Happenings that might be of interest to you from updates on COVID-19, including the travel quarantine, to construction in our district… and some Christmas events to enjoy the holidays.
GOVERNOR’S 17th PROCLAMATION: Travel Quarantine Period Reduced to 10 Days
As of December 16, Governor Ige’s 17th Proclamation Related to the COVID-19 Emergency reduced the state’s mandatory self-quarantine period for travelers entering the state and traveling between counties from 14 to 10 days. The new policy took effect on Thursday, December 17 at 12:01 a.m. and is based on updated recommendations issued by the Center(s) for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Hawaiʻi’s Department of Health (DOH) in December.
LATEST COVID-19 CLUSTER REPORT: Helps Us to Be Mindful During the Holidays
Christmas is just around the corner. For those longing to spend quality time with loved ones, you may be spending that time creating a Covid-19 cluster. See the state department of health’s latest covid cluster report which shows that the outdoors is not necessarily safer against the virus if other safety measures are not applied.
WARD VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT – As part of the ongoing development of the Ward Village neighborhood, see below for an update on area improvements that will be occurring in the coming months. Below is a map of the area with locations of work identified:
Additional details regarding the scope and duration of the work is noted below:
A. Kamakee Pedestrian Signal crossing and center median: 10/19/20 to 1/13/21
B. Ilaniwai Underground Utility Relocation of Overhead Lines: 10/13/20 to 3/3/21
C. Victoria Ward Park overhead crane activity: 9/1/2020 to 1/31/2022 (one day per week)
ALA MOANA PARK REPAIRS – The City began repairs to the damaged drainage canal walls and replacing two pedestrian bridges over the drainage canal , including the following work:
Roughly 900-feet of the drainage canal wall between the Ewa-side Japanese Pond and tennis courts will be repaired or replaced.
The pedestrian bridges over the drainage canal near Queen Street and Piikoi streets will be removed and replaced with wider bridges that align with the crosswalks on Ala Moana Boulevard.
Exceptional Trees in the project area will be protected, however three trees along the makai-end of the canal wall will be relocated and one will be removed to reduce damage to the canal walls.
Due to the delivery of large precast materials for this project, vehicular traffic along the makai lanes of Ala Moana Boulevard will be intermittently impacted during the project and will require partial closure.
The project is scheduled to be completed by Winter 2021. To see the City’s Park & Recreation Department pictures of the project sites, click here. For more info, call (808) 768-3046 or click here.
ALA MOANA BLVD CLOSURE: Striping Work from December 20-25
Closure of up to two lanes on Ala Moana Boulevard in either direction between Piikoi Street and Ala Moana Park Drive on Sunday, Dec. 20, through Friday, Dec. 25, from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for striping work.
SOME WEEKEND-BEFORE-CHRISTMAS FUN
(Virtual) Gracias Christmas Concert: Dec. 19 – Watch the unforgettable “Gracias Christmas” concert, a unique and dynamic experience with world-class music as well as a powerful message that will touch your heart. Prepare to be emersed back into the magic of your childhood. Time is from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. To view the free, livestreamed event online, click here. To watch it on KHNL, scroll to your TV channels on Spectrum Ch.6 / Hawaii Telcom, Ch.8. For more info, call (808)679-2888 or email catherinesuh@iyfusa.org
Royal Santa Saturday: Dec. 19 – Guests are invited to take FREE socially-distanced photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a special holiday window located across from the Cheesecake Factory on Level 1 of Building C, using their own camera, smart phone or other digital device, on Royal Santa Saturday, Dec. 19 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. No reservations are required. Click here for more info.
“Dirty Cello” Band at Waikiki’s Blue Note Hawaii: Dec. 22 – From China to Iceland, and all over the U.S., San Francisco based band, Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues and bluegrass. Get them toes tappin’ ! Location is Blue Note Hawaii, 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI. 96815. Time is 6-7:30pm. For reservations, Call (808)777-4890 or email club@bluenotehawaii.com. For more info, click here.
Waikiki/Honolulu Restaurants Open for Christmas Dinner: Dec. 25 – Oahu restaurants have of course made some changes to keep everyone safe on top of trying to stay open and keep their staff employed. Click here to view those changes. Now click here and scroll down to find your favorite restaurant to support on Christmas Day. Book those reservations early!!
Waikiki Holiday Mele 2020 Nightly Showcase: Dec. 19 – 25 – Seven days of live entertainment on the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage starts this Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 6:00pm. Check out the schedule for some holiday musical paradise for your ears here.
Kapiolani Park People’s Open Market: Dec. 19 – 30 – At the People’s Open Market, you will find many kinds of ethnic fruits, vegetables and other food items that are not ordinarily available in grocery stores. Free event. Time is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Location: Kapiolani Regional Park, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu, HI. 96815. Held in the Monsarrat and Paki Avenues parking lot. There is also a nice tree-lined parking lot mauka (towards the mountain) of the Waikiki Shell. Entrance to the parking lot is on Monsarrat Ave. which is “one-way” going mauka from Kalakaua Ave. For more info, call 808-768-9299. Not open on Christmas day. For more info, click here.
(Virtual) Special Presentation About Hula and Queen Liliuokalani: Dec. 19 – 31 – In place of the cancelled Annual Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition, a 4-night televised special broadcast presentation was created to carry on the annual event and be a platform for the art of hula and Hawaiian culture. View the broadcast on your own time here. For more info, call 808-521-6905 or click here.
Ka Lei Hula “The Adorned Dance” Free Hula Classes in Waikiki: Every Sunday – Enjoy a morning hula class out on Waikiki Beach Walk’s Plaza. This hour-long class is reserved up to 10 individuals, all ages and skill levels welcome. Masks are mandatory and social distancing guidelines in place. Location is at the Waikiki Beach Walk, 227 Lewers Street, Honolulu, HI 96815. Every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. through 2020. Park at the Embassy Suites Hotel for 3 hours of free valet parking while you are enjoying your class. Register here.
Waikiki Beach Walk’s Free Ukulele Lessons: Everyday – Learn to play! Lessons will be held every day 10:30 am & 4:30 pm. Ukuleles will be provided. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first serve. Location is The Ukulele Store, Waikiki Beach Walk-Second floor next to Kaiwa Restaurant, 226 Lewers Street, Suite #218. Phone: 808-888-5469. For more info, click here.
