SA 9/18/15: ‘City plans modular housing in Waianae for homeless families’

“Preliminary plans for the 1.1-acre site near Waianae High School and next to Maluhia Lutheran Church on Farrington Highway could accommodate 75 to 90 people living in 16 to 20 modular units, according to the city” (Star-Advertiser, 9/17/15). Click image to enlarge.

By Jayna Omaye
Star-Advertiser, 9/17/15

City officials announced a proposal Thursday to develop temporary modular housing in Waianae for homeless families on the Leeward side.

Preliminary plans for the 1.1-acre site near Waianae High School and next to Maluhia Lutheran Church on Farrington Highway could accommodate 75 to 90 people living in 16 to 20 modular units, according to the city. Completion of the project is slated for summer 2016.

The city said the housing project would cater to families with children. According to preliminary plans, the 480-square-foot units would feature two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen. The property will also have 20 parking stalls, an office and common room. Each unit could house a family or up to four singles.

The vacant site that the city proposes to purchase previously housed shacks, which were demolished by the owner.

Costs for the project include $300,000 to purchase the land and about $2 million for the modular units and an office, according to the mayor’s office.

City officials, including Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Sandra Pfund, head of the Office of Strategic Development, and Jun Yang, executive director of the Office of Housing, plan to introduce the project at a press conference set for Friday. Officials said they will present the proposal at upcoming neighborhood board meetings.

Nanakuli/Maili Neighborhood Board Member Patty Teruya said the site would be a convenient location especially for homeless families living at nearby Waianae Boat Harbor.

“We embrace them, and we take care of our own,” Teruya said Thursday. “I support this project and supported all these shelters there because it helps the families to get on their feet.”

Read the full article on the Star-Advertiser site.

CIP Funds Released for NHIS Football Stadium Facilities

I was informed by Gov. Ige that he has released $500,000K of CIP funding that the Legislature appropriated for Stadium Improvements at NHIS for design and construction to provide improvements to the stadium and football field to include a scoreboard, visitor bleachers, concession booth, track and field, and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps for handicapped access.

NOTE: this appropriation was made by the Legislature in a previous session, NOT in 2015.

Weekend Lane Closures for Sept 18-20

OAHU LANE CLOSURES FOR THE WEEKEND OF SEPT. 18 – SEPT. 20
PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.

— H-1 FREEWAY —

1) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in both directions between the Punahou Street Off-Ramp (Exit 23) and Ainakoa Avenue on Sunday night, Sept. 20, through Friday morning, Sept. 25, from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., nightly, for striping installations.
2) PEARL HARBOR (WEEKEND WORK) Left lane closure of the Arizona Memorial/Stadium Off-Ramp (Exit 15A) of the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for electrical work.
3) SALT LAKE TO HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Two right lanes closed on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Keehi Interchange and the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Off-Ramp (Exit 15B) for deck sealing. All ramps will remain open. · Lane closures from 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, through 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Sept. 19. · Lane closures from 11 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 19, through 12:01 a.m. Monday morning, Sept. 21. Motorists are advised to pay attention to all traffic control signs and slow down in the work zone area. Airport Viaduct improvements include concrete deck replacements, expansion joint repairs, and pavement restriping. Work is located between the Pearl Harbor Interchange and the Keehi Interchange.
4) WAIMALU (WEEKEND WORK) Left lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in the eastbound direction between the Pearlridge/Waimalu Off-Ramp (Exit 10) and the Aiea/Honolulu Off-Ramp (Exit 13A) on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. for drain cleaning.

— FARRINGTON HIGHWAY —

1) 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/.