Parks & Recreation Wai’anae Coast Fall 2016 Program

Click image to view the flyer.

Click image to view the flyer.

Town Hall Meeting – Nanakuli Contraflow & Other Traffic Solutions 09/12/16

  
L-R: Sen. Shimabukuro and DOT Deputy Director – Highways Division, Edwin Sniffen.

TOWN HALL MEETING – NANAKULI CONTRAFLOW & OTHER TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS: 09/12/16

On Monday, 09/12/16, DOT will participate in a Town Hall meeting to discuss the Nanakuli contraflow project and other traffic solutions. The meeting will be held at the Ka Waihona o Ka Na’auao cafeteria from 6:30-8:30pm. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7pm.

The Ahupua’a o Nanakuli Homestead and I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting:

Who: Department of Transportation (DOT)

What: Town Hall Meeting – Nanakuli Contraflow Lane & Other Traffic Solutions

When: Monday, 09/12/16, 6:30-8:30pm (refreshments will be served starting at 6:30pm; meeting starts at 7pm)

Where: Ka Waihona o Ka Na’auao public charter school cafeteria 

Why: Discuss the contraflow lane and other traffic solutions for the Wai`anae Coast

Contraflow Update

Mahalo to many of you for sharing your concerns about eastbound traffic congestion and safety during contraflow hours. The state and city are taking the following actions to try and improve travel times for eastbound drivers and increase overall safety:

– end contraflow before 7pm if traffic is flowing well

– prevent use of the makai beach lane

– increase official presence to reduce illegal left turns and enhance traffic flow 

– provide tow service to assist stalled vehicles

Turn Lane Update

I have received questions about the recent news of the highway widening project not being funded. Fortunately, this does not impact the current turn lane project, ie, eastbound turn lanes at Haleakala Ave. and Nanakuli Ave. The turn lanes are still funded and scheduled to finish next year. Included with the turn lane project are the contraflow operations, and traffic cameras being installed at the first four intersections in Nanakuli.

The highway project that is on hold for now due to the gas tax bill not passing is a potential widening which extends to Hakimo Rd. Fortunately, DOT is still conducting a study of the feasibility of adding a 5th lane on Farrington Hwy to try to ease the Nanakuli bottleneck.  

Mahalo for the privilege of serving you. Contact my office if you have any questions or concerns, at 586-7793. 

Input Sought on DOE Plans – Wai’anae 9/15/16

Community voices sought for input on public education plans

Since April, the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) and Board of Education’s (BOE) has engaged the community as it reviews its joint Strategic Plan. BOE members have hosted meetings in Waimea (Hawaii Island) and Wailuku, and the public has more opportunities to provide feedback at upcoming community meetings on Oahu, Kauai and Molokai.

“It is important for us to dialogue with members of all sectors of our communities as we work on strategies towards achieving student success,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Education affects all of us, that’s why we appreciate the public input provided so far and urge others to attend the few meetings we have left before finalizing plans that will set the direction for public education in the upcoming years.”

The public has the remaining opportunities to lend their voice at the following community meetings:

Aug. 22: Kailua High School College and Career Center, 451 Ulumanu Drive
Aug. 31: Manoa Public Library, 2716 Woodlawn Drive
Sept. 1: Kaunakakai Elementary School, 30 Ailoa Street
Sept. 14: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, 4431 Nuhou Street
Sept. 15: Waianae Public Library, 85-625 Farrington Highway

All meetings will be held from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Looking for People Familiar with Traditional Cultural Practices Associated with This Wai’anae Area

Click image to enlarge.

From: Cedric A. Gates
Date: August 17, 2016 at 12:50:19 AM HST
Subject: Fwd: Cultural Impact Assessment for proposed development in Waianae

From: Kimberly Mooney
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2016 1:07 PM
Subject: Cultural Impact Assessment for proposed development in Waianae

Dear Mr. Gates:

A CIA is required for the proposed 20-unit Single-family Residential Subdivision Project at 86-029 Farrington Highway as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. We are requesting assistance in locating people knowledgeable about traditional cultural practices associated with the vicinity of the proposed project, located on approximately 3 acres of lands comprised of two contiguous parcels Lot 490-B-1 (2.785 acres) and DLU Lot A (0.39 acres) situated south of Lualualei Homestead Road and east of Pōka‘i Bay Drive, and is identified by Tax Map Key (1) 8-6-015:053. Several maps of the project area are provided as attachments.

Pacific Legacy has proposed to conduct investigations to gather information about cultural practices that might be affected by the proposed development. The potential effects of the proposed development on cultural practices also need to be assessed. To complete these investigations, we propose to undertake the following tasks:

• identify and consult with individuals and organizations knowledgeable about cultural practices that may have taken place in the area;
• conduct limited archival research about traditional practices that may have been conducted in the area;
• describe the cultural practices that took place within the potentially affected area;
• assess the impact of the proposed development on the cultural practices that may have taken place within the potentially affected area; and;
• prepare a report on the findings resulting from the above investigations.

Essay Contest for High School Students – Deadline 9/22/16

Click here to read the flyer.

From: Iwao, Regan M.
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2016 11:27 AM

It is that time of year again! This is the fourth year that we are having a high school essay contest as part of the Pro Bono Celebration to be held on October 27, 2016. Every year has been a success so far, so let’s keep it going! Please feel free to distribute the attached entry form and essay contest flyer.

As in the past years, we are looking for volunteers from the DLSP committee to (1) be preliminary judges, and (2) follow up with the schools to help spread the word about the essay contest (we need the most help with this). Please let me know if you can assist. Thank you!!!

Preliminary Judges
We would like to have at least 18 preliminary judges, so please let me know if you are willing to be one. I know that some of you have already expressed your willingness, but please confirm.

Follow Up With Schools
We have already e-mailed and mailed the essay contest packet to all of the principals, and we have also e-mailed all of the teachers whose students submitted essays from 2013-2015. However, it would be great if we had at least 10 volunteers to follow up directly with the schools and their administration/teachers to make sure that they received the essay contest packet, since entries are due by September 22, 2016. Attached is a list of the ~100 high schools from across the state. In particular, we are looking at encouraging neighbor island participation, so it would be great if the neighbor island attorneys could assist with the calls. Thanks to Derek, Lynda and Scott for volunteering so far!

Attachments
essay contest flyer with rules.2016
entry and photo release form
5979942_1_Essay Contest_ School Chart 2016

Living Westside Summit – 08/27/16 (register 08/19/16)

The Waianae Moku 2030 Navigators, a community planning group created in August 2015, is hosting a community business development planning summit, Living Westside, on August 27, 2016 at the Old Kress location in Waianae Mall.

The summit will bring together community leaders, business people, and interested Waianae Coast residents to identify community projects that support community business development on the Westside.

The initial core planning team members includes representatives from the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waianae Coast Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Waianae Coast and Nanakuli and Maili Neighborhood Boards, the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center – Waianae Unit, OLELO Community Television, various businesspeople and community residents.

At this Summit, the Navigators, will present their planning process, share priority projects that are launching in 2016 as well as consider businesses for sale options, and get community input on future priority projects that address community needs and aspirations to be launched in 2017.

Waianae Moku 2030 Navigators is a project of the Waianae Economic Development Council. The summit is sponsored by the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center.

This is a FREE EVENT for Westside residents. Lunch is provided for registered
attendees.

Register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/livingwestside2016communityplanningsummittickets26675839153
or call 8082069315 & leave a message. For more info. on the Waianae Economic
Development Council, visit http://www.thewedc.com.

Click image to open PDF

Click image to open PDF

SY 2016-17 R.E.A.C.H. Initiative Award Approval for Nanakuli and Waianae

The following excerpt is taken from a letter sent to the principals of Wai’anae Intermediate School and Nānākuli High and Intermediate School, from the Office of Lieutenant Governor Shan S. Tsutsui.

On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Shan S. Tsutsui, I am pleased to inform you that Waianae Intermediate School and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School have been selected to receive SY16/17 Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture and Health (R.E.A.C.H.) funding in the amount of $91,692 to continue the Waianae, Nanakuli Complex Middle School Athletics Initiative and for non-instructional hours programming consistent with the intent and objectives of the R.E.A.C.H. Initiative and the goals and outcomes set forth in your grant application.

For the full text of the letter, click below:

Click image to open PDF

 

Taste of Justice – 9/22/16

See below for an invitation from Volunteer Legal Services Hawai’i:

Please join us at our 2nd Annual pau hana fundraiser and silent auction, and as we celebrate our 35th year anniversary.

This year, we will also honor Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, and the law firms of Bickerton Dang and Perkin Faria for their commitment to meaningful access to justice in our community.

Tickets are $75 for General entry and $50 for Students.

To purchase tickets, please click HERE.
Tickets are also available for purchase directly by check or cash payable to VLSH, 545 Queen Street, Suite 100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Your generous support goes towards the provision of civil legal assistance to those least able to afford it in our state.  For more information, please call (808) 522-0678.  Mahalo!

HDOT Traffic Relief Improvements for ‘Beat the School Jam’ (8/15/16)

As part of the annual “Beat the School Jam” campaign, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) detailed the implementation of several projects that will help alleviate traffic. It continues the HDOT focus on safety and system preservation projects that use far less money and time to finish.

“We are committed to working within our budget to find solutions that help relieve traffic across the state,” said Ford Fuchigami, Hawaii Department of Transportation Director. “We also encourage drivers to help themselves by planning ahead and using traffic websites and applications in order to map out the best route for their commute. Knowing what current conditions are ahead can save time and help prevent frustration.”

As part of Governor David Ige’s initiative to reduce traffic, HDOT is implementing several improvements designed to keep motorists moving. Below is a list of projects that have been implemented prior to the start of the Beat the School Jam. 

New Shoulder Lane on H-1 Eastbound for Leeward Oahu Commuters (8/15/16)

Click image to enlarge.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is pleased to announce the opening of a shoulder which will be used as a lane of travel during the morning commute hours. The new shoulder lane is on the H-1 Freeway eastbound and begins after the Kualakai Parkway on-ramp to the Kunia/Waipahu/Ewa off-ramp (Exit 5). The shoulder will be open on weekday mornings from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. excluding holidays.

“As a Leeward Oahu resident I know first-hand what commuters face when coming in from the west side,” said Ford Fuchigami, Hawaii Department of Transportation Director. “This shoulder lane will save people time. We are working on implementing more traffic relief solutions that will benefit commuters.” 

Kahumana Organic Farm Apprenticeship 2016: 1 Opening in Aug and 1 Opening in Sep

From: Christian Zuckerman <czuckerman@asi-hawaii.org>
Date: Tue, Aug 16, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Subject: Kahumana Farm Apprenticeship
(Forward from Summer Miles)

Kahumana Organic Farm is looking for one more apprentice immediately and one more in September. I’m hoping to fill more of my apprenticeship spots with people from the community as we expand our farming operation. My main criteria is a willingness to learn and be in agriculture and also that they are willing to do the work. Any experience is beneficial but not required, thats our job : ) As for age, we usually are looking for people 21+ but we make exceptions. Let me know if you have any questions,
Aloha,

Christian Zuckerman
Kahumana Farm Manager
(808)-542-9565
Kahumana.org

Kahumana Organic Farm Apprentice Job Description:

The Kahumana Organic Farm Apprenticeship is a one-year program aimed at young motivated individuals who want to gain a hands on education in farming. The apprenticeship is an onsite living program and apprentices must be willing to be apart of the larger Kahumana Community. 

K9 Kokua Get Down for the Dogs Fundraiser – 8/21/16

K9 Kokua presents the 5th annual Get Down for the Dogs benefit dinner and live auction on Sunday, August 21, from 5pm to 9pm.

Tickets can be purchased here.

See below for a message from K9 Kokua.

Aloha!

Check this out…click below to watch the video that our youngest volunteer (only 8yrs old!) made to help raise awareness. Her passion and fire to help dogs is astounding!  Rylee Brooke for K9 Kokua

We wanted to be sure that you knew about the party for a GRRREAT cause that is happening on August 21st @ M Nightclub, Restaurant Row so we have also attached our event flier here. WOOF!

Psst!..there is free covered parking and swag bags for attendees. AROO!  As always, 100% of everything raised (including tickets!) goes to helping the most destitute and hidden dogs of Hawai’i.

That’s right – our 5th Annual ‘Get Down for the Dogs!’ Benefit Dinner & Live Auction is all to help the houseless dogs and those affected by domestic violence!  Click here to get your tickets from the comfort of your home or on-the-go : http://www.k9kokua.org/get-down-for-the-dogs-2

EXCITING NEWS: This year we are presenting the Compassionate L.E.O. Award to a member of HPD for acts of repeated compassion and service that has helped so many dogs have much better lives now.

Get your tickets TODAY and help the houseless dogs make this fundraiser a HUGE success!  If you cannot attend and wish to support the event, consider purchasing a ticket to donate to a volunteer.  Please forward this email to all of your pals, the dogs need your help!

Mahalo piha,
Josie the SpokesDog & the K9 Kokua Volunteer Ohana.

Pedestrian Safety Education – 8/16/16

August is Pedestrian Safety Month. Walk Wise Hawai’i and McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai‘i are partnering to promote the BE SEEN AT NIGHT message and to provide free pedestrian safety lights to hand out to the community.

Date: Tuesday, August 16th
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be sign waving from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Housing Assistance List

The attached list is a directory of  resources for homeless, including rapid re-housing, financial assistance (assistance in the form of direct payment to landlords/prospective landlords and/or utility companies), and homeless outreach.

Click image to open PDF

KHON2: Contraflow Stymied by Illegal Left Turns 8/11/16

Clips from Alex Cerball’s “State Outlines Solutions, Tips to Ease Town-bound Gridlock During Nanakuli Contraflow,” KHON2, 8/11/16. Watch the full video and read the story on the KHON2 site.

Cerball: The state Department of Transportation says drivers were making illegal left turns on Helelua Street, Haleakala and Nanakuli avenues, which created a backup because they were trying to cross three lanes or use Kalanianaole Beach Park to make a turn. “Instead, go just one short block … town-bound, to Laumania, Pohakunui, Piliokahi, and do a circle to turn around instead of making left turn,” explained DOT spokesman Tim Sakahara. “Just make a circle, come back around, then make right on whichever street they want to go on.”

Cerball: State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro said her commute from Waianae to Nanakuli is typically 15 minutes in the evening, but on Wednesday, it took nearly an hour. “It was bad, you know, the traffic, it was very, very slow, very backed up leaving Waianae,” she said. However, she added, “Despite the difficulty of leaving Waianae yesterday, I really think overall its a good thing because for those coming home, on the westbound side, because that’s the bulk of traffic in the afternoon, people coming back to Waianae, for those people it really did help.”

Star-Adv 8/12/16: ‘Contra-flow Eases Commute for Some’

Excerpts from Jayna Omaye’s “Contra-flow eases commute for some,” Star-Advertiser, August 12, 2016:

The new contra-flow lane seeks to ease a traffic bottleneck in the corridor by repurposing one eastbound lane to allow for three Waianae-bound lanes and one town-bound lane during the weekday afternoon rush hour, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Residents traveling west Wednesday reported a shorter commute home, with some saying traffic flow resembled a weekend afternoon rather than rush hour. State Rep. Andria Tupola (R, Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili) said many residents were pleasantly surprised that their westbound commute was cut in half. State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Kalaeloa-Waianae-Makaha) agreed, adding that one Waianae Coast resident said she was able to get home from town by 4:45 p.m. and spend more time with her family.

But the legislators and other residents agreed there were several problems, particularly with eastbound congestion, that require adjustments. 

Hawaii Public Housing Authority Opening Waiting List for Vouchers Aug. 16-18, 2016

Excerpts from Sophie Cocke’s “State officials open Section 8 waiting list,” Star-Advertiser, 11 Aug. 2016:

The state’s public housing office is opening up the waiting list for federally subsidized Section 8 housing vouchers for the first time in a decade as Hawaii struggles to reduce its rate of homelessness, which is the highest per capita in the nation.

Housing officials anticipate being flooded with thousands of applications, with demand greatly outstripping available housing units. To restrict the size of the waiting list, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority will be accepting applications for only three days — beginning Tuesday Aug. 16 and ending at midnight Aug. 18.

The online applications will be accessible starting Tuesday (Aug. 16) at hpha.apply4housing.com.

Officials are anticipating that about 12,000 new applications will be submitted during that time, but expect to start handing out vouchers in about 60 days — 50 of them in the first 30 days. Within the first year, between 200 and 300 vouchers are expected to be issued. 

Financial Assistance Available from Hawaii Pacific Health System

HNN: ‘State to Bring Rush Hour Relief to Leeward Coast’

Read the article and watch the full video on the Hawaii News Now site.

HNN: From about 3:30 to 7 pm Monday through Friday, the mile-long contraflow lane will run from Piliokahi Avenue to Nanaikeola Street. State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro said it should give Leeward coast residents relief they have been begging for. “They see it in Hawaii Kai. They see it on Nimitz. They say, ‘How come there’s all these contraflows happening in other communities? Why can’t we get a contraflow in Waianae where we really need it?'” she said.

Huliko’a Kaiaulu 2016 Scholar Speaker Series: Sep. 6 & 28

From: Christy Sato
Subject: Huliko’a Kaiaulu Scholar Speaker Series – Join us in September for 2 amazing sessions

Welina me ke aloha kākou,

It’s a new school year and we are excited to bring you 2 Huliko‘a Kaiāulu scholar speaker series events next month. The first session is on Tuesday, September 6 @ 5:30 p.m. Five (5) indigenous women from Kenya, Thailand, Guatemala, Fiji, and Russia will share their inspiring community stories and work. They are all members of the Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network whose goal is to bring the issues of indigenous women to the forefront of international discussions while emphasizing the vital role they play in biodiversity conservation. All of these women will be participating in the IUCN World Conservation Congress and are excited for the opportunity to visit our moku and share their experiences.

The second session is on Wednesday, September 28 @ 5:30 p.m. Erin Kahunawaika‘ala Wright, assistant professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education, will be talking about what does “educational success” mean for our lāhui Hawai‘i. Her presentation will include discussions around the teacher shortage and educational benchmarks. Join us to learn more and share your voice, RSVP by calling 670-2045 or e-mailing kapua@ksbe.edu. Please feel free to forward this message to others.