Date Correction: Wai’anae Library Family Fun Night Sep 9, 2015

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DOT Advisory 2015: Oahu Lane Closures Week Ending Sep 4.

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.

— FARRINGTON HIGHWAY —

1) NANAKULI TO KAENA POINT Lane closure on Farrington Highway in both directions between Lualualei Naval Road and Kaena Point on Monday, Aug. 31, through Friday, Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for sign replacements.        
2) PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Two lanes closed on Farrington Highway in the westbound direction between Waiawa Road and the Kamehameha Highway Overpass on Sunday night, Aug. 30, through Friday morning, Sept. 4, from 8 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) WAIALUA Lane closure on Farrington Highway in the southbound direction between Olohio Street and Ku Place on Monday, Aug. 31, to Friday, Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility replacements.
4) WAIANAE Lane closure on Farrington Highway in the northbound direction between Ala Walua Street and Kaulawaha Road on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for utility replacements.
5) WAIPAHU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure of the Farrington Highway eastbound On-Ramp to the H-1 Freeway on Sunday night, Aug. 30, through Friday morning, Sept. 4, 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/.
6) WAIPAHU (WEEKEND WORK) Honolulu Rail Transit will be working on Farrington Highway this week at various locations. Please visit The Rail’s project website for more details at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.

— H-1 FREEWAY —

1) EWA Shoulder closure on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Ewa Off-Ramp (Exit 5A) and the Kualakai Parkway Underpass on Monday, Aug. 31, through Friday, Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility installations.
2) HONOLULU Closure on the Kilauea Avenue Off-Ramp (Exit 27) from the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction on Monday, Aug. 31, through Friday, Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for storm drain maintenance.

Potential Extension to Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road

Updated 8/29/15, 8/30/15
Extending the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR)

At a meeting on 8/27/15, some Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead residents indicated support to extend WCEAR through DHHL lands, ie, from Helelua St. to Piliokahi Ave. (Please see the rough map, below).  This extension would help to bypass future emergencies like the recent water main break.

I need more feedback regarding this potential extension from the community, so feel free to share your thoughts and comments in response to this post.

The meeting prompted me to ask the City whether this extension could be incorporated into the WCEAR Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).  I also asked the City several other questions about WCEAR that were raised at the meeting, as follows:

1) WCEAR Bridge in Nanakuli: I continue to get requests from constituents to open this bridge for pedestrians.  A Nanakuli resident  said his wife is in a wheelchair, and that it would help tremendously if they could use the bridge to get to the beach & park. Others say their children would use it to bike across, walk to school, etc.

2) “Declared Emergencies”- Residents are urging the City to broaden the times when WCEAR can be used.  Specifically, they want “declared emergencies” to include: lane closures for any reason, impending storms or other bad weather (ie, open WCEAR before the storm hits), and other incidents that significantly impact traffic.

3) Signage- The WCEAR signage needs to be improved, to include signs on Farrington Hwy indicating where to turn off, as well as signs on the back roads directing drivers to where the routes are.

4) Condemning Private Portions of WCEAR- Many constituents support making the private portions of WCEAR public and accessible for day to day travel, eg, the gated portion of Paakea Rd, Etc.

I will be working with William Aila, Jr., DHHL’s Deputy Director, to inquire with affected leassees about the potential WCEAR extension through DHHL lands.  I will keep you posted about our progress and welcome your feedback and support.

At a meeting on 8/27/15, some Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead residents indicated support to extend WCEAR through DHHL lands, ie, from Helelua St. to Piliokahi Ave. (Please see the rough map, below). This extension would help to bypass future emergencies like the recent water main break. L-R: Geanine Kahalewai, Rachael Conner, Rep. Jo Jordan, Josiah Hoohuli, Stacelynn Eli, Demont Conner, Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, William Aila Jr. (DHHL Deputy Director), Mervina Cash-Kaeo, Patty Teruya, Kapiolani Barber, Larie Manutai (representing Rep. Andria Tupola), and Richard Landford.

Potential extensions to the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road are in yellow and red. Yellow indicates areas which are not currently through streets, ie, the top yellow area goes through the Door of Faith Church’s property, and the bottom yellow area includes a locked gate on St. Rita’s Church’s property, and a bridge that needs to be built over the stream at Nanakuli Ranch.

Related articles:

Kolekole Pass and Emergency Bypass Update (8/3/15)
Star-Advertiser 8/3/15: Highway Widening on Wai’anae Coast (8/3/15)
KITV4: ‘Nanakuli Water Main Break Leads to New Calls for Bypass Road’ (7/30/15)
Farrington Highway Update: Lanes Reopened (7/27/15)
Water Main Break Update: Sen. Shimabukuro is Asking – Do You Support Making Portions of WCEAR Public & Connecting Piliokahi Ave. to Helelua St. to Bypass Emergencies Like This in the Future? (7/26/15)
Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR) Open (7/26/15)
7/26/15, Congestion, Mā’ili Point to Helelua Street (7/26/15)
Town Hall Meeting 7/16/15: Westside Traffic Solutions (7/17/15)
Mauka Highway & Kolekole Pass Studies (7/15/15)
Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR) Update (4/22/15)
Senator Shimabukuro Meets with Mayor Caldwell (4/8/15)
Kolekole Pass Update from US Navy (7/17/14)
Nanakuli-Maili Neighborhood Board Special Meeting Agenda: Tuesday May 21, 2013 (5/14/13)
Transportation Update: 2nd Access Road (1/1/12)
Land Use Commission denies industrial park petition (6/3/11)
Kolekole Pass Update (4/14/11)
WAI`ANAE COAST TRAFFIC UPDATE from the State Department of Transportation (2/16/11)
BWS to open Emergency Access Bridge on a trial basis (10/9/09)
Wai`anae Coast Emergency Access Route (1/2/09)
Transportation Update Re: Emergency Access Road and Alternate Route (4/19/08)
Hearing April 2: Emergency Access Route (3/30/08)
Opinion: A Different Route for the Alternate Road (2/23/08)

HDOT News Release: Commercial Drivers License Office in Salt Lake closed on Sept. 3

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICE IN SALT LAKE CLOSED ON SEPT. 3

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation advises the public that the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Office, located at 99-501 Salt Lake Boulevard will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, for the University of Hawaii football game.

Due to limited space, the Stadium will need full control of its parking lot to prepare for this event.

The practical tests booked for the Kaneohe test site will be conducted as scheduled.

All other Commercial Drivers License offices in the state will operate under normal business hours.

All commercial drivers and motorcycle riders whose permits or licenses expire on Sept. 3, 2015, should plan ahead to renew prior to the one-day office closure. The office will reopen for business on Sept. 4, 2015.

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Update: Nanakuli Public Library

From: Keith Fujio – Special Assistant to the State Librarian:

[Aloha Sen. Shimabukuro],

As requested, we are submitting the update of the new Nanakuli Public Library for you – thank you for your patience.

The construction of the new Nanakuli Public Library is still on hold pending the City & County of Honolulu Building Permit through their Dept. of Planning & Permitting (DPP).  Marcus from DAGS, Glenn Miura (our design consultant), and the rest of our design team have been meeting and working closely with DPP to address the remaining outstanding issues.

At this point, we believe that we are very close to getting the required permit.

After the permit is received, DAGS will issue the Notice to Proceed with our contractor, Watts Constructors.  We will be coordinating with your office, the stakeholder community groups (including Cynthia Rezentes of the Nanakuli Neighborhood Board), Governor’s office, etc. to ensure a smooth start for this long awaited project.

The State Sheriff’s office and many outreach groups have already started meeting with the various homeless groups occupying this site and will notify them and assist in their relocation.

The contractor will start the cleanup of the trees, overgrowth, etc. and is responsible for the maintenance and security of this site during the construction period.

As the construction progresses, I am sure this site will become a welcome entrance into Nanakuli.  No date has been set for the groundbreaking ceremony but we will make sure to include all the stakeholders when planning this  event.

I have provided a Project Information Sheet created by DAGS for your reference (below).

Thank you very much for your interest and for your support during this past legislative session for the additional staff and operating funds for the Nanakuli Public Library.

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Experiencing Poverty: Challenges and Choices. Sep 4 2015 (RSVP required)

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UPDATE:  RSVP is required….please call 696-4598 or email wnp-bfc@wccmhc.org by 4:30pm 9/3/15 (Thursday) – if you are interested and will be attending on Friday.

Maili Self-Help Housing Project Groundbreaking

I  recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the self-help housing project in Maili, where Governor David Ige was one of the featured speakers. With me in the photo is project director Claudia Shay. There are still openings for families who are interested in this rare opportunity to purchase a truly affordable home where your ‘sweat equity’ helps to build it.  For more information, call the Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawaii at 842-7111.

 

Turnaround Artists Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro and Alfre Woodard to Work in Waianae Elementary, Kamaile Academy, and Kalihi Kai Elementary

Video of Jack Johnson performing on 8/13/15 at Kamaile Academy. Video compliments of Kendra Singletary.

Hawai’i Schools Selected by White House Committee in Expansion of Turnaround Arts Program!

Turnaround Artists Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro and Alfre Woodard to Work in three Oahu elementary schools

It was recently announced that the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) will expand its successful Turnaround Arts Program into five additional sites including Hawai’i, as the program continues to successfully help turn around low-performing schools, narrow the achievement gap and increase student engagement using the arts as a tool.

The Committee also announced that Turnaround Artists Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro, and Alfre Woodard will “adopt” Hawai’i Turnaround Arts schools and work directly with students and teachers to support their learning.

The Hawai’i State Department of Education and Hawai’i Arts Alliance are the local program partners for Turnaround Arts. Schools selected for the Turnaround Arts program include Kalihi Kai Elementary School, Kamaile Academy, and Waianae Elementary School.

Text above compliments of http://www.hawaiiartsalliance.org

Update 8/31/15

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City DTS: Old Government Road

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Info re Tropical Depression Kilo AND Tropical Storm Loke (8/24/15 @ 11:41am)

Weather Alerts – Stay Informed

Please see information that was sent to us by Rock Arakaki (original information from Crystal Beelen/City DEM).

STAY INFORMED:
*   NOAA Weather Radio – NOAA Weather Alert Radios can notify you 24 hours a day to hazards in our area including severe weather, hurricanes and tropical storms, and tsunami events. In addition, many of these units can activate other warning devices such as a strobe light to provide a visual warning. These radios are available from many Oahu electronics and department stores.

*   NIXLE Messaging – The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) highly recommends signing up to receive emergency email and text messages sent directly to your cell phone from Nixle. Go to www.nixle.com/dem<http://www.nixle.com/dem> to set up your account. Standard text messaging charges may apply.

Social Media – DEM will also issue information updates via
Twitter
www.twitter.com/Oahu_DEM<http://www.twitter.com/Oahu_DEM> and
Facebook
www.facebook.com/OahuDEM<http://www.facebook.com/OahuDEM>.

NOTE: DEM Twitter and Facbook pages should not be used to request emergency assistance.

* ReadyHawaii App – Be ready for hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural or man-made disasters with the official Ready Hawaii app. With Ready Hawaii you can also access the tsunami and new Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone maps. Preparing for disasters is one of the most important things you can do for the safety of you and your family; this app will help you to make a plan, make a kit, and be informed! Ready Hawaii can be downloaded for free on iTunes or Google Play.

8/24/15: Tropical Depression Kilo & Traffic – Updates

See Star-Advertiser’s LATEST UPDATES!

Affordable Housing Inventory in the State of Hawaii (8/20/15)

Clcik image to see the “Affordable Housing Inventory in the State of Hawaii.”

Fundraiser for After School All-Stars and Nanakuli Athletes 8/29/15

August 29, 2015
930am to 200pm
Ka Waihona o ka Na’auao parking lot

Clean up black rock to Lualualei AND car wash fundraiser for after school all-stars and Nanakuli athletes

Contact person: Patty Teruya — pattyteruya@gmail.com

PUC Meeting re Moving 2 Telephone Poles as part of Bridge Project at Maipalaoa Street area 8/26/15

August. 26, 2015
600 pm
Maili Elementary School

State, City Launch ‘Beat the School Jam’ Campaign: Aug 24-28, 2015

As part of the annual “Beat the School Jam” campaign, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced plans to suspend construction-related road closures during daylight hours on major highways from – Aug. 24th through Aug. 28th – to alleviate traffic congestion during the week when more than 52,000 university, college, and private school students begin their fall semesters.

The Beat the School Jam campaign includes radio commercials that will air during the morning and evening commutes reminding people to plan ahead, consider carpooling or public transportation and watch out for children walking or biking to school. Above all, drive safely. On average children are involved in 109 pedestrian and 48 bicycling accidents a year in Hawaii.*
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*Accident information is based on a three year average from 2009-2011 for children younger than 18 years old involved in a major traffic accident as a pedestrian or bicyclist in Hawaii.

MyGoAkamai – A Personalized Traffic Alert Service

To help provide motorists with real-time traffic information, the HDOT announced the launch of MyGoAkamai, a free personalized alerting service that enhances its GoAkamai traveler information program. MyGoAkamai provides real-time traffic alerts to its users when they need it, where they want it, and on freeway routes that are of interest to them. 

“MyGoAkamai is designed to provide travelers with a proactive resource that they may use to plan their commutes,” said Gov. David Ige. “This alerting program furthers our service to the residents of Oahu, making it easier to get them critical travel information on their route.”

Simply register at www.GoAkamai.org for this free service. The registration process for MyGoAkamai allows users to select from a number of predefined trips, identify the types of events that are of particular interest, decide when alerts should be sent, and whether they are to be received by email or text. The look and feel of the website has been redesigned to be more responsive.

Websites developed with responsive design tools adapt to each display size and modify the layout to conform to the capabilities of the display (i.e., the website adjusts to fit the screen of the device on which it is being viewed). This means that GoAkamai.org supports the growing use of smartphones and tablets.

GoAkamai is now better able to support users, whether they’re accessing it on their desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Weather events and layers are available in GoAkamai. Through its Map Tools, users can select the weather option for real-time weather conditions. For an added level of user customization, a variety of background map views can be selected.  Other enhancements include a new page listing incidents, the ability for the user to search for a specific camera image or camera tour; and drive times have been renamed to provide a specific beginning and end point.

Travel links as well as weather links have been consolidated and a new social media page lists Twitter feeds (#mygoakamai) from GoAkamai, Oahu Department of Emergency Management and the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

The GoAkamai Mobile App for iPhone and Android has been updated as well, consistent with the recent enhancements to GoAkamai.org. Users will now be able to access the same information regardless of platform.

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 24th, motorists are advised to adjust their commute times accordingly to avoid peak travel periods and are reminded to properly maintain and inspect their vehicles to avoid becoming potential road hazards.

Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) trucks will be on duty every weekday (except holidays) to provide free emergency roadside service to keep traffic moving on the H-1, H-2, and H-201 Moanalua Freeways between the Kunia, Waipio, and Kahala areas from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stranded motorists may call FSP at 841-HELP (4357). A link to FSP and its services is found on GoAkamai.org.

Transportation alternatives include biking to work, taking The Bus, and signing students up for public or private school buses. Carpooling or vanpooling with a neighbor or friend can also allow motorists to utilize both High Occupancy Vehicle lanes (two or more individuals per vehicle) on our state highways and the H-1 Freeway ZipperLane and Nimitz Highway Contraflow Lane.

During the daytime construction hiatus Aug. 24th through 28th, emergency closures, nighttime construction, and roadwork that does not involve lane closures, such as shoulder maintenance or landscaping work, may still be scheduled.

Sen. Shimabukuro’s 2016 Bill List

Here is a preview of some of the bills that Sen. Shimabukuro is considering introducing during the 2016 legislative session. Please let her know if you have feedback, and if there are other bills you would like her to consider, by calling 586-7793 or emailing senshimabukuro@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Shimabukuro’s 2016 Bill List

Updated: 08/18/2015

1) WCEAR Extension: Possible bill / CIP request to connect “Series 7” (Piliokahi Ave) to Nanakuli Ave, and then to Helelua St. as an extension of the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR)

2) Farrington Hwy Widening: Study to address bottleneck in Nanakuli and plan for use of $233m in potential federal funds contained in OMPO’s project list.

3) Trailer Parks: Legalize trailer parks on private lands to help address the homeless crisis.

4) Aha Moku Advisory Council (AMAC): Grant rule-making authority to AMAC to establish clear procedures and protocols, and help address concerns raised by the Hawaiian community

5) Hawaiian Immersion: Two separate bills, one to require DOE to report on the status of creating assessment tests in the Hawaiian language & the federal waiver request to do so.  Another bill which requires and appropriates funds for DOE to establish procedures to develop an assessment of established statewide performance standards for students in the kaiapuni program.

6) Marijuana Policy: Adopt uniform collateral sanctions for marijuana to allow offenders to have a “fresh start” and to have access to education, jobs, and other opportunities

7) “Hot Rod” Vehicles: Repeals the requirement for special inspection and certification of reconstructed vehicles prior to operation upon a public highway.  In the alternative, bring City inspector of reconstructed vehicles to Kapolei on a weekly basis.

8) Worker’s Compensation:  Requests an audit of the worker’s compensation system to investigate delays and alleged unfairness in the processing of claims

9)  District Courts: Raises the district courts’ jurisdictional limit for civil actions involving specific performance.

10) Car Insurance Claims:  Two bills aimed at improving the claims system.  The first requires insurance companies to disclose policy limits when requested by a claimant or claimant’s attorney.  The second requires an insurer in a claim under uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to pay to the claimant an amount the insurer deems reasonable within thirty days of a demand for payment of the claim. Requires any undisputed amount paid to a claimant to be disclosed to the arbitrator or judge and deducted from the amount of any judgment or award.

11.  Medical Records Requests:  Requires health care providers to respond to requests for medical records in connection with insurance claims within 60 days, and to requests for medical bills within 30 days.  If the deadline is not met, said records shall be provided free of charge.

A new surfing themed resort is slated to open on West O’ahu in 2017

HONOLULU —A new surfing themed resort slated to open on West O’ahu in 2017 will have Hawaii’s first four-acre artificial wave pool.

American Wave Machines out of San Diego is responsible for the new technology.

The waves will be produced by underwater air chambers which create the force for a consistent, on-demand swell.

The resort has partnered with Bruce Brown Films and themed after the most iconic of all surfing films. The plans for The Endless Summer Resort contain 400 units, luxury amenities plus a surf museum. Surfers stand to benefit even if they never step foot on the property.

Local surfers are intrigued by the prospect of a new break. Some believe that the surf resort may give inexperienced surfers a chance to safely learn the sport and be more ready to tackle Hawaii’s powerful surf.

“It could be good for people to practice; you know out here it can be very dangerous, people get injured, the reef is very sharp,” said Thor Dyrensborg.

Wave heights can be adjusted from knee high for beginners to close to 8 feet for the more experienced.

Guests not staying on property will be able to surf the artificial waves for a fee. Several locations on West Oahu are being considered but no final location has been determined.

Click on this link to view the story:

http://www.kitv.com/news/new-surf-resort-coming-to-oahu/27418176?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=kitv

Cooling Public Schools Factsheet

Click image for the 2-page PDF brochure. For more on Senator Shimabukuro’s efforts to cool Wai’anae Coast classrooms, click here.