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| Construction of the tank for OceanView that is now complete and providing potable water. |
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| Rep. Bob Herkes (center) champions potable water for Ocean View. |
Attending the meeting with about five dozen residents was Denny Coffman, the incumbent state House of Representatives member who won the recent Democratic primary election for the district that includes Ocean View. Coffman told The Ka`u Calendar that he plans to work with Rep. Bob Herkes, (who is no longer be able to represent Ocean View following redistricting), to continue Herkes’ work at the Legislature to provide clean, affordable water.
Coffman said the county water department should be able to figure out how to make it possible to deliver potable water, even through commercial hauling, to Ocean View residents at the same price as in neighborhoods where the county maintains pipes and other infrastructure, delivering water directly to homes.
Coffman said the county water department should be able to figure out how to make it possible to deliver potable water, even through commercial hauling, to Ocean View residents at the same price as in neighborhoods where the county maintains pipes and other infrastructure, delivering water directly to homes.
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| Rep. Denny Coffman speaks out on water. |
While the water is free to the public at the delivery station, Coffman said he doesn’t understand why Ocean View citizens should pay more for water to reach homes. Government – the taxpayers – already paid for Ocean View well, pumps, storage tank and distribution station. “This is not something the water department is still paying for,” said Coffman. The price to the commercial hauler should be set at a wholesale rate, and the price to the consumer should be the same rate as water piped to homes elsewhere in the county, he said.
“Issuing only ten customer meter permits for water access from the commercial standpipes on a first-come, first-served basis does not guarantee that safe water will be delivered to the community at a prescribed utility rate.
“Selling water to delivery agents that are not regulated is against the concept of public utility.” Coffman concluded that “the water department’s implementation of the HOVE water system has violated the purpose, intent and health requirements of the system.”
Coffman suggested that permits be issued to any PUC-licensed potable water carrier that accepts being a private delivery agent for the water department. “They should be able to purchase the water at a wholesale rate. They must provide delivery reports. They must provide a health inspection certificate for their delivery truck/tank on an annual basis prior to being able to renew their permit,” Coffman said.
“Issuing only ten customer meter permits for water access from the commercial standpipes on a first-come, first-served basis does not guarantee that safe water will be delivered to the community at a prescribed utility rate.
“Selling water to delivery agents that are not regulated is against the concept of public utility.” Coffman concluded that “the water department’s implementation of the HOVE water system has violated the purpose, intent and health requirements of the system.”
Coffman suggested that permits be issued to any PUC-licensed potable water carrier that accepts being a private delivery agent for the water department. “They should be able to purchase the water at a wholesale rate. They must provide delivery reports. They must provide a health inspection certificate for their delivery truck/tank on an annual basis prior to being able to renew their permit,” Coffman said.
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| Historic site at South Point. Photo from DLNR/SHPD |
THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN is posted on the Internet for public input at www.hawaiihistoricpreservation.com. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Division has written a draft of a five-year plan that would be implemented beginning next month.
A statement from SHPD administrator Pua Aiu says, “programs and services are designed to promote the responsible use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawai`i’s citizens and visitors.”
Development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of SHPD, under grant funding it receives from the U.S. National Park Service.
Faith Sereno Rex, president of SMS Consulting, the lead contractor completing the plan, said: “The core of the plan is based on the historic preservation issues and concerns raised at community meetings held earlier this year and other public input provided by residents.” She explained that after comments are received this month and the National Park Service offers its comments, the final plan will be updated for approval by the Park Service.
In addition to the draft being available online, it is available in hard copy from SMS by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com, mailing SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813 or calling 808-537-3356 or toll free 1-877-535-5767. Ask for Rachel.
Development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of SHPD, under grant funding it receives from the U.S. National Park Service.
Faith Sereno Rex, president of SMS Consulting, the lead contractor completing the plan, said: “The core of the plan is based on the historic preservation issues and concerns raised at community meetings held earlier this year and other public input provided by residents.” She explained that after comments are received this month and the National Park Service offers its comments, the final plan will be updated for approval by the Park Service.
In addition to the draft being available online, it is available in hard copy from SMS by emailing historicpreservation@smshawaii.com, mailing SMS, 1042 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813 or calling 808-537-3356 or toll free 1-877-535-5767. Ask for Rachel.
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| Kahaualea Natural Area where hunter was rescued. |
FIRE AND RESCUE CREWS located a hunter reported missing in Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve in Volcano. The 36-year-old man entered the forest on Wednesday morning to go pig hunting and became disoriented due to thick forest growth and fog. The rainforest, dominated by old growth `ohi`a trees and large hapu`u ferns, is open for nature hikes and wild pig hunting. After two days in the woods, the hunter was found in good medical condition off the main trail under heavy brush.
DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER is the message from Big Island Police Department, which is taking part in the national campaign to keep highways safe during Labor Day weekend with increased enforcement of drunken driving laws. So far this year, Big Island police have made more than 800 DUI arrests, and 12 of 24 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs, alcohol or both.
KA`U TROJANS have a busy day with volleyball at Kealakehe, cross country at HPA, air riflery at Kamehameha Schools and bowling at Hilo Lanes. The first home football game of the season is tonight vs. HPA beginning at 6 p.m.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TALK STORY with County Council District 6 candidate Brenda Ford at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village Sunday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Another session takes place at Ocean View Community Center Monday, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mitch Roth, candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, joins Ford in Ocean View.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE AVAILABLE in Ka`u today. WE … a Hui for Health’s van is at Ocean View farmers market until noon and at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Screenings include retinal, lung function, glucose, blood pressure, take-home kidney function, women’s health, hepatitis and hearing. Counseling regarding learning disabilities, smoking cessation, family caregiving, organ donating and more is also available. Screenings are on a walk-in basis. For more, contact Annie at 808-282-2265 or annie@projectvisionhawaii.com.
DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER is the message from Big Island Police Department, which is taking part in the national campaign to keep highways safe during Labor Day weekend with increased enforcement of drunken driving laws. So far this year, Big Island police have made more than 800 DUI arrests, and 12 of 24 traffic fatalities this year involved drugs, alcohol or both.KA`U TROJANS have a busy day with volleyball at Kealakehe, cross country at HPA, air riflery at Kamehameha Schools and bowling at Hilo Lanes. The first home football game of the season is tonight vs. HPA beginning at 6 p.m.
NA`ALEHU HONGWANJI PRESENTS Aloha Buddha: The Story of Japanese Buddhism in Hawai`i Monday at 5 p.m. The film tells how Japanese Buddhism came to Hawai`i, why it is fading and about efforts to save it. Refreshments follow the screening. Call 929-7236 for more information.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TALK STORY with County Council District 6 candidate Brenda Ford at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village Sunday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Another session takes place at Ocean View Community Center Monday, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mitch Roth, candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, joins Ford in Ocean View.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.