MEDIA RELEASE

For the sixth year, Big Island school children from preschool to second grade will each receive a reflective Halloween trick-or-treat bag from the County’s Traffic Division as part of its Halloween safety program.

The division distributed 10,000 bags to preschools, charter, public and private school students in October.

The biodegradable bags are imprinted with safety messages from talking ghosts and a smiling orange pumpkin to remind youngsters to watch for cars, stay in well-lit areas and not to go out alone.

Also in conjunction with safety, preschool and elementary teachers received a list of developmentally appropriate activities for early learners that will raise awareness about the role “helpers” such as police and fire play in their lives and the lives of their families. It’s a learning experience for the child – interactive and informative.

Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families produced the curriculum and booklets.

To assure well-lit streets for trick-or-treaters, the County is also asking for the community’s assistance in identifying streetlights that are malfunctioning.

Two things can happen with the streetlights. Bulbs can burn out, which means the light will not activate at dusk, or the sensor can malfunction and the light can remain on all day.

If a streetlight in your neighborhood stays lit all day or does not light at night, please call the Traffic Division of Public Works, 961-8341, weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the following information:

* The streetlight pole number: This is easily spotted from a car. It is a large silver number located six to seven feet up on the side of the streetlight pole.

* It is also helpful if you know the street or highway name and a well-known landmark.

Streetlight repairs may be submitted at: http://traffic.hawaiicounty.gov/street-light-repair/

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* Generation Y counts Halloween as fourth favorite holiday (after Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s); Seniors rank it last, in eighth place.

* 33 percent of seniors dislike Halloween so much that they opt to turn out their porch lights and go out to dinner.

* 4 out of 5 of shoppers plan to celebrate Halloween (30 percent with gusto, 49 percent in a smaller way).

* 38 percent will be putting on a costume, while 15 percent won’t wear one but will put one on their kid.

* Someone out there is dressing up as Slutty Bacon for Halloween.

* 70 percent will spend at least $25 on Halloween costumes; 85 percent will spend at least $10 on candy.

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