved moorings in the bay may continue to launch and retrieve their vessels.

Mayor Billy Kenoi and Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald will join various dignitaries in welcoming people back to Reed’s Bay Beach Park during a public ceremony set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28. The public is encouraged to attend the blessing ceremony. Refreshments will be served.

Closed since last August, the Banyan Drive park now features new paved walkways complete with integrated seat walls, outdoor showers, drinking fountain, picnic tables, and landscaping.

Nan Inc. completed the work under a $690,763 contract that was not increased a single dollar from the original bid. Assisting the contractor in a collaborative effort were Department of Parks and Recreation maintenance employees, who cleared the area, spread sand and performed other work in-house.

A $248,525 federal grant obtained with assistance from U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye helped to finance the improvements that culminated a six-year effort to make the park more accessible, safer and appealing.

“Please join all of us in thanking everyone who worked so hard to improve this beautiful park for all our families to enjoy,” Mayor Kenoi said.

To ensure the safety of all park users, vehicular access to the water will be restricted to boat owners actively launching or retrieving vessels authorized to be moored in the bay.

On April 12, Mayor Kenoi and the Department of Parks and Recreation reopened an improved and expanded Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo. The park was closed last September to undertake an $890,000 upgrade that includes remodeled gymnasium restrooms, new paved walking paths meeting federal accessibility standards, new bleachers, and off-street parking area covering nearly an acre.

The caller has said that the phone number was obtained from AARP and has offered certain benefits in return for the elderly person’s social security number

Please be aware that the Hawaii County Office of Aging does not call and request social security numbers. Should you receive such a telephone call, do not give out any personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers or financial institution account numbers.  If you receive any call from a stranger seeking personal information, notify the police at 935-3311.

These plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are a great fit for Hawai‘i County, where trips can be as long as 200 miles one way. For trips under 30 miles, the vehicles can run solely on battery power charged by the LEED Silver-certified West Hawai‘i Civic Center’s 250 kilowatt photovoltaic array. A gasoline-powered generator with a nine-gallon tank allows an additional range of 300-400 miles, depending on topography.

Based on their past usage of County vehicles, vehicles will be issued to the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Planning, and the Office of Housing and Community Development. The remaining vehicles are assigned to the Mayor’s Office and available for official use by any department.

“We want everybody to use it, we want to test it, everybody will log it – where you drove, how it drove, miles driven, just to make sure that we can grow the County fleet and have it be an electrical fleet, especially when we have free electricity that powers our building and now powers our vehicles,” said Mayor Kenoi, referring to the photovoltaic system at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center.

“If there’s any controversy or discussion over who uses which car when, we’re going to resort to the great equalizer of decision making since small kid time – jan ken po,” said Mayor Kenoi. “Paper, scissors, stones – no two out of three!”

While each vehicle costs $47,000, the County will offset that price with a $4,500 credit per car through the state’s EV-Ready rebate program. The cost of each vehicle also includes a bumper-to-bumper warranty for seven years.

Hawai‘i Island pays some of the highest fuel costs in the United States. In fiscal year 2011, the County’s transportation fuel bill was $7 million. These prices are likely to rise in the future, so making this transition to more efficient vehicles will help control these escalating costs.

“The vehicles couldn’t have come at a better time as we see rising fuel prices,” said Mayor Kenoi. “If you look at our budget and you see how much we spend on fuel for the County, we said, let’s start with a five vehicle fleet. We will slowly and incrementally begin implementation of a larger electric vehicle and hybrid fleet here in the County of Hawai‘i. It’s not something we should do, it’s something we must do.”

Prior to purchase of the vehicles, the county received a grant from Better Place Inc. to have three charging stations installed at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. Each charging station can handle two electric vehicles at a time. The Chevy Volt typically takes 3.5 hours for full charge. Available charging stations will be open for public use during regular business hours.

The photovoltaic array at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center has the capability to provide energy to the building and charge up to 30 EVs or 60 PHEVs. It is anticipated that additional charging stations will be added to maximize the use of the 250 kW photovoltaic array.

An October 2011 report issued by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Evaluation of West Hawai‘i Civic Center’s Transportation and Energy Use,” supports with economic analysis the integration of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles into the County fleet. The County has also worked with HELCO to coordinate vehicle deployment as well as charging station infrastructure.

“Today is but another step forward in all of us, as a community, taking a collective step toward removing ourselves from our dependency on fossil fuel,” Mayor Kenoi said. “We recognize that we cannot continue to maintain status quo. Business as usual is not acceptable. And we cannot point and ask people to be more energy efficient if we, the County, aren’t doing our part.”

The Department of Parks and Recreation is replacing all of the drain covers at each facility with newer, safer versions that meet mandated federal standards to address potential entrapment issues.

The following lists the tentative start date for each pool to be closed:

• April 21 – NAS Pool in Hilo (961-8697)
• April 22 or 23 ­– Kawamoto Pool (961-8698)
• April 28 – Pāhala Pool (928-8177)
• May 4 – Kona Pool at Konawaena High School (323-3252)
• May 21 – Kona Community Aquatic Center Pool (KCAC) (327-3500)

Due to the scope and nature of the work involved, it cannot be predicted when each upgrade will be completed. Please contact pool staff at the respective facilities (telephone numbers provided above) for updates on the work progress and the reopening dates.

New drain covers have already been installed at both the Laupāhoehoe and Kohala pools, while similar work at the Pāhoa Community Aquatic Center will be scheduled at a later date.

The Department of Parks and Recreation thanks the public for its patience and understanding while these important modifications are being made to ensure swimmers’ safety.

Restoration of the Kailua Village Seawall along Aliʻi Drive, damaged by the 2011 tsunami, will begin April 23. The seawall will be restored by individuals who are knowledgeable in the construction of a Hawaiian rock wall. The $172,546.00 project, awarded to Isemoto Contracting, is scheduled for completion June 6, 2012. Work hours are Monday – Saturday, 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

Mākālei Fire Station

The 11,000-square-foot Mākālei Fire Station currently under construction in Kona is 94 percent completed. The contractors are currently constructing the 50-foot driveway, connecting it to Māmalahoa Highway, installing traffic signal beacons, and completing utility work. Completed projects include the 50 kilowatt photovoltaic system, radio communication room, an three-space apparatus bay, a hose tower, a generator building, maintenance storage, office, kitchen, training room, dormitory, shower, restroom facilities, exercise work rooms, laundry room, fuel tank, and parking areas for staff and guests. Construction cost is $6.184 million, of which $ 4,113,686.00 million is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The project started April 28, 2011 is scheduled for completion in August.

West Kawailani Street Improvements

Integrated Construction Inc., contractors for the roadwork along West Kawailani Street in South Hilo, will begin mobilizing at the site the first week in May with construction to follow. Alternate lane closures throughout most of the project will begin from Kanoelani Street to the ‘Āinaola Drive & Pōhakulani Street intersection weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Hawaiian Telcom and the Department of Public Works are relocating utilities in preparation of future work from Kanoelani to Kuhilani Street, and portions of ‘Āinaola. 80 percent of the $1 million project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration, and the remaining 20 percent by the County. Completion is scheduled for 2013.

This $365 million FY 2012-2013 budget is $37,911,650 or 9.4 percent less than the budget in effect when this administration took office in 2008. It marks the fourth consecutive year of our efforts to reduce the size and cost of government in a strategic and responsible manner that maintains critical infrastructure and public services. This proposed balanced budget does not require any increase in property taxes.

Collecting Less Taxes

For the fourth straight year, the County of Hawai‘i will collect less in property taxes than it did when this administration began in 2008. Tax collections in FY 2008-09 totaled $225.9 million and are expected to decrease to $198.5 million during FY 2012-2013. This continuing slide in tax collections has been coupled with years of cost increases in areas such as employee health care and retirement costs and unpredictable fluctuations in utilities and fuel. In short, it will cost us more to deliver the same services next year, and there will be less money available to provide these services.

Reducing the Size and Cost of Government

This budget represents the fourth consecutive year that we are reducing spending. Consulting contracts have been cut by more than $12 million since FY 2007-2008. Overtime spending is also being reduced by 38 percent during this same time period, for an additional reduction of $5.3 million.

This budget discontinues a subsidy for the West Hawai‘i golf program and phases out the lava-viewing program. It restricts out-of-state travel, cancels or delays vehicle purchases and the replacement of aging computers and software, and employee training has been deferred or eliminated.

Further, we have cut special counsel, trial aides and law clerks for the prosecutors’ office, reduced courier service, cut appraisals, environmental assessments and surveys, and reduced the workers compensation budget.

Two hundred twenty-two vacant positions have been unfunded during the first three years of this administration. Although it has been very challenging, for the upcoming year, we intend to again hold 222 positions unfilled and unfunded. Leaving these vacant positions unfunded will save the county $7.1 million. The total employee count for the County of Hawai‘i was reduced from 2,787 on November 30, 2008 to 2,586 as of February 29, 2012.

OPERATING BUDGET BY FUND

The following table describes the budgeted expenditures for FY 2011-12 and the proposed budget for FY 2012-13 for each fund.

(Amounts in thousands)

Mayor Billy Kenoi and Hilo Councilman Donald Ikeda joined Carvalho family members in the blessing ceremony for the park’s new off-street parking area located mauka of the baseball field.

“If it wasn’t for him, we could never build this place because we had no money,” Councilman Ikeda said of Mayor Kenoi’s willingness to help finance the safety improvements.

Mayor Kenoi expanded on the message Pastor Renee Godoy delivered before formally blessing the recent improvements and untying a maile lei, which officially opened the new area. Joy, fellowship and family were the reasons for Thursday’s event, he said.

“Our children, regardless of how challenging the economy is, deserve safe, healthy, positive places to be,” Mayor Kenoi said.

Mayor Kenoi credited Councilman Ikeda for having the vision to improve the park and the persistence to see the project realized. He also praised the cooperation between the County Departments of Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Environmental Management to get the project done.

Councilman Ikeda presented Ruby Carvalho, widow of Gilbert Carvalho, with a framed copy of a 1955 County Council resolution naming the park after him. Although he passed away at age 25, Gilbert Carvalho was described in the resolution as “Hawai‘i’s greatest athlete.”

The gravel parking lot, which doubles the amount of available parking, has a two-tiered design that provides for outstanding vantage spots for watching games and other park activities. Connecting the lot to the ball field is a new bridge that crosses a fresh-water spring and natural pool, adding to the park’s accessibility and ambiance.

County personnel were assisted by Hawai‘i Correctional Industries to do the initial clearing of the jungle area to assess the area, determine the best layout for motorists, and build the parking area.

For years, spectators who flock to the park to watch baseball and softball games have parked along the shoulder and grassy median of Waiānuenue Avenue. This practice has impeded ambulances and other emergency vehicles rushing to nearby Hilo Medical Center, creating a serious hazard for both park users and people needing medical treatment.

A certificate commemorating the Hawai‘i Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and acknowledging its efforts to perpetuate Portuguese culture was presented to Margo Aguiar, widow of Dennis Aguiar. The annual Dennis Aguiar Portuguese Day-in-the-Park is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 15. In celebrating all things Portuguese, the festival will feature an 11 a.m. performance by the Hawai‘i County Band, genealogy booths and the serving of free Portuguese bean soup and bread at noon.

The new parking lot is part of an approximately $890,000 upgrade that includes remodeling of the gymnasium restrooms, new paved walking paths meeting federal accessibility standards, and installation of new bleachers.

Gilbert Carvalho Park features a lighted baseball field, gymnasium, pavilions and keiki playground. It attracts numerous users, including youth, adult and kupuna sports teams. The park serves as the site for softball tournaments and parties, and is home to the popular Dennis Aguiar Portuguese Day-in-the-Park Festival.

Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo.