American Samoa questions Hawaii office
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa » Some lawmakers in American Samoa are questioning the need for the territory’s office in Honolulu.
The office has a staff of four and a budget of more than $300,000. It was established more than two decades ago and is overseen by the governor.
The governor’s Chief of Staff Pati Faiai told lawmakers it’s necessary for serving the needs of American Samoans living in Hawaii and on the mainland. It also helps those seeking information on how to enter American Samoa.
Faiai said office lease, parking and utility costs are expensive in Honolulu.
According to the budget, monthly rent for the office and parking is $5,400. The office’s proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year is $349,500, a $40,000 increase from the current fiscal year.
Event will cheer electric vehicles
Electric vehicle drivers and enthusiasts will celebrate Maui’s first National Plug In Day on Friday and Saturday.
The day is being organized by UH Maui College’s MauiEVA Project and the Maui Electric Auto Association to highlight the benefits and savings of electric cars.
The event will start at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the parking lot in front of the Maui County Building in Wailuku with the opening of Wailuku’s first public electric vehicle charging station.
On Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the two groups will have a booth at the Maui Swap Meet and UH Maui College to answer questions about the electric vehicle ownership and demonstrate the all-electric Nissan Leaf.In the UH Maui College parking lot, event partners Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Jim Falk Motors and Maui Toyota will offer free ride-and-drives of electric cars, including the Leaf, the extended-range electric Chevy Volt and the Plug In Prius hybrid.
Visit www.pluginday.org.
3 groups earn planning award
The Kauai County Housing Agency, Kimura International Inc. and the Centers for Disease Control’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program received the 2012 Outstanding Planning Award from the Hawaii chapter of the American Planning Association last week for their collaboration on the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development Master Plan.
The master plan was prepared for the county by Kimura International Inc. with civil engineering services by R.M. Towill Corp. CDC’s prevention program, through the Kauai District Health Office, provided grants and educational and technical assistance.
