02/20/15 87th Annual Lei Court candidates announced

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02/20/15 87th Annual Lei Court candidates announced Friday, February 20, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) 87th Annual Lei Court candidates announced Kapolei – The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation proudly announces the candidates for the 87th Annual Lei Court selection event, to be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Regional Park. Each year, the Lei Court selection rotates through four age brackets: Nā ‘Ōpio (the youth), Nā Mākua (the adults, 31-45), Nā Mākua ‘Ō‘ō (the elders in training, 46-60), and Nā Kūpuna (the elders, 61 and older).  This year is the Nā ‘Ōpio category (18-30 years of age) and the three (3) contestants are: •           Danielle Pōmaika‘i ‘O Keikilani Akiona •           Whitney Harue Hiwalani Miyahira •           Paige Miki Kalāokananiki‘eki‘e Okamura Each contestant will be scored on the following skills performed on site: 1.         Kumuhana o ka Lei (lei making - time limit of one hour) 2.         Kūlana Lei (poise and personality) 3.         ‘Ōlelo Pelekane and ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (speaking skills in both English and Hawaiian) 4.         Hula ‘Auana (modern hula) Once selected, the Lei Court will preside over the Lei Day festivities, and will be the city’s Ambassadors of Aloha at a variety of public events, including the Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony. Please join the City & County of Honolulu, May’s Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Salon 808, and SummitMedia LLC at this wonderful and exciting day to celebrate Hawaiian history and culture.  This event is free and open to the public.  BACKGROUND The first Lei Day was celebrated on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei in downtown Honolulu.  Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1st, and thus began the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i.” The first Lei Queen, Nina Bowman, was crowned by Honolulu Mayor Charles Arnold in 1928. For more information about the 87th Annual Lei Court Selection Event, please visit www.honoluluparks.com, or contact Lei Day Publicity Chair Roger Watanabe at 768-3042, or rwatanabe@honolulu.gov. - END -

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02/20/15 Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project

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02/20/15 Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project February 20, 2015 Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) would like to inform drivers about lane closures for the week of February 22-28 as related to design and construction work for the Honolulu rail transit project. Motorists are advised that work along the 20-mile rail route from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center will require lane closures during non-peak traffic hours. For the safety of both the work crews and motorists, the public is advised to proceed with caution through these areas. Drivers should anticipate possible traffic delays or use alternate routes during work hours, and provide a safe distance between their vehicles and workers and equipment: EAST KAPOLEI/EWA (FARRINGTON HIGHWAY) Seven days a week through the end of March 2015 Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) to Old Fort Weaver Road The scheduled full closure of Farrington Highway this weekend between Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) and Old Fort Weaver Road Loop for guideway construction has been postponed. Information on new lane closure dates and times will be made available when the latest schedule is finalized. That section of freeway is currently open in the eastbound direction of Farrington Highway from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays. The contractor will reclose that section of highway each weeknight from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. for rail guideway construction through the end of March 2015. During the nightly closure, drivers travelling between East Kapolei and the Ewa/Waipahu region will still be able to access either end by using the H-1 Freeway or Kapolei Parkway/Geiger Road. Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) and Keahumoa Parkway The outside eastbound lane of Keahumoa Parkway will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. H-1 FREEWAY WAIAWA INTERCHANGE Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. H-1/H-2 Freeways near Leeward Community College Up to three westbound and two eastbound lanes of the H-1 Freeway approaching the H-1/H-2 merge (Waiawa Interchange) will be closed overnight next week. Rail guideway work over the H-1 Freeway is scheduled to run until 2016.  H-1 Freeway Waipahu off-ramp The westbound H-1 Waipahu off-ramp will be closed those same nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next morning.   WAIPAHU (FARRINGTON HIGHWAY) Monday through Friday lane closures Staggered lane closures will take place along the outside lanes of Farrington Highway in both directions in Waipahu for utility work between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Leoku Street to Leokane Street The westbound lanes of Farrington Highway are closed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. The inside lanes of Farrington Highway in the same area are closed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Left turns will be restricted in the westbound direction from Farrington Highway onto Leoole Street. Waipahu Depot Road to Mokuola Street The outside lanes of Farrington Highway are closed weeknights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Mokuola Street to Paiwa Street The intersection at Moloalo Street is closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Left turns from Farrington Highway onto Paiwa Street have been restored. Kahualii Street to the Kamehameha Highway overpass The eastbound lanes of Farrington Highway are closed weeknights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. H-1 Waipahu eastbound on-ramp The eastbound onramp from Farrington Highway to the H-1 Freeway is closed overnight Sunday through Thursday between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. PEARL CITY (KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY) Monday through Friday lane closures Staggered lane closures will take place along the outside lanes of Kamehameha Highway in both directions in Pearl City and Aiea for overhead utility work between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Waiawa Road to Waimano Home Road 24-hour lane closures One of the two eastbound left-turn lanes from Kamehameha Highway onto Acacia Road fronting Pearl Highlands Center is closed 24/7 until mid-2015. Eastbound U-turns will be allowed at the intersection during the work. One westbound left-turn lane and the inside westbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near the Acacia Road intersection will also be closed 24/7 through Summer 2015. Monday through Friday lane closures One westbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near Acacia Road is also closed overnight between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. with various left-turn pocket restrictions. Two eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway in the same vicinity are also closed overnight between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The intersection at Acacia Road is closed after 9 p.m. The westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway near Waiawa Road (Leeward Community College entrance) are also closed weeknights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Traffic will be contraflowed to the eastbound side of the highway. Ala Ike Street at Leeward Community College Ala Ike Street is closed weeknights near the back entrance of the campus parking lot. Kuleana Road to Kaonohi Street • Two westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed overnight between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. with various left-turn pocket restrictions. Two eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are also closed overnight between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. PEARL CITY (KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY) Monday through Friday lane closures Kuleana Road to Kaonohi Street One eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near Kuleana Road (HECO-Waiau power plant) and fronting Neal Blaisdell Park near Kaahumanu Street also remains closed 24/7 until mid-February. Alternate lane closures will take place along Kaluamoi Place off Kamehameha Highway between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. One lane will remain open at all times. Utility relocation work in area scheduled to run until mid-2015  AIEA/ALOHA STADIUM (KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY) Monday through Friday lane closures Lipoa Place to Pali Momi Street One eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near the Pearl Kai Shopping Center remains closed 24/7. Two westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. with various left-turn pocket restrictions. Two eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Intersection at Pali Momi Street closed after 9 p.m.  Pali Momi Street to Honomanu Street Two westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. with various left-turn pocket restrictions. Two eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. One eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near McGrew Point is closed 24/7 through early 2015 Intersection at Pali Momi Street closed after 9 p.m. One lane of the Moanalua Freeway on-ramp closed weeknights from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.  Near Aloha Stadium Two westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. with various left-turn pocket restrictions. Two eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway are closed between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. PEARL HARBOR/AIRPORT Monday through Friday lane closures Kamehameha Highway from Arizona Street to Makalapa Drive One eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway is closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for survey work. Kamehameha Highway and Makalapa Road/Radford Drive Intersection The right-turn lane from Kamehameha Highway onto Radford Drive is closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for utility work. Right turns will still be permitted at the intersection. Staggered lane closures will take place along Kamehameha Highway in both the eastbound and westbound directions weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for traffic camera installation work. Kamehameha Highway from Makalapa Road to Center Drive Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway are closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for utility work. The left-turn lane will be contraflowed along the median near Makalapa Road. Kamehameha Highway and Center Drive Intersection The westbound bus stop at Kamehameha Highway and Center Drive is temporarily closed on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for utility work. The outside westbound lane of Mauka Frontage Road/Kamehameha Highway near Center Drive is closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for utility work. Nimitz Highway at Aolele Street Intersection One eastbound and one westbound lane of Nimitz Highway are closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for traffic camera installation work. Nimitz Highway at Lagoon Drive Intersection One eastbound and one westbound lane of Nimitz Highway are closed weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for traffic camera installation work. For updates on work days and times, visit the project website at www.honolulutransit.org or contact our hotline at 566-2299. -END- Media Contact: Scott Ishikawa, (808) 768-6172, cell: (808) 227-2350

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02/20/15 Neighborhood Boards Digital Elections wins prestigious Harvard University Kennedy's Ash Center's Bright Idea Award

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02/20/15 Neighborhood Board Digital Elections wins prestigious Harvard University Kennedy's Ash Center's Bright Idea Award Friday, February 20, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Neighborhood Boards Digital Elections wins prestigious Harvard University Kennedy’s Ash Center’s Bright Idea Award Honolulu – The Neighborhood Board 2013 digital election has been selected by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center as a Bright Ideas recipient; part of its class of 2015 awardees. The Bright Ideas initiative grew out of the Innovations in American Government awards competition, of which the digital elections is still under consideration for. Bright Ideas serves to further highlight and promote creative government initiatives and partnerships so that government leaders, public servants, and other individuals can learn about noteworthy ideas and can adopt those initiatives that can work in their own communities. Beginning with these Bright Ideas, the Innovations Program seeks to create an open collection of innovations in order to create an online community where innovative ideas can be proposed, shared, and disseminated. Nicole Velasco, Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission, commented that “we are honored to have the pioneering work that has been done in digital elections be recognized on a national stage such as this. The ongoing 2015 Neighborhood Board elections are once again utilizing the digital voting method.” For more information on the Bright Ideas recognition program visit http://www.ash.harvard.edu/Home/Programs/Innovations-in-Government/Awards/Bright-Ideas. For more information on the Neighborhood Board and the board elections, visit www.honolulu.gov/nco. -END-

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02/19/15 Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to reopen tomorrow

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02/19/15 Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to reopen tomorrow Thursday, February 19, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to reopen tomorrow Honolulu – Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was closed today at 2:05 p.m. due to a power outage.  Hawaiian Electric restored power shortly after 3 p.m. and the preserve will reopen tomorrow morning at the usual opening time of 6 a.m.  - END -

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02/19/15 Roy K. Amemiya, Jr. confirmed as Managing Director

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02/19/15 Roy K. Amemiya, Jr. confirmed as Managing Director Thursday, February 19, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768  Roy K. Amemiya, Jr. confirmed as Managing Director Honolulu – The Honolulu City Council yesterday unanimously confirmed Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s appointment of Roy K. Amemiya, Jr. as Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu.  Amemiya began serving as Managing Director Designate on January 1, 2015, replacing Ember Shinn. Prior to being named Managing Director, Amemiya was CEO and President of 'Ōlelo Community Media from 2010 to 2015.  Roy returns to the city after leading the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services under Mayor Jeremy Harris from 1997 to 2000.  In his private sector career, Roy was Senior Vice President of Central Pacific Bank (formerly City Bank) from 2001 to 2010 and Vice President of Bank of Hawai'i from 1997 to 1996. Born and raised in Wahiawa, Amemiya went to Leilehua High School and graduated from Purdue University.  He received a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and later completed the Pacific Coast Banking School with honors. -END-

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02/19/15 Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve closed due to power outage

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02/19/15 Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve closed due to power outage Thursday, February 19, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve closed due to power outage Honolulu – Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was closed today at 2:05 p.m. due to a power outage.  Power to the preserve was lost at approximately 1:35 p.m. and staff has been working with Hawaiian Electric to restore power.  The lack of power is also affecting the upper park area (cashiers, reception, education, gift shop, restrooms), so the whole park is now closed.  An update will be issued as soon as power is restored and Hanauma Bay can be reopened.  - END -

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02/19/15 Reminder: Voter registration deadline approaching for Neighborhood Board candidates

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02/19/15 Reminder: Voter registration deadline approaching for Neighborhood Board candidates February 19, 2015 Contact:  Bryan Mick, Neighborhood Commission Office: 768-3717 REMINDER: Voter registration deadline approaching for Neighborhood Board candidates HONOLULU -- The deadline to submit completed candidate and voter registration forms for Neighborhood Board elections is this Friday, February 20, 2015. Candidates may apply: Online at www.honolulu.gov/nco In person at the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Honolulu Hale, Room 406 Residents wishing to have either form mailed to them may call 768-3717. Voter application forms may be downloaded at www.honolulu.gov/nco or by contacting the NCO. Completed candidate or voter forms must be postmarked by February 20, 2015, or can be hand delivered to the Neighborhood Commission Office at Honolulu Hale, Room 406, by 4:30 p.m. on February 20, 2015. The 2015 Neighborhood Board elections will be held in April and May of this year. At stake are 437 seats on Oahu’s 33 Neighborhood Boards, whose volunteer members hold monthly meetings and serve as advisors on community concerns. Oahu residents who voted in the 2014 state elections are pre-registered to vote in the Neighborhood Board elections. Those who did not vote, voted but changed residences since the election, or are non-citizen residents must file a voter registration form in order to vote in the 2015 Neighborhood Board elections. The Neighborhood Board system was created in 1973 to increase and assure effective citizen participation in government decision-making. More information on the elections and boards is available at www.honolulu.gov/nco. -END-

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02/18/15 Notice to Motorists: Atkinson Drive repaving to begin Feb. 23

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02/18/15 Notice to Motorists: Atkinson Drive repaving to begin Feb 23 Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768   Notice to Motorists: Atkinson Drive repaving to begin on Feb. 23     Honolulu – Work to repave Atkinson Drive will begin on Monday, February 23, 2015. The $7,667,667 project includes the reconstruction, milling and resurfacing of asphalt concrete pavements; reconstruction of curbs and gutters; tree mitigation by a qualified arborist that could include pruning, trimming, and removal; adjustment of utilities to finish grade; and installation of permanent pavement markings and vehicle loop sensors.  The project is anticipated to be completed in approximately 4 weeks.  The project work schedule will be as follows: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday  8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Saturday (night paving) 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday (paving as necessary) Motorists are reminded to observe and obey all traffic controls, posted signs, and special duty officers.  Drivers are encouraged to avoid Atkinson Drive, if possible, otherwise anticipate delays due to detours and lane and/or road closures.  Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. The contractor for the project, Road Builders Corp., is responsible for coordinating local traffic.  For night noise concerns, please call Road Builders Corp. at 351-1336.     -END-

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02/18/18 Sandy Beach parking lot resurfacing underway

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02/18/15 Sandy Beach parking lot resurfacing underway Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Sandy Beach parking lot resurfacing underway Hawai‘i Kai – A parking lot repaving project at Sandy Beach is currently underway.  To minimize impact on park visitors, the project is being undertaken in two phases. During Phase I, the entrance on the Hālona Blowhole side of the park will be closed.  Park visitors will be able to both enter and exit from the Makapu‘u driveway.  Phase I is expected to last through early March.  Phase II will begin immediately following completion of Phase I.  Both driveways are anticipated to be open to park visitors during Phase II.  The entire project is expected to be completed in mid-March.  A $300,029 contract for the project was awarded to Kailua-based H.E. Johnson Company.  The project is under the supervision of the Department of Design and Construction. -END-

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02/18/15 Mayor Caldwell mourns the loss of Mele Carroll

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02/18/15 Mayor Caldwell mourns the loss of Mele Carroll Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Mayor Caldwell mourns the loss of Mele Carroll Honolulu – Mayor Caldwell offers his condolences on the passing of former Hawai‘i State Representative Mele Carroll.     “My heart goes out to Warren Carroll and all of the family, friends, and loved ones on the loss of Mele Carroll,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell.  “While on listening tours to her East Maui district as House Majority Leader, I really got to know Mele.  She came from generations of people who understood those special and sacred lands, loved them, protected them, and shared that knowledge with others.  From her ‘Aunties from Hana’ who would call out to me, “hui, Manoa” to the warm, genuine welcome that greeted her wherever she went, Mele was truly grounded in her community.  Her heart, soul, and aloha will be missed, and I will always fondly remember Mele Carroll.” Diana “Mele” Carroll was re-elected to her sixth term representing the 13th District (East Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana’i, Kaho‘olawe, and Molokini) in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.  Mele passed away early this morning in the company of her family. -END-

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02/18/15 Mayor Caldwell applauds designation of Honouliuli as National Monument

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02/18/15 Mayor Caldwell applauds designation of Honouliuli as National Monument Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Mayor Caldwell applauds designation of Honouliuli as National Monument Honolulu – President Barack Obama will designate the Honouliuli Internment Camp as a National Monument, the White House confirmed.  Honouliuli opened in 1943 and eventually became the largest and longest-used internment camp in Hawai‘i for Japanese Americans, resident immigrants, and prisoners of war during World War II.  The facility once confined 400 civilians and 4,000 prisoners of war.   “The preservation of the Honouliuli Internment Camp as a National Monument is a proud moment for Honolulu, but also a bittersweet one,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.  “World War II internment camps are a dark segment of our nation’s history, and the Honouliuli camp still holds memories for Honolulu residents during wartime, life in the camp, and the courage and bravery that internees displayed even as their loyalty to our country was being challenged.  It is an important part of history that should always be remembered and learned from, and I want to thank the President for making this possible.  As a National Monument, Honouliuli’s significance will be forever honored.” The monument will be managed by the United States Department of the Interior’s National Park Service. -END-

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02/17/15 Traffic Advisory: Removal of mahogany tree on 16th Avenue

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02/17/15 Traffic Advisory: Removal of mahogany tree on 16th Avenue Tuesday, February 17, 2015 Media Contact: Mayor Caldwell's Press Office: 768-5768 (cell 489-0341) Traffic Advisory: Removal of mahogany tree on 16th Avenue Honolulu - On Wednesday, February 18, 2015, a tree care company retained by the City and County of Honolulu will begin removal of the mature Mahogany tree fronting 1017 16th Avenue in Kaimuki.  Municipal arborists from the city's Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) have determined that this tree warrants removal to facilitate sidewalk repair because the tree roots could not be adequately pruned without compromising the tree's stability. The work is expected to be completed by Friday, February 20, 2015.  The Waialae Avenue-bound lane near the tree will be closed and traffic diverted, with traffic control, into the Kilauea Avenue-bound lane.  If possible, please utilize alternate travel routes. -END-

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