MEDIA RELEASE

Recent incidents involving cruising vans of people allegedly checking out – and even illegally entering North Hawaii homes – and recent progress in alternative energy projects in the immediate community will top Waimea Community Association’s (WCA) Town Meeting, 5:15-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 at Parker School Theatre. 

Everyone is invited as always and there is no charge though membership in WCA is urged and the $12 annual membership helps support the association’s informational activities and the 49th Annual Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.   

Topping the agenda will be a public safety briefing by South Kohala Police Capt. James Sanborn, followed by updates on:

1) County Public Works plans to begin widening Mamalahoa Highway between North Hawaii Community Hospital and Iona Court/Fukushima Store/Huli Sue’s by Chief Engineer Warren Lee;

2) Hale Hoola Hamakua – the long term care facility (formerly Honokaa Hospital) that serves residents of Waimea, Waikoloa and Hamakua – working in close partnership with NHCH. Presenters include Romel DelaCruz, the now retired administrator, and Jeanne Abe, acting administrator and Director of Nursing; and

3)  The County Parks and Recreation Department’s Community Planning Charette Workshop for the long dreamed of Waimea District Park . The entire community is invited to participate in the 2-day workshop 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 and 2-5 p.m. Sunday,  Aug. 16 at Waimea School Cafeteria. (The workshop will begin with an 8 a.m.  site visit; carpooling recommended.)    

A panel discussion of three exciting alternative energy projects will follow including:

Dr. Tim Richards for Kahua Ranch; Toby Taniguchi for KTA SuperStores  (the solar array atop their Waimea store); Lindsay Barnes, Bill Wiecking and Shirley Ann Fukumoto for Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s “green” strategies, and Olani Lily for Kanu o ka ‘Aina’s still new Halau Hoolako high performance energy efficient learning environment.      

For information about Waimea town meetings, call Bill Sanborn (895-1122) or go to www.waimeacommunityassociation.org.