City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project

May 2, 2014   Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project     The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) would like to inform drivers about lane closures next week 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.     EWA   Farrington Highway between Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) and Old Fort Weaver Road has been reopened to the public. HART wants to thank the drivers for their patience during the road closure. Motorists using that stretch of Farrington Highway will still need to negotiate a slight detour along Old Fort Weaver Road fronting Kahi Mohala while work continues in that area.   H-1 WAIAWA INTERCHANGE   Crews will be working next week within the H-1 Freeway median at the Waiawa Interchange (H-1/H-2 merge near Leeward Community College) from Sunday, May 4 to Thursday, May 8 between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. the following morning as part of preparation work for rail construction in the area later this year. One left eastbound lane of the H-1 Freeway in that vicinity will be closed overnight during those work days and hours. The contractor will temporarily close a second H-1 Freeway lane after 9 p.m. for approximately four hours to move construction equipment out of the median area.   WAIPAHU   One lane of Farrington Highway in both directions between the Kunia Road overpass and Pupukahi Street will be closed overnight from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. the following morning for utility relocation work. Westbound lanes of Farrington Highway between Leoku and Leokane streets will also be closed Tuesday, May 6 during those same hours.   The inside lanes of Farrington Highway and the intersection of Aniani Place fronting Waipahu Intermediate School will be closed overnight from Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. for utility relocation work.   One westbound lane of Farrington Highway and the intersection of Waipahu Depot Road will be closed overnight from Tuesday, May 6 to Thursday, May 8 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for utility relocation work.   Alternating lane closures will take place overnight between the inside and outside lanes of Farrington Highway near Mokuola Street fronting the Waipahu Civic Center from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.   Alternating lane closures will take place overnight between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Farrington Highway near Kahualii Street fronting Waipahu High School from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. the following morning for utility relocation work.   PEARL CITY   The right westbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near the intersection of Acacia Road fronting Pearl Highlands Center will be closed 24 hours a day until 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 5 for roadway widening and bus pad concrete work. For safety reasons, U-turns from the eastbound direction of Kamehameha Highway at that intersection will be restricted during the 24/7 lane closure.   Overnight lane closures will take place along Kamehameha Highway between Waimano Home Road and Kuala Street from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. for utility relocation work: Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway will be closed during those hours.   Overnight lane closures will take place along Kamehameha Highway between Kuleana Road and Puu Poni Street near the HECO-Waiau power plant from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. for utility relocation work: Two westbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway will be closed during these hours. Westbound traffic will be diverted to a temporary lane along Kamehameha Highway from 8 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. the following morning. Eastbound and westbound left turns from Kamehameha Highway at the intersection of Kuleana Road, along with U-turns, will also be restricted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   AIEA/ALOHA STADIUM   Lane closures will take place along Kamehameha Highway between Hekaha and Kanuku streets near Best Buy: The left eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway between Hekaha and Kanuku streets will be closed 24 hours a day until late May.   Lane closures will take place along Kamehameha Highway between Lipoa Place and Pali Momi Street near Pearl Kai Shopping Center for test shaft work: The left eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway between Lipoa Place and Pali Momi Street will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One westbound lane of Kamehameha Highway in the same vicinity will also be closed from Monday, May 5 to Sunday, May 11 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.   The right eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway between the Moanalua Freeway on-ramp and Salt Lake Boulevard will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week for roadway widening and installation of utility lines for traffic signals and cameras.   DOWNTOWN/KAKAAKO   Lane closures will take place this weekend in Kakaako on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 between 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. for soil testing: Left eastbound shoulder of Halekauwila Street between Richards Street and Punchbowl Street Halekauwila Street will be closed in both directions between Punchbowl Street and South Street. Drivers are asked to use Pohukaina Street as a detour during those hours.   Overnight lane closures will take place in downtown Honolulu from Sunday, May 4 to Thursday, May 8 between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. for soil testing: Left lanes of Nimitz Highway in both eastbound and westbound directions between Sumner Street and Punchbowl Street.   Daytime weekday lane closures will take place in Kakaako next week at the following locations for soil testing: Left lanes of Queen Street in both the eastbound and westbound directions between Cummins Street and Waimanu Street from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Westbound lane of Pohukaina Street between Keawe Street and South Street from Monday, May 5 to Wednesday, May 7 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.   Overnight lane closures will take place in Kakaako from Sunday, May 4 to Thursday, May 8 between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. for soil testing: Right westbound lane of Halekauwila Street between Richards Street and Punchbowl Street Right eastbound lane of Halekauwila Street between Punchbowl Street and South Street   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.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 Bike Month highlights Mayor Caldwell's bicycling initiative

Friday, May 2, 2014 Contact: Jesse Broder Van Dyke, 768-6928   Bike Month highlights Mayor Caldwell's bicycling initiative       Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell has proclaimed May 2014 to be Bike Month in the City & County of Honolulu.  This year, Bike Month holds increased significance because Mayor Caldwell has made bicycling a major priority for the island.    Mayor Caldwell has proposed $1.4 million in the upcoming budget to improve biking infrastructure, most notably with a protected bike lane on South King Street, from the Alapai Transit Center to University Avenue.  Bike lanes or sharrows are being created on both sides of Waialae Avenue, from Saint Louis Drive to 17th Avenue, as Kaimuki's main thoroughfare is resurfaced.  Last weekend the Ala Wai Canal bicycle and walking path was reopened after being closed since 2006.    The city's first Fixit stand, which has an air pump, bike stand, and several tools for bike maintenance and minor repairs, was recently installed at the mauka entrance of the Fasi Municipal Building.   The city is embracing bicycling like never before and it's just the beginning.  Honolulu's new bike infrastructure will help accommodate the 1,700 bikes that will be available for use at 180 bikeshare stations in urban Honolulu by late 2015.  The city teamed up with the state, cycling advocates, local businesses, and community organizations to support Bikeshare Hawaii, a nonprofit formed to implement and operate the initiative.   As part of Bike Month festivities, the Hawaii Bicycling League is hosting a variety of events, including Bike to Work Day.  On May 16, Mayor Caldwell and thousands of people around Oahu will strap on their helmets and hit the streets as part of Bike to Work Day and on May 18, the city will sponsor its annual Bike to the Zoo Day.  A complete list of Bike Month activities can be found at www.hbl.org/biketowork.    -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 HART receives $61.7 million in GET revenue for rail project

May 2, 2014   HART receives $61.7 million in GET revenue for rail project   The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) received $61.7 million in General Excise and Use Tax (GET) surcharge revenue this past quarter for construction of the Honolulu rail project.   The State Department of Taxation notified HART of the recent GET quarterly revenue installment, which covers the period of January through March of this year.   "We now have a total of $1.25 billion in surcharge revenue collected for rail," said HART Executive Director and CEO Dan Grabauskas. "Strong GET surcharge revenue, along with the $1.55 billion in secured federal funding is keeping us on the right track to deliver the project on budget."   HART Board Chairman Ivan Lui-Kwan said he was pleased with the continued local revenue flow for the project, as well as the secured federal funding. "During our recent trip to Washington D.C., Hawaii's congressional delegation and other key lawmakers expressed their continued support for this important project through the federal Full Funding Grant Agreement between the city and Federal Transportation Administration," Lui-Kwan said.   Mayor Kirk Caldwell said, "Construction of the rail system is moving forward and this shows the project's financing is sound. Each GET installment moves us that much closer to delivering the rail system and providing much-needed traffic relief."   "On our trip to Washington D.C. last month, we were reassured that federal funding for this project is on track. This latest report on the GET surcharge revenue is further evidence that continued construction of the rail system is financially secure," said City Council Chairman Ernest Martin.   The half-percent GET surcharge for Oahu, which by law can only be used for Honolulu's rail system, began in January 2007 and is set to expire at the end of 2022. The surcharge is estimated to fund nearly 70 percent of the project's cost, with the remaining balance to be paid for with federal funds.   -END-   Media Contact: Jeanne Mariani-Belding. (808) 768-6145. cell: (808) 489-2530

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 Mayor Caldwell signs Waimalu zoning approval into law

May 2, 2014 Contact: Jesse Broder Van Dyke, 768-6928   Mayor Caldwell signs Waimalu zoning approval into law   Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed into law yesterday Bill 68 (2013) to rezone land in Waimalu.  This is the zoning approval the for Live Work Play 'Aiea development.    The $766 million, 14-acre project that will include up to 1,500 residential units in five towers on the former Kamehameha Drive-In Theater site will be the city's first catalytic Transit Oriented Development project along the rail route.  Live Work Play 'Aiea will be a mixed-use sustainable community that will incorporate residential units, offices, restaurants, retail shops, a neighborhood market, and public spaces to create an "Urban Village."   Following yesterday's action, Mayor Caldwell and the developer, Robertson Property Group, have 30 days to sign the development agreement.  Grading and building permits must still be applied for and approved.   -END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 Traffic Advisory: Sewer Work May 5-9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 2, 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 contractors will conduct sewer pipe work on the following dates and locations:   May 6 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 v - 3:30 pm: 830 7th Ave / 810 7th Ave. May 8 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm: 741 9th Ave / 845 Luawai St. May 9 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm: 733 Luakaha St. May 5-9 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm: 2275-2308 Dole St / 177 Puiwa Rd / 1534 Kalihi St. May 5-9 (CCTV/Cleaning) - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm: 212 Aeloa St / 163 Halaulani St / 311-315 Mahalani St / 312-320 Lolopua St / 105 Waikalua Rd / 33 Holowai Pl / 437 Makalani St / 631 Puuluna Pl / Pahikaua St & Pouhanuu Pl / Namoku St & Puali St / 205 Kokokahi Pl /277 Kokokahi Pl / 79 Kaneohe Bay Dr / Kaneohe Bay Dr & Likeke Pl / 756-766 Kaneohe Bay Dr / 12-72 Kaimalu Way / 685 Iris Pl.   URL:  Sewer Projects Construction Map     -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/01/14 More jobs on the horizon: HART's Industry Day provides information about upcoming work on the rail project

May 1, 2014   More jobs on the horizon: HART's Industry Day provides information about upcoming work on the rail project   More than 250 representatives from 135 companies are expected to attend the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's (HART) Industry Day on Monday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Honolulu Country Club located at 1690 Ala Puumalu Street in Salt Lake.   The event, sponsored in partnership with Move O'ahu Forward and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, is designed to bring large prime contractors together with local companies, and to provide the latest information about upcoming construction contracts that will be put out for bid in the coming months. This is the second time HART has held Industry Day, which encourages local companies to participate in the construction of the rail transit project.   Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Honolulu City Council Chair Ernest Martin, HART Board Chairman Ivan Lui-Kwan and HART Executive Director and CEO Dan Grabauskas will open the event at 9 a.m., followed by an update on rail construction opportunities and a question-and-answer session.   "Industry Day is an excellent way for local contractors to connect with us and with other contractors to learn about upcoming contracts for work on the rail project," Grabauskas said. "It is one of several ways to encourage broad participation and to create local job opportunities within the project."   Scheduled exhibitors at next week's event include: Ansaldo Honolulu; Kiewit; Building Industry Association of Hawaii; City & County of Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services and Offices of Business Development and Economic Development; the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprises program; and the U.S. Small Business Administration.   -END-   Media Contacts: Jeanne Mariani-Belding, HART: (808) 768-6145, cell: (808) 489-2530 Lori Abe, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii: (808) 282-4398

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 04/30/14 New document requirements for driver's license and fee changes for state identification cards to take effect on May 1

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Contact: Christian Hellum, Department of Customer Services 768-3496     New document requirements for driver's licenses and fee changes for state identification cards to take effect on May 1   Honolulu – In accordance with State Department of Transportation Rules, the City and County of Honolulu will begin the implementation of new regulations governing the issuance of driver's licenses at its Drivers License offices, effective May 1, 2014.  Additionally, new fee changes for state identification (ID) cards will also go into effect on May 1.   The requirements for supporting evidence to accompany applications for a driver's license in Hawaii will now become identical to the document requirements in place for state identification cards.   As a result, in addition to satisfying requirements for documenting the applicant's legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the United States and social security number, those seeking to obtain a Hawaii driver's license will also be required to present two forms of proof of principal residence in Hawaii. These include bank, or agency-issued documents mailed to a resident's principal residence, such as utility bills (electric, water, sewer, cable TV), vehicle registration or title, current driver license, voter registration, property tax assessment form, student identification card, and medical insurance cards, among others.   "Similar requirements for supporting documents have already been in effect for obtaining a State ID card, said Sheri Kajiwara, Director of the city's Customer Services Department. "Internal staff training and public information efforts are ongoing as there are many individual circumstances to be addressed. We highly recommend that those seeking a Hawaii driver's license take the time to understand the document requirements, before going down to a Drivers License office."   Names shown on all certified or original documents must be identical.  In the event names do not match, such as may result from a name change due to marriage, the marriage certificate, or other government-issued document proving the name change must also be submitted with the application.  For a more detailed list of acceptable documents, residents are encouraged to visit http://www1.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle/dlrequirements.htm   The new regulations are part of a broader implementation by the Department of Homeland Security of the Real ID Act of 2005, which requires Hawaii and all other states to comply with strict rules before issuing a driver license or state identification card.    Also simplifying the program, the fee for both state IDs and driver licenses is set at $5 per year. State ID cards are issued with an eight-year term of validity, regardless of the age of the applicant, for a $40 charge.  Driver's licenses are issued for different periods depending on age groups. Duplicate cards incur a $6 charge for all.   - END -