Mullet fishing season closes

The state says the fishing season for 'ama'ama or striped mullet fishing is due to end tomorrow to protect the species from overfishing.

The public will be allowed to resume taking the fish on April 1, after the mullet's peak spawning season is over.

Violators may be fined up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken.

State Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Laura Thielen is asking for the public's cooperation in implementing the fishing ban.

Thielen says “;everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like 'ama'ama to ensure their survival into the future.”;

Big Island Council gets to work

The Hawaii County Council faces several environmental and other challenges as it starts work in Hilo tomorrow.

Council members priorities range from netting more federal money to finding new technologies to replace the county landfill.

Councilman-elect Kelly Greenwell says he wants an islandwide project that would qualify for perhaps $1 billion in federal farm bill grants.

Councilwoman Brenda Ford says her primary goal will be Kona road-building.

Councilman Dominic Yagong says one of his priorities will be waste technology.

Councilman Pete Hoffmann says energy self-sufficiency is one of his key goals.

Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto, who will become council chairman, says his biggest issue will be the solid-waste problem.

Kauai workers offered bus passes

LIHUE » As part of a pilot program, up to 200 Kauai County employees can get free bus passes for the next seven months.

The program, first envisioned by the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste, is expected to lead to more bus ridership and reduce the amount of traffic on Kauai's roads during rush hours.

  “;I believe his intent was to have the county serve as a role model,”; said Janine Rapozo, county executive on transportation. “;He had hoped that after seeing a lot of county employees riding the Kauai Bus, local businesses would actively encourage their employees to ride the bus or possibly offer it as an incentive.”;

Ideally, county personnel who participate in the pilot program will find that it suits their lifestyle and will continue to ride the bus after the program ends, added Rapozo. Plus, it is hoped, it will free up parking spots at county offices.

For those not in the program, monthly bus passes are $15 a month, and rides along main routes cost $1.50 each for adults.

More than 180 county workers have already signed up, county officials said.

Lahaina road project to begin

Transportation officials say work is to begin before the end of the year on the next phase of Maui's long awaited Lahaina bypass.

The work follows realignment that was necessary to avoid a cultural site, according to state Transportation Director Brennon Morioka.

He says construction will help boost employment in West Maui.

Morioka says the state is committed to bolstering the economy with such projects. He says starting the bypass in December will put a dozen people to work right before the holidays and allow more people to be employed through the year.

Officials say the realignment of the bypass will add to the $48 million cost but there is no firm estimate of how much.

UH offers public health degree

A Master's in Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management will be offered at the University of Hawaii-Manoa's John A. Burns School of Medicine next fall.

The degree from the school's Office of Public Health Studies will prepare students for a career in health services, policy and management. Opportunities will be provided to participate in research and service programs.

Applications received by Jan. 15 will have priority.

For more information, visit http://www.hawaii.edu/publichealth or call Dr. Van Ta at 956-5767 or e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).