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schedule services. The plan is to contract with an agency or entity that will be able to <br />provide the vehicles. This will be inclusive of the Hilo and Kona area only. <br /> <br />W. Brilhante <br /> announced that Transit is looking to incorporate a vehicle (van) for the <br />disabled to participate in the County shared-ride taxi program on the east side of the <br />island. Unfortunately there is no participants on the west side of the island for <br />shared-ride taxi. Even services to non-disabled passengers is not offered. But they will <br />continue looking around to see if anybody will want to get involved and start some type <br />of service on the west side of the island. <br /> <br />The final issue was concerns regarding the initiation of bus service to the airport, which <br />Mr. Brilhante <br />is currently in the works. stated that Transit is looking at a rollout date <br />sometime in March. There has already been discussion with the Mayor and the <br />administration, and he is 100% onboard with that. If there are any other additional <br />J. Floyd <br />items, we’d be happy to address any questions at this time. inquired if there <br />Mr. Brilhante <br />would be a temporary stop at the airport post office. responded that the <br />County operates an islandwide flag stop system and could have a flag stop at the post <br />office. <br /> <br />Gena Avilla <br /> inquired if there was any discounted rate for an escort if a person cannot <br />travel alone. She was told there was none for shared-ride coupons. <br /> <br />Sam Nagasawa <br />wanted an explanation on what the complementary para transit would <br />W. Brilhante <br />entail. stated that under ADA, the general requirement is that the County <br />provide transportation for people with disabilities. The para transit service is for <br />someone who has a disability so unique that they cannot use the bus services that are <br />being offered and require specialized services. They have to go through the eligibility <br />and qualification system and that has a lot to do with the recommendation of their <br />physician. It will only be available to start out with Hilo and Kona. So we’re looking to <br />set the base, get a better idea where the needs are, what areas, what type of numbers, <br />and then just go from there. We want to make it as accommodating as possible. And if <br />anybody is denied, pursuant to the statute, we have to afford them the opportunity for a <br />hearing. <br /> <br />J. Floyd <br /> stated that Parks and Recreation provides some transportation services for the <br />elderly. According to Mr. Brilhante, Transit is not looking to replace anything that is <br />currently being utilized, but just supplementing it. <br /> <br />UNFINISHED BUSINESS <br /> <br />Review Letter to the Mayor Regarding Hawai‘i Office of Housing and Community <br />Development <br /> <br /> <br />P. De Lima <br /> inquired if there was any discussion regarding the letter. <br /> <br />J. Floyd <br /> spoke about a joint hearing held with the County Office on Housing and the <br />Hawai‘i Economic Housing and Finance Corporation. Every year approximately <br />$4 million is portioned out to the neighbor islands for development in low income <br />housing and next year is going to be Hawai‘i County’s opportunity. If the County worked <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />