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Wednesday, August 02, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Collaborating to Guard Punalu‘u Hawksbill Nests
County lifeguards, like Kalani Freitas, above, The Turtle Project and Mālama Pono Punalu‘u volunteers,
watched over three hawksbill turtle nests on Wednesday, waiting for the babies to break out of their
eggs and make a path for the ocean at Punalu‘u Black Sand beach for the first time in 
five years. The nests are protected from animals and humans with cage-like surroundings.
 Photo by Jennifer Johansen.
AN OCEAN VIEW MAN KILLED BY LARGE DOGS on Tuesday has been identified as 71-year-old Robert Northrop. See story and outreach for information on the tragedy. at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023/07/news-briefs-monday-july-31-2023.html

A COUNTY MEETING FOR PĀHALA AND NĀ‘ĀLEHU SEWAGE OPTIONS will be held on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. by  county Department of Environmental Management. The meeting will be at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. 
    The purpose is to review options for sewage disposal in Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu for homes served by large-capacity cesspools formerly operated by the old sugar plantations in neighborhoods built by them. Options include individual septic systems and sewage treatment plants. 
     According to the county notice, “These options and their impacts, costs, and benefits, will be described more in-depth at the meeting, but in brief, they are: 
County sewage options for Nā‘ālehu were presented in 2018. A new public
 meeting with four new options will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday,
 Aug. 24 at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

    1.  Package wastewater treatment plant with new collection system;
    2. Package wastewater treatment plant with the existing collection system;
    3. Maintenance contract model with Individual Wastewater System;
    4. Operating permit model with Individual Wastewater System.”
     The county will discuss the four feasible options, benefits and impacts, as outlined in a Pāhala Preliminary Engineering Report, and solicit community feedback. 
    According to the county, the Environmental Protection Agency has not approved any particular option and requires Department of Environmental Management to continue robust community engagement before any decision is made. The county notice says that the Nā‘ālehu Preliminary Engineering Report is still in development and a status report will be given as
7,500 PRINTED, IN THE MAIL, ON THE STANDS.
Volcano through Miloli‘i
See www.kaucalendar.com

well at this meeting. Presentation slides, a video recording, and a transcript of this meeting will be posted to hawaiicounty.gov/departments/environmental-management/pahala-naalehu. 
      “However, the community is encouraged to attend this meeting in person and take the opportunity to meet and ask questions of County representatives directly. If you are unable to attend, comments are accepted at cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov or by leaving a message at (808) 961-8099.”


TWO DERELICT VEHICLES A YEAR PER APPLICANT CAN BE TOWED FREE by County of Hawai‘i under a new program that will last until funds run out. Property owners must request the service, or sign off on allowing requests from renters or other people with junk vehicles on the property. The sign-up begins next Monday, Aug. 7. A statement from the county says:
    "In an effort to reduce the number of derelict and abandoned vehicles left on public roadways, the County of Hawaiʻi, Department of Environmental Management, Derelict/Abandoned Vehicle Section will be launching an updated Vehicle Disposal Assistance Program which allows the Section to tow from private property.
County of Hawai‘i launches a junk vehicle pickup next week.
Photo from county Department of Environmental Management
    
    "The Vehicle Disposal Assistance Program provides Hawai‘i County residents with the opportunity to legally and properly dispose of up to two permanently junked or derelict vehicles each fiscal year. This service is provided free of charge to residents and is subject to fund availability. Upon approval, the vehicle will be towed and disposed of. Please review these requirements carefully. While the goal of this Program is to assist residents with safe and efficient services, failure to comply with these requirements will result in an automatic denial of your application."
    Applications for this program will be accepted starting Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. Towing services will begin once contracts are in place. Registered vehicle owners and property owners are encouraged to submit their applications early as this program will only be available while funding is available.
    Visit http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/automotive/ for the application and requirements. Direct questions to Derelict/Abandoned Vehicle Section at (808) 961‐8552 or VDAP@hawaiicounty.gov.
    "Thank you for helping us keep our island home a beautiful and litter‐free paradise," concludes the county statement.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION events will be held between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 in Hilo at Wai‘ākea High School Parking Lot B (entry via Po‘okela Parkway, upper driveway off W. Kāwili Street), and Saturday, Aug. 12 in Kona at West Hawai‘i Civic Center Parking Lot (entry via 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway).

  County of Hawai‘i's Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events, at no charge to the public, so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable household hazardous waste in a manner that protects both public health and the environment.
    Acceptable household hazardous waste includes automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides. For a complete list of acceptable or unacceptable household hazardous waste, please visit our website at https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/. The website includes other useful information on solid waste diversion and recycling.
    These events are for household-generated and self-hauled waste only. Business, government agency, non-profit agency, or farm wastes are prohibited by law. No latex paint, no electronic waste, and no tires will be accepted.
    Physical Distancing Rules for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events:
     The county states these rules "for your safety and the safety of the staff conducting these events. Please kōkua and thank you for doing your part to keep these events safe for all participants:
      - Remain in vehicles unless directed by authorized personnel.
      - Prior to arriving at the event, place HHW items in trunk or truck bed. Make sure trunk can be unlocked or opened remotely. If no trunk or truck bed, it is preferred that materials are placed in the
unlocked and unoccupied backseat area.
      - Due to infection transmission hazards, ALL containers brought to the event will not be returned and should be disposable. To keep container, transfer the material into a safe disposable container prior to the event.
    - To minimize interactions, please label HHW items (if possible) and make sure that HHW items are easily distinguishable and separate from anything else in trunk or truck bed.
    - 6-foot physical distancing is required. Facial masks covering nose and mouth are recommended.
   - If under quarantine, feeling ill or showing symptoms of illness, please consider postponing participation in the  Household Hazardous Waste event or designate someone else to drop off the materials.
     With questions regarding the HHW collection events, contact Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist with Department of Environmental Management, at (808) 961-8554, or email recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov. 
    " Mahalo for your kōkua in keeping our island a clean and safe paradise!" concludes the statement.

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