IT’S ALL ABOUT LEGISLATION: HALF TIME UPDATE
This past Thursday was “crossover” (meaning all bills that survive each house crosses over to the other house;and the vetting at hearings begins anew). The Senate passed 428 bills that cover the diverse range of concerns and interests from condos, affordable housing, homeless, kupuna, education, crime, sustainability….the list goes on and on. This year, due to covid, the legislature will end a week early so the scurry of activity at the Capitol. Only two of our district bills passed (SB791 and SB792) and one bill (SB1334) is problematic for the Kakaako shoreline. Below are highlights of the bills and resolutions that may interest you and those that will be heard this coming week.
SB791 SD2 authorizes the state to remove abandoned vessels in our harbors within 72 hours at the owner’s expense and criminalizes the abandonment of vessels
SB792 increases the penalty for noisy motorcycles and alterring mufflers. This bill is in the House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee awaiting a hearing
SB1334 exempts OHA from current prohibitions against building residential housing on its properties on the Kakaako shoreline makai of Ala Moana Blvd. The Senate (except for Senators Kim, Misalucha, Ihara, Riviere, Taniguchi and me) passed the bill. See deliberations here. The measure is in the WAL Committee awaiting a hearing. You can also voice your concern at a “Save Our Kakaako” Rally sponsored by the Friends of Kewalos on Tuesday March 16 at the State Capitol Rotunda. For more details see Rally Flyer.
Because SB1334 also disregards the HCDA approved 2011 Kakaako Makai Master Plan, I introduced yesterday SCR 216, convening a task force to bring OHA and other community stakeholders to discuss future development plans for Kakaako Makai, including OHA’s exploring land exchange. Speaker Scott Saiki has a similar resolution(s) HCR129/HR111. They have not yet been scheduled for hearing but you can follow at the status page.
Three condo bills are now in the House (SB329, shortens the notice period from 60 to 30 days for removal of abandoned articles; SB784, allows association annual and special meetings to held remotely in state of emergency, both are in the Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPC) Committee; and SB799, increasing from 50% to 67% of for-sale units in a development project be owner-occupants.
SCR77/SR57 requests DOH to convene a task force to consider noise mitigation solutions to early morning trash collection. In CPC/WAM.
SCR217 request Office of Planning to convene a task force to determine a uniform methodology and definition of “affordable” for-sale housing
Hearings on Bills and Resolutions This Coming Week:
SB791 SD2,on abandoned vessels in public harbors, will be heard by the House Water & Land (WAL) Committee on Tuesday, March 16th at 8:30 A.M.
SB838, on kupuna care and caregivers, will be heard by the House Health Committee (HHH) on Tuesday at 9:30am.
A number of bills on state government efficiency and performance and expediting and improving procurement (SBs 788, 789, 1391, 82, 246, 1329, 1395, and 1035) heard in the Senate Government Operations Committee (GVO) are now in the House Committee on Government Reform (GVR) and will have a hearing on Wednesday at 10am. See the agenda here.
Two other bills would create recognition days (not paid state holidays). SB83 designates November 28 as La Ku‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii; and SB939 designates Juneteenth Day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and recognizes significant roles and contributions of African Americans. Both bills will be heard in the Culture, Arts & International Affairs (CAI) Committee on Wednesday at 10:00AM.
SCR75 requests that the Office of Planning convene an interdisciplinary task force to develop a framework for a sea level adaptation and resilience plan for the Waikiki District. This measure will be heard by the Senate Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment on Wednesday, March 17th at 1:05 P.M.
SCR74 promotes transparency from the Department of Budget and Finance by urging the governor to require the Director of Finance to conduct a statewide program and budget performance review and report to the legislature in every odd-numbered year. This measure will be heard by the Senate committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday, March 17th at 10:00 A.M.
Legislators need to hear from you on whether the measures address the problem or need (or not); we make decisions on your input so I encourage you to submit testimony on the Bills and Resolutions of interest or concern to you at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/. If you are still unsure how to submit testimony, please let us know and we will be happy to help guide you. Send an email to our Committee Clerk at k.vatalaro@capitol.hawaii.gov or give us a call at 586-6740 for further detailed instructions.
Waikiki Virtual Town Hall: March 16 at 6pm
The list above is only a small part of what’s happening at the legislature and at city hall. Join Rep. Adrian Tam, Honolulu County Council Chair Tommy Waters and me for our Virtual Town Hall on Zoom, Tuesday, March 16, at 6:00-7:30pm. Rep. Tam & I will update you on the happenings at the Legislature and CM Waters will bring you up to speed on City matters. Bring your questions and concerns for Q&A. Click here to join the Zoom meeting on Tuesday.
TIER 3: City further loosens COVID-19 restrictions
This past Thursday Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the county’s transition to Tier 3. Youth sports can start again on April 12 and adult sports on April 19, with modifications, such as mandatory facial coverings and no potlucks. Oahu bars can also reopen following restaurant orders with no more than 10 people in a group. Both restaurants and bars can now serve alcohol until midnight. Click here to view the amended emergency orders:
Vaccinations to begin for ages 65+ and Phase 1C on Monday: March 15
We will be starting Phase 1C on Monday March 15, vaccinations for those 65 and older and those wit high-risk medical conditions. People on oxygen support or dialysis, as well as those on chemotherapy or infusion therapy, will now be eligible. Hawaii clinics received about 62,000 doses this past week and are due to receive more. It is estimated it will take several months for Hawaii health providers to complete phase 1c inoculations. Starting next week, those newly eligible may register for an appointment at https://hawaiicovid19.com/ or directly with health care providers.
CVS adds 7 new COVID-19 vaccination sites to Hawaii
CVS Health will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible populations at seven additional Longs Drugs locations on Sunday, Mar. 14. With the new additions, there will now be 17 Longs Drugs administering the vaccine in Hawaii. Appointments will be available for booking on Saturday, March 13. To register and/or check for vaccine appointment availability click here: https://www.cvs.com/. You can also contact CVS Customer Service at (800) 746-7287. For more info, click here.
Counseling hotline available to cope with pandemic
A new crisis counseling assistance program will provide support to people experiencing challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.“Kū Makani – The Hawai’i Resiliency Project” offers counseling, education and resource navigation while promoting healthy ways to cope. Residents can access Kū Makani by calling 1-800-753-6879 and selecting option #1. Available times to call are between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. For general crisis support services not specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, including mental health resources, substance use treatment services, or help with isolation and quarantine, call Hawaii CARES 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at 1-800-753-6879 or text ‘ALOHA’ to 741741.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
WAIKIKI As rising seas invade Waikiki resorts, state proposes adding more groins
Waikiki’s shoreline, eroded by seawalls and battered by rising seas, sits on the brink of more upheaval that could either destroy its few surviving natural features or protect its disappearing beach for decades. A draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)is being prepared for a $12 million Waikiki Beach Improvement and Maintenance Program, proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources in partnership with the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association. It proposes constructing structures makai of the waterline, dredging sand and placing it on the shore; with the entire program area from the Kapahulu Groin to the Ewa end of Fort DeRussy Beach. One hotly debated section of the plan is to build three 200-foot-long T-head groins and a 3.8-acre beach out from the seawall fronting the Sheraton Waikiki and Halekulani resorts to help protect against coastal erosion and sea level rise. To view the notice, click here. Read more here.
Homeless in Waikiki
If you have any questions or concerns or referrals on homeless, you are invited to call the Institute of Human Service (IHS) general outreach number, (808) 447-2833. The outreach team works with HPD and will be able to collect information and offer services. IHS is out there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
MOILIILI Affordable rental senior housing project in Moiliili scrutinized by City Council Zoning Committee
Located on the corner of Algaroba Street and Makahiki Way, this 6-story building will consist of 105 studio and one-bedroom units, on-site parking and a community resource center. It will remain affordable for a minimum period of 60 years for those earning 30, 50 and 60 percent of the AMI or below. Rents will range from $553 to $1,243 a month and be restricted to kupunas ages 55 and older. Despite scrutiny before City Council Zoning Committee, the Council adopted a proposed draft to Reso 21-57 CD1, authorizing exemptions to developer Hookahua Development (HD) from certain requirements. View the Council meeting here. Construction is projected to start in July of this year and finish in 2023.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: OTHER HAPPENINGS OF INTEREST
MARCH 13, 14, 19 Honolulu Festival in Waikiki Goes Virtual This Year
The annual, three-day Honolulu Festival will go virtual for the first time in its 27-year history. The festival celebrates the traditions, arts, and music of cultural groups from throughout Hawaii, the Pacific Rim, and nations around the world. The festival will be presented as a one-hour broadcast special on Hawaii News Now featuring past cultural performances.
“Honolulu Festival: Pacific Harmony Through Cultural Exchange,” will premiere at 7pm Saturday, March 13 on K5; with encore presentations at 8pm Sunday, March 14 on KHNL; and 7pm on Friday, March 19 on KGMB. It will also be streamed online. For more info, click here.
MARCH 16 Waikiki Public Safety Conference
This half-day conference on March 16 focuses on public safety issues that Waikiki residents and visitors face every day. Conference attendees will be able to tune in via Zoom from 8am-12pm. There is a $10 registration fee. To register and to view the agenda, click here. Registration fees will be waived for government and nonprofit employees. Individuals that qualify for free admission should email to register: submissions@hawaiilodging.org . For more info, call (808) 923-9243.
Hawaii Ocean Plaza (Amending Resolution No. 17-175, CD1, to extend the deadline to obtain a building permit)
Hale Makana O Moiliili affordable rental housing project (Reso 21-57 CD1)
MARCH 13 – APRIL 3 Library System to Host Virtual Genealogy Workshops Weekly Series
The Hawaii State Public Library System is hosting free virtual Genealogy Resources workshops on March 13th to April 3rd, Saturdays at 10am. Learn about different research resources, repositories and search strategies that can help you find your family history. Registration is required for these hour-long online presentations. Go to librarieshawaii.org to register.
ST. PATRICK’S WEEK FUN: MARCH 13 – MARCH 20
Don’t party for just one St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy the whole shamrockin’ week long with this exciting lineup of St. Patrick’s Day 2021 events in Honolulu. Opt for anything and everything to make the most of your green holiday. Learn to make St. Patty’s Day Chocolate Stout Cake and holiday-themed vegan dishes. Take a St. Patrick’s Day party cruise. Enjoy green beer at Tiki’s Bar & Grill. Discover your golden fun at the end of Hawaii’s rainbow here.
