City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/25/14 Traffic Advisory: Lane closures for Honolulu rail transit project

July 25, 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 will be closed overnight from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning for utility relocation work. Drivers traveling between East Kapolei and the Ewa/Waipahu region during the overnight closures will still be able to use either the H-1 Freeway on the north end of Kualakai Parkway, or Kapolei Parkway on the south end. That nightly detour will run until the end of August.   Left turns from Farrington Highway in Ewa onto Fort Weaver Road heading northbound will be restricted 24/7 through the end of August for column construction. Eastbound drivers using Farrington Highway will be asked to make a detour up Leoku Street to access Fort Weaver Road through either Leolua or Waipahu streets. The inside lanes of Farrington Highway and a portion of the Leoku Street intersection will also be closed during those same times.   H-1 FREEWAY WAIAWA INTERCHANGE   Two southbound lanes of the H-2 Freeway near the Waiawa Interchange (H-1/H-2 merge) will be closed overnight from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31 between 8:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. the following morning for utility work. WAIPAHU   One eastbound lane of Farrington Highway between Leokane Street and Pupukahi Street will be closed overnight from Tuesday, July 29 to Friday, August 1 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for utility work. The outside lanes of Farrington Highway in both directions in the same area will also be closed on Thursday, July 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   The outside lanes of Farrington Highway between Pupupuhi Street and Aniani Place will be closed on Wednesday, July 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   The westbound lanes of Farrington Highway between Aniani Place and Waipahu Depot Road will be closed overnight from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for utility work. The inside lanes of Farrington Highway between Waipahu Depot Road and Mokuola Street will be closed overnight from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for construction preparation work.   The outside lanes of Farrington Highway near Waipahu High School will be closed overnight from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for construction preparation work. One eastbound lane of Farrington Highway in the area will be closed on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The westbound left-turn lane pockets at the Paiwa Street and Waipio Point Access Road intersections will also be shortened 24/7 during the ongoing construction.   PEARL CITY   Two westbound lanes and two eastbound lanes along Kamehameha Highway will be closed overnight between Waiawa Road (near Leeward Community College) and Waimano Home Road from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. for utility relocation/excavation work: The intersection of Acacia Road will be closed after 9 p.m. on weeknights The outside eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway between Acacia Road and Waimano Home Road will be closed weekdays 24/7 for roadway widening work. An additional eastbound lane will be closed weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.   Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway will be closed overnight between Puu Poni Street and Kuleana Road from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. The inner eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway in the same area, including the left-turn lane at Kuleana Road, will be closed 24/7 for several weeks for utility work. One westbound lane will also be closed on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.   AIEA/ALOHA STADIUM   Two westbound and eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway between Kuleana Road and Hekaha Street will be closed overnight Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. for utility relocation work.   Eastbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway between Pali Momi Street and Honomanu Street will be closed overnight Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. for utility relocation work. Eastbound traffic during night work may be directed to temporary lane on westbound side of highway. The left eastbound lane of Kamehameha Highway between Lipoa Place and Pali Momi Street will also be closed 24 hours a day for test shaft work.   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. One westbound lane of Kamehameha Highway in the same vicinity will also be closed from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and between 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.   AIRPORT/PEARL HARBOR   Overnight lane closures will take place at the Honolulu International Airport from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning for soil testing: Left eastbound lane of Aolele Street between the Airport Post Office and Aopoko Place   KALIHI   Intermittent lane closures will take place at the following locations from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31 between 8:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. for soil testing: Various lanes of Dillingham Boulevard in both the eastbound and westbound directions between Middle Street and Alakawa Street   DOWNTOWN/KAKAAKO   Daytime lane closures will take place in Kakaako at the following location from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for soil testing: Halekauwila Street between Middle Street and Keawe Street   Queen Street between Cummins Street and Kamakee Street will be closed from Tuesday, July 29 to Thursday, July 31 between 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. for soil testing.   Overnight lane closures will take place in Kakaako at the following location from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for soil testing: Right westbound lane of Kona Street between Keeaumoku Street and Kona Iki 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 / 07/25/14 HART completes the first in a series of embossed columns

July 25, 2014   HART completes the first in a series of embossed columns         The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has completed its first embossed column as part of a series of special column designs connected with the project's station development program.   The column is one of eight that will support the guideway for the Hoopili station in East Kapolei and will feature the same pattern. All of the project's 21 stations will have patterns unique to the area's ahupua'a. The patterns are designed to tell the historic and cultural stories of each community where the stations are located.   The Hoopili embossed columns honor the natural elements that nourished the agricultural lands and the story of the Honouliuli ahupua'a. The pattern depicts the flow of wind, coral representing the foundation and the area's beginnings, sea salt beds, and the symbolic first planting of the ulu tree that grew plentiful in this area. The design also incorporates rain and the sun as it rises over Puuokapolei, which marked the seasons for planting and harvesting crops.   "These columns are designed to reflect the richness of the history and the culture of the ahupuaa along the rail route," said HART Executive Director and CEO Dan Grabauskas. "These columns are just one of many things that will make our system unique."   The embossed column designs were done by local architect and designer Daniel Kanekuni with WCIT Architecture.       -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 / 07/25/14 HART receives $49.5 million in GET revenue for rail construction

July 25, 2014   HART receives $49.5 million in GET revenue for rail construction     The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) received $49.5 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 March through June of this year.   "We now have collected nearly $1.3 billion in surcharge revenue for rail construction," said HART Executive Director and CEO Dan Grabauskas. "The local funding revenue and the $1.55 billion in secured federal funding show the financial picture for our project remains strong."   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 / 07/25/14 Second annual Ready 2 React disaster preparedness event this Saturday at Pearlridge Center

July 25, 2014 Contact:  John M Cummings III, Public Information Officer - 808-723-8938 Cell or Deborah Sharkey, Makana Communications, 808-349-8221 Cell   Second annual Ready 2 React disaster preparedness event this Saturday at Pearlridge Center   PEARLRIDGE— More than 25 city, state, federal and non-governmental agencies will converge at Pearlridge Center this Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the second annual Ready 2 React emergency preparedness event.   Ready 2 React will bring preparedness experts together face-to-face with the public to help prepare residents for emergencies or disasters that may affect Oahu.   "Last year's Ready 2 React was well received by attendees, and we are happy Pearlridge Center has partnered with us once again," said Melvin Kaku, City and County of Honolulu Director of Emergency Management.  "This event is an outstanding opportunity to speak to experts in the field of disaster preparedness.  It will also be a fun filled day for the entire family."   The public will have an opportunity to speak with emergency professionals at the center courts of both Pearlridge Uptown and Downtown to discuss preparedness planning and see the latest in disaster training, emergency supplies, and amateur radio communications.  In addition, children will enjoy the emergency vehicles displayed at the Toys "R" Us parking lot.   Some of the organizations at the center courts will be: The American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, U.S. National Weather Service, National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Heart Foundation, U.S. Coast Guard, State of Hawaii Civil Defense, State of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and many others.   Emergency vehicles parked on display will include an aircraft tug and Humvee from the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, the Honolulu Police Department mobile command vehicle, Honolulu Fire Department ladder truck, American Red Cross emergency-response vehicle, and vehicles from the Hawaii Army National Guard 93rd Civilian Support Team (CST).   Ready 2 React is presented by Pearlridge Center, Aiea and Pearl City area elected officials, the City and County of Honolulu, and the Department of Emergency Management.   For more information on Ready 2 React please visit the Pearlridge Center website at www.pearlridgeonline.com, or call the City Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 or email at dem@honolulu.gov.   - END-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/25/14 Traffic Advisory: Sewer Work July 28-Aug. 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, July 25, 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 28 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM: 1526 Alexander St / (85-984) Mill St. July 29 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM: Wilder Ave & Metcalf St / (85-970) Farrington Hwy. July 30 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM: 2039 Metcalf St / 2017 Metcalf St / (86-026) Ala Poka St. July 31 (Pipe Liner) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM: Dole St & Metcalf St / 1946 Metcalf St. July 28-29 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM:  1526-1534 Alexander St / Dole St & Metcalf St. July 28 - Aug 1 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM:  2361 Jennie St / 2004-2006 Hunnewell St. July 30 - Aug 1 (Pipe Repair) - 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM:  1616-1628 Martin St / 2110-2120 Kahaha St.   URL:  Sewer Projects Construction Map   -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/22/14 ENV Responds to Sewer Overflow in Palolo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Media Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV PIO, (808) 768-3454     ENV Responds to Sewer Overflow in Palolo   HONOLULU – The City's Department of Environmental Services late last night to a sanitary sewer overflow in Palolo.   ENV received the call Monday at 9:10 p.m. and arrived at the site at 10:30 p.m. Crews were unable to release the blockage because they were unable to access a manhole downstream due to private construction.  The spill is intermittent.   Tricycle parts, clothes, rocks and sticks clogged a sewer pipe at 2171 Ahe Street in Palolo sending an unknown (at this time) volume of untreated wastewater out a manhole and into Palolo Stream.   The state Department of Health was notified.  ENV is posting warning signs and taking water samples.                                                    -30-

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 07/20/14 ENV Responds to Sewer Overflow at Kaneohe PTF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday, July 20, 2014 Media Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV PIO, 768-3454     ENV Responds to Sewer Overflow at Kaneohe PTF   HONOLULU – The City's Department of Environmental Services responded early this morning to a sanitary sewer overflow at the Kaneohe Pretreatment Facility (PTF).   The event is estimated to have occurred between 3:00-4:30 a.m.   Kawa Stream overflowed its banks and flooded between 3-5 feet of water at the Kawa Pump Station and road in back of the PTF, co-mingling and overflowing manholes that eventually flowed to the Kawa and Kaneohe stream fencelines.  Crews are unable to estimate mixed flows into the streams at this time.                                                                 ENV crews will clean, disinfect and deodorize when the area dries out.  State Department of Health has been notified.  Warning signs and water sampling is underway.                                                    -30-