Kohala Library Update

Friends of the Kohala Library were hosted to a preview of the work completed inside of the new Kohala Library escorted by Ishimoto Construction's Project Manager Hadley Null. I arranged for the preview for the Friends after learning that they had not yet been able to see the progress of the construction.

Outside the library, Hadley points out the area where two windmills will be situated to take full advantage of the headwinds in the Kohala area. Once installed, the windmills will be able to generate up to 12 megawatts of power to alleviate the library's dependence on fossil fuels. Changes in contract stipulations will result in the library grand opening to be scheduled sometime this fall. Please watch for future updates.

Hale Ho'ola Hamakua

Senator Takamine and I joined the staff of Hale Ho'ola Hamakua for their blessing and soft opening of the new long term care wing. The first patient admission is scheduled for July and the hope is to be in full use by the end of the year with 27 new residents. This will mean up to an additional twenty new, permanent jobs in the Hamakua area. Job titles will run from custodial staff, Certified Nurse's Assistants, and Nurses.

Kealakaha Bridge Dedication

A passionate blessing by the Kapu opens the new $38 million Kealakaha Bridge Project just north of O'okala. This will greatly improve the level of safety for the many commuters travelling the Hawaii Belt Highway between Honoka‘a and Hilo. The new bridge replaces a narrow, curved bridge, which brought opposing traffic into very precarious passing. The 645-foot long bridge is designed and built to withstand all anticipated loads, as well as earthquakes. The bridge’s location on the seismically active Big Island made it an ideal candidate to be the first bridge structure in the State of Hawaii to monitor seismic activity and provide data to researchers.

Laupahoehoe Train Museum Celebrates National Train Day

The kids all gather for Hawaii Tribune-Herald Photographer in the "Explosives" car. The car is attached to a working engine that was salvaged and used to line up the box cars for transport. While this is not the locomotive that pulled the train cars up and down the tracks, those of us here at the end of the day were treated to a ride up and down the short section of track that runs behind the train museum. I am pictured below with George Martin who discovered and salvaged the engine. The photos attached to the engine show the before and after shots of what the engine looked like before the beautiful restoration work was completed.

The celebration marked the first time that the Laupahoehoe Train Museum participated in National Train Day. However Executive Director Lisa Barton indicates that it will be the first in a long line of future celebrations. We will look forward to having you all on board next year.

Honoka'a High School Relay for Life

Views from the Honoka'a High School Relay for Life. This year, the Honoka'a Relay celebrated it's Tenth Anniversary during which time it collected over $700,000 for the cause of cancer prevention and cure. Community events such as this goes a long way in developing the leadership for the next generation and as I noted, all of the speakers today are either Honoka'a graduates or people with long-time ties to Honoka'a School, which is a testament to the values of the community.

Congratulations goes to the Honoka'a High School Leadership Class under the advisor ship of Student Activities Coordinator Angella Brandt for a job well done.

May Newsletter