For Immediate Release

Ala Mauna - Saddle Road Dedication

Mile Post 19 - 28

Hilo, Hawaii - Members of the Saddle Road Task Force, a citizen advisory group, federal, state and county government officials, and island residents will gather on Thursday, December 11, 2008 to dedicate the next segment of Saddle Road.

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye will deliver the keynote address with remarks by Federal Highway Administration, Rick Suarez, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and Walter Kunitake of the Saddle Road Task Force. This is phase two of the newly aligned Ala Mauna Saddle Road and now completes roughly 17 miles of the East - West connector for Hawaii Island.

“On Thursday we will be delighted to see the next phase of this important highway completed and is the results of many years of meaningful work on this project,” said Walter Kunitake, co-chair of the Saddle Road Task Force. We’d like to thank Senator Dan Inouye for his tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of Hawaii County.”

Saddle Road Construction Project

Ala Mauna - Saddle Road, the most direct route between the east and west sides of the island, is the shortest route, yet carries one of the highest accident rates of any road of its classification in Hawai‘i. The Saddle Road improvement project will make the road safer and easier to use by eliminating narrow lanes, limited lines of sight, numerous roadside hazards such as bridge parapets, rough road edges, and limited drainage during rain storms and military vehicles frequently crossing the road as it passes through the Pohakuloa Training Area.

Ala Mauna Saddle Road History and Use

Ala Mauna, the traditional name for this early transportation route, served native uses of the Humu‘ula area of Hawai‘i island including bird catching and adze quarrying. They were replaced by sandalwood harvesting and hunting wild cattle, and ultimately by ranching and astronomy. Over time, travelers whose only choice was once ancient footpaths, shifted to horses and wagons, then to automobiles. Roadways were improved and travel time shortened.

In 1943, the original Saddle Road was built as a gravel roadway first constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the US Army Corps of Engineers for access to the island’s interior in the event of a Japanese invasion during World War II. Then in 1949 the Saddle Road was completed as a paved road.

What began as a military access road has since become an important cross-island link between East and West Hawaii. Saddle Road also provides the only paved access to Mauna Kea Science Reserve International Observatory Complex, Pohakuloa Training Area Base, Mauna Kea State Park as well as access to public lands and forest areas for hunting, gathering and ranching.

Construction funding for the Saddle Road improvement project is being made available from several sources: U.S. Department of the Army, Defense Access Road Program and Ecosystem Management Program, U.S. Congress, and Hawaii Department of Transportation. Construction of the remainder of the Saddle Road project will be phased as funds become available.

For more information contact Skylark Rossetti at (808) 935-2180.

zero-waste-program-final1

The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board extends this invitation for you to attend the Zero Waste Conference to be held on September 11 - 13, 2008 at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, Kalahuipua’a Hawai‘i.

This Conference offers an opportunity for Hawai‘i to explore future planning issues and opportunities to our islands waste stream and how adoption of renewable energy applications can impact our overall sustainability.

Zero Waste is a philosophy that aims to guide people in the redesign of their resource-use system with the aim of reducing waste to zero.

Our Special guest speakers of international acclaim include:

• Gunter Pauli - Founder and director Zero Emissions Research Institute and world renowned sustainability educator
• Gary Liss - Gary Liss & Associates Zero Waste Community Planner
• Richard Anthony - Richard Anthony & Associates - Draft Zero Waste Planner for Hawai’i Island
  
• Patrick Hayes - Oakland CA specializes in Construction and Demolition with reuse outcomes

We have asked experts in the energy field to join us on a panel to discuss “Renewable Energy”. We will assemble a panel to address “Sustaining our Island’s Environment” and a panel to draft the Zero Waste Plan to improve Hawaii’s future.

Please save this date and register by calling Madeline at (808) 935-2180. We look forward to seeing you, at the “Zero Waste” conference at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows in September.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 2008 :

U.S. Department of Energy and State of Hawaii Sign Agreement to Increase Clean Energy Technologies in Hawaii.

For more information about the MOU click on this link: http://www.eere.energy.gov/pdfs/hawaii_mou.pdf

Island leaders have long recognized the need to cultivate a more qualified workforce on Hawaiʻi Island and to establish diverse career pathways for Island youth. Three years ago, Hawaii Electric Light Company, spearheaded by President Warren Lee, piloted a very successful work readiness internship mentor program in cooperation with four public high schools, three in the Hilo district and one in Kona, resulting in 13 students earning credits toward their high school graduation.

Last year, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) was asked to continue the momentum of this successful pilot program with the role of expanding it island-wide. In 2007, 31 students participated with 23 organizations.

HIEDB working with its partners at the State Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations-Workforce Development Division, and the Makana Mentor Network at Hawaiʻi Community College (HCC) is looking to expand yet again, thus far in 2008, 83 students have enrolled together with nearly 30 organizations.

Recruitment is underway for Island businesses who would like to get involved in the Huiana Internship Program. “Huiana” means “the act of coming together,” and program leaders are seeking as broad a representation of Island businesses as possible. Businesses that sponsor an intern will receive hands-on training in how to be a successful mentor from the HCC Makana Mentor Network. Student interns enrolled in the program will receive school credit. Participating students must be juniors or seniors in high school.

GET INVOLVED - Help our island communities future by supporting Huiana

For more information please contact Paula Thomas at (808) 443-3032 or paulat at hiedb.org