(AP). Hawaii’s four county governments and the United Public Workers union have tentatively agreed on a new contract. Details of the proposed deal weren’t immediately available. The union’s members must ratify the contract, and the governor must approve it before it becomes final. The agreement would cover both the current and upcoming fiscal year.
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a free, all-day community fishery workshop at the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo on Saturday, February 27th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In additon to various information booths, two discussions sessions will take place during the day. The first will be from 10 a.m. to noon and will feature new Federal fishery management initiatives, including annual catch limits, catch share, quota management, marine spatial planning, and the national saltwater angler registry. The second discussion session, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 pm., will feature local community issues, federal grant opportunities, and community – based fishery monitoring.
Hawaiian Telcom plans to close Palani Road at night beginning on Monday, March 1st, as workers transfer cables to new utility poles. This work is part of the Hawaii County Palani Road Safety Improvements project under the Department of Public Works. Hawaiian Telcom will ire security guards to allow accesss to area residents at secured points and to provide assistance during this time. For details, call 334-9559.
Big Island State Senators Dwight Takamine and Russell Kokubun will join with Big Island State Representatives Clift Tsuji, Jerry Chang, and Faye Hanohano for a legislative update meeting at UH-Hilo’s UCB Room 127 at 7 p.m. Big Island legislators will also be sharing updates on education, budget, and projects on the island.
Sick and injured whales and dolphins have a place to go after the February 26th opening of the Hawaii Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility in Hilo. According to the “Honolulu Advertiser”, much of the work will be done by more than 100 volunteers in the Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network. The facility’s 25,000 gallon saltwater pool at UH-Hilo’s Pacific Aquacenter and Coastal Resources Center is approved by NASA to house 16 species of whales and dolphins up to 20-feet long.
Members of Hawaii’s Domestic Violence Interagency Team tell the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the county has made strides in the last few years in the way it responds to domestic violence cases. Yet, the agencies working on domestic violence are working with a system that lacks consistency, communication, and resources. The Center for Court Intervention has recommended that the Big Island focus on enhancing coordination, collaboration and information, sharing, enhancing accountability, and victim safety.
Big Island EKO Systems, Incorporated will be conducting water system repairs at the County’ Kona Green Waste Mulching Facility located at the Kealakehe Recycling and Solid Waste Transfer Station. In order to protect the safety of the public and complete the repairs in a timely manner, the facility will be closed on Friday, February 26th. Repairs are anticipated to last all day. The facility is expected to reopen on Saturday, February 27th. For details, call to 961-8554.