(AP). Hawaii Electric Light Company is seeking a rate increase that would go into effect late next year for Big Island customers. The company said Wednesday that it needs to boost revenues by 6 percent, or just under $21 million, for a number of reasons, including system upgrade projects. A typical household would see its bill rise $9.57 a month.
(AP). A senior federal official predicts Hawaii’s longline fishermen will be able to deliver bigeye tuna to the islands through the end of the year. That would likely avert a year-end shortage. Wednesday’s news will be a big relief to Hawaii residents who want to observe local tradition and eat bigeye at New Year’s for good luck. Earilier, officials had feared fishermen would hit a newly imposed annual bigeye catch limit several weeks before the end of December.
Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong will hold a community meeting at the Honokaa School Cafeteria on Thursday, December 17th, at 7 p.m. to discuss the Honokaa Sewer Line Project. Construction of this stimulus-funded project is scheduled to begin on January 4th, 2010.
Hilo High School, Waiakea High School, Waikoloa Elementary School, Honokaa High & Intermediate School, and Kealakehe High School made the honor roll as the top five point-earning schools in this year’s KTA Super Stores and Kraft Foods “Kokua Na Kula” program. The five shcools were among 73 schools that vied for their share of $100,000 to used for capital improvement, beautification projects, school equipment, and extracurricular activities.
The Department of Water Supply will be conducting a fire hydrant flow test of a hydrant along Puainako Street Extension and the UH-Hilo Campus today between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The area may experience slight discoloration and turbid water for several hours after the test. Customers are advised to refrain from washing clothes and to store a container of water for their drinking needs until the supply of water is restored to normal.
(AP). The state Department of Transportation will begin public outreach telephone surveys to solicit community input for the Hawaii Statewide Transportation Plan, starting in mid-December. Consultant SMS Research will conduct land and cell phone surveys of 1,200 residents on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Survey results will be gathered through next February and will be incorporated into a scheduled update of the plan in the fall of 2010.
The Department of Research & Development has released the 25th edition of the County of Hawaii Data Book. Available only on the internet, the Data Book is the most comprehensive source of statistics on the social, economic, government, and business activity for Hawaii County. The 2008 edition can be found on the County of Hawaii website. Fore more details, call Information Resources Specialist Colette Rapozo-Yamamoto at 961-8500.
The state Department of Transportation will hold a public information hearing at 5:30 p.m. today at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale. Officials will collect public testimony regarding an update of the “Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan”. A follow-up meeting will be held Monday, December 14th at the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory in Kawaihae. The plan, which covers a period up to the year 2035, will address demands for additional space and facilities at the Hilo and Kawaihae commercial harbors.