Wednesday, December 31, 2014

City and County of Honolulu News

 
Official website of the City and County of Honolulu
 
  You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 12/31/14 Major sewer projects during January
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Media Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, (808) 768-3454

 

 

Major sewer projects during January

 

KAPOLEI – The City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services is working on four sewer projects in January that will impact roadways and traffic on Oahu.

 

            The projects include:

 

Ø  Airport Sewer Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Phase 2 – This is a liner project, on Aolele St, from Rodgers Blvd to Paiea St.  The contractor is working days from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and nights from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.  There will be times when they will be working 24 hours.  The work is expected to continue through January 31, 2015.

Ø  Fort DeRussy Wastewater Pump Station Force Main Emergency Repair – Sewer rehabilitation work on Kalakaua Ave from Ena Rd to Kuamoo St.  Crews will be on the road Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm with intermittent periods of work lasting 24 hours.  Duration of the project:  December 2013 to July 2015.

Ø  Hanawai Circle Sewer Reconstruction – Installation and rehabilitation of new sewer line along Farrington Hwy from Waipahu Depot St to Hanawai Cir and on Waipahu Depot St from Farrington Hwy to Waipahu St, crews will be working on the roads Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.  Duration of the project:  February 2014 to April 2015.

Ø  Waimalu Wastewater Pump Station Force Main and Waiau Sewer Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Phase 2 – Sewer rehabilitation on Kamehameha Hwy from Hekaha St to Kuleana Rd and on Kaluamoi Pl, crews will be working on the roads Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Duration of the project is:  September 2014 to May 2016.

 

URL:  Sewer Projects Construction Map

 

            Approximately 138 projects are underway focused on Oahu's wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and collection system. These projects are part of $790 million of ongoing wastewater projects, including planning, design, construction, project management and equipment project phases.

 

 

-END-

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

City and County of Honolulu News

 
Official website of the City and County of Honolulu
 
  You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 12/29/14 New Year's Eve Fireworks and Safety Tips
 

Tuesday, December 29, 2014

Contact: Fire Captain David Jenkins, Public Information Officer, 808-723-7117

 

New Year's Eve Fireworks and Safety Tips

Enjoy Professional Fireworks Displays, Use Firecrackers With Caution

 

The Honolulu Fire Department reminds everyone that the City and County of Honolulu's fireworks ordinance allows the public to purchase and use firecrackers only.  All other fireworks are illegal for consumer use on Oahu.

 

"We hope that people will respect the fireworks ordinance and the dangers of firecrackers.  While the number of fireworks-related injuries and fires on Oahu may not be as high as those nationwide, it is still too many for the public to suffer.  We experience the same trends as other communities where consumer fireworks cause injuries (most often to children and teens) and fires on New Year's Eve," said Fire Chief Manuel P. Neves.

 

"The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the public displays conducted by trained professionals.  If you do use firecrackers, please review these safety tips, follow the rules, and be considerate of your neighbors," Neves added.

 

The following information is provided to help the public remain safe and enjoy the New Year's Eve celebration and New Year's Day holiday:

 

  

Fireworks Safety Tips

 

·       Use only approved fireworks from a licensed retail outlet that posts its retail license.

 

·       Always read and follow warnings and instructions listed by the manufacturer to ensure the safe handling and use of fireworks.

 

·       Never point or throw fireworks at a person, building, or animal.

 

·       Never ignite fireworks indoors.  Ensure your outdoor area is safe for fireworks use.

 

·       Fireworks should only be lighted on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry vegetation, and flammable materials.

 

·       Do not string fireworks on utility poles.

 

·       Keep any type of ladder, pole, or tie lines used to set up fireworks at least ten feet from power lines.

 

·       Never ignite fireworks in metal or glass containers.

 

·       Have a garden hose or a bucket of water ready in the event of a fire.

 

·       Fireworks must not be used by persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 

·       Always wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.

 

·       When lighting fireworks, never position any part of your body over them.

 

·       Never attempt to reignite malfunctioning fireworks.

 

·       Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

 

·       Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

 

·       Never experiment with homemade fireworks, as they are dangerous and illegal.

 

  

General Fireworks Prohibitions

 

It is unlawful for any person on Oahu to:

 

  • Throw ignited fireworks at a person or an animal.

  • Throw ignited fireworks from above the first floor of any building.

 

  • Throw ignited fireworks from, at, or into a vehicle.

  • Set off fireworks on public ways, in parks, cane fields, or places of worship.

  • Set off fireworks on public beaches or in forest or wildlife preserves.

 

  • Set off fireworks in school buildings or on school grounds.

 

  • Set off fireworks within 1,000 feet of hospitals, health and elderly care facilities, and facilities for the care of animals, including the zoo.

 

  • Set off fireworks within 500 feet from a hotel.

  • Offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors.  Honolulu's ordinance makes it illegal for minors to use firecrackers on Oahu, even with adult supervision.

 

·       Possess or use aerial fireworks, unless the Fire Chief of the HFD issues a display permit per Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 132D.

 

·       Transport fireworks in carry-on or checked luggage, airline cargo, or mail.

 

·       Remove or extract pyrotechnic contents.

 


 

New Year's Eve Sale and Use of Fireworks on Oahu

 

The sale of firecrackers in the City and County of Honolulu began on December 26, 2014, and ends at 12 midnight on December 31, 2014.

 

On Oahu, firecrackers may be set off, ignited, or discharged from 9 p.m. on December 31, 2014, until 1 a.m. on January 1, 2015.

 

A permit is required to purchase firecrackers on Oahu.  Firecrackers must be purchased from licensed retailers no more than five days prior to its use.  Retail licenses shall be prominently displayed in public view and secured at the location for which the license has been issued.  Licensed retailers shall not sell more than 5,000 individual firecrackers per permit.

 

Honolulu's fireworks ordinance requires that firecracker permits be obtained no less than ten days before they are used.  Therefore, firecracker permits for the New Year's Eve celebration are no longer available.  The last day firecracker permits were sold was on December 19, 2014, as Satellite City Halls were not open on December 20 and 21, 2014.

                                                                 

According to Chapter 132D, HRS, the use of aerial fireworks is prohibited unless the HFD's Fire Chief issues a display permit.

 

  

 

Oahu Fireworks Statistics

 

Import Licenses Issued

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

 

 

 

 

 

13

7

5

5

4

 

Retail Licenses Issued

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

 

 

 

 

 

142

43

40

39

80

 

Firecracker Permits Issued

 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

 

 

 

 

 

10,008

10,008

8,656

10,922

11,144

 

 

  


 

Public Fireworks Displays on Oahu

All firing times are approximate

 

Display Location:

Barge Offshore of 4559 Kahala Avenue (Private)

Display Date:

December 31, 2014

Firing Time:

10:30 p.m.

 

 

Display Location:

Kahala Hotel and Resort

Display Date:

December 31, 2014

Firing Time:

Midnight

 

 

Display Location:

Barge Offshore of Waikiki

Display Date:

December 31, 2014

Firing Time:

Midnight

 

 

Display Location:

Kakaako Waterfront Park

Display Date:

December 31, 2014

Firing Time:

9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m., Midnight

 

 

Display Location:

Ko O'lina New Year's Celebration

Display Date:

December 31, 2014

Firing Time:

Midnight

 

 

– END –

 

 

 

Monday, December 29, 2014

City and County of Honolulu News

 
Official website of the City and County of Honolulu
 
  You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 12/26/14 Kalakaua District Park restrooms temporarily closed due to vandalism
 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Contact:  Jon Hennington, DPR Public Information Officer at (808) 343-9181

Kalâkaua District Park restrooms temporarily closed due to vandalism

Kalihi – Water at Kalâkaua District Park has been shut off to allow for repairs to a drinking fountain that was damaged by vandals on Christmas Eve.  All water in the park must be shut off from the main valve in order to allow repairs to be completed. As a result, restrooms in the park will be closed until water can be restored.

The People's Open Market scheduled for Saturday, December 27 will take place as planned, but no restrooms will be available on site.

There is no current estimate for the length of the closure, but the Department of Parks and Recreation is coordinating with the Board of Water Supply to get the repairs completed and to restore water as quickly as possible.

-END-

Friday, December 26, 2014

City and County of Honolulu News

 
Official website of the City and County of Honolulu
 
  You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 12/26/14 Christmas tree recycling
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 26, 2013

Media Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV PIO, 768-3454

 

Christmas tree recycling

 

KAPOLEI – The city's Department of Environmental Services (ENV) reminds residents to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays.

 

Households with city collection should place bare trees – without flocking, ornaments and tinsel – curbside as part of your normal green waste pickup.

 

The city provides curbside green waste collection to more than 160,000 homes on Oahu.  For those with green carts, please note that the tree has to fit inside the cart with the lid closed.  Cut the tree into lengths up to three feet and trim branches to ensure that it will fall freely from the cart during collection.

 

For households on manual collection, cut the tree into lengths up to three feet, bundle and place at the curb on your refuse day.  If cutting the tree is a bother, residents can drop it off whole at the nearest Refuse Convenience Center.

 

For condo residents, trees may be dropped off at any Refuse Convenience Center or directly to the composting facility – there is no tip fee charged for Christmas trees over the holidays, courtesy of the city.

 

For more information, click on Holiday Trash Tips at www.opala.org.

 

 

-END-

City and County of Honolulu News

 
Official website of the City and County of Honolulu
 
  You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 12/24/14 Mayor Caldwell moves forward with plan for LED streetlights
 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 779-4920)

Mayor Caldwell moves forward with plan for LED streetlights

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell has released a request for proposals for a contractor to replace approximately 52,000 low pressure sodium (LPS) city streetlights with light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights.  A 2013 pilot project by the city demonstrated that retrofitting streetlights to LEDs provides significant cost savings, greater efficiency and increased visibility.

"Last year's pilot project showed the advantages of transitioning all 52,000 city streetlights to LEDs," said Mayor Caldwell.  "By creating a public-private partnership to do the installation, the people of the City and County of Honolulu will receive the benefits without having to pay the initial upfront cost for installation.  This innovative approach is a win for taxpayers, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and the environment."

Mayor Caldwell commenced a pilot project in June 2013 to replace approximately 400 street lights using U.S. Department of Energy funding.  In his 2014 State of the City Address, Mayor Caldwell announced plans to replace all 51,700 city-owned street lights with LED fixtures, committing to a complete conversion in approximately 4 years through a public-private partnership.

Compared to existing LPS streetlight fixtures, the new LED lights reduce energy consumption by an average of 50% and have a payback period of just four years.  City streetlights consume approximately $6 million in electricity annually and the switch to LED is projected to save roughly $3 million in energy costs each year.  The successful offeror will enter into a public-private partnership with the city and be paid for its services over a period of time through energy savings.

In addition to reduced energy costs, the city is also eligible for a $25 to $33 electricity rebate per fixture from Hawaii Energy.

LED streetlights are more energy efficient and provide brighter light directed towards the street, rather than radiating light toward surrounding homes and businesses as LPS streetlights do, enhancing public safety while reducing peripheral glare.

For more information on the project, please visit the city's purchasing website at www.honolulu.gov/pur.

-END-