Town Hall Meeting: Wai`anae Coast Traffic Solutions: Additions to Panel

The office of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and HART have been added to the panel.

Extension of public comment until July 20 for the Navy’s Red Hill fuel leak into water supply

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (EPA) and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) are extending the opportunity for receiving public comments to July 20, 2015. 

To view the agreement, for more information, and to submit comments go to http://www.epa.gov/region9/redhill/ or http://health.hawaii.gov/RedHill.

After reviewing public comments, EPA and DOH may sign the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) to make it effective, or may seek to modify it based on information received during the public comment period.

Thank you for your interest in the proposed Administrative Order on Consent for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  If you have any questions, please contact Omer Shalev of EPA at 415-972-3538 or Roxanne Kwan of DOH at 808-586-4226.

HART Traffic Advisory – Week of June 27-July 3, 2015

Aloha Senator,

Attached is the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s traffic advisory regarding lane closures as related to the rail project, occurring next week in West Oahu and near the H-1/H-2 Freeways.

Thank you,

Joyce Oliveira
Director of Government Relations
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
joliveira@honolulu.gov

HDOT West Oahu Lane Closures: Week Ending July 3

Aloha, For your planning purposes, listed below are weekly roadwork updates for HDOT projects that may affect traffic to and from the West Oahu region.  The list includes lane closures over the weekend and the upcoming week.

For up-to-date information, please visit our HDOT roadwork website.  To view current traffic conditions and images from over 200 traffic cameras around Oahu, please visit our GoAkamai traveler information website or download the GoAkamai mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.  In addition, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter (DOTHawaii).

Roadwork is weather-dependent, subject to change and items may be added without further notice.

If you have any questions about these lane closures, please call the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 587-2160.
— H-1 FREEWAY —

1) PEARL CITY Lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in the eastbound direction at the Kaamilo Street Overpass between the Kaonohi Street Overpass and the Aiea/Kaneohe/Honolulu Off-Ramp (Exit 13A) on Monday, Apr. 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for the rail project. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

2) PEARL CITY TO WAIPAHU Right lanes closed on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Pearl City/Waimalu Off-Ramp (Exit 10) and the H-1/H-2 Split on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for deck widening. For more information, visit the project website at www.pmcontraflow.com or call the project hotline at (808) 945-1144.

 3) SALT LAKE Lane closure of the Arizona Memorial/Stadium Off-Ramp (Exit 15A) to Kamehameha Highway in the westbound direction on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for The Rail Project. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

4) SALT LAKE TO HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Two lanes closed on the H-1 Freeway in the eastbound direction from the Radford Drive Overpass to the Airport Off-Ramp (Exit 16) on Tuesday night, June 30, through Friday morning, July 3, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., for deck sealing.  All ramps will remain open.

5) SALT LAKE TO PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Three right lanes closed on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Radford Drive Overpass and the Pearl City/Waimalu Off-Ramp (Exit 10) on Sunday night, June 28, through Thursday morning, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., nightly, for pavement marking installations.

6) WAIPAHU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Right lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Pearl City/Waimalu Off-Ramp (Exit 10) and the H-1/H-2 Split on Sunday night, June 28, through Thursday morning, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for striping work. For more information, please visit the project website at www.pmcontraflow.com or call the project hotline at (808) 945-1144.

7) WAIPAHU Shoulder closure on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Waikele/Waipahu On-Ramp (Exit 7) and the Kunia/Waipahu/Ewa Off-Ramp (Exit 5) on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility installations.

— FARRINGTON HIGHWAY —

1) NANAKULI TO KAENA POINT Alternating lane closure on Farrington Highway in both directions between Nanakuli Avenue and Kaena Point on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for overhead sign replacements.

2) PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Two lanes closed on Farrington Highway in the eastbound direction between the Kamehameha Highway Overpass and Waiawa Road on Sunday night, June 28, through Thursday morning, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for the rail project. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

3) PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Full closure of the Farrington Highway eastbound on-ramp to the H-2 Freeway in the northbound direction for the rail project. · Full closure on Saturday night, June 27, through Sunday morning, June 28, from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. · Full closure on Sunday night, June 28, through Thursday morning, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

4) PEARL CITY TO WAIPAHU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Single lane closure on Farrington Highway in the westbound direction between Waiawa Road and Kahualii Street, for the rail project. · Lanes closed on Saturday night, June 27, through Sunday morning, June 28, from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. · Lanes closed on Sunday night, June 28, through Thursday morning, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

5) WAIANAE Lane closure on Farrington Highway in the northbound direction between Ala Poko Street and Bayview Street on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for manhole repairs.

6) WAIPAHU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on Farrington Highway in the eastbound direction between Old Fort Weaver Road and Leoku Street on Sunday, June 28, through Thursday, July 2, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for the rail project. For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

HDOT News Release: Honolulu International Airport Reminds Travelers To Arrive Early For July 4th Travel Next Week

HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REMINDS TRAVELERS TO ARRIVE EARLY FOR JULY 4th TRAVEL NEXT WEEK
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division reminds travelers to arrive two to three hours early for flights during the busy 4th of July holiday travel week.  Travelers are reminded of modified and limited parking in the Overseas Parking Structure (Lot D) due to construction for the interim and permanent Consolidated Rental Car Facility.  Access to the Overseas Parking Structure will be from the Departures Level (upper) only and access from the Arrivals Level (ground) is not available.  The International Parking Structure (Lot A) and the Inter-Island Parking Structure (Lot M) are also open.  During the busy holiday weekend, travelers are advised to allow for additional travel time as these lots are located farther from the Main Terminal. HDOT thanks travelers in advance for their patience and cooperation as work continues to improve our airport facilities.

Click here for a parking structure map.

###

In the News: Waianae health center medical school graduates nine, names executive committee

Click on the link below for the article.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/06/17/waianae-health-center-medical-school-graduates.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-06-17&u=12496310114e8f4b9dc036881cd72a&t=1434592012

Urgent Request for Help Re: Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle on the Waianae Coast

{Click to enlarge}Picture of Coconut Beetle. http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisaw/hisaw2014/beetlebusters/

Hello Senator Shimabukuro, 

I am a biologist, and I work with the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Project as a team leader where I help direct field operations. CRB is a new invasive species to Oahu. We are trying to eradicate the insect to protect our aina and our cultural resources. CRB attack coconut palms, palms, and many food crops such as taro, sugarcane, mango, papaya, etc. Their primary host species is the coconut palm, and they are very successful at killing coconut palms. In Palau, they killed 50% of the coconut palms there in 10 years. So it is a great concern for all of us to eradicate CRB.

I would like to ask for your help. We are having difficulty checking for breeding sites on private farms in the the Nanakuli area. CRB breed in moist mulch, and they don’t need very much to produce a lot of beetles. We have been reaching out to the community there, but since our project is new (1.5 years old) and underfunded (no dedicated outreach person), it has been slow going. We believe there is a breeding site in the Lualualei area (but it is not on base), and if it is not handled swiftly, the problem could be bad for Nanakuli, Waianae, and eventually all of Oahu. Is there something we can do together? Can you direct me to people or organizations that can help?

I appreciate your time and any help you can provide.

Mahalo,

Lisa Chau, MS
CRB Field Team Leader
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Project
RCUH/Hawaii Dept of Agriculture

crblead.01@gmail.com

 

Hawaii Environmental Court Update

On 7/1/15, Hawaii will become only the second state to launch an Environmental Court. More than 350 Environmental Courts now exist in 41 countries.

On 6/26/15, a symposium was held at UH Law School regarding this exciting launch.   This event was co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Program of UH School of Law, Outdoor Circle, the Natural Resources Section of the Hawai’i State Bar Association, and others.  Symposium materials can be found at these links:

https://www.law.hawaii.edu/environmental-law-program-elp

http://blog.hawaii.edu/elp/

Environmental advocates for the Wai’anae Coast, Johnnie-Mae Perry and Lucy Gay,
attended the Hawaii Environmental Court Symposium on 6/26/15.

Inaugural Spinners Café Ahi Shootout a Big Success!

The inaugural Spinners Café Ahi Shootout was held on 6/20/15 at Waianae Boat Harbor.  The tournament is a community event, which raised $2,000.00 for the Hawai`i Children’s Foundation, and provided 4 scholarships for the 2015 Makaha Jr. Lifeguard Program.  Kama`aina Kids hosted a fun zone at the event for the families waiting at the harbor, with all proceeds supporting the many services they provide for the community.

Mahalo to the generous sponsors who contributed great prizes for the tournament teams, and to the volunteers who helped put on the event. Special mahalo to Victor Lozano of Spinners Cafe, and the Waianae Boat Fishing Club and its president, Norman Swift, whose leadership was critical to making this tournament possible.

Spinners Café has been in the Waianae Boat Harbor for the past 3 years.  It is a division of Dolphin Excursions Hawaii, Inc., which has been in business for the past 18 years. Spinners Café has 27 employees, more than half of whom hail from Waianae. For more information, visit: www.spinnerscafe.com

Results of the 2015 tournament, photos, the souvenir booklet, and other tournament information can be found here:

http://www.spinnerscafe.com/ahi-shootout/

Photo caption: Shayne Sakoda and Sen. Shimabukuro posed in front of the trophy at the inaugural Spinners Café Ahi Shootout, which was held on 6/20/15 at the Waianae Boat Harbor.

Free SAT Prep Classes on the Waianae Coast Offered by Nahoku Ala

Nahoku Ala, a 501(c)3 non-profit, offers free SAT preparation classes at Kamaile Academy, Waianae High, Roosevelt High, and Farrington High.  These classes are graciously donated by Cassandra Tokars and the Accelerations Learning Center.  For more information, call 808-741-8390, or email info.nahokuala@gmail.com.

Sen. Shimabukuro posed with Waianae High student Elasha Lowry, who delivered a speech at a fundraiser for Nahoku Ala on 6/26/15. Elasha talked about how grateful she was for the SAT preparation and life lessons she received from Nahoku Ala founder and instructor Cassandra Tokars.

Plastic Bag Ban: July 1, 2015

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/29407505/businesses-prepare-for-the-plastic-bag-ban-on-oahu

Army hosts hiring fair and military transition summit at Schofield, July 7-8

From: Bugala, Amy L CIV USARMY USAG (US) [mailto:amy.l.bugala.civ@mail.mil]

Aloha Community Leaders – For your awareness and sharing with interested constituents: 

————————-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23, 2015

 Army hosts hiring fair and military transition summit at Schofield

 SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – The Army is hosting a free military transition summit and hiring fair at Schofield Barracks, July 7-8, as part of a nationwide initiative to assist veterans, transitioning service members (those

leaving the military), and military spouses find meaningful employment.

 The summit will feature panel and networking events, recruiter training, workshops, and facilitated discussions focused on improving competitive employment for service members, veterans, and military spouses.

 Special guest speakers include the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Mr. Thomas Perez, and the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Robert McDonald, as well as other national and local business leaders.

 The summit is being coordinated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s

Hiring Our Heroes program, which has been organizing these events at military installations worldwide since 2014.

 A second summit is being held in Hawaii at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 8-9.

 Event details and registration are available online:

http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/hawaii-transition-summits.

————————————————————–

History of the Service Member Transition Summits:

Developed in 2014 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the White House’s Joining Forces initiative, these transition summits are designed to educate recruiters and community leaders on best practices in hiring and retaining military employees, while also helping service members and military spouses prepare for the civilian workforce.

 For more information:

http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Summit%20Brochure%202015_0.pdf

________________________________________

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and U.S. Army Hawaii

Public Affairs Office

p:808-656-3158/3159/3160

usaghi.comrel@gmail.com

 

Learn more at:

www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil

www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com

PVT Land Company, Ltd. Draft EIS Available

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Bike Safety & Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop @ Waianae Public Library: Wednesday June 24

E Ala Voyaging Academy Open House 5/31/15 – Photos

Click image to enlarge.

E Ala supporters gathered at the canoe halau for an open house on 5/31/15. Attendees included: Mele Worthington, Anela Cantrell, Georgette Stevens, Kaina Holomalia, Don Ford, Keoni Ford, Karen Young, Dr. Fred Dodge, Sen. Shimabukuro, Keani Kaonohiokalanikoholua, Jaedyn Sakoda, Gregory Morales, Gregory Gushiken, Ruby Maunakea, Jennifer Mahuka, Mariah Fernando, Racquel Moniz, Amy and Thomas Zizzi, Stephanie Kawelo, Cynthia Enriquez, George Kawelo, Sage Kawelo, Malia Mahi, Samuel Kapoi, and others.

The E Ala Voyaging Academy at the Waianae Boat Harbor provides hands-on learning opportunities in canoe restoration, ancient Hawaiian navigation techniques, and other maritime subjects. For more information, call 339-6445, 479-8231, or 492-7161, or visit waianaehcc.org.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Wai’anae Library ‘Puppet Times’ 7/18/15 at 10:30am

Click image to enlarge.

Wai’anae Library ‘Saturday Storytime’ 2015: July 11, 18, 25 at 10:30am

Click image to enlarge.

‘The Incredibles’ – Wai’anae Library 7/8/15 at 5:30pm

Click image to enlarge.

Wai’anae Library Book Club: Ka`a`awa by Bushnell 7/15/15 at 6pm

Click image to enlarge.

10 Things You Always Wanted to Ask Your Vet – Waianae Library 7/22/15 at 6pm

Click image to enlarge.