Today, approximately 142,000 people in Hawaii, or 12% of the population, have diabetes. This month, we are making an extra effort to educate those who may be at risk and find resources to ensure those around us are aware of their risk, too. For the millions of people living with diabetes, this month is a chance to share their stories and lift each other up through shared experiences. The American Diabetes Association can provide resources for you and your family about diabetes as well as information for caregivers and others who are affected indirectly. For virtual events and informational sessions throughout the rest of the month, click here.
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov 13-21)
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Mahalo to all our hard-working homeless service providers and community volunteers who are dedicated to providing shelter and essential services to those in need. Your selflessness never goes unnoticed. For more information on hunger and homelessness and resources to get involved, click here. For an informative video that the Governor’s Coordinator on Homeless put together to show some of the efforts that state agencies and volunteers have collaborated on over the past year, click here.
Spotlight on Jefferson Elementary School Teacher Jessica Barbera and Kindergarteners: Building Outdoor Classrooms
Mahalo to Jefferson Elementary school teacher, Jessica Barbera, for her leadership and commitment to her students and community. She and her students with many partners have several innovative solutions. One that would be a model to many other schools during these COVID times: outdoor learning. Jessica and her students are building a safe learning environment by building an outside classroom where they can also learn about surrounding nature. Our office will continue to work with Jefferson Elementary staff to make this vision a reality.
CITY & COUNTY NEWS
Ala Wai Watershed: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City & County of Honolulu convening virtual public scoping meetings
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, held a pair of virtual public meetings Nov. 10 and Nov. 13 to introduce the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management (FRM) General Reevaluation Study. Approximately 110 community members participated during the Nov. 10 workshop and 45 participated on Nov. 13.
The final round of meetings in 2023 will review the Recommended Plan prior to release of the Final Report. Additional details on further opportunities for public involvement will be announced by Dec. 12. Overall, the study will take no longer than three years and will follow a process similar to that of a USACE feasibility study.
Recordings of these virtual meetings and additional information regarding the study are currently available here. Input received at the public meetings will be available at this site at a later date. Those who were unable to attend may still participate and provide input. The team will continue to accept additional comments submitted to Crowdsource Reporter through Dec. 12, 2021 here.
City urging residents to use its free service to tow junked vehicles
The City’s free Junked Vehicle Program is critical to ongoing efforts to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles in Honolulu. Junking a vehicle requires turning in a junking form, the license plates, registration and title to a satellite city hall. The vehicles must be free of trash, accessible by a tow truck and have at least two inflated tires for it to be towed. For more information, click here.
Municipal golf courses to restore in-person stand-by/walk-in play
Effective Monday, November 22, 2021, all City and County of Honolulu municipal golf courses (Ala Wai, Ewa Villages, Kahuku, Pali, Ted Makalena and West Loch) will resume stand-by/walk-in play for golfers. Stand-by/walk-in golfers will be required to follow the Golf Course Division waiting list protocols and continue to follow the safety guidelines for Oahu golf courses under the Safe Access Oahu program. For more information, click here.
CONSUMER AKAMAI
Utility scam awareness
November 17 was marked as Utility Scam Awareness Day, a national event created to spotlight rip-offs aimed at utility customers. With scam calls, phishing, and more elaborate schemes on the rise, Hawaii utilities are asking customers to remain vigilant as scammers ramp up their activity during the holidays. Scammers target residents and businesses who rely on essential services such as electricity, water, gas and telecommunications. The utilities offer the following tips:
If the caller says your utility account is delinquent and threatens to shut off service immediately unless payment is made, it’s a scam.
If someone calls from a utility demanding immediate payment over the phone, via gift cards, money transfer, prepaid debit cards or by Bitcoin, it’s a scam.
If the caller asks to meet the customer in person to pick up a payment, it’s a scam.
If you receive an email from your utility urging you to click on an embedded link or attachment to resolve a utility issue or pay a bill, think before you click. It’s likely a scam.
If a utility worker shows up at your home or place of business, ensure that person is wearing official attire with a logo, driving a properly labeled vehicle and carrying company identification. When in doubt, call the utility’s customer service center that the person is claiming to be from.
Holiday Restaurant Card
Nearly 37% of restaurant owners recently reported their revenue dropped more than half in September and October, compared with prior months. You can support struggling restaurants and food establishments by buying Hawaii Restaurant Card (HRC) Business Holiday Card sponsored by the Hawaii Restaurant Association and American Savings Bank. For more information on how your business or organization can support local eateries and to put in a Restaurant Card order form, click here.
T S Restaurants: Thanksgiving Takeout Meals & Support Hawaii Foodbank
If you dine in or takeout at any T S Restaurants –two in our district are Duke’s Waikiki and Hula Grill Waikiki.— this Thanksgiving will have the opportunity to make a donation to Hawaii Foodbank. Through its Legacy of Aloha Foundation, the company will match donations up to $5,000 per restaurant location. Take-out Thanksgiving meals for one or four can be pre-ordered now through Monday, Nov 22, and picked up hot on Thanksgiving Day. For more information on how to preorder and donate, click here.
Nov 22: Kokua Council Public Meeting on Legislative Priorities
The Kokua Council, comprised of community advocates for the elderly, seeks to inform, educate, improve laws, policies, and practices impacting the well-being of seniors, their families, and our community. On Monday, Nov 22 from 11:30am-1:00pm, the council will meet for a moderated discussion to finalize Kokua Council’s legislative priorities for 2022. Rep. Troy Hashimoto and I have been invited to brief the Council on priorities as co-convenors of the Legislative Kupuna Caucus.
Or, watch the program live on Facebook at Facebook.com/KokuaCouncil. Later, the full video will be uploaded onto Kokua Council’s YouTube page and distributed via social media.
Nov 23: Coffee with a Cop, 8:00am – 10:00am
Join your neighbors and HPD for a cup of coffee and good conversation at the Kuhio Starbucks Reserve (2255 Kuhio Ave. #101)! No agenda or speeches. Just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the community leaders in your neighborhood! In addition, Starbucks Reserve is also doing a book drive for its Books for Keiki event. If possible, please bring pre-k level reading materials to donate. Questions? Contact the District 6 Community Policing Team at (808) 723-3349.
Nov 23: Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board, 6:00 pm
The Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board will convene on Tuesday, Nov 23 at 6:00pm via Zoom. Some of the topics up for discussion include community noise issues around 956 Kawaiahao St., Keeaumoku Complete Streets Project, and battery electric bus acquisition and service area expansion.
Nov. 25: Happy Thanksgiving!
As we look forward to sharing time with family over the dinner table, the Department of Health shares with you five food safety tips for enjoying holiday meals.
Dec 2: Hawaii Community Development Authority Community Meeting
The Hawaii Community Development Authority (“HCDA”) is considering amendments to the current Kakaako Community Development District Mauka Area Rules and wants to hear from you. The first community outreach meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. To register, click here. If you are unable to participate but would like to provide input, HCDA is also accepting written comments at: CHAPER.217.MAR@GMAIL.COM
WEEKEND WAYSIDES
Nov 20: Weekly Kakaako Farmers Market Kakaako Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8am-12 pm at 919 Ala Moana Blvd & 210 Ward Ave. Park at the old lot, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd or at Fisherman’s Wharf. For more information on the vendors and location/parking, click here.
Nov 20: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii Craft & Collectibles Fair
The Japanese Cultural Center Craft Fair features local vendors specializing in jewelry, dish towels, baked goods, antiques and more. The event will run from 9am-1pm in the 1st Floor Courtyard & Breezeway. For more details and the registration link, click here.
Nov 20-27: Park West Gallery Grand Opening Week Park West Gallery at 226 Lewers Street in Waikiki is celebrating its grand opening with week-long festivities including art giveaways, free tours/seminars and special deals on artwork. For more information on the events throughout the week and hours of operation, click here.
Nov 21: Honolulu Museum of Art Family Sunday
This month’s theme for Family Sunday at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HOMA) is Color in Focus and will consist of in-person activities and Storytime. Museum admission is free for kamaaina on November 21, 2021, from 10am-6pm. If you’re unable to attend, there are virtual activities you can find at the HOMA Website.
