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| At Ocean View's temporary transfer station, a concrete slab marks where, on Saturdays, two collection bins are parked for residents to drop off their bagged garbage from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brown shipping container is the beverage container redemption center. On the right, playing fields stretch away to a picnic area, basketball court, baseball field and playground at Kahuku Park. Drone Photo by John Fretz, of Ranchos |
HAWAI`I COUNTY’S RECENT DECISION TO CREATE a second temporary transfer station in Ocean View is the latest of back-and-forth moves since the town was promised a “state of the art” transfer station in 2007. County officials announced the plans during a meeting at Ocean View Community Center last week.
For decades before that promise, Ocean View had been grappling with a proliferation of illegal garbage dumps. County officials became convinced that the cause was the lack of a convenient site for waste collection. The closest facility was Wai`ohinu, a 12-mile drive each way. In 2006, a task force of 11 volunteers began looking for a suitable site.
The county analyzed options and determined that the 21-acre parcel, currently owned by the county, was the most suitable. It is part of an undeveloped makai subdivision on the west end of town, fronting the highway near Iolani. This site was presented to the town at a public meeting on April 16, 2007 and was eventually adopted. Plans were drawn up, and an Environmental Impact Statement was completed in April 2008. At that time, the estimated cost was $4.4 million. It was estimated that construction would begin in 2008, and the facility would be operational in 2009.
Meanwhile, a temporary transfer station was built in 2010 to curb illegal dumping. It was located on land zoned “recreational,” and bordering the town’s park. The temporary transfer station was operated each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and accepted only bagged household garbage. Last year, HI5 recyclables were also accepted during those hours, and recently the hours were extended.
In 2011, $3 million was appropriated by the county for a permanent transfer station in Ocean View. In 2012, the 21-acre lot was acquired from a local hui by the county.
Meanwhile, a temporary transfer station was built in 2010 to curb illegal dumping. It was located on land zoned “recreational,” and bordering the town’s park. The temporary transfer station was operated each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and accepted only bagged household garbage. Last year, HI5 recyclables were also accepted during those hours, and recently the hours were extended.
In 2011, $3 million was appropriated by the county for a permanent transfer station in Ocean View. In 2012, the 21-acre lot was acquired from a local hui by the county.
About a year ago, Eric Goodale, the county’s Solid Waste director, wrote to Maile David, Ka`u’s council member, stating that plans to build a permanent transfer station on the 21-acre site were to be scrapped, and the temporary transfer station would become Ocean View’s permanent transfer station at the park site.
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| County vehicles share space with residents' at Ocean View's temporary transfer station. Photo by Peter & Ann Bosted |
Many residents did not welcome this news. They felt that the existing park and a trash site were incompatible uses for contiguous sites. Further, they objected to added traffic in the heart of a residential neighborhood. Heavy vehicles were causing excessive wear on the privately maintained neighborhood roads, and at times traffic was congested.
On June 28, a community meeting was called by HOVE resident Mike du Bois to meet the county’s waste management planners. It was chaired by Maile David. At that meeting, residents were able to convince the county’s Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Goodale to pursue plans for a permanent transfer station on the 21-acre site, as originally planned, and to keep the “temporary” one temporary.
Also at that meeting, Ocean View resident Maria Schenkeir pointed out that dumped appliances, tires and large items, which are difficult to dispose of under current county rules, are lining the driveway on the 21-acre parcel that was purchased for the permanent facility.
“This is just the same as your old-fashioned dump that was open 24/7,” she said. “Why are we spending money on the temporary transfer station when we could be building a permanent one?”
Ocean View resident Loren Heck also pointed out that the circle where the temporary site is located is zoned “recreational.”
“Read the deed,” he advised, “It’s for recreation. The transfer station could be shut down any day.”
At the community meeting last week, Leithead-Todd and Goodale assured residents that the permanent transfer station was again an objective, and the “temporary” transfer station would be moved from the circle and temporarily sited on one acre of the 21-acre parcel. It will be used until the long-promised “state-of-the-art” transfer station can be built on nine acres.
If built as envisioned in 2007, the permanent transfer station will consist of trash chutes, recycling bins, a hazardous waste collection area, a container redemption center, service roads and a visual buffer. It may also include scrap metal collection bins and a reuse area.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
A STAFF MEMBER FROM U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD’S office meets with Ka`u residents Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.
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Also at that meeting, Ocean View resident Maria Schenkeir pointed out that dumped appliances, tires and large items, which are difficult to dispose of under current county rules, are lining the driveway on the 21-acre parcel that was purchased for the permanent facility.
“This is just the same as your old-fashioned dump that was open 24/7,” she said. “Why are we spending money on the temporary transfer station when we could be building a permanent one?”
Ocean View resident Loren Heck also pointed out that the circle where the temporary site is located is zoned “recreational.”
“Read the deed,” he advised, “It’s for recreation. The transfer station could be shut down any day.”
At the community meeting last week, Leithead-Todd and Goodale assured residents that the permanent transfer station was again an objective, and the “temporary” transfer station would be moved from the circle and temporarily sited on one acre of the 21-acre parcel. It will be used until the long-promised “state-of-the-art” transfer station can be built on nine acres.
If built as envisioned in 2007, the permanent transfer station will consist of trash chutes, recycling bins, a hazardous waste collection area, a container redemption center, service roads and a visual buffer. It may also include scrap metal collection bins and a reuse area.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO YESTERDAY CONVENED state and local leaders to examine how federal partnerships protect and sustain Hawai`i’s freshwater resources. Hirono, Gov. David Ige, state elected officials and watershed resource experts outlined what Hawai`i groups are currently doing to improve water security and how the federal government can support these efforts.
“Hawai`i’s native forested watersheds feed our state’s water supply, and it is vital that we protect these precious resources,” Hirono said. “The federal government will continue to play a critical role in supporting innovative strategies that protect our forested watersheds. We must continue to work with all stakeholders to improve conservation and ensure that our water resources are protected for generations to come.”
“During the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu last month, I made an ambitious commitment to the global community to protect 30 percent of Hawai`i’s priority watershed forests by 2030,” Ige said. “Only 15 percent of priority watershed forests are protected. We can only reach this goal and exceed it through public-private partnerships between landowners and managers who recognize this is the best way to protect our forested watersheds and our freshwater source.”
Hirono voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also worked to get Hawai`i’s collaborative landscape proposal, “Island Forests at Risk,” in the President’s budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. This proposal, which includes 13 public and private partners, provides funding to purchase and protect endangered species’ habitats, culturally significant areas and ecologically important lands in the state.
Hirono yesterday heard from a number of witnesses who shared federal, local and cultural perspectives on how to improve Hawai`i’s water security, including state Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture; state Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Committee on Water and Land; Steve Anthony, director of U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center; Randy Moore, Regional Forester for U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Southwest Region Forest Service; David Smith, Administrator of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Dr. Sam Gon, Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i; Matthew Gonser, Extension Faculty at University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program; and Trae Menard, chair of Hawai`i Association of Watershed Partnerships.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
“During the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu last month, I made an ambitious commitment to the global community to protect 30 percent of Hawai`i’s priority watershed forests by 2030,” Ige said. “Only 15 percent of priority watershed forests are protected. We can only reach this goal and exceed it through public-private partnerships between landowners and managers who recognize this is the best way to protect our forested watersheds and our freshwater source.”
Hirono voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also worked to get Hawai`i’s collaborative landscape proposal, “Island Forests at Risk,” in the President’s budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. This proposal, which includes 13 public and private partners, provides funding to purchase and protect endangered species’ habitats, culturally significant areas and ecologically important lands in the state.
Hirono yesterday heard from a number of witnesses who shared federal, local and cultural perspectives on how to improve Hawai`i’s water security, including state Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture; state Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Committee on Water and Land; Steve Anthony, director of U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center; Randy Moore, Regional Forester for U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Southwest Region Forest Service; David Smith, Administrator of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Dr. Sam Gon, Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i; Matthew Gonser, Extension Faculty at University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program; and Trae Menard, chair of Hawai`i Association of Watershed Partnerships.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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| Emily Herb's pottery will be on display during Volcano Village Artists Hui's Show & Sale next month. Photo from Emily Herb |
VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI MEMBERS are preparing for their annual Studio Tour and Sale. Thirty years ago, a small group of Volcano Village artists had an informal studio sale of their artworks on Thanksgiving weekend. What started out as a small venture has expanded into one of the most exciting art events of the year. Folks come from all over to get a head start on Christmas shopping, have lunch at local Volcano restaurants and enjoy the festive atmosphere that always accompanies this Village event.
There are classic pieces and new works inspired by our island, all reasonably priced. If you think you can’t afford to have that new piece of art on your wall or find a beautiful pottery bowl for a special gift, think again.
Today, the hui has 14 artists and craftspeople with six open studios and galleries. Meet the artists in their studios, and see artwork in a wide variety of media including handblown art glass, wood and metal sculpture, pottery, jewelry and fiber art as well as paintings, wood cut prints, photography and more.
Hours for the Thanksgiving weekend Studio Tour are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A special drawing for pieces contributed by each of the artists will be held on the final day of the tour.
For more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487. Maps to the artists’ studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in Volcano and at volcanovillageartistshui.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Today, the hui has 14 artists and craftspeople with six open studios and galleries. Meet the artists in their studios, and see artwork in a wide variety of media including handblown art glass, wood and metal sculpture, pottery, jewelry and fiber art as well as paintings, wood cut prints, photography and more.
Hours for the Thanksgiving weekend Studio Tour are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A special drawing for pieces contributed by each of the artists will be held on the final day of the tour.
For more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487. Maps to the artists’ studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in Volcano and at volcanovillageartistshui.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
A STAFF MEMBER FROM U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD’S office meets with Ka`u residents Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
