2019-COH - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

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In January 2020, the elegant Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection will open its doors and welcome guests to visit their luxurious rooms, five restaurants and lounges, three pools and spa. The Fairmont Orchid serves as home to the kiawe wood honey, which is one of the rarest types of honey in the world. The hotel maintains four beehives that serve as home to over 80,000 honeybees and are open to guests. Major Initiatives For the Year Public Safety — With the volcanic eruption in the lower Puna region endangering both lives and property, the Hawai' i County Civil Defense Agency (Agency), along with many of the departments throughout the County, faced many challenges but worked tirelessly to keep the community safe. The Hawaii Police Department had a challenging year in FY 19, as the onset of the fiscal year saw the department addressing the devastation caused by the lava eruption in the populated Leilani Estates, Pohoiki, Kapoho, and `Opihikaa areas. The department also began its quest for reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation on Law Enforcement Agencies {Galea®} during this fiscal year, having undertaken a "mock" reaccreditation to prepare for a site visit expected at the onset of FY 20. The Fire Department has increased its efficiency as a result of acquiring necessary equipment and training through legislative measures and grant awards received that provided the department with critical funding. These legislative measures and grants provided direct benefit to our community with 1) alternative funded apparatus, hazardous materials detection equipment, Rescue Water Craft Program expansion, and training; 2) improved emergency communications with the completion of the implementation of a new Computer Aided Dispatch system and smart phone dispatching program for the Volunteer Division; 3) expansion of our community outreach which included the implementation of an opioid awareness campaign, the launch of a mobile app cardiac arrest notification to the general public for CPR assistance, and; 4) implementation of the Paradise Park Advanced Life Support ambulance unit. Public Works — Over the past fiscal year the Department of Public Works (DPW) completed the Kawailanil`Iwalani Intersection Improvement Project which involved grading, paving, installing drainage improvements, water mains, retaining walls, street lighting and traffic signal systems. This project had a total cost of approximately $20 million. Culture and Recreation: — Parks and Recreation opened the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area Cabins for lodging. There are seven cabins, each containing two rooms, a kitchenette, electric range, shower and lavatory. The Department also continued to provide emergency sheltering through the end of the lava event in Puna and completed multiple restoration and repair projects for damages sustained from both lava and hurricane events. -3-