The public is invited to check out a recently released draft of a portion of the Hamakua Community Development Plan, the ‘Aina (Natural & Cultural Resources) section of the CDP Analysis. This section is available on the CDP website at
The public is invited to check out a recently released draft of a portion of the Hamakua Community Development Plan, the ‘Aina (Natural &Cultural Resources) section of the CDP Analysis. This section is available on the CDP website at www.hawaiicountycdp.info/hamakua-cdp. Feedback, suggested additions, updates, and corrections are welcome and encouraged. Feedback forms are available to provide comments, or you can email comments to the CDP team.
The release of the draft for the community section will be next. This section will include town-level analyses of the infrastructure currently available in each of the eight towns in the Planning Area, and discuss growth potential under current land use policies. It will provide an inventory of available programs and services relating to various subjects such as health care, elder care, transportation, affordable housing and county-sponsored recreation.
This section identifies current assets and challenges in infrastructure and facilities at the community level, and will point to possible strategy directions the CDP Team is looking into to solve identified problems and meet community objectives. These directions are listed in the tables at the end of each subsection.
The CDP Team is excited about the release of these drafts and is looking forward to reviewing them with the Steering Committee and the public at the January Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 5 p.m. at the Laupahoehoe Library Humanities Room. Dinner will be served and public testimony will be taken. Join the committee members as they review both the Community &Economy Sections of the Appendix Analysis.
“Big Island Giving Tree” applications are being accepted through Dec. 11. If you know of an individual or family in North Hawaii needing some help for the holidays, please go to www.WaimeaTown.org and click on the “Twilight Christmas Parade” tab at the top of the home page to download an application. This program is for working families struggling to make ends meet each month and those who have experienced unfortunate circumstances in their family. It also serves low-income seniors. Application requires copies of pay stubs for the last two months, proof of other income and monthly bills.
Applications are not complete until all documents are received and may include a home visit. Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions, or want to contribute or adopt a family or adopt a child, call Rhonda Bell (880-1984) or Nancy Carr Smith (896-2239). There will be a “Big Island Giving Tree” temporary store in Parker Ranch Center near Village Burger open from noon to 6 p.m., Dec. 5-20 to accept donations and there are events around town accepting donations.
This annual drive is a community volunteer-organized project, to be sure no one in Waimea/North Hawaii is forgotten.
Here is some information about the new the Executive Networking Center in Hilo that may be of use for the people living in the rural south area, Honokaa, Waimea and Kohala. This would be a convenience for anyone looking to meet with a client, in need of work space, or one who travels and could benefit from having a virtual or mobile office/conference/meeting space.
Executive Director Joyce Iwashita is the former principal of Kalanianaole School. She has retired from the DOE and is ready to embark on this new venture. If you are ever in the Hilo area, please feel free to stop by for a tour of the facilities. The Executive Networking Center is a new business that offers a complete virtual office. It is centrally located in the downtown Hilo area at 77 Mohouli St. Businesses can meet with their clients, network with other businesses, be able to utilize Voice over Internet Protocol Phone System, have accessibility to Ethernet or Wifi, copy, scan and fax documents.
The center offers various levels of membership that could include a LIVE virtual assistant to meet the rising demands of the mobile work force. It also offers conference rooms for meetings or workshops. There are four small conference rooms and two large conference rooms available upon request. The Executive Networking Center celebrated its opening on Nov. 8. This new approach to business administration pushes the boundaries of the traditional office by remotely managing the needs of entrepreneurs, business owners and executives. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information or inquiry regarding the use of the Executive Networking Center, contact Rochelle Heidenfeldt, executive assistant, or 333-3577 or info@77mohouli.com.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1250 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahenutz@gmail.com.
