COM 0604.051 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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office for the Aquatic Safety personnel has never materialized. I am acutely aware of this since HELCO provided a solar electric system for these proposed facilities which has been providing power to an unused and gutted building for over three years. Another example of the backlog of activities facing the County's Department of Parks and Recreation include the stalled contract to install a solaz-powered boat ramp light at Pohoiki. This location boasts the second largest landings of commercial catch in the State and, in spite of the fact that the County Council appropriated the money for the project in March, the comract has not yet been finalized due to inaction by the County's Department of Parks and Recreation. Also, through the relentless persistence of DBEDT's Energy Division, the County has received a grant of over $26,000 from the federal government to buy-down the cost of installing solar-powered lighting in the Bayfront Renovation Project. The terms and conditions of this federal grant were provided to the County's Pazks and Recreation and Planning Departments in May and require that the County develop a contract for the installation of the lights by the end of this calendar yeaz. As yet and to my knowledge, nothing has been done by department representatives to inform the County Council of this `free money' and nothing has proceeded in the way of designs or negotiations. Earlier this yeaz, the County of Maui installed 19 solaz-powered lighting units of the same design that have been proposed for use on the Bayfront and did so without federal subsidies because it was the most cost effective way to provide reliable lighting to a newly completed bikeway. I fear the federal `gift' money will go unused in spite of the fact that our County (not Maui) has been recognized as a role leader in the President's Million Solaz Roofs (MSR) Initiative. As part of our community's recognition as a leader in applications of solaz energy, HELCO has procured $25,000 under the MSR Initiative to facilitate planning a solar electric project for the Big Island which simultaneously will serve to educate the public and promote public awareness of the technology. A community-based advisory group has been formed to develop this MSR `kick- off project and the first concept we have pursued is the introduction of solaz-powered fountains, aerators, and/or waterfalls to provide better circulation to the eutrophic or slimy ponds in Queen Lili'uokalani Park. This proposed project has received enthusiastic response from representatives of the Japanese Tea Garden, the Hotel Association, and the artistic community, who, along with solaz industry and University technical advisors as well as representatives of the State and County, are attempting to develop an implementation plan. Once a plan for improving water circulation is developed by the advisory group, it will require cooperation from the County's Department of Parks and Recreation in order to implement the project. Since we will be providing a well researched solution to an existing problem, as well as partial funding for implementation, we can only hope that the County will be able to assist in making this novel project a reality. The reason why I give these examples about the inadequacies of our existing Department of Pazks and Recreation as funded is not to fault the existing stall; but to point out the inappropriateness of the Mayor's proposal to expand our County Park System. Obviously, we can not improve and maintain the park system we currently have and it would not appeaz that the County's fiscal status is likely to improve in the neaz term. I pray that your realism prevail over this fantasy proposal and, if I can be of any assistance in providing my consulting expertise, please do not hesitate to call upon me. Sincerely, ~z~~Z~ G~~~~`~~ Eileen O'Hora-Weir, Ph.D. Agricultural and Resource Economics