Happy Easter! Legislative update, UI, District happenings
April 2, 2021
Happy Easter!
“Every sunrise gives us the opportunity to begin again with the morning lights of love, with the power of persistence and with the magic of gratitude.”
GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY CITY SCHEDULE
In observance of Good Friday, April 2nd, facilities that open and closed are below. Click on the links for more info.
On-street parking will be free, except for the meters on Kalakaua Avenue along Queen Kapiolani Park, metered parking lots, and meters on these specific Waikiki streets located here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
First Crossover (Concurrent Resolutions)
Wednesday was the last day concurrent resolutions could be adopted to move to the other house. The Senate adopted 133 concurrent resolutions on Wednesday that now have moved to the House. Below are concurrent resolutions (need to be adopted by both houses) that might be of interest to you that are crossing to the House:
SCR74 promotes government transparency by urging the governor to require the Director of Finance to conduct a statewide program and budget performance review of every department and report to the legislature at the beginning of each biennium.
SCR75 SD1 Requesting the office of planning to convene an interdisciplinary task force to develop a framework for sea level adaptation and resilience plan for the Waikiki District.
SCR76 SD1 Requesting that the City and County of Honolulu prohibit electric scooters, electric bicycles, and electric trikes on sidewalks.
For a full list of Senate Concurrent Resolutions that are crossing to the House, click here.
Working Group May Determine Future of Kakaako Makai Land Parcels Owned by OHA
On Wednesday, the House adopted SCR129 which would convene a working group to discuss future development plans in Kakaako Makai. Rep. Saiki introduced this measure to bring the various parties together including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Kakaako community. OHA seeks to exempt itself from the law that disallows residential development in Kakaako-Makai and limits building height to 200 feet. It will now be up to the Senate to set the resolution’s next hearing. A similar resolution was not heard by the Senate. PBS Hawaii Insights invited OHA Chair Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Friends of Kewalos President Ron Iwami, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole and I to speak on the matter on Thursday, March 25. You can watch a recording of the program here.
22nd Annual Easter Basket Drive: Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus
On March 31st the Women’s Legislative Caucus held their 22nd Annual Easter Basket Drive collecting cash donations and Easter baskets to be given to outstanding charitable organizations that help women and children in need. We are excited to support the work of these incredible organizations: Domestic Violence Action Center, Institute for Human Services, Parents & Children Together, and the Salvation Army.
The following organizations also accept virtual donations via their websites:
UPDATES TO THE STATE’S UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
The Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced updates to the unemployment insurance program, beginning April 5, which will include:
Expanding staff at call and claims investigation centers at the Hawaii Convention Center
Hiring a vendor to perform investigations focusing on overpayments
Beginning April 5, an appointment system to schedule appointments for claimants to talk with unemployment staff (beginning April 20). Appointments will be available every Tuesday and Thursday. The initial pilot will focus on Oahu with plans to expand to the Neighbor Islands.
Congratulations to the Manoa, Makiki, McCully and Moiliili community (4M) on becoming a Certified Blue Zones Community! Over 10,500 residents came together to impact the health and well-being of residents. Stay tuned for more information from Blue Zones Project on an upcoming celebration to recognize this achievement! Blue Zones Project is helping transform communities into areas where the healthy choice is easy and people live longer with a higher quality of life. Visit their Facebook page to keep up with Blue Zones 4M.
Kakaako Farmers Market: New location and More vendors Draw Large Crowds
The new location is on Ward Avenue on both sides of Ala Moana Boulevard. It has also expanded with more than 60 vendors mauka of Ala Moana and another 60 makai of Ala Moana. There are organic farmers, flower farmers, animal husbandry, artisan food vendors. Everything is local. The market moved from the old Ward Warehouse location because of a planned pedestrian bridge over Ala Moana Boulevard. It’s open only on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Click here for a map of the new location.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
April 6: Discussion on Ala Wai Promenade Continues Despite City Budget Challenges
The Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood board continues to discuss revitalizing the Ala Wai Promenade via monthly meetings to improve the walkway for strollers, dog-walkers, bikers, and other pedestrians. Board participants have discussed beautifying the area with safer lighting and bench accommodations. As community leaders wait for the City to release the $100,000 in capital improvement project funds, the dialogue continues. Here is the agenda for the upcoming meeting this month.
Ala Wai Promenade / Ala Wai Canal Completed in 1927 to drain the marshy natural terrain of Waikiki, this broad waterway is now a favorite spot for canoe paddlers as it opens to the ocean. The Alai Wai Promenade, along the canal’s southwestern bank, is a hidden gem for walkers.
April 7: Kamehameha Schools Kakaako Master Plan Presentation Hearing
Kamehameha Schools is requesting to amend the master plan, which was adopted on September 2, 2009, and previously amended on August 8, 2012. The Application includes the following proposed amendments:
Extend the effective period of the Kaiaulu o Kakaako Master Plan (KKMP)
Increase the maximum permitted floor area to account for the addition of Koula Street; and
Allow for flexibility in the number and type of dwellings while adhering to the maximum floor area ratio
To view the hearing on April 7 at 7am, or to participate via Zoom, click here for the agenda.
EASTER WEEKEND: FOOD, PHOTOS & ENTERAINMENT!
Scrumptious Easter Dining and Take-Out
Restaurants are prepping to roll out their Easter dine-in and takeout menus. Dining in for family brunch? Hunting for a takeout feast? Check out the options here. Note the pre-order deadlines, and that some menus are only available on Easter Sunday, while others are offered for the entire Easter weekend.
Easter Bunny Photo Ops: April 3, April 4
You don’t have to be a keiki to sit on the Easter bunny’s lap. On Saturday, April 3, and Sunday April 4, hop on over to Royal Hawaiian Center in your Easter best for festive photos with the Easter Bunny courtesy of Storybook Entertainment Hawaii! From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day, guests are invited to take free socially distanced photos at the seasonally decorated Rotunda window across from The Cheesecake Factory in Building C Level 1. No reservations are required. Please bring your own camera, phone, or other digital device. Click here for more info.
A Talented Lineup at Blue Note Hawaii in Waikiki
Check out the entertainment, starting April 1 – Local musicians Henry Kapono and Jake Shimabukuro will wow you this weekend, and later in the week, the Motown sounds of Hawaii-based band, Lyons Mane, will surely transport you into your party days of generations past. Some masters of comedy are also thrown into the party mix. View the April 2021 calendar here.
