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| Lava is burning vegetation in a kipuka on its rapid advance toward the ocean below the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision in Puna. See more below. Photo from USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory |
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| A group of cavers gather around a mountain of trash removed from an Ocean View puka. They also recovered "No Dumping" signs tossed into the puka. Photos by Peter & Ann Bosted |
About 60 Ocean View residents at the meeting were unanimous in their message – the temporary transfer station is temporary, and the permanent one should be completed without further delay.
Greg Goodale, the county’s Solid Waste Division Chief, joined Leithead-Todd and David in fielding questions about why plans for a permanent transfer station were abandoned and the temporary transfer station was substituted.
Leithead-Todd opened with reasons for the long delay in developing a permanent facility makai of the Hwy 11 and establishment of a temporary one on land earmarked for “recreational” use among homes and adjacent to a park. She stated that although the facility was important, other projects with greater priority had intervened. She added that priority is usually given to wastewater projects in lieu of solid waste.
She said the transfer station at Wai`ohinu has top priority because fire in rubbish containers damaged wooden beams supporting the retaining wall, risking collapse. The Ocean View transfer station should have been the next priority, she said. However, permanent transfer station plans were derailed by the state, according to Leithead-Todd.
“We did not factor in the state Department of Transportation, which will eat up $2 million,” she said, going on to explain that Department of Transportation engineers wanted the county to pay for a left-turn lane and traffic lights.
Leithead-Todd opened with reasons for the long delay in developing a permanent facility makai of the Hwy 11 and establishment of a temporary one on land earmarked for “recreational” use among homes and adjacent to a park. She stated that although the facility was important, other projects with greater priority had intervened. She added that priority is usually given to wastewater projects in lieu of solid waste.
She said the transfer station at Wai`ohinu has top priority because fire in rubbish containers damaged wooden beams supporting the retaining wall, risking collapse. The Ocean View transfer station should have been the next priority, she said. However, permanent transfer station plans were derailed by the state, according to Leithead-Todd.
“We did not factor in the state Department of Transportation, which will eat up $2 million,” she said, going on to explain that Department of Transportation engineers wanted the county to pay for a left-turn lane and traffic lights.
Goodale said it was at that point that he started thinking of ways the temporary site could be improved with more services, such as HI5 services, which have been installed.
Linda Shutt questioned the need for “all these turning lanes and lights” and the high cost estimate.
“Something is not right,” she said, to which another resident commented that if the usual cost of new roads is about $1 million per mile, why $2 million for a short widening?
Ranchos resident Ann Bosted urged the county officials to make it easy and convenient for all residents to responsibly dispose of their trash, including computers, TVs, refrigerators, stoves and tires.
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| Members of CCH, which stewards Ocean View cave properties, guide a bag of trash being winched out of a puka. Since opening of Ocean View's temporary transfer station, such work days have not been necessary. |
“People should have more than a single day each month to legally discard a computer,” she said.
Bosted pointed out that members of Cave Conservation of Hawai`i, a nonprofit that owns lava tube properties in Ocean View, used to have to regularly clean out pukas two or three times a year. Since the temporary transfer station had made disposing of trash a lot easier, the natural pits are no longer being used as dumping grounds.
Loren Heck, a member of the steering committee that drafted the Ka`u Community Development Plan, told the officials that the temporary transfer station could be shut down legally by anyone challenging it.
“We were not allowed to put a well there or a water tank,” he said. “Read the deed. It’s for recreation. It could be shut down any day.”
Ocean View resident Tim Ent said, “I see big trucks turning left from the highway onto Aloha; I see cars turning left onto other HOVE streets. Everything is OK. Why is the DOT making such a fuss? Does this mean nothing new can be built? This stinks!”
County Council candidate Raina Whiting asked about the interim options, to which Goodale replied that he could provide two-bin recycling in the short term and increased staffing, if approved by the next administration.
Ocean View resident Mike Du Bois suggested that a bin large appliances should be provided at least once a month.
Maria Schenkeir pointed out that dumped appliances, tires and large items, which are difficult to dispose of under current county rules, are lining the driveway on land that was purchased for the permanent facility.
“This is just the same as your old-fashioned dump that was open 24/7,” she said.
“Why are we spending money on the temporary transfer station when we could be building a permanent one?”
“We need to get going on a new site, regardless,” Goodale answered.
Shutt cautioned Goodale against expanding the facilities at the temporary site. “We don’t want the temporary one to be too comfortable,” she said. “This is a residential neighborhood. It’s next to a park – a really bad location. Keep your eyes on the goal,” she concluded, referring to the permanent site, which already has an approved building plan and a completed archaeological study.
Ocean View resident Tim Ent said, “I see big trucks turning left from the highway onto Aloha; I see cars turning left onto other HOVE streets. Everything is OK. Why is the DOT making such a fuss? Does this mean nothing new can be built? This stinks!”
County Council candidate Raina Whiting asked about the interim options, to which Goodale replied that he could provide two-bin recycling in the short term and increased staffing, if approved by the next administration.
Ocean View resident Mike Du Bois suggested that a bin large appliances should be provided at least once a month.
Maria Schenkeir pointed out that dumped appliances, tires and large items, which are difficult to dispose of under current county rules, are lining the driveway on land that was purchased for the permanent facility.
“This is just the same as your old-fashioned dump that was open 24/7,” she said.
“Why are we spending money on the temporary transfer station when we could be building a permanent one?”
“We need to get going on a new site, regardless,” Goodale answered.
Shutt cautioned Goodale against expanding the facilities at the temporary site. “We don’t want the temporary one to be too comfortable,” she said. “This is a residential neighborhood. It’s next to a park – a really bad location. Keep your eyes on the goal,” she concluded, referring to the permanent site, which already has an approved building plan and a completed archaeological study.
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| A geologist photographs the flow front. Photo from USGS/HVO |
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THE ACTIVE LAVA FLOW FROM PU`U O`O has advanced almost one-half mile in one day, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. Scientists attributed the fast pace to steep terrain as lava falls down the pali along the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision’s western boundary.
An overflight of the active flow yesterday showed the flow was 4.3 miles long. Although the majority of flow activity is pahoehoe, the fast-moving flow front is channelized `a`a. The leading tip is burning vegetation in a kipuka.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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| Sherry Menor-McNamara Photo from COC Hawai`i |
SINGAPORE HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry Program. Singaporean citizens can now apply for expedited customs clearance for visiting the United States and vice versa. Sen. Mazie Hirono led a bipartisan effort to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to add Singapore to the program in time for Hawai`i’s busy summer travel season.
“Singapore’s inclusion in the Global Entry program will facilitate and expedite travel between our two countries,” Hirono said. “I appreciate the action by CBP to support Singapore’s participation in the Global Entry Program… . This decision also allows CBP to direct security resources to where they are needed most.”
Hirono is a longtime advocate of expanding Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs to expand Hawai`i’s international visitor industry. In April, she led a similar effort in support of U.S. negotiations with Taiwan for inclusion in the program. Those negotiations are underway.
“The Global Entry Program between the U.S. and Singapore is good news for Hawai`i,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i. “With Singapore as our second largest export market, this bilateral initiative will serve to enhance trade, business and tourism links between both countries, taking advantage of Hawai`i’s geographic location and further strengthening our state’s strong relationship with Asia.”
Hirono is a longtime advocate of expanding Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs to expand Hawai`i’s international visitor industry. In April, she led a similar effort in support of U.S. negotiations with Taiwan for inclusion in the program. Those negotiations are underway.
“The Global Entry Program between the U.S. and Singapore is good news for Hawai`i,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i. “With Singapore as our second largest export market, this bilateral initiative will serve to enhance trade, business and tourism links between both countries, taking advantage of Hawai`i’s geographic location and further strengthening our state’s strong relationship with Asia.”
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| Georg D. Szigeti Photo from HTA |
“We appreciate Sen. Hirono’s effort to get Singapore added to the Global Entry Program,” said George D. Szigeti, President and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority. “This is welcome news for Hawai`i’s tourism industry and a decision that will improve the process and travel experience for Singapore’s citizens visiting the Hawaiian Islands on leisure and business. Singapore and Hawai`i already enjoy strong cultural connections, and their addition to this program helps strengthen those ties even more by making it more convenient for them to visit and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer.”
Global Entry participants must be pre-approved by CBP and undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. Participants may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. The program allows participants to complete expedited customs and immigration procedures using self-service kiosks at over 50 airports in the U.S., Canada and select overseas locations.
Singapore joins Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea in CBP’s Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Singapore joins Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea in CBP’s Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
VOLUNTEERS CUT INVASIVE Himalayan ginger on Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. Stewardship at the Summit takes place weekly; days vary.
See nps.gov/havo.
See nps.gov/havo.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June_2016.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
