City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/08/11 City's Strong General Obligation Bond Ratings Affirmed

CITY'S STRONG GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND RATINGS AFFIRMED   (Fri., July 8, 2011)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced that Moody's Investor Services and Fitch Ratings affirmed the City and County of Honolulu's existing general obligation bond ratings at "Aa1" and "AA+" respectively, which are the second highest possible ratings for municipal bonds.                In addition, both rating agencies affirmed the City's "Stable" outlook. Moody's said, "The Aa1 rating primarily reflects the city's sizable economic base, above average resident wealth, and sound financial operations with recently improved reserve levels, as well as manageable debt profile."               Of particular note, Fitch stated, "The city's financial position remains sound, with healthy fund balance levels and stable revenues. Property tax receipts have remained relatively stable despite the housing downturn."                "Unlike many Mainland cities, Honolulu remains financially strong due to its conservative management, coupled with a diversified economy and stable revenue base," said Mayor Carlisle. "The City's continued success at controlling spending and its considerable financial flexibility underlie these strengths."               "These favorable ratings allow the City to continue borrowing at a lower interest rate, directly benefitting the public we serve by keeping our cost of borrowing as low as possible," said Michael Hansen, Director of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services.     The City is moving forward with the sale of approximately $312 million of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2011A&B. The Series 2011A bonds are being issued to finance various capital improvement projects in the City. The Series 2011B refunding bonds are being issued to refinance certain outstanding general obligation bonds for debt service savings. The Series 2011A&B Bonds will be exempt from both federal and State of Hawaii income taxes.    A special opportunity is being offered for Hawaii residents to place orders for the bonds in advance on Tuesday, July 12th. The sale is expected to be completed on Wednesday, July 13th. Bank of America Merrill Lynch will serve as the lead underwriter for the bond sale with Piper Jaffray & Co. serving as the co-manager. For more information, please contact your broker or refer to the City advertisement that appeared in the July 7th edition of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.     -30-     Media contact: Louise Kim McCoy, Mayor's Office, 768-7798.

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/08/11 Smoke Testing Sewer Lines in Heeia July 12-15

CITY SMOKE TESTING WASTEWATER PIPES IN HEEIA   (Friday, July 8, 2011) – The City's Department of Environmental Services (ENV) will smoke test a portion of the wastewater collection system in Heeia July 12-15.            The daytime testing, which may last up to a week, is part of ENV's preventative maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. ENV crews pump smoke into sewer pipes, examine whether smoke escapes and record its location. The smoke used is non-toxic, harmless and minimal odor. The smoke is neither a fire hazard nor health hazard to humans or pets.            Tests locate broken pipes, illegal connections, open cleanouts and other paths for runoff to enter the sewer system. Runoff from heavy rain can overwhelm and surcharge the sewer system and treatment plants, causing sanitary sewer overflows.            Residents and affected businesses will be notified by mail and door notices a few days before testing begins. In addition, ENV will notify Fire and Police communications centers at the beginning of each testing day. The attached map illustrates the streets (in the shaded area) that will be tested.                                                                                                                                                      -30-     Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, 768-3454

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/07/11 Final Natural Hazard Community Preparedness Workshop This Saturday In Kapolei

Final Natural Hazard Community Preparedness Workshop scheduled for this Saturday at Kapolei High School   (Thu., July 7, 2011)---The City Department of Emergency Management, the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program (UH Sea Grant), and the NOAA Sea Grant Coastal Storms Program are teaming up to offer a free Oahu public workshop to assist Hawai'i's communities to plan and prepare for natural hazards.               This final Oahu workshop will be held on Saturday, July 9th and will address a variety of topics including emergency guidelines, evacuation planning, tsunami and severe weather warnings, homeowner guidance, retrofit measures and insurance for floods and hurricanes.                  Experts from the Department of Emergency Management, UH Sea Grant, National Weather Service, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources will be on hand to provide guidance and answer questions from the public.               In addition, many other agencies will set up educational tables to offer additional information and services to homeowners for natural hazard mitigation and preparation.               The workshop is free and open to the public and is designed to better inform and prepare coastal communities throughout Hawai'i.   What: Natural Hazard Community Preparedness Workshop   When: Saturday, July 9, 2011                         8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   Where:           Kapolei High School Cafeteria                         91-5007 Kapolei Parkway                         Kapolei, HI 96707                For more information visit: http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu or call 956-9780.

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/06/11 No Tsunami Threat To Hawaii After Large Pacific Earthquake

Large earthquake in Kermadec Islands poses no threat to Hawaii (Wed., July 6, 2011)---The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Ewa Beach issued a Tsunami Information Statement this morning for a large earthquake near the Kermadec Islands region. PTWC informed the Department of Emergency Management that NO threat to Hawaii exists from this earthquake. However some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small non-destructive sea level changes or unusual currents beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m. this afternoon and lasting for several hours. Swimmers, beach goers and boaters should exercise caution during this period. ORIGIN TIME - 0903 AM HST 06 JUL 2011 COORDINATES - 29.4 SOUTH 175.7 WEST DEPTH - 48 KM LOCATION - KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION MAGNITUDE - 7.8 MOMENT -- END --

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/05/11 Public Parking Lot Entrance and Exit Closed on Alapai Street

PUBLIC PARKING LOT ENTRANCE AND EXIT CLOSED ON ALAPAI STREET   (Tue., July 5, 2011)—The Civic Center public parking garage entrance and exit on Alapai Street between South King Street and Beretania Street will be closed during periods of construction from Wednesday, July 6 through Tuesday, July 12, 2011 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. due to construction of a new water line.               Motorist should use the Beretania Street parking garage entrance and exit.   -30-   Media contact: Irvin Higashi, Project Manager, Public Transit Division at 768-8375

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / Public Parking Lot Entrance and Exit Closed on Alapai Street

PUBLIC PARKING LOT ENTRANCE AND EXIT CLOSED ON ALAPAI STREET   (Tue., July 5, 2011)—The Civic Center public parking garage entrance and exit on Alapai Street between South King Street and Beretania Street will be closed during periods of construction from Wednesday, July 6 through Tuesday, July 12, 2011 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. due to construction of a new water line.               Motorist should use the Beretania Street parking garage entrance and exit.   -30-   Media contact: Irvin Higashi, Project Manager, Public Transit Division at 768-8375

City and County of Honolulu News Releases

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2011 / 07/01/11 The City Opens Office of Housing

THE CITY OPENS OFFICE OF HOUSING   (Fri., July1, 2011)— Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced the opening of the Office of Housing and the appointment of the Executive Director, Keith I. Ishida, and the County Housing Coordinator, Trish K. Morikawa, effective today.    Last November, voters passed a charter amendment to set up an Office of Housing on July 1, 2011. The Office of Housing will establish and administer actionable programs for affordable housing, senior housing, special needs housing, and homelessness for the benefit of the people of Oahu. It will also coordinate activities and programs with state and federal agencies as well as with private and non-profit housing organizations.   Mr. Ishida brings with him twenty-three years of professional experience with the City in the planning and development of affordable housing projects, community development, public-private partnerships, and homeless assistance programs. Mr. Ishida has a Bachelor of Arts, Social Science and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii.   Ms. Morikawa spent eight years as a Commissioner for the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and is experienced in project development and funding of government sponsored homesteading programs for all income levels of native Hawaiians, including coordination with state and federal agencies and private developers. Ms. Morikawa has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law.          -30-   Media contact: Louise Kim McCoy, Mayor's Office, 768-7798.