What's open, what's closed on furlough days?
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 1:49PM Most County offices will be closed to the public this Friday, July 2, on the first of 24 furlough days for most County employees.
The County’s recently adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, which takes effect July 1, 2010, calls for employee furloughs to help offset budget deficits while avoiding employee layoffs.
County furlough days will occur on the first and third Fridays of each month through June 2011. The only exception will be on Admissions Day, Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, which is observed as a state holiday. The furlough day will be taken on the following Monday, August 23.
In general, county business and administrative offices will be closed to the public on furlough days, while essential services and many other programs will continue to operate.
Because County offices will be closed two additional days during each month, however, employees in every department will have 16 fewer hours to do the same amount of work that they did before furloughs. The County of Hawaii thanks all residents for their patience and understanding during these furlough days.
Public safety
Normal uniformed police and fire protection services will be provided. County police and fire dispatchers will remain on the job on furlough days. Emergency 911 calls will be taken. County Civil Defense officials will remain on call 24 hours a day on furlough days.
Only the South Hilo Records Division will be open on furlough days. All other police district records offices will be closed.
Bus services
County buses will operate on normal daily schedules on furlough days. Mooheau Bus Terminal, operated by the Downtown Improvement Association, will be open. Mass Transit Agency offices will be closed.
Pools, golf, zoo
The Kona Community Aquatics Center, NAS, Kawamoto, North Kohala, Konawaena Pahoa, Pahala, Honokaa and Laupahoehoe pools will be open on furlough days. Individual pools may schedule furlough days at other times according to planned activities. Schedules will be posted at each pool.
The Hilo Municipal Golf Course will be open on furlough days. The Panaewa Complex, including the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, also will be open for business as usual on furlough days.
Motor vehicle services
Driver Licensing offices in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and Ka`u (part time), and the separate Vehicle Registration offices in Hilo and Kona, will be closed on furlough days.
Waste management
Critical wastewater treatment operations in the Department of Environmental Management will continue operating 24 hours a day without interruption. Solid waste transfer stations are scheduled to remain open according to their current schedules.
Property tax payments
Taxpayers should note that the day property taxes are due, Aug. 20, is Admissions Day, a state and County holiday when the Real Property Tax Division office will be closed. The furlough day will be taken on the following Monday, Aug. 23. Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the Division office to pay their tax bills before Aug. 20.
Immigration
The County Office of Immigration will change its Kona Office Information Outreach from the third Friday of the month to every third Thursday of each month. Immigration outreach will continue in Waimea every second Friday of the month, and in Naalehu every fourth Friday of the month. Appointments are recommended.
Recreation
Walk-in reservations for camping and pavilions and other services will not be available from the Department of Parks and Recreation either in Hilo or Kona.
The staffs at County gymnasiums will be on furlough on the first and third Fridays with the exception of July 2010, when furloughs will be taken on Fridays, July 23 and July 30. Gyms may be utilized by the public on furlough days, however, by making reservations with staff prior to the furlough day. In August they will furlough on Friday, Aug. 27, instead of Monday, Aug. 23. Scheduled recreational classes will continue without interruption on furlough days. The Ho`olulu Complex in Hilo will be open as usual.
Elderly Activities
Elderly programs and facilities will be closed on furlough days. Elderly nutrition sites will not be serving meals on furlough days and Meals on Wheels programs will not be operating. Extra meals will be available to take home on Thursdays, however, and Meals on wheels will deliver extra meals on Thursdays for Friday furlough days.
Legal questions
The Office of Corporation Counsel will be closed and office staff will be unavailable to answer requests for information from the public. Adjustment and settlement of claims made by the public may be delayed. Also, since furlough days will be counted as a non-work days, the response time for public records requests will be extended.
Mayor’s office
The administrative offices of the Mayor and all other County departments located at 25 Aupuni Street will be closed to the public on furlough days.
