“We wanted to bring the people to the legislators so they could hear our concerns. We don’t want Waikiki to come to Kakaako Makai. I mean, it’s too late for Waikiki, but not too late for Kakaako Makai.”
-Ronald Iwami, Save Our Kakaako
Aloha Neighbor,
Bill to build residential developments in Kakaako Makai dies in the House
More than a hundred –keiki to kupuna—came to the Capitol steps to ask lawmakers to stop the proposal allowing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to build high-density, high rise luxury towers in Kakaako Makai. SB1334 would have exempted OHA from the current prohibition against building residential housing on its properties on the Kakaako shoreline makai of Ala Moana Blvd and allowed building 400-foot towers not allowed on the Makai lands. OHA received 30 acres of prime oceanfront property in the area nine years ago, settling a decades-old dispute over ceded lands. At that time, the land was appraised as is (without residential towers) to be worth $200 million. The House responded to the community by holding SB1334. For more info, click here. The area legislators are hoping that OHA will work with others in the Kakaako and larger community that have embraced the shoreline as a meeting place for culture, history and the lifestyle of Hawaii by introducing resolutions to bring all the parties together to plan for Kakaako Makai’s future: SCR 216(which unfortunately did not get a hearing in the Senate) and HCR129/HR111 which is scheduled to be heard by the House Water & Land Committee on Tuesday, 03-23-21 at 8:30AM. See the notice. Send in your testimony.
Bills and Resolutions are moving! Continue to submit testimony:
In addition to HCR 129, many bills are moving through their respective committees. Below is a list of bills affecting the community with their updated status:
SB791 SD2 which authorizes the state to remove abandoned vessels in our harbors within 72 hours at the owner’s expense and criminalizes abandoning vessels. It is scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, 03-23-21 at 2:00PM.
HB296, a bill introduced by Rep. Adrian Tam that limits the use of leaf blowers in Waikiki to specific hours is in the Senate Health Committee, moved to the Senate but has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.
SB799, requiring new development projects to increase the number of owner-occupants (from 50% to 67%) in new for-sale units. It is scheduled to be heard by the House Housing Committee on Tuesday, 03-23-21 at 10:30AM. 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.
SB838, on kupuna care and caregivers, passed the House Health Committee (HHH) and was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee.
HB490, a Kupuna Caucus bill which enhances penalties for offenders against the elderly passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be heard for third reading at a later date.
SCR217 requests the Office of Planning to convene a task force to review affordable sales guidelines for housing in Hawaii and has been referred to the committees on water and land and housing.
SCR76 asks the City to prohibit electric scooters from sidewalks and has been referred to the committees on transportation and public safety
SCR77 asks the Department of Health to convene a task force that will look at noise mitigation for commercial refuse pickup and has been referred to the committees on consumer protection and ways and means.
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. The Senate Committees on Agriculture and Environment PASSED the measure with amendments. It goes next to the House.
Of interest to some of you who have complained about the year-long continuing emergency proclamations there are a couple bills before my Government Operations Committee, HB103 on requiring approval of the legislature to extend 60-day emergency proclamation periods; and HB573, that allows the legislature to more closely examine how emergency federal funds are expended by the administration, including periods when the legislature is not in session. This bill will be heard on Tuesday, 03-23-21 at 3:00PM.
Two bills would create recognition days (not paid state holidays), SB83 designating November 28 as La Ku‘oko‘a, Hawaiian Recognition Day, and SB939 designating Juneteenth Day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States were passed by the House cultural committee. SB939 will be heard by the Judiciary committee on Tuesday, 03-23-21 at 2:00PM.
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) passed the House Committee on Government Reform (GVR) and are moving in the House. 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. The Senate Ways & Means committee PASSED the measure unamended.
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.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
Hawaii lawmakers decide not to change name of McKinley High School
Yesterday, the House Education Committee decided not to change McKinley High School’s name back to “Honolulu High School.” HCR 179/HR148 urged the DOE Superintendent not only to change the name, but also to remove President McKinley’s statue from the school grounds.
Waikiki hotel debuts new pod travel packages
his spring, Waikiki’s Ritz-Carlton hotel is catering to the rise of pod travel – close friends, families and loved ones traveling together – with the debut of its new “Pod Travel Concierge” program. With the influx of new nonstop flights to Hawaii coupled with COVID-19 entry testing and quarantine measures state-wide, this residential resort is perfect for travel pods seeking a vacation with some peace of mind. Find out more here.
UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATES
PEUC and ‘$300-plus-up’ unemployment benefits programs extended
Thanks to the new federal relief funding signed into law on March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), extends certain federally funded weekly unemployment benefits through Sept. 6. This includes:
PEUC (Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation) – paid after Regular UI has been exhausted.
PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) – paid to the self-employed and others not eligible for Regular UI.
FPUC (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or “plus-up”) – paid on top of a claimant’s other weekly benefit amounts.
New Covid relief law allows UI benefits to continue automatically without gaps
The state labor department will automatically enroll claimants in the appropriate UI extension program with no gaps in week ending payments thanks to the new Covid-19 relief law. Once you receive a new monetary determination in the mail, you’ll be able to file weekly claim certifications. The new Covid relief package extends UI benefits until early September. Highlights in the federal stimulus can be found here.
‘Verification of Self-Employment Message’ from UI is not a glitch or random check
The Continued Assistance Act of 2020 is a new law which imposes new verification requirements on claimants for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the federally funded program for the self-employed and others not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. The program has been plagued by fraudulent claims nationwide, including in Hawaii. A message posted on the DLIR’s PUA homepage says “individuals who have filed a new PUA claim on or after January 31, 2021, or have requested payments after December 27, 2020, are being asked to submit additional documentation. Failure to provide documentation could result in denial of benefits.” More here.
STIMULUS CHECK
First batch of stimulus funds rolls out from $1.9 trillion federal relief package
Worth up to $1,400 per person, checks will continue rolling out in the coming weeks. Though not as speedy as direct deposit, paper checks and prepared debit cards will be sent out before the end of the month. Starting Monday, March 22, you can check the status of your payment using the IRS “Get My Payment” tool online here. No action is required for most people to receive the money. Social Security recipients and those who receive Veteran Affairs benefits should also receive the money automatically even if they don’t file taxes. The fastest way to receive the latest Economic Impact Payment (aka stimulus) is to electronically file your 2020. For more info, click here.
New resource guide helps restaurants access federal funds
Under the new America Rescue Plan Act, a new federal grant program guide is available to help Hawaii restaurants cover revenue losses due to the pandemic. Under the Small Business Administration (SBA), the new Restaurant Revitalization Fund will offer grants to cover payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, maintenance expenses, supplier costs, and other operational expenses. Eligible businesses also include:
March 23, 6:30pm. Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board –See: Agenda
Instructions for testimony submission and meeting participation via Zoom are on the agenda. View the agenda for all items to be discussed but some below may interest you such as:
March 20 – 21 Stop, Drop and Chalk at Salt!
Create your own temporary chalk art at Salt this weekend. Think of uplifting messages to share with the community and then stylishly scribble them all over the ground at the open-air space between Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room and Moku Kitchen. Find out more here.
March 20 – 27 Ala Moana Drive-In Movie Fun!
Park at Ala Moana Center (Makai between Neiman Marcus & Macy’s, Mall Level 2) and enjoy your favorite flick from the comfort of your own vehicle, but first buy your tickets here.
March 20 – 31 Blue Note Hawaii Always Rocks the House!
Check out this popular Waikiki venue’s calendar lineup of talent here.
