The official groundbreaking for the initial Palamanui campus roadway infrastructure has been scheduled for 4pm on March 18, 2011 up at Palamanui. This is an invitation only event. However, I’ve been invited to attend. I’m planning to take plenty of photographs of this important ceremony.

I spoke to the manager overseeing the Kamaka’eha Avenue sewer line project today. The sewer line has been installed and the lava tube was capped today. So, they’re ready to repave the roadway. They’ve tentatively scheduled this work to be done on March 15th. Kamaka’eha Avenue could be reopened to traffic the next day if the paving subcontractor completes their work on time.

Update: I spoke to the manager overseeing this project today. He told me roadway roadway paving should begin tomorrow (March 16, 2011). Kamak’eha Avenue should be reopened on Friday March 17, 2011.

I followed up with Ed Brown, Goodfellow Brothers Big Island manager, regarding the Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project. The project team is still finalizing when construction may start and the scheduling of the next public information meeting. In addition, the HDOT has submitted revised construction plans for SHPD approval. Construction would begin from the north instead of the south if SHPD gives their blessings. In addition, they would gain additional time to obtain archaeological clearances for the Kaloko-Honokohau National Park segment.

The manager overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project e-mailed me this update:

“After inquiring with the Department of Public Works who is facilitating the competitive bid process, it is my understanding that none of the bids were withdrawn from consideration. I am able to disclose that the lowest qualified bidder was Maryl KPRS Hawaii Joint Venture ($6,183,468.00) and they have been awarded the contract.”

Update: The manager overseeing the Makalei Fire Station project clarified his previous comment via e-mail today:

“I may have jumped the gun in saying that the contract has already been awarded to Maryl. Because the contract is still being circulated through the County for approvals technically it is an intent to award. Once the approval signatures are in place it will then be awarded. Just a technicality but I wanted to correct myself. “

Related item: Makalei Fire Station Update

Update: The Makalei Fire Station project was officially awarded Maryl KPRS Joint Venture on March 14th, 2011.

Lastly, the Hawaii County Legislative Research Branch replied to my e-mail inquiring about the language of Bill 311.

“Hello Aaron,

I understand now that your concern is that the information posted on the weblink you provided is inaccurate. It appears that is the case, as the language provided on that website does not reflect the language of Bill No. 311.

The language provided on the website is taken directly from the council agenda, and not from the bill itself. Please see attached agenda for the November 4, 2010 (page 7).

So to confirm, the bill has never been amended. The language on the website is not from Bill No. 311. Last, the language provided in the council agenda was not gleaned solely from Bill No. 311, but rather a combination of language provided in the bill and the communication from the Mayor that transmitted the bill to the council for its consideration. Please see attached Communication No. 972.”