The Hawai'i County Council faces several environmental and other challenges as it starts work in Hilo today.

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.