City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/10/14 Ewa Neighborhood Board No. 23 cancels tonight's meeting

Thursday, July 10, 2014 Contact:           Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768 Bryan Mick, Neighborhood Commission Office, 768-3717     Ewa Neighborhood Board No. 23 cancels tonight's meeting   Ewa – The Ewa Neighborhood Board No. 23 has cancelled its meeting tonight, July 10, 2014, due to a power failure at their meeting facility.  The board will select an alternate meeting day and location and file a new notice next week.   -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/10/14 Midsummer Night's Gleam returns to Foster Botanical Garden

Thursday, July 10, 2014 Contact: Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768   Midsummer Night's Gleam returns to Foster Botanical Garden       Photos from last year's Midsummer Night's Gleam   Honolulu – The City and County of Honolulu's Foster Botanical Garden will once again be transformed into a magical wonderland on Saturday, July, 19.  Midsummer Night's Gleam will begin at 4 p.m., when the park-like garden will be adorned with more than 2,500 luminaries sparkling along the pathways that weave through the facility.   Visitors to the garden will enjoy an eclectic selection of live entertainment throughout the event, including lively belly dancers, agile lion dancers, the Golden Horde's Mongolian tribesmen, and sparring knights.  Later in the evening, the event will feature an exciting performance at the main terrace by Sewa Fare, a West-African drum and dance ensemble.    Additionally, Foster Botanical Garden will offer a variety of children's activities from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., including painting, a bamboo music wall, seed toss, bubbles, balloons, and arts and crafts.  This special event will also feature a living wall display made of succulent plants, and a life-size elephant made of recycled bottles.   Foster Botanical Garden, located in downtown Honolulu at 50 North Vineyard Boulevard, is the oldest of the city's botanical gardens.  The garden displays a mature and impressive collection of tropical plants.  Some of the magnificent trees in this 14-acre garden were planted in the 1850s by Dr. William Hillebrand.  The garden also includes a palm collection, the Lyon Orchid Garden, a hybrid orchid display, the Prehistoric Glen, and a gift shop.   Foster Botanical Garden will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and reopen from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of the Gleam.  Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the year except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.   Admission to Midsummer Night's Gleam is free.  For more information, please call 522-7066.       -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/10/14 Kawaikui Beach Park tree removal and pruning

Thursday, July 10, 2014 Contact: Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768   Kawaikui Beach Park tree removal and pruning   Kuliouou – Beginning today, July 10, 2014, a tree care company hired by the city is removing two Kiawe trees and will later prune a third Kiawe tree at Kawaikui Beach Park.  Municipal arborists from the city's Division of Urban Forestry determined the two trees warranted removal.   The Ewa driveway into the park is being closed during the removal work, and the public will be directed to use the Koko Head driveway as both the entrance and exit.   The contractor is scheduled to begin pruning the third tree on Monday, July 14, to reduce the weight of the tree's canopy.  This work will require the makai lane of traffic on Kalanianaole Highway to be intermittently closed.   No work will be conducted over the weekend, and the project is expected to be completed by Wednesday, July 16, 2014.   -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/10/14 Traffic Advisory: Sewer Work July 14-18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, July 10, 2014 Media Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV PIO, 768-3454     TRAFFIC ADVISORY:  SEWER WORK IN HONOLULU NEXT WEEK   KAPOLEI – The City's Department of Environmental Services said traffic will be affected next week as construction crews rehabilitate wastewater pipes in and around the Honolulu area.               City crews and contractors will conduct sewer pipe work on the following dates and locations:   July 14 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: N. School St & Martin St. July 15 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: 2300 N. King St. July 16 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: 1501 Pohaku St / 2295 N. King St. July 17 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: 1515-1531 Evelyn Ln. July 18 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: 1634 Clark St / 1643 Clark St. July 14 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  2006 Hunnewell St. July 14-16 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  1814-1833 Vancouver Pl. July 14-17 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  2002 Hunnewell St (Offstreet) / 2026 Hunnewell St. July 15-17 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM: Alexander St & Dole St. July 16-18 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  Marques St & Metcalf St. July 18 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  1859-1905 Vancouver Dr / 1926 Hunnewell St / 2225 Halulu Way / 1526-1534 Alexander St. July 14 (Cleaning/CCTV) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  909-919 3rd Ave / 3287-3279 Lincoln Ave / 3032-3036 Lincoln Ave / 940-1006 3rd Ave / 1551-1609 Nobrega St / 2323-2637 Nihi St / 1556-1576 Laumaile St / 1555-1586 Lehua St / 1583-1623 Monte St / 1573-1587 Wailele St / 1570-1590 Ahihi St / 1570-1586 Murphy St / 1608-1636 Kilohana St / 2521-2527 Kalihi St / Kalihi St & Palanehe Pl / Wailele St & Kamanaiki St / 2616-2642 Kamanaiki St / 1706-1725 Merkle St / 1704-1722 Violet St. July 15 (Cleaning/CCTV) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  University Ave & Vancouver Dr/1918 University Ave (Offstreet). July 16 (Cleaning/CCTV) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  University Ave & Metcalf St. July 17 (Cleaning/CCTV) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  1344 University Ave/1442 University Ave/2454-2458 Sonoma St. July 18 (Cleaning/CCTV) - 8:30 AM-3:30 PM:  2760 Kalei Rd / Kalei Rd & Waialae Ave.   URL:  Sewer Projects Construction Map   -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/09/14 City to host Complete Streets Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Contact:           Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768 Kelly Cruz, DTS, 768-8320, kcruz@honolulu.gov     City to host Complete Streets Public Information Meeting       Complete Streets walking audit led by Mayor Caldwell and Dan Burden.   Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that a Complete Streets Public Information Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room.   Complete Streets are streets that are safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation.  They allow pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation to share the road and get around efficiently and conveniently.   The meeting is being held to highlight the work being done by the City and County of Honolulu to make our streets safer, more convenient and more accessible for all users, including motorists, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists.   The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will conduct the meeting to review Honolulu's Complete Streets Ordinance, introduce the community to complete streets concepts, review existing complete streets projects, discuss a proposed complete streets' manual for the City and County of Honolulu and respond to questions and comments from the community.   Dan Burden, Co-Founder and Director of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, will be present as part of the SSFM International team to assist DTS with Honolulu's complete streets policies.   "This is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about Complete Streets and the exciting opportunities ahead to create more livable communities on Oahu," said Mike Formby, Director, DTS.     -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/09/14 Halewaiolu Residences Request for Proposals released

Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Contact:  Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768       Halewai'olu Residences Request for Proposals released   Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that the Department of Community Services and the Mayor's Office of Housing have released the Request for Proposals for Halewai'olu Residences located at 1331-1347 River Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, also identified as Tax Map Key: (1) 1-7-006:012, and commonly referred to as the "River Street property."   The Halewai'olu Residences project is intended to expand affordable housing opportunities for senior citizens and provide a new senior community center for group activities and programs. The development will increase the supply of much needed affordable housing units in the urban core as well as create community and commercial opportunities in the heart of Honolulu.   "Halewai'olu Residences will offer an opportunity for our kupuna to age in place and enjoy their golden years in a safe, vibrant community in one of urban Honolulu's most historic, and vibrant neighborhoods," said Mayor Caldwell.  "The redevelopment of the River Street property will provide greatly needed affordable senior housing while contributing to Chinatown's resurgence."   The name Halewai'olu, which means house of comforting or enriching waters in 'Ôlelo Hawai'i, was selected based on the property's River Street location and the historical significance of the waters that flow nearby.   Bidders must meet the minimum qualifications specified in the Request for Proposals, including, but not limited to: (1) ten years experience in the development, management and/or operation of affordable rental or ownership housing; (2) licensed to do business in the State of Hawaii; (3) current on all federal and state tax obligations; (4) current on all obligations owing to the City and County of Honolulu; (5) registered as a business in the United States of America, and in possession of a current Federal Tax Identification Number; and (6) not party to any pending litigation against the City and County of Honolulu.   Proposals will be evaluated based on: (1) meeting and/or exceeding Community Development Block Grant Program National Objectives; (2) the depth of affordability in the design of the Proposal; (3) the length of affordability for the designated affordable units in the Proposal; (4) the experience of the Bidder in the successful development, ownership, and management of affordable projects; (5) the contribution to Chinatown and the overall community; (6) the consideration of the creation of a senior center at the Project; and (7) the economic feasibility of the Proposal.   Interested parties may obtain a Request for Proposals packet free of charge at the Department of Community Services, 715 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.   -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/08/14 Mayor Caldwell expedites road improvements

July 8, 2014 Contact:           Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768 Jay Parasco (mobile), 779-4920     Mayor Caldwell expedites road improvements           Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell was joined today by Department of Transportation Services Director Mike Formby and Councilmember Joey Manahan to discuss plans to immediately enhance public safety on roadways across O'ahu.    City crews will be installing new and additional streetlights on North King Street in Kalihi beginning this week, bringing improved visibility to a corridor of our island frequented by pedestrians, the elderly, and a high volume of vehicle traffic.   The city started a Complete Streets Initiative in 2012 and began work to join the World Health Organization/AARP's Age-Friendly Cities network last year.  Both programs focus on making roadways safer and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, public transportation, and people with disabilities.   A Complete Streets public meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room.  Members of the public are welcome to participate and give input on how to make our streets safer for all.    The city is preparing a request for proposal to form a public-private-partnership that will replace all 51,700 city streetlights with LEDs that use 40-60% less energy while providing brighter, more direct light.    "Complete Streets, Age-Friendly Cities, and the LED replacement program will begin next year and make a profound impact on the way we use our roads," said Mayor Caldwell.  "In the interim, we are looking at areas that we can improve now and that begins on North King Street in Kalihi."   "As a resident and a Councilmember of the area I've been concerned with safety along this corridor of North King Street," said Councilmember Joey Manahan.  "I am grateful for the administration's response to install new lights to address residents' pleas for increased lighting.  The additional lights will make the area brighter and safer for both pedestrians and motorists. For months we have been working to address pedestrian safety issues along this corridor of North King Street, and the new lights are going to make a huge difference for pedestrians and motorists traveling this route."   UPDATE:  Existing streetlights along North King Street in Kalihi will be replaced with high pressure sodium lights and additional streetlights will be installed.  The new lights will point down, toward the road, rather than up, providing increased visibility.  The lights will be replaced with LEDs and retrofitted as part of the LED program that begins next year.    -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/03/14 Mayor Caldwell urges FAA to revoke waiver to aerial advertising company, asks public to report illegal aerial advertising to police

Thursday, July 3, 2014 Contact: Mayor Caldwell's press office 768-5768   Mayor Caldwell urges FAA to revoke waiver to aerial advertising company, asks public to report illegal aerial advertising to police   Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell today sent a letter to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noting that the city's ordinance banning aerial advertising has been upheld by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and urging the FAA to immediately revoke a certificate of waiver issued to Aerial Banners North, Inc., an aerial advertising company.  He also asked residents to report illegal aerial advertising to police.    "What this company is doing is illegal and we're going to put a stop to it," said Mayor Caldwell.  "Aerial advertising is illegal in Honolulu, and our law prohibiting it has been upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.  There should be no question about it.  I urge the FAA to immediately revoke its certificate of waiver, which applies to federal regulations only and not to the city's ordinance."   "If you see an illegal aerial advertising banner, please call 911 to alert the Honolulu Police Department."   Mayor Caldwell's letter to the FAA is copied below:   __________________   Mr. Ian Gregor United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Western-Pacific Region 15000 Aviation Boulevard Hawthorne, California  90261   Dear Mr. Gregor:   We have been informed of statements attributed to you regarding recent actions by Aerial Banners North, Inc. ("ABN"), which is conducting aerial advertising in violation of the City and County of Honolulu, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu ("ROH"), Section 40-6.1. You were quoted as stating:   "The FAA issued a waiver for the company to conduct banner towing operations.  Under federal law, the FAA has sole jurisdiction over all the civilian airspace in the country" – Ian Gregor, Federal Aviation Administration.   As you may be aware, the City was involved in two protracted litigation cases that clearly determined that the Federal Aviation Administration's ("FAA") regulations do not prohibit nor preempt the provisions of ROH Section 40-6.1, the City's Aerial Advertising prohibition. We refer you to the following cases; Skysign International, Inc. v. City and County of Honolulu, 276 F.3d 1109 (9th Cir. 2002) and Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc. v. City and County of Honolulu, 455 F.3d 910 (9th Cir. 2006).  In addition, as part of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc. case, your office clearly stated that FAA does not preempt the provisions of ROH Section 40-61; please see the attached letter dated July 31, 2003.  Our review of your current guidelines for issuance of a certificate of waiver or authorization for aircraft banner tow operations indicates that such guidelines have not changed since the court decisions on this issue.   In light of the above, the City asks that the FAA revoke the certificate of waiver issued to ABN, based upon attestations made to the City by ABN's counsel of "open and notorious" banner towing and upon the finding of the FAA that ABN has not complied with the terms of ABN's certificate issued by the FAA.   The City looks forward to your clarification of the above-quoted statement of preemption of local laws.                                                                                 Aloha,                                                                                 Kirk Caldwell                                                                               Mayor   Attachment   cc:       The Honorable Florence T. Nakakuni, U.S. Attorney Louis M. Kealoha, Chief of Police Keith M. Kaneshiro, Prosecuting Attorney Donna Y. L. Leong, Corporation Counsel   -END-