Media release by Hawaii County Office of the Mayor

PAHALA, Hawaii: The Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works published the Ka‘ū District Gym & Shelter draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review and comment. Printed copies are also available at Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala public libraries. The draft EA is available on the State Office of Environmental Quality Control website.

The Ka‘ū District Gym & Shelter will be a new gymnasium, multi-purpose recreational facility and emergency shelter It will be located on the Ka‘ū High and Pāhala Elementary School campus; operated and maintained by County of Hawai’i Department of Parks & Recreation for the community.

In November, residents shared with the County Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation their thoughts for a facility that would expand recreational and athletic opportunities and serve as a destination for community events. The existing school gym is old; too small for the wider range of athletic, school and community needs, and does not provide hardened shelter features proposed for the new district gym and shelter. In December, residents participated in a two-day design charrette.

Construction for the $16.9 facility is expected to begin in fall 2012 and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Public comments must be submitted by mail or fax during the 30-day public comment period, February 23 through March 23, 2012 to:

Tammy Kapali, Planner
PBR HAWAII & Associates, Inc.
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650
Honolulu, HI 96813
Telephone: (808) 521-5631
Fax: (808) 523-1402
And
County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works
ATTN: David Yamamoto
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8321
Fax: (808) 961-8630