City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/11/12 HFD Recommends Disposing Your Holiday Tree Immediately

HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS DISPOSING YOUR HOLIDAY TREE IMMEDIATELY   (Wed., January 11, 2012)—Now that the holidays are over and decorations are being put away, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) encourages you to remove and recycle your natural holiday tree as soon as possible.      "A dry holiday tree is a serious fire hazard.  While the tree itself won't start a fire, it is a fuel source that burns very fast and hot and can cause a fire to spread rapidly," said Fire Chief Kenneth Silva.  "An outdoors holiday tree fire can send flames, heat, and smoke billowing into a structure, thus endangering lives and property."   The HFD offers the following tips to help reduce the risk of a holiday tree fire:   ·       Never burn a holiday tree or tree clippings in a fireplace.  This is likely to deposit highly flammable creosote in the chimney and may cause a fire to extend to the rest of your home.   ·       Never burn a holiday tree in a bonfire.  The pitch in the wood is likely to generate big, fast-moving sparks, which can spread a fire.  Remember, rubbish fires are illegal.  Other open burnings, such as bonfires, require the Fire Chief's approval.                                                                                        Do not leave your holiday tree outside for a long period of time.  Someone may be tempted to ignite the tree, which will endanger life and property. Place your tree at the curb on your green waste collection day or drop it off at the nearest City Convenience Center or composting facility.  For more information, visit www.opala.org.   -30-   CONTACT:  Fire Captain Terry Seelig, Public Information Officer, 808-723-7117

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/11/12 Mayor Carlisle Declares Jan. 18 'Hire Our Heroes Day'

MAYOR CARLISLE DECLARES JAN. 18 'HIRE OUR HEROES DAY' (Wed., Jan. 11, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle has signed a proclamation declaring January 18 "Hire Our Heroes Day," in support of a major job fair and a U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative to help veterans and military spouses find employment. "Veterans are disciplined, project-focused and team players," Carlisle said. "They have the attitudes and skills that make them valuable employees." Hire Our Heroes will be the main focus of Job Quest, Hawaii's oldest and largest job fair. Recruiters from over 125 local businesses, mainland organizations, military branches and government agencies will be accepting applications for available jobs on Wednesday, January 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center. The mission of Hire Our Heroes is twofold: To make employers aware of opportunities to hire disciplined, well-trained men and women who have honorably served their country, and to welcome our soldiers home by helping them transition to the civilian workforce. As part of this effort, tax breaks for employers who hire veterans have been increased. Admission to the job fair will be free to military veterans. General admission will be $3; students and seniors with valid identification will be admitted for $1. Attendees should dress appropriately for a job interview, bring multiple copies of their resumes, and have positive attitudes. Job-seekers can pre-register at www.successhi.com and follow on Facebook at WorkForce/JobQuest Hawaii. The event is sponsored by Oahu WorkLinks, ALTRES Staffing and Success Advertising and presented in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the job fair, please contact Rolanse Crisafulli, Department of Community Services at 768-5607. -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/10/12 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Schedule

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE   (Tues., January 10, 2012) — City government offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal and state holiday.   Emergency ambulance, fire, lifeguard and police services will be available. The People's Open Markets will not be held. Parks, municipal golf courses, botanical gardens and the Honolulu Zoo will be open. Regular refuse collections will be made and refuse convenience centers will be open. City buses will operate on a state holiday schedule.  (For more information, go to http://www.thebus.org/ ) The Handi-Vans will operate as usual.   These traffic and parking regulations will be in effect: On-street parking will be free, except for the meters on Kalakaua Avenue along Kapiolani Park. Parking will be permitted in tow away zones as allowed on holidays. Traffic lanes will not be coned for contra flow.   -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/09/2012 HART Awards Design Contract for Airport Section of Rail Transit Route

HART AWARDS DESIGN CONTRACT FOR AIRPORT SECTION OF HONOLULU RAIL TRANSIT ROUTE   (Mon, January 9, 2012) — The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has awarded a $38.8 million contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to design the rail transit project's airport section of the elevated rail guideway.   AECOM is responsible for the design of the 5.2-mile portion of the rail guideway from Aloha Stadium to the Middle Street Transit Center in Kalihi. The company was given notice to proceed on the contract and is required to finish the design work by Spring 2013.   Following the scheduled completion of AECOM's design work, a separate construction contract will be put out to bid for the airport section of the elevated guideway. Future contracts will also be awarded for the design and construction of rail stations along that particular segment of the rail route at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu International Airport, Lagoon Drive and Middle Street.   "With construction already underway along the first half of the rail route, the design contract for the airport portion of the rail guideway will keep us on schedule in building the entire rail system in a timely manner," said Toru Hamayasu, HART's interim executive director and CEO.   Subcontractors for the contract, including some locally-based, include KSF Inc. Structural Engineering, Wilson Okamoto Corp., Yogi Kwong Engineers LLC, Geolabs, Inc., Group 70 International Inc., PBR Hawaii & Associates Inc., Scientific Consultant Services Inc., and T.Y. Lin Associates.   The 20-mile rail transit system from East Kapolei to Ala Moana is expected to open in 2019.   ###   Media Contact: Scott Ishikawa, (808) 768-6172 cell: (808) 227-2350.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/08/12 State To Implement Legal Presence Act Requirements For Hawaii Driver Licenses In March

State to Implement Legal Presence Act Requirements for Hawaii Driver Licenses in March (Sun., January 8, 2012)—In accordance to Act 28 of the 2010 state legislative session, the state Department of Transportation and all counties will require proof of "legal presence" for all persons applying for, renewing or reinstating Hawaii driver licenses or learner's permits beginning on March 5, 2012. Beginning Monday, March 5, 2012, proof of "legal presence" will be required for driver licenses and learner's permits throughout Hawaii. The state Department of Transportation (DOT) and all county Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits Divisions will implement the Legal Presence Act requirements in accordance to Act 28 of the 2010 state Legislative session. This is a major component of the federally mandated REAL ID Act of 2005 that will affect driver licensing requirements statewide.   Proof of "legal presence" will be required of all individuals renewing, reinstating and applying for a Hawaii driver's license or learner's permit. Existing permit holders must also comply with requirements before passing their road tests. These requirements apply to all U.S. citizens and foreign-born "In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the new requirements passed by Congress are intended to strengthen the reliability of state-issued identification and to make it much more difficult for criminals to commit I.D. fraud," said DOT Spokesman Dan Meisenzahl.  "At some point in the near future, all U.S. citizens will need a compliant Real ID for air travel within the United States. We have to make sure Hawaii and its residents are prepared."   Individuals must provide a valid or certified copy of their Social Security card. In addition, to demonstrate legal presence, the Drivers Licensing Offices will also require at least one of the following documents: A valid, un-expired U.S. passport An original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a state Department of Health or equivalent agency in the individual's state of birth A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DL-1350 or FS-545 A valid, un-expired permanent resident card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Form I-551 A certificate of naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Form N-550 A certificate of citizenship issued by the DHS, Form N-560 A valid U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (DOD ID DD-2) A valid foreign passport with Visa and I-94 issued by Customs and Border Protection, DHS Additional requirements may apply. For instance, married women who have changed their last names must also provide a valid or certified copy of their marriage licenses.   In conjunction with implementation of the Legal Presence Act, Hawaii will be issuing temporary licenses, and upon completion of all verifications, the plastic license will be mailed. If there are no subsequent issues that come up after the initial processing, applicants should receive their plastic licenses within two weeks of the date that they applied.   A full list of the Legal Presence Act requirements and frequently asked questions can be found at www.hawaii.gov/dot by clicking on the legal presence banner. Links to the site are available on all four county websites.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/06/12 Enforcement Of Stored Property Ordinance Begins

ENFORCEMENT OF STORED PROPERTY ORDINANCE BEGINS (Fri., Jan. 6, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced that the City has begun enforcing the Stored Property Ordinance, formerly known as Bill 54, which allows the removal of personal property left on sidewalks, in parks, or on other public sites. Starting from December 30, 2011, in response to complaints, the City notified several property owners in Mililani that basketball hoop structures placed on public sidewalks were in violation of the ordinance. All owners promptly removed the structures.  Throughout January, the City will provide notice that personal property stored in and around public areas where complaints have been generated must be removed. The City's goal is to obtain voluntary compliance with the ordinance. Property that is not removed from public sites by owners within 24 hours of notification will be removed by the City. Property left within parks during closure hours is subject to immediate removal. Owners may reclaim removed property within 30 days.   -30- Media contact: Jim Fulton, Mayor's Office, 768-6928.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 01/06/12 Night Work Lane Closures on Dillingham Blvd

NIGHT WORK  LANE CLOSURES AND SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION - DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD FROM ALAKAWA STREET TO NORTH KING STREET (Fri., Jan. 6, 2012)—Contractors will begin working on improvements at four bus stops along Dillingham Boulevard, starting from Alakawa Street heading town-bound (east) to North King Street. Work will begin the week of January 9, 2012 and will be completed by January 25, 2012.   The work will close the sidewalk area fronting each bus stop, and pedestrians will be detoured to the opposite side of Dillingham Boulevard.         Daytime work hours are from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and will resume in the evening, starting from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.  There will be nightly lane closures in both directions. Temporary bus stop signs and locations will be posted at each bus stop.  Special duty police officers will direct traffic at affected intersections. Bus stop improvement work will include demolition and pouring of new concrete sidewalks, curb, gutter, asphalt, and bus shelter relocation.        Schedules are as follows:    1)    Bus Stop #4253 at  Dillingham Boulevard and Alakawa Street (east bound): Start 1/9/2012; complete 1/13/2012  2)    Bus stop # 441 Dillingham Blvd. & King St. (west bound): start 1/9/2012; complete 1/17/2012 3)    Bus stop # 0590 Dillingham Blvd. & King St. (East Bound): start 1/9/2012; complete 1/17/2012 4)    Bus Stop # 0589 Dillingham Blvd. & OPP Akepo Ln. (east bound): start 1/18/2012; complete 1/25/2012          During the closure, motorists are encouraged to avoid this section of Dillingham Boulevard and to use alternate routes.  North King Street and Nimitz highway are suggested alternatives.  For more bus information please see www.thebus.org or call 848-5555.   -30-