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Hawai`i County Weekly Report - Sept. 21, 2001
by Peter T. Young, Deputy Managing Director, County of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor
Visit the Hawaii County Website: www.Hawaii-County.com
Hawaii County Information & Complaints: cohinfo@interpac.net

           Hawai'i County ... a nice place to live.

          Imua - Hawai'i Island Moving Forward
      www.hawaii-county.com/info/imua/imua.htm

      The world is changing ... let's work together
          to change it for the better. Live Aloha.

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE OF THE WEEKLY REPORT

   - How to Add/Remove Names from Distribution
   - Airline & Cruise Passenger Greetings Program Underway
   - Good News From JAL - Kona Flights Maintained
      http://www.japanair.com/
   - Think "A Dollar a Day" ... And Follow the Money
        Imua - Hawai'i Island Moving Forward
           www.hawaii-county.com/info/imua/imua.htm
        Think and Buy Local - Big Islanders Working Together
           www.BigIslandKamaaina.com
        Hawaii Visitors Bureau - Travel Industry Updates
           www.gohawaii.com/travelindustry.asp
        DBEDT Website - Air Travel & Unemployment
           www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/special
        Hawaii Island United Way - Please be Charitable
           www.hawaiiunitedway.org/
   - Dengue Fever Update - Statewide Precautions Advised
      http://www.state.hi.us/doh/dengue/index.html
      www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/index.htm
   - Waimea-New Unemployment & Workforce Dev. Schedule
   - Coming Attractions - Film Activity on the Big Island
      www.filmbigisland.com/main.html
   - Community Calendar Links
   - Community Meetings w/Peter Young, Deputy Managing Dir
      www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
Scheduling conflicts force the cancellation of the following:
          Hamakua, Tuesday, October 9
          Ocean View, Thursday, October 11
          South Kona, Thursday, October 11
          Volcano, Sunday, October 14
   - Hawaii County Public Notices
      www.midweek.com/hscpn/Hawaii/index.html
   - E-Mail Feedback to Hawaii County Departments
      www.hawaii-county.com/feedback.htm
   - Mayor Harry Kim and Cabinet On The Road
      www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
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WEEKLY REPORT

The intent of this report is to provide information about
what is happening on the Big Island. We are trying to open
and extend lines of communication between County government
and the people we serve. We are trying to be helpful.

If you know of others that may benefit from this memo, please
let us know their names and e-mail addresses and we are happy
to include them. If you wish to be removed, 'Reply' and let
us know and we will remove your name from distribution.
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AIRLINE AND SHIP PASSENGER GREETINGS - HELPING TRAVELERS
FEEL ENRICHED AND WELCOMED TO HAWAI'I'S BIG ISLAND

This year we expect approximately 175,000 cruise ship
passengers arriving at each of our ports (Kona Pier and Hilo
Harbor) - that number increases to over 200,000 in 2002.

There are daily overseas flights with hundreds of passengers
each on Canadian charters, Japan, United, American and Aloha
Airlines arriving at the Kona International Airport.

Hawaii County Department of Research and Development, in
cooperation with other private and public agencies, is
coordinating a Hawaii County Greetings Program to welcome
visitors and returning residents to our island.

The group, including the Mayor's Office, Big Island Visitors
Bureau, State Airport and Harbors personnel, Destination Kona
Coast and Hilo, HIEDB, Chambers of Commerce, kupuna and
others, agreed that a successful greetings program is
beneficial to the island's economy and well-being.

The group adopted the following mission statement:

     The mission of the Aloha Greetings Program
     is to make every traveler feel enriched and
     welcomed to Hawaii the Big Island.

Hawaii County greetings activity started in the early 1970s
with the State Visitor Information Program. Continuing
today, State employees provide visitor information to
arriving passengers at Kona and Hilo airports.

By the mid-1980s the greetings activity at the Kona Airport
was extended by hotel properties of the Kona-Kohala Coast.
Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA) members lease airport
space and send employees from each hotel to meet guests with
arrival greetings and information.

In the fall of 1992, with the visit of the Queen Elizabeth II
and subsequent increase in ship arrivals, the greetings
program was expanded to include the cruise industry with pier
and harbor greetings in Hilo Harbor and Kona Pier.

In 1993, the ship greeting program expanded with Hawaii
County's Parks and Recreation, Elderly Activities Division
meeting and greeting ship passengers with music and hula.

In early 1994, Hawaii County started providing financial
support to the greetings programs conducted by Destination
Hilo and Destination Kona Coast. In the next year,
Destination Kona Coast started greeting Japan Airlines
passengers as they arrived at Kona Airport.

In 1998, "Port of Call" (Hilo) and "Ship to Shore" (Kona)
publications were produced and distributed by the local
newspapers to visiting cruise ship passengers.

Today, passengers and visitors to Kona International Airport,
Hilo Harbor and Kailua Pier are greeted by a variety of
groups including all of those already mentioned here, as well
as Big Island Group (BIG), Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club,
Daughters of Hawaii and Kona Volunteer Aloha Committee.

Enhanced activities are now under consideration, including an
expanded "Aloha Room" at Hilo Harbor and the prospect of
improved facilities in Kona for visiting cruise ship
passengers and crew.

The volunteer-driven Port Task Force is being reactivated to
investigate other programs and improvements to complement the
existing greeting programs. These include: support with
on-board marketing of Hawaii island, expanded training for
greeters, taxi drivers & others, and harbor, pier and
surrounding improvements at Hilo and Kona.

The objective is to cooperatively work with the resources of
government, the community and visitor industry partners to
support a program that will enhance the arrival experience.

Info: Hawaii County Department of Research & Development
961-8366 chresdev@interpac.net
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GOOD NEWS FROM JAL - JAPAN TO KONA FLIGHT SCHEDULE MAINTAINED

Japan Airlines announced it will retain the regularly
scheduled daily Tokyo to Kona flights in its revised
scheduling. Japan Airlines modified its Japan to Hawaii
schedules - it is expected to be in effect through November;
at that point the scheduling will be reassessed.

While the daily Tokyo to Kona scheduling is unchanged, JAL is
reducing the number of flights to/from Honolulu.

Under the revised schedule, the present 24 weekly flights
from Tokyo to Honolulu will be dropped to 14 weekly flights
and the present 14 weekly flights from Osaka to Honolulu will
be dropped to 7 weekly flights. http://www.japanair.com/

In a different, but related, matter, Governor Cayetano and
local government & business leaders are traveling to Japan to
help promote visitor travel to Hawaii. Mayor Harry Kim has
asked former Mayor Steve Yamashiro to represent the Big
Island in the group.
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THINK "A DOLLAR A DAY" ... AND FOLLOW THE MONEY

Do the math ... $1 a day, spent by our island population ---
about 150,000 of us --- is $150,000 per day ... that's almost
$55-million per year ... and money spent here, stays here.

We are not suggesting that you give away your hard earned
dollars --- BUT, we are illustrating the cumulative impact a
single dollar has on our island's economy.

The dollar pays local workers' salaries & wages ... pays
farmers ... pays suppliers ... and, as it circulates from
person to person it keeps our economy going.

Our "economy" isn't some nebulous off-island corporate
"structure;" it involves real people ... our family, our
friends and our neighbors. We are all in it together.

If you Think and Buy Local, the dollars you spend locally
will circulate around the island and our island's economy and
its people will be better because of it.

Some other Think and Buy Local thoughts:
   Christmas in October
   Throw away your catalogues
   Skip internet shopping
   Go out to dinner
   Visit farmers markets
   Stay overnight on the other side of the island
   Purchase inter-island flight coupons
   Invite off-island friends to visit
   Skip the brown bag lunch - eat out

The context here is pretty simple: by helping each other
we will collectively and cumulatively help ourselves.

The following websites list economic and related updates;
residents and businesses are encouraged to use these to
assess impacts, develop action plans, and make better,
informed decisions in these changing and challenging times:

Imua - Hawai'i Island Moving Forward
(Updates on issues facing our island's residents.)
www.hawaii-county.com/info/imua/imua.htm

Think and Buy Local - Big Islanders Working Together
(Take advantage of the discounts.)
www.BigIslandKamaaina.com

Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau Travel Industry Updates
http://www.gohawaii.com/travelindustry.asp

State DBEDT Website Monitors Air travel and Unemployment
www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/special

As you Think and Buy Local, please be charitable ...
and don't forget our local non-profits.

Please give to the Hawaii Island United Way (HIUW.)
www.hawaiiunitedway.org/ When you donate to HIUW, you
directly help numerous, non-profit agencies that operate
right here on our island. These funds go toward helping real
people in need, whether they live in Hilo, Hamakua, Puna,
Kohala, Kona or Ka'u. More than 98% of all funds raised here,
stay here. You can donate on-line:
https://secure.hialoha.net/hiuw/donate_online.htm
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DENGUE FEVER UPDATE - STATEWIDE PRECAUTIONS ADVISED
http://www.state.hi.us/doh/dengue/index.html
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/index.htm

Dengue fever is a viral illness spread by certain types of
mosquitoes. The dengue virus is transmitted to people as a
result of being bitten by infected mosquitoes. There is no
direct person-to-person transmission.

The symptoms of dengue fever include sudden onset of fever,
painful headaches, eye, joint,and muscle pain, and rash.

Symptoms usually start 5 to 6 days after being bitten by an
infected mosquito, but the onset can range from 2 to 15 days.
The symptoms usually resolve completely within 1 to 2 weeks.

Occasionally, some with dengue fever experience blood
clotting problems. When this occurs, it is called dengue
hemorrhagic fever - a very serious illness characterized by
abnormal bleeding and very low blood pressure (shock).

Younger children tend to have a milder illness than older
children and adults. Treatment consists of rest, fluids, and
medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen.

Residents and businesses statewide are encouraged to be aware
of personal mosquito protection measures, and be responsible
for environmental mosquito control on their properties.

Since there is no vaccine or specific treatment for dengue
fever, residents are strongly advised to take precautions to
avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to make sustained
efforts to control mosquitoes in their environment.

Helpful activities include the following:
- Locate all sources of standing water on your properties
    and empty or remove them. Examples of areas where
    mosquitoes breed include roof gutters, containers,
    55-gallon drums, buckets, used automobile tires,
    flower pots, cans etc.
- Empty and clean pet watering containers at least once a
    week.
- Remove discarded bulky items that may collect standing
    water, including abandoned cars, boats, sheds etc.
- Empty and scour vases with fresh flowers at least once a
    week.
- Check all screen doors and windows. Repair if there are
    holes or tears in the screens.
- Plants that collect water (e.g. Bromeliads) should be
    sprayed weekly with a garden insecticide.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to limit exposure to
    mosquitoes. Light-colored clothing is also recommended.
- Use indoor insecticides and repellents if mosquitoes are
    in the home.
- Apply effective repellants (containing 20-30% DEET) on
    exposed skin and clothing when mosquito exposure is
    unavoidable.
- If your home has a water catchment tank, be sure it is
    "mosquito proof."
- If appropriate, use air conditioners when indoors.
- If you do become ill, be sure to protect yourself from
    mosquitoes while experiencing any symptoms (such as
    fever) and a few days after to avoid spreading the
    disease.

All Hawaii Residents are urged to keep their properties free
of sites where mosquitoes can breed.

Reports of suspected cases should be made to the Epidemiology
Branch on Oahu-586-4586; Hawaii-933-0912; Kauai-241-3563 and
Maui County-984-8213.
www.state.hi.us/doh/dengue/index.html
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/index.htm
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WAIMEA - NEW UNEMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

The Unemployment Insurance Division and the Workforce
Development Division will meet with the public every
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Hawaiian Homes Hall
in Waimea. The public can file unemployment insurance claims
and look at our job listings. For more information, call the
Unemployment Insurance office at 322-4822.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS - FILM ACTIVITY ON THE BIG ISLAND

* World Triathlon Corporation - crews from as far away as
    Germany filmed the "Ironman Triathlon" event in Kona.

* Disney/Buena Vista Television - completed a pilot,
    "The Last Resort" in West Hawaii.

* AD PRO International - completed a "Jeep" print
    advertisement off Saddle Road.

* Maximedia, Inc. - completed a print and video travelogue
    for Jal Pak International Hawaii.

Info: Marilyn Killeri 326-2663; film@bigisland.com
Big Island Film Website: www.filmbigisland.com/main.html
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CALENDARS OF EVENTS

Hawaii County Calendar
www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl

Hawaii State Government Calendars
http://www.state.hi.us/calendars.htm

While we may occasionally feature various community
activities in this Report, this memo is not a community
calendar nor a source for coming events. We encourage all to
use the web-based calendar links included in this report.
Please add your own events to the respective calendars so
others can get the word and not conflict with your plans.

Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau Calendar
http://calendar.gohawaii.com/
Hawaii.com Calendar
http://www.hawaii.com/events/
Alternative-Hawaii Calendar
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/calendar.htm
Kamuela.com Calendar
http://kamuela.com/calendar/default.asp
Hawaii Public Radio Calendar
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/psa.htm
Hawaii Theatre Network
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawaiitheatre

Public School Calendars - Click on Your School
http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0102/index.htm
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COMMUNITY MEETINGS WITH PETER YOUNG, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl

Meetings are set up around the island with community members
and Peter T. Young, Deputy Managing Director, to discuss
regional issues and anything else people want to talk about.

All meetings are intended to be pro-active as much as
possible, inclusive to make sure varying view-points are
discussed and solution-oriented. Name-calling, finger-
pointing, blame and other ineffective distractions are
discouraged. Meetings are open to the public.

Hamakua - 5:30-6:30 pm, 2nd Tue., even months, Honokaa Gym
Kalaoa - 4-5 pm, 4th Tue., even months, Kona Palisades Ctr
Kailua Village - 9-10 am, 2nd & 4th Tue, Mayor's Office, Kona
North Hilo-5:30-6:30 pm, 3rd Thu, odd months, Laupahoehoe Lib
North Kohala-4:30-5:30 pm, 1st Mon., monthly, Kamehameha Park
Ocean View - 2-3 pm, 2nd Thu., monthly, HOVE Comm.Ctr.
Pahoa - 4-5 pm, 4th Thu., monthly, Pahoa Community Center
South Kona - 4-5 pm, 2nd Thu., monthly, Yano Hall
Volcano - 8-9:30 am, 2nd Sun., monthly, Cooper Center
Waikoloa - 4-5 pm, 1st Tue., even months, Waikoloa School
Waimea - 4:30-5:30 pm, 1st Thu., monthly, Kahilu Town Hall

In addition, Peter Young, DMD, attends the Traffic Safety
Committee meetings around the island and is available to
discuss community issues before and after those meetings.

Kona Traffic Safety, 5 pm, 4th Wed., monthly
     Kealakehe Police Station Conference Room
South Kohala Traffic Safety, 4 pm, 2nd Tues., monthly
     Waimea Civic Center Conference Room
Puna Traffic Safety, 6 pm, 4th Thurs., monthly
     Keaau Courthouse
Hamakua Safety Committee, 5:15 pm, 2nd. Tues., odd months
     Honokaa Courthouse
www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl

Scheduling conflicts force the cancellation of the following:
          Hamakua, Tuesday, October 9
          Ocean View, Thursday, October 11
          South Kona, Thursday, October 11
          Volcano, Sunday, October 14
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HAWAII COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICES

This site lists Public Hearings, Bills/Ordinances Passed and
Public Notices, etc. (Frequently Updated)
http://www.midweek.com/hscpn/Hawaii/index.html
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E-MAIL FEEDBACK TO HAWAII COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

Use the following link to send E-Mail messages to Hawaii
County Departments. (A drop-down menu to various County
Departments and Agencies is provided for your convenience.)

Send E-Mail to Hawaii County Departments
http://www.hawaii-county.com/feedback.htm
E-Mail to Hawaii County Information & Complaints:
     cohinfo@interpac.net
Visit the Hawaii County Website: www.Hawaii-County.com
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MAYOR HARRY KIM AND CABINET ON THE ROAD

Please visit the County Calendar for comprehensive listings
of the community meetings Mayor Harry Kim and his Cabinet
are attending. (Updated regularly)
www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
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Peter T. Young, Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor

Hanama Place, Suite 103
75-5706 Kuakini Highway
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
E-Mail back to me: cohdmd@interpac.net
Telephone: (808) 329-5226; Facsimile: (808) 326-5663
Visit the Hawaii County Website www.Hawaii-County.com
     Calendar: www.hawaii-county.com/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl

E-Mail direct link to County of Hawaii
     Office of Information & Complaints: cohinfo@interpac.net