2018-COH - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

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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 Police Department won wide spread praise for its initial handling of the volcanic eruption in populated areas in lower Puma in the tail end of fiscal year 2018. officers in the Puma and South Hilo Districts were put on 12 hour shifts to maintain normal law enforcement operations while also manning roadblocks and security details within the evacuated and other affected areas. During the fiscal year, the Department fully transitioned to a new service weapon for all sworn personnel replacing the issued Smith & Wesson 9mm handguns that were discontinued by the manufacturer. The Fire Department hosted the world renowned Resuscitation Academy here on the Big Island, for the first time in the State, featuring the ongoing efforts in the County through the Fire Department to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in the county. The Department also implemented an in-house Confined Space Rescue training program that includes all of the personnel who work as part of the hazmat or rescue teams. The Department also completed the final phase of the Emergency Dispatch Center upgrades which included installation of ergonomic and adjustable dispatch consoles. Public Works — Over the past fiscal year the Department of Public Works (DPW) completed major projects in our community including: Work on the Hakalau Stream Bridge foundation completed just after fiscal year end with a contract amount of $1.6 million that was 80% funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The bridge was ordered closed in January 2016 by the FHWA due to severe scour damage to its foundation by prolonged exposure to strong erosive stream flow during its 88 years of active use. The Mass Transit Baseyard and Maintenance Facility has been substantially completed and occupied since February 2018. The new facility consists of a five acre parcel and has sufficient space to house the fleet of transit buses and staff. Culture and Recreation — Parks and Recreation opened several new and improved facilities during fiscal year 2018 for use by the community. one such project included the bunkhouses that was a part of the approximately $10.5 million Mauna Idea Recreation Area Improvement project that the Department opened up for rentals. In addition to the bunkhouses, this multi- million dollar project included construction of new potable and nonpotable water tanks, new site utilities, new fencing, gates and other park amenities.