City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/17/12 City Unveils Electronic Permit Review Process

CITY UNVEILS ELECTRONIC PERMIT REVIEW PROCESS (Tues., July 17, 2012)— Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced that the City has begun implementation of "ePlans," a program to electronically review building permit plans, which will save taxpayers time and money, dramatically reduce paper consumption, and provide a more transparent and efficient permitting process.             "The City continues to use technology to improve the services we provide to the public," said Mayor Carlisle. "The ePlans system will eliminate the need to visit the permit counter, which will save applicants time, parking, and gasoline. It will also eliminate the need to provide multiple sets of plans and make this process much more environmentally sustainable."             The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) launched the ePlans program as part of its on-going efforts to improve the permit and plan review process. The program is expected to transform a century-old process of hard copy plan review with a set of computer-based tools and services using web-based computer systems for electronic file submission and plan review mark-up process. Comments and mark-ups of plans will be accessible and stored online to allow applicants and contractors to interact with the City electronically.              "We are capitalizing on DPP's on-line permitting capabilities and ePlans is the next big step in making the permitting process more efficient and transparent," said DPP Director David Tanoue. "Plus, it's much greener and eliminates the need for the department to manage and store thousands of sets of plans."             The City completed the program design and training of staff in mid-June and is in its final stages of testing the system by processing permit applications and plans with a handful of engineering, planning, and architectural firms. Companies participating in the testing include Structural Hawaii Inc., Arthur Mori & Associates Inc., Group 70 International, and Walter P. Thompson Inc. Responses to the ePlans program from these companies have been positive throughout the testing phase. The ePlans system is being used for residential and commercial building permits and for subdivision permits. Other permit types will be added later this year.              The ePlans software is known as ProjectDox, from Avolve Software Corporation of Scottsdale, Arizona, a leader in the development of paperless, electronic filing software products.  The product was integrated with the City's permit tracking software known as POSSE, provided by Computronix, the provider of the City's permit management system. The integration of these products results in full tracking of permit applications and plan reviews, which allow customers to be kept informed of their permit application status.             "Deploying an electronic plan submission and review system is a testament to intelligent city planning and represents a critical step forward for the City and County of Honolulu in its pursuit of sustainable practices, greater efficiency and its commitment to excellent service delivery," said Ron Loback, President and CEO at Avolve Software. "This technology eliminates the physical barriers that slow plan review and approval for local, Mainland U.S. and global customers, streamlining economic growth and development. We're excited to be a part of Honolulu's digital transformation and the ongoing, positive impact that it brings."             More information, including a demonstration guide, can by found on the department's website: www.honoluludpp.org. Companies interested in submitting permit plans electronically can contact DPP at info@honoluludpp.org to be added as a participant. Starting in September, the ePlans program will be opened to all applicants and the public. Customers can still choose to use the existing paper system, but DPP will transition to electronic filing in the near future. -30- Media contact: Curtis Lum, DPP Public Information Officer, 768-8284.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/16/12 Status Update Regarding City Bus Services

STATUS UPDATE REGARDING CITY BUS SERVICES (Mon., July 16, 2012)—The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) today announced that it will increase bus service to assist riders affected by the State Department of Education (DOE) cutting back its school bus service. The increased City bus service will begin Monday, July 30, 2012 on the following routes: ·        Route 41 (Kapolei – Ewa Beach) ·        Route 44 (Ewa Villages/Ewa Beach – Waipahu) ·        Route 53 (Pacific Palisades – Honolulu) ·        Route 73 (Leeward Community College – Pearl City) Federal rules prohibit the City from providing bus service exclusively for school service, but DTS may increase bus service in areas where students will most likely ride City buses. DTS is targeting areas where ridership is expected to increase due to the DOE's termination of certain school bus services. "By utilizing projected fuel cost savings, we are proactively working to ensure that students along with our regular riders won't be stranded when school starts later this month," said Wayne Y. Yoshioka, DTS director. "Hopefully, this will bridge the gap until the DOE can formulate a more permanent solution to their school bus problem."             DTS has also made the following updates at minimal cost in response to feedback from riders about recent City bus route and schedule changes: ·        Route 2 (Middle Street – Waikiki): Adjusted schedule to address overcrowding; reformulating Route 2A to serve King/Beretania in Downtown ·        Route C (Makaha – Ala Moana): Adjusted schedule to address overcrowding and transfer coordination ·        Route 55 (Honolulu – North Shore): Altered start point to provide early buses in the Kahaluu-Heeia area; larger, articulated buses to address off-peak overcrowding ·        Route 65 (Kaneohe – Honolulu): Working with Kahaluu community to refine route terminus ·        Route 14 (St. Louis – Waialae):  Will alter Route 22 to serve Diamond Head/Kahala Avenue currently served by 14; will alter Route 24 to serve Puu Panini/22nd Avenue currently served by 14; and still working with St. Louis Heights and Maunalani Heights communities on final route The City will continue to monitor routes impacted by these recent changes and update them as practicable. Many riders have already provided comments and as a result, certain suggestions have been incorporated. DTS continues to listen to riders and actively address issues that have been identified. To provide specific route feedback, e-mail DTS at TheBusStop@honolulu.gov or call 768-8365 during business hours. Increased labor costs and fuel cost projections during the City's budget cycle led to the implementation of certain service changes on June 3. These changes were necessary to avoid increasing bus fares, and to manage operations efficiently. Changes focused on off-peak time periods. Peak period bus service was mostly left unchanged. DTS conducted extensive outreach prior to the June 3 implementation and continues to speak to community groups and riders in preparation for additional route changes scheduled in August. -30- Contact: Department of Transportation Services Director Wayne Y. Yoshioka 768-8303

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/13/2012 Traffic Advisory: Section of Old Farrington Highway In Ewa To Close For Rail Project Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                           July 13, 2012   TRAFFIC ADVISORY: SECTION OF OLD FARRINGTON HIGHWAY           IN EWA TO CLOSE FOR RAIL PROJECT WORK   The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) wants to inform drivers that Old Farrington Highway between Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) and Old FortWeaver Road Loop will be closed 24 hours a day for approximately two weeks beginning the evening of Wednesday, July 18 as part of utility relocation work related to the rail project.   The road closure is needed to allow the project contractor to relocate a 30-inch water line along Old Farrington Highway just west of the Kahi Mohala Behavioral Center. The 24-hour closure will take place from July 18 to August 2.   Traffic in both directions of Old Farrington Highway will be detoured to either the H-1 Freeway or other nearby roadways. Drivers travelling between East Kapolei and the Ewa/Waipahu region will still be able to access either side by using either Kapolei Parkway or Geiger Road on the south end of Kualakai Parkway, or the H-1 Freeway on the north end.   Motorists will still be able to access the Kahi Mohala facility during the two-week detour. Roadside electronic message boards will notify drivers about the upcoming road closure. Contractor Kiewit InfrastructureWest Co. is coordinating with TheBus in relocating bus stops along the affected section of Old Farrington Highway and in ensuring local employees and business traffic can continue to access the area.   Motorists who routinely use Old Farrington Highway should provide themselves extra time for their commute. For updates on construction work days and times, visit the project website at www.honolulutransit.org or contact our hotline at 566-2299.                                                                               # # #   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 / 07/03/2012 Honolulu's Kokua Wireless Named A Top World Innovation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 July 3, 2012   HONOLULU'S KOKUA WIRELESS NAMED A TOP WORLD INNOVATION   (Tues., July 3, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today said he is very pleased that Honolulu's Kokua Wireless free internet access initiative has been named one of the world's 100 most innovative and inspiring urban infrastructure projects. The City will soon expand free WiFi access to Ala Moana and Kapiolani parks through a private grant.   "Free municipal wireless internet access is helping Honolulu become a smart, informed, fun, modern City," Carlisle said. "We're very proud to be on the cutting edge of urban infrastructure."   Kokua Wireless was one of 14 U.S. projects cited in KPMG International's second edition of "Infrastructure 100: World Cities Edition," a comprehensive report showcasing 100 innovative projects across the globe.   According to KPMG, the report provides a look into projects that make great cities, with a particular focus on innovations that make them "Cities of the Future," – places where people want to live and do business.   The Kokua Wireless initiative began in 2005, when technology entrepreneur Aryn Nakaoka, president of Tri-Net Solutions Honolulu, and Gordon Bruce, Chief Information Officer of the City and County of Honolulu, launched the idea of businesses sharing their internet access via antennas. The scheme quickly gained momentum by word of mouth and now has nearly 200 nodes. In exchange for participation, businesses receive free advertising. Every 30 minutes, the internet connection is refreshed to prevent illegal downloading; when the user is reconnected they are routed to the website of one of the businesses housing an antenna. The initiative will be expanded this month to Ala Moana Regional Park and Kapiolani Park.   "This is truly a grass-roots effort, and demonstrates what can happen when the private sector and government agencies collaborate on making a city a better place to live, work and play," said Bruce.   Businesses or individuals interested in being part of this project can contact Aryn Nakaoka at anakaoka@trinet-hi.com or Gordon Bruce at gbruce@honolulu.gov The complete list of 100 projects cited in the KPMG report is available at www.kpmg.com/infrastructure100 .   -30-   Media contact: Louise Kim McCoy, Mayor's Office, 768-7798.

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/13/12 Traffic Advisory: Sewer Work Next Week

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:    SEWER WORK IN HONOLULU NEXT WEEK   (Fri., July 13, 2012) – The City's Department of Environmental Services said traffic will be affected next week as construction crews rehabilitate wastewater pipes in Honolulu.            City contractors will be installing wastewater pipe lining or repair on the following dates and locations:   §   July 16 (Pipeline Lining)                  9:00 pm-5:00 am            Halekauwila (Queen St & Keawe St) §   July 16-17 (Pipeline Repair)            7:30 am-3:30 pm            Lewers St & Waikolu Way §   July 17 (Pipeline Lining)                  7:30 am-3:30 pm            University Ave (Vancouver Dr & Metcalf St) §   July 17 (Pipeline Lining)                  9:00 pm-5:00 am            Queen Emma St (S. Beretania & Kukui St)                 Miller St (S. Vineyard & Punchbowl) §   July 18 (Pipeline Lining)                  7:30 am-3:30 pm            Hunnewell & Sea View §   July 18 (Pipeline Lining)                  9:00 pm-5:00 am            Piikoi St & Kinau St                 Victoria St (S King St & S Beretania) §   July 18-20 (Pipeline Repair)            7:30 am-3:30 pm            Kapahulu & Kihei Pl §   July 19 (Pipeline Lining)                  7:30 am-3:30 pm            Kanewai St §   July 19 (Pipeline Lining)                  9:00 pm-5:00 am            Cedar St (Rycroft St & Elm St) §   July 20 (Pipeline Lining)                  7:30 am-3:30 pm            Waialae Ave & S. King St       -30-     Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, 768-3454

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/13/12 Sewer Restrictions Revised for Halawa to Pearl City

SEWER RESTRICTIONS REVISED FOR HALAWA TO PEARL CITY AREA   (Fri., July 13, 2012) – The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) has revised restrictions on new sewer connections from Halawa to Pearl City after developing an interim solution that addresses concerns about sewer system capacity.   Installing new valves and separating sewage flows through pipes from the Pearl City and Waipahu pump stations will allow the City to continue processing applications for new sewer connections.   This interim solution will allow timely connections for the larger construction projects proposed in the area, including The Plaza assisted living development project in Pearl City and the planned redevelopment of the old Kam Drive-In site, as well as smaller projects and individual home connections.   Sewer connection applications for projected flows of 2,000 gallons or more per day will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The outlook is optimistic for projects that are in the early development stage since they will not impact the system for several years. A major new sewer pipe from the Waipahu Pump Station is required by a federal consent decree and is expected to be completed in 2018.   In view of the consent decree, ENV had in April 2012 restricted certain new sewer connections because of concerns about the capacity of pipes servicing the Pearl City area. The interim solution will maximize existing capacity in a pipe from the Pearl City Pump Station by separating it from flows originating in Mililani and Waipahu, which will be directed through a pipe from the Waipahu Pump Station. Flows from Mililani and Waipahu currently enter both pipes during certain peak periods.   The previous restrictions had affected new construction on undeveloped lots, but had not affected one-for-one replacement connections for structures that were demolished and replaced, or simple additions to homes already connected to the sewer system. The restrictions on new construction are now revised.     -30-     Contact:  Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, 768-3454

City and County of Honolulu News

You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/13/12 Traffic Advisory: Section of Old Farrington Highway in Ewa to Close for Rail Project Work

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: SECTION OF OLD FARRINGTON HIGHWAY IN EWA TO CLOSE FOR RAIL PROJECT WORK     (Fri., July 13, 2012) − The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) wants to inform drivers that Old Farrington Highway between Kualakai Parkway (North-South Road) and Old Fort Weaver Road Loop will be closed 24 hours a day for approximately two weeks beginning the evening of Wednesday, July 18 as part of utility relocation work related to the rail project.   The road closure is needed to allow the project contractor to relocate a 30-inch water line along Old Farrington Highway just west of the Kahi Mohala Behavioral Center. The 24-hour closure will take place from July 18 to August 2.   Traffic in both directions of Old Farrington Highway will be detoured to either the H-1 Freeway or other nearby roadways. Drivers travelling between East Kapolei and the Ewa/Waipahu region will still be able to access either side by using either Kapolei Parkway or Geiger Road on the south end of Kualakai Parkway, or the H-1 Freeway on the north end.   Motorists will still be able to access the Kahi Mohala facility during the two-week detour.   Roadside electronic message boards will notify drivers about the upcoming road closure. Contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. is coordinating with TheBus in relocating bus stops along the affected section of Old Farrington Highway and in ensuring local employees and business traffic can continue to access the area.   Motorists who routinely use Old Farrington Highway should provide themselves extra time for their commute. For updates on construction work days and times, visit the project website at www.honolulutransit.org or contact our hotline at 566- 2299.   - 30 -   Media Contact: Scott Ishikawa, (808) 768-6172, cell: (808) 227-2350.