The British Are Coming! (For Soccer)
Tommy Osborne and Andy Caldwell. Amanda C. Gregg photo
It was fun to get the scoop recently from Kaua’i Film Commissioner Art Umezu about all the upcoming goings-on involving Kaua’i and the film industry. When I spoke with him at Lydgate Beach, HGTV was there filming a house-hunting show that will include Hawaii families, including a Princeville couple. Also kinda fun was seeing co-MidWeeker Daniel Lane there as well, offering his talents on set as part of the HGTV staff. So keep your eyes peeled for shots of the lovely Garden Island on HGTV, which will be debuting on the channel in January…
It’s time for the annual `Aha Hula Kahiko Concert (the fourth so far), “N Puna Waialoha: Nurturing our love for the Springs of Life and Sources of Ancestral Knowledge.” Under the direction of Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua, the event, which will take place July 21, noon to 5 p.m., will include more than 28 traditional oli and classical dances of Hawai`i. Tickets cost $40 (free for keiki 12 and under). For more information, go to kaieie.org or call 346-7574…
Congratulations to Warren Rita and Dustin Moises, who were recently named Department Of Water Outstanding Employees of the Year. A 24-year employee, Rita began his career in 1988 as an entry-level laborer, and worked his way up to his current post as lead pipefitter. Moises, credited for his “high-paced work ethic,” managed main replacements in Wailua Houselots amd Waipouli, road pipeline replacements on Waipouli Road Lihu’e Baseyard Improvements, among other projects, including the $2.1 million project waterline along Waimea Canyon Drive. Moises initially joined the Department of Water as a student intern in 2001 and became a staff engineer in 2005 after graduating from the University of Hawai’i-Manoa with distinction…
Daniel Lane (left) with Art Umezu on the set of HGTV’s series about house hunting. Amanda C. Gregg photo
Pia, a law enforcement officer for the past 10 years, has been part of the Vice Unit and, because of shortages within the department, served dual full-time positions for the past seven years as the Asset Forfeiture Sergeant and as an investigator with the Vice Narcotics Division. While working with the Vice Unit, Pia was recognized by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “It was critically important that we protected Pua’s identity while she was a member of the Vice team, so we were never able to publicize her awards and achievements,” said Assistant Chief Roy Asher. “Now that Pua has transferred to another unit, we want to publicly thank her for all of her hard work and dedication over the past several years.” Well done, ladies! …
A reminder to property owners that changes to the county’s real property system took effect on July 1 under ordinance No. 920. Properties that are owner-occupied and also have long-term affordable rentals (dual-usage properties) are eligible for the homestead tax rate as well as the permanent home use tax cap. To qualify, LTLs must be leased for one year or longer at levels that don’t exceed 80 percent of the Kaua’i median household income, which are established annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Valuation will be moved from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, and applications for the new tax rate for dual usage properties must be submitted by Sept. 30. For more information about the real property tax changes, call the real property assessment office, 241-4224 …
Cleaned steel food cans and aluminum foil and aluminum food pans are now accepted for recycling in the Kaua’i Recycles Residential Drop Bin Program. So far there are eight Kaua’i Recycles drop bin sites throughout the island at the following locations: Hanalei transfer station, K-Mart parking lot in L hu’e, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler parking lot in Po’ipu, Lawa’i Post Office, ‘Ele’ele Shopping Center, Waimea Canyon Park and the Kekaha Landfill. As part of a new contract with Garden Isle Disposal, the County added a new bin to the assortment of collection bins at each of the Kaua’i Recycles drop sites. The new bin accepts mixed metals such as rinsed aluminum foil, washed cans and cleaned aluminum food pans and trays.
Dustin Moises and Warren Rita with co-workers in the Department of Water. Mary Daubert photo
Residents will be receiving an average of $11 back from KIUC this year as part of its 2011 patronage capital refunds program. Residents can expect to receive credits during this month’s billing period to avoid the added expense of cutting individual checks. Inactive accounts with a refund amount of $10 or more will get their refund in the form of a check. If the amount is less than $10, it will remain in the member’s patronage account until the cumulative amount reaches $10 or more, after which a check will be cut…
KIUC also recently announced its board of directors has approved a resolution regarding smart meters, and residents can choose to not have them installed. The resolution affirms that KIUC will not try to install a smart meter on any property where the account-holder has deferred and will not seek authorization from the Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission to install a smart meter on that property. KIUC may convert its deferral policy to an opt-out program that will charge a fee to cover the cost of servicing customers without a smart meter. Any fee would be subject to review and approval by the Public Utilities Commission.
Deferral forms are available at kiuc.coop or at KIUC headquarters, 4463 Pahe’e St., Lihu’e.
