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Video courtesy of the Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaii

MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Billy Kenoi joined community members in Waiohinu today to celebrate the opening of six new or improved water spigot facilities across the County of Hawaii. These facilities offer residents safe and efficient locations where they can draw clean, potable water for household use. The dedication ceremony was held at the Waiohinu Solid Waste Transfer Station in Kā‘u.

The six new or improved spigot facilities first opened on Thursday, August 11 in North Hilo, South Kona, Puna, and Kā‘u to accommodate a high demand for potable water.

Thousands of rural residents in the County of Hawaii are served by household water catchment systems, and many rely on county-operated water spigots to obtain safe drinking water. The installation or improvement of the county water spigot facilities is a project by the county Department of Water Supply and the county Department of Public Works.

“We are very proud of this project, which will make it easier for our rural residents to obtain clean, safe drinking water,” Mayor Kenoi said. “We want to thank all of our partners who helped to make this project possible.”

The project cost about $1.1 million, included planning, design, and construction. A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency funded 64 percent ($719,000) of the project, and the County of Hawaii paid 36 percent or $402,000. The contractor was Ludwig Contractors Inc., which finished 90 days ahead of schedule.

Spigot facilities at six locations comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.

The new facilities are the Waiohinu Solid Waste Transfer Station on Kauila Road, in Ka‘u; in Nanawale Estates subdivision in Puna; and in South Kona next to the Honaunau Rodeo Arena.

Spigot outlets and additional parking were added at the Papaaloa gymnasium in North Hilo; and at Kurtistown Ball Park in Puna; and at Keaau Solid Waste Transfer Station in Puna.