Monday, February 13, 2023

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COH: Dept. of Public Works: Kino'ole Resurfacing Begins Today

Department of Public Works Highways Maintenance Division will be resurfacing Kino’ole

Street from Wailuku Drive to Mohouli St. All roadwork will occur daily, weather permitting,

Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

DPW is requesting the public’s assistance that no cars be parked on the roadside for the duration of the resurfacing work. Expect one lane closure during the day, with Hawai’i Police Department directing traffic. Below is the anticipated work/section schedule (subject to change).

Section Location Timeline of work

1 Kino’ole St to Waiānuenue Ave February 13 & 14, 2023

2 Waiānuenue Ave to Haili St February 15 & 16, 2023

3 Haili St to Mamo St February 17 &21, 2023

4 Mamo St to Ponohawai St February 22 & 23, 2023

5 Ponohawai St to Hualalai St February 24 & 27, 2023

6 Hualalai St to Wailoa St February 28 & March 1, 2023

7 Wailoa St to Mohouli St March 2 & 3, 2023

Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area Water Restoration Effort Underway, Short-Term Solution in Place, Long-Term Investigation in Progress - DLNR News Release

Hawaii has experienced a significant decline in birth rates, with a 14% decrease since 2016. This drop ranks as the sixth largest among all states in the nation. The reasons for the decline in birth rates in Hawaii are not yet clear and are the subject of ongoing research and analysis. Some potential factors include changes in the economy, increased access to family planning and contraception, and shifting social and cultural norms. Regardless of the causes, the decline in birth rates has important implications for the state's population growth, workforce, and future economic development. The state and local organizations are working to better understand the factors contributing to the decline and to support families and communities in Hawaii.

(Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area, Hawai‘i Island) – Water service at this state recreation area has been off and on more than three-dozen times since 2018, due to repeated breaks in its underground lines. The DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) decided, after spending a lot of time and money trying to remedy chronic leaks, it needed to look at a more long-term fix rather than the band-aid fixes employed over the past five years.”

When David Arnado, the new DSP Hawai‘i District Superintendent began work four-months ago he stepped into the fire, or in this case the water. DSP brings water into the park, from a Hawai‘i County line, for restrooms, showers, and drinking. Hāpuna is equally popular with residents and visitors. Not unexpectedly, the shut-down of the system last October created a “water-storm” of complaints, criticism, and comments.

“There have been 41 attempts at correcting issues with leaks,” Arnado commented during a recent walk around the park. “Until last fall we cut around the leaks and spliced the pipes back together. Each fix would last a month or two before a new leak sprung. With the last leak that required the current, extended shutdown, the fix lasted two or three seconds.”

At the park’s entrance, orange fencing surrounds the location of the final straw in this saga; a crumbling two-foot-wide hole in the asphalt. Arnado explained, “We isolated this leak at the top of the park and the hole was the first sign. You can’t see a leaky pipe at this location, so water migrated from a broken or compromised pipe somewhere nearby. The decision was made, that after spending a lot of time and money trying to remedy chronic leaks, we needed to look at a more feasible option.”

A short-term fix involves running water lines on the ground to provide water at two sets of restrooms on the beach and showers there. This solution has some challenges, including protecting the pipe during high surf.

The short-term fix is expected to be in place within a few months. DSP is also evaluating additional quick fixes to the existing system, but with no assurances of how long that will last. The longer-term, much costlier fix is predicted not to be finished at least until the end of 2024. Engineering studies have begun, and DSP is making sure the final design of a new system, fully analyzes what caused repeated failures of the current system, installed in 2009. The legislature has allocated approximately $3 million to reconstruction the entire system. Those funds were released last year.

Arnado added, “Engineers need to determine the mode of the waterline failure, remedies, and types of piping. We have to look at everything, so it doesn’t continue happening. Then we’ll get a rough cost estimate and begin the required procurement process which includes the results of the investigation, bid document preparation, contractor solicitations, and hopefully construction beginning in about a year.” The process includes many checks and balances, including ensuring it is compliant with Hawai‘i Dept. of Health regulations.

An open hole at the edge of Hāpuna’s long, wide beach provides evidence of several other breaks. Splices in the pipe are evident and if one notices, there are two pipes visible. The second one is for the park’s non-potable irrigation water, which can’t be used for people. “The irrigation line is made of the same material, but it hasn’t had as many problems,” Arnado said.

“We understand everyone’s frustration and I try to help them understand. I live in the community, and I hear from visitors and my neighbors. People want a fast fix and that makes it hard to understand the process. About half are satisfied with my explanation and the other half want to talk to someone above me,” he added.

That would be DSP Administrator Curt Cottrell, who is also well-aware of boiling frustration at Hāpuna. “We are fully committed and working as fast as we can to restore potable water service to Hāpuna,” Cottrell said. Press Release.

PTA: Update on Wildfire from lightning strike

Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in Hawaii is currently battling a wildfire that broke out yesterday afternoon as a result of lightning strikes. The Keamuku Maneuver Area (KMA) Complex fires have spread across an estimated 1,500 acres and are estimated to be 5% contained. Firefighters from PTA, Hawaii County, and volunteers are being assisted by Army and Hawaii County helicopters, as well as bulldozer operators, in their efforts to control the wildfire. To further support their efforts, PTA will be bringing in three additional 25th Infantry Division helicopters to drop water buckets. PTA and Hawaii County Civil Defense have taken measures to keep the public informed of the situation.

County Calendar:

• Committee on the Status of Women: Date: 02/15/2023 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

• Board of Ethics: Date:02/15/2023 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location:Hawaii County Building (Council Chambers) 25 Aupuni StreetHilo, Hawaii 96720

• Police Commission Meeting: Date: 02/17/2023 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720

• Merit Appeals Board Date:02/17/2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location:Hilo Council Chambers-Hawaii County Building25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room. 1401Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Road Closures:

— VOLCANO ROAD/MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) NORTH OF PAHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 44 and 46, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NAALEHU

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 62 and 66, vicinity of Naalehu Driver Licensing Station and Hao Springs Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and grass cutting.

3) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 106 and 109, vicinity of Honaunau Elementary School and Koa Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) HONALO

Single lane closure on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction in the vicinity of mile marker 114, near West Honalo Road, on Monday, Feb. 13, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) PAPAIKOU TO PEPEEKEO

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 11, vicinity of Onohi Loop/Kahalii Place and Old Mamalahoa Road (near Makea Stream), on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for mowing and grass cutting.

2) PEPEEKEO TO HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 10 and 14, Kulaimano Road to vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park, on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting.

3) HAKALAU

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 13 and 14, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting.

4) HAKALAU TO NINOLE (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 16, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park and Umauma Stream, on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting

5) LAUPAHOEHOE

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, Kapehu Road to vicinity of Stevens Road, on Monday, Feb. 13, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving.

— KAWAIHAE ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kawaihae Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 58 and 60, vicinity of Ko Uka Street and Ohina Street, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for shoulder work.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) —

1) KEAAU (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 0 and 3, Volcano Road and the Adopt A Highway sign, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KEAAU TO HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 3 and 5, vicinity of the Adopt A Highway sign and between Puakalo Street and Kaloli Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation removal from culverts.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) —

1) KOHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 5 and 9, vicinity of the Koaiʻa Tree to past the Kohala Ranch Road, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for shoulder stabilization.

2) KOHALA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 7 and 9, vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for tree trimming.