Mayor Billy Kenoi is supporting a request to withdraw the administration’s proposal to regulate the use of public County water spigots. Mayor Kenoi has asked Councilman Enriques to convene a task force involving residents, stakeholders, and Hawaii County Civil Defense to explore a fair and equitable management solution for County spigots. In a prepared media release, Mayor Kenoi says he will submit a new spigot bill following a meeting of the task force and further review of the issue.
Hawaii County officials tell the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the Aupuni Center still leaks after more than $600,000 were spent to fix the roof. Contractor Beachside Roofing LLC is now expected to replace the 63,000 square-foot roof atop the Aupuni Center for free. The county opened the building in March 2002 after spending $26 million buying and renovating the foremer J.C. Penny department store along Kilauea Avenue.
The Hawaii County Charter Commission has postponed a decision on an amendment to resume property tax payments to the county’s land use fund. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the commission also delayed action on the recall process for county officials, amending the initiation of charter amendments, and creating a new county Department of Agriculture and Energy. These issues will be discussed at a February 12th meeting.
Volcanologist Frank Trusdell tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that more attention must be paid to activity at Mauna Loa. Trusdell acknowledges that Kilauea has been the center of attention for 27 years, but he believes Mauna Loa poses a bigger threat to lives and property. Mauna Loa is still active and, given its history, is long overdue for an eruption. Trusdell says an eruption at Mauna Loa will be more dangerous than Kilauea because Mauna Loa produces greater amounts of lava, has steep slopes, and produces fast-moving lava flows.
Conceirge Auctions reports that Cher’s Hawaii home in the Hualalai Resort has been sold to a buyer from Arizona for $8.7 million. The luxury real estate auction company said the home was one of five Big Island residences sold Monday for a total of $19.4 million. Cher’s former Big Island home at the Hualalai Resort has a gated courtyard, a master wing, a great room, dining halls, a spa, and an excellent view overlooking the Hualalai Golf Course.
The Fern Acres Community Association has begun an effort to raise $10,000 for the Volunteer Fire Department. Community representative Shelly Sherman says a fundraiser will be held this Saturday at the Fern Acres Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the East Hawaii Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation will hold a public meeting this Saturday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00 at Ka’u Hospital’s Activities Room on Kamani Street in Pahala. Community Relations Manager Elena Cabatu says the community is urged to attend the meeting and share their thoughts about the hospital and future helathcare needs in East Hawaii.
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