The Office of the Mayor, Hawaii County Council, Office of the County Clerk, and six County departments are moving into the newly renovated Hawaii County Building at 25 Aupuni Street this week. The County Building has been out of commission for normal County services since 2006 when the first phase of the $25 million renovation project was started for the 43 year-old structure. Offices in the new building will be opening on a staggered schedule as they move in this week. All offices are expected to be moved into the newly renovated building by Monday.
The wife of a man accused of killing a co-worker in a Waikoloa hotel employee’s parking lot has admitted to her longtime affair with the victim. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, Cornelia Mateo told the Circuit Court in Hilo that she and Tito Rafol had veen lovers since 1999. Her husband, Lito Mateo, is accused of second-degree murder for allegedly shooting Rafol 18 times with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol on March 8th, 2007.
School bus fares are going up. The Boad of Educations’s Committee on Administrative Services has given its approval to nearly double school bus fares beginning next year. According to data cited by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, a one-way bus fare will rise from 35 cents to 75 cents. A quarterly pass will go from $31.50 to $60.00. A yearly bus pass would increase from $119.60 to $225.00.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Hilo’s new Target and Safeway stores will be held on December 3rd. Gerry Wolfe, the Safeway vice president for real estate, tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that planning for the ceremony is under way, now that all financial issues have been resolved for the $60 million project. Wolfe expects the store complex across from the Home Depot to be completed within two years.
Fire rescue crews have recovered the body of a missing scuba diver who disappeared off Ka Lae Point in Naalehu. The victim’s dive flag was spotted underwater approximately 30 feet off shore in about 30 feet of water. The remains were turned over to the Hawaii Police Department.
The Buying Local First Campaign is offering a seminar designed to help local businesses gain access and information needed to secure business and government contracts. The seminar will be held Thursday, November 19th, 8 am to 2 pm, at the Pohakuloa Training Area. To register, go to www.buyinglocalfirst.org.
The East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation announces Cathy Meyer-Uyehara as the new administrator to lead Hale Ho’ola Hamakua, a 50, soon to be 78 bed, Critical Access Hospital and long-term care facility in Honokaa. Meyer-Uyehara brings 30 years of healthcare executive experience in Hawaii and the mainland to lead Hale Ho’ola Hamakua. Most recently, she served as Home Care Services Director at Castle Medical Center on Oahu.
The National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has joined the Thiry Meter Telescope Porject. As an observer, China will participate in planning the development of what will be the world’s most advanced and capable astronomical observatory. When compleated in 2018, the TMT will be the forst of the next-generation of ground-based optical observatories.
Hilo will celebrate its national designation as a “Playful City” on Saturday, November 21st with a community Play Day from 11 am to 3 pm at Hilo’s Mooheau Park. Hilo was selected oned of the Playful City USA communities by KaBOOM–a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives.