Mass Transit to stop sales at baseyard
The county Mass Transit Agency is stopping all sales at its Hilo baseyard effective Nov. 15. All in-person sales of bus passes and taxi coupons must be done at the Mooheau Bus Terminal after that date.
The change is being made for the convenience of Mass Transit’s customers because the location of the baseyard, near the Hilo transfer station, is too far away from the center of town.
Mass Transit will continue to accommodate mail-in orders for bus passes or taxi coupons, and the agency will mail them to the customer free of charge. The mailing address is: Mass Transit Agency, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, HI 96720.
Taxi licenses will continue to be handled by appointment only at the Mass Transit baseyard office.
For more information, contact the Mass Transit Agency at 961-8744.
Student art contest winners to receive unique savings accounts
Students participating in the Na ‘Opio o Puna Art Contest have an opportunity to save for success through individual development accounts awarded to the top three winners.
Hawaii County’s Kilauea eruption recovery team is partnering with Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) and its community development institution, Hawaii Community Lending, to provide these savings accounts as part of the contest — which asks students attending Puna high schools to illustrate what it means to be “Hawaii Island and Puna Strong.”
These accounts will help the winners “build assets that can be used for educational or entrepreneurial expenses,” said Bob Agres, the county’s recovery engagement manager.
An IDA of $1,000 will be opened for the first-place winner, $750 for the second-place winner and $500 for the third-place winner.
IDAs are restricted savings accounts that have been used for career training, education, starting a small business, first month’s rent and other similar expenses.
HCA, a nonprofit community development organization, has helped hundreds of adults and keiki get on the path to financial success through similar programs. Since 2011, it has provided 664 IDAs and $1.3 million in total match funds.
“Individual development accounts have inspired our low-income children and families to save, even if they are on fixed income and living paycheck to paycheck,” said HCA Executive Director Lahela Williams. “By pairing the accounts with financial education, not only are our people gaining access to capital for important financial goals, but they are also learning long-term financial habits that will help them become more economically self-sufficient. We look forward to partnering with the county and private sector partners to create greater economic opportunity for Hawaii Island youth.”
One of the past IDA recipients, Chantrelle Waialae, said the account helped her save for graduate school while raising two girls as a single mom.
“Being able to have that support, just like a little something to kick-start me in the direction I needed to take the girls and I into, was helpful,” she said. “It was a huge help in my life.”
Waialae said she took financial education classes through HCA to start the account. A $1,000 match was provided for the first $1,000 she was able to save.
Similar financial education classes will be available to the top three winners in art contest. The county also is exploring match opportunities for contest winners to help them leverage their own savings.
Financial contributions for the contest IDAs are provided by Tetra Tech, SSFM International and the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development.
The art contest deadline is Nov. 4. To submit artwork or for more information, visit recovery.hawaiicounty.gov.