Mahalo to the 291 respondents for completing our semi-annual community survey. Your input helps our team to understand the needs facing our district and to develop programs and legislative priorities for the 2022 legislative session. This year, we asked questions regarding protection against COVID, reducing crime & homelessness in the district, sea level rise mitigation, pedestrian safety, and Kakaako-Makai land usage. For the full results of the survey, click here. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact our office at 586-6740.
COVID Updates; Booster Vaccine Eligibility Expands
As of Nov. 30, anyone 18 years and older who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago should receive a single COVID-19 booster dose. Here are the highlights of the most recent updates and changes to the hawaiicovid19.com website. The DOH response to the pandemic continues to evolve as new information becomes available daily. We hope you find these online updates useful, and encourage you to share information with your family, friends, and coworkers.
Thinking of getting tested for COVID-19? Locate a convenient testing location and find updated information at https://hawaiicovid19.com/testing.
Check out the “4 W’s on How to Stay Safe in the COVID-19 Pandemic” at the Everyday Prevention page.
View the new Trusted Testing and Travel Partner, Quest under United States Domestic, and all the Travel Partners at hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners.
Look up the latest Travel FAQs for on International Travel Questions and Vaccination Exception Program questions for Domestic Travelers from the U.S. or its Territories at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs.
2022 Legislature Funding Grants-in-Aid (GIA) After Two Year Hiatus
The Legislature last awarded GIA grants was in 2019 when 155 grants were awarded totaling $10.5 million in operating funds and $20 million for capital improvement projects. The 2022 Legislature will be awarding GIAs and is now accepting applications at the Hawaii State Capitol website. Deadline for applications is Friday, January 21, 2022, 5:00pm.
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Offices Reopen
of Labor & Industrial Relations DLIR re-opened offices statewide on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. In-person services from all programs in the department will be available Wednesdays through Fridays. In-person services for general unemployment insurance claims and for employer services are available 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays on a first come, first served basis. Individuals must present a vaccine card or a negative COVID-19 test result (within 48 hours) before entry.
Caution: In-person services are not guaranteed and will be accommodated as time and resources allow. So do know that DLIR continues to offer telephone appointments for the following, with language interpretation services available:
Adjudication—30-minute appointments Monday through Wednesday
General Unemployment Insurance—20-minute appointments Monday and Tuesday
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance—30-minute appointments Monday through Wednesday
Employer Services—30-minute appointments Monday through Friday
Unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance appeals require mailing via the United States Postal Service or online at: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/.
Hawaii Driver’s Manual in 14 languages
The Hawaii Driver’s Manual is now available in 13 additional languages in addition to English: Hawaiian, Spanish, Marshallese, Chuukese, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Samoan, Tongan, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Ilocano. Get digital copies here.
Made in Hawaii Program Survey
If you’re a Hawaii small business owner/manufacturer making unique and authentic products, please respond to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) survey by Monday, December 20, 2021. This survey will help to identify potential Made in Hawaii program participants. DBEDT may contact you to follow-up on your submission.
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Ala Moana Blvd Resurfacing
The Hawaii Department of Transportation began resurfacing Ala Moana Blvd on Monday, November 29. The project will continue through mid-January. One direction of Ala Moana Blvd will be closed nightly from 7pm-5am. For the full schedule and detailed closure information, click here.
TheBus Route Modifications & Updates Beginning Dec. 5
Effective December 5, Routes 8, 15, and 17, serving Makiki, McCully, Ala Moana, and Waikiki, will be modified. Click here for more info.
Sustainability Jobs at KUPU
The state, in partnership KUPU, a conservation and education nonprofit located in Kakaako, is launching a green jobs program to help the environment and the economy. Positions include natural resource management, community outreach, native species restoration, invasive species removal, sustainable agriculture and more, with host sites at nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. The program has openings for 130 new full-time and part-time positions. Now accepting applications until December 10. Click here for more info.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Dec 2, 2021 – March 27, 2022: Young Artists of Hawaii at the Hawaii Convention Center!
Young Artists of Hawaii is an annual student art competition and exhibition that recognizes creative excellence among Hawaii’s public and private school students, from kindergarten through sixth grade. Distinguished judges will select 96 pieces for the exhibition. The Young Artists of Hawaii exhibition was first displayed at the Hawaii State Art Museum last May/June 2021 and will have a hana hou showing at the Hawaii Convention Center from December 2, 2021 through March 27, 2022; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, contact the Hawaii State Art Museum’s Jennifer Sudick at (808)295-0792.
Dec 4 at 2pm: East Honolulu Reapportionment Public Hearing
The 2021 Reapportionment Commission is conducting a series of public hearings so you can submit views, arguments, or data, orally or in writing, on the proposed reapportionment plans for the Hawaii State Legislature and Hawaii’s two United States Congressional districts. The Commission will be redrawing district lines based on the 2021 Census data and public comments. Check it out as it may affect who represents you. For example, the Commission’s proposed plan removes Kakaako Makai from House District 26 and puts it under District 27—Downtown/Chinatown. Rep. Adrian Tam and I submitted testimony in opposition to this portion of the plan as Kakaako Mauka & Makai are under the state’s Hawaii Community Development Authority as one community development district and should, in our opinion, not be split but represented in the legislature as one district. See our testimony here. To follow the Commission discussion at the 12/4 meeting see: Zoom
Meeting ID: 922 1555 0485
Submit testimony to: reapportionment@hawaii.gov
Dec 4: The City Lighting Ceremony Starts the Christmas Holidays
The Honolulu City Lights tree lighting ceremony is back! The holiday celebration –in its 37th year– returns Saturday, Dec. 4 and will feature the tree lighting and signature decorations and displays at Honolulu Hale and throughout the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds. You can view the live broadcast on Visit the Christmas decorations at Honolulu Hale through Sunday, January 2, 2022.The tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live for all to see on ‘Ōlelo Channel 53, with rebroadcasts at later dates. While the tree lighting ceremony is not available to watch in person, you may visit the Honolulu Hale grounds to take in the sights and merriment of the annual Honolulu City Lights decorations through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Click here for more information.
Dec 6: Landlords invited to City’s webinar on residential rent help and mediation
The City’s Office of Economic Revitalization invites landlords and the community to attend a webinar about the City’s Rental and Utility Relief Program and the advantages of mediation for landlords and renters. The webinar will be live-streamed on Dec 6 from 3:30 to 4:15pm, at the One Oahu Facebook page. No Facebook account is needed to watch and the webinar will be recorded and available on the One Oahu Facebook page as a community resource. For more information, click here.
Dec 6 – Dec 7: Army Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of Dec. 7, 1941
The U.S. Army will host the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, with ceremonies on Dec. 6th at Wheeler Army Airfield and Dec. 7th at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. The events hosted by the 25th Infantry Division will commemorate the bravery of service members and civilians that day, and remember the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians who paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives on that tragic day. For details, click here.
Dec 13: McCully-Moiliili Citizen’s Patrol, 5:00pm
McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board member David Hioki has volunteered to coordinate a Citizen Patrol for the neighborhood. While many residents have complained about vagrants and crime in the neighborhood, few have stepped up to take positive action…until David. Mahalo, David! Now he needs YOUR HELP! We need more residents coming out to patrol the neighborhood with HPD. The more the better. The next meeting is on Monday December 13 at 5pm-6pm at the Central Pacific Bank parking lot on McCully & So King Street. Please bring a flashlight and make sure your phone is charged.
David posts updates on the NextDoor app/website, where you can create an account with an email and password. If you have any questions, please contact David at davidhioki@yahoo.com.
WEEKEND WAYSIDES
Dec 3-4: Young at Heart Expo – FREE at the Convention Center Young at Heart is a free event offering lifestyle-improving tips aimed at those 50 and older and Hawaii, features the latest in healthy living, financial planning and leisure activities for seniors. The event is FREE but if you register now you could win a trip for two to Las Vegas! One prize awarded each day of the event. You can get more info register here.
Dec 4: A Pinch of SALT, 10am – 3pm
The annual holiday shopping event returns to SALT at “Our Kakaako! A Pinch of SALT” on Saturday, December 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. Bring the family and your gift list for a full day of local merchants and holiday cheer! Unique merchants – Local designers – Made in Hawaii – Free admission – Pet-friendly. For more information go to www.saltatkakaako.com.
Dec 4-5: Holiday Mom Made Market Hawaii
The “Mom Made Market” supports moms in business. On Dec 4 & 5 from 10:00am – 3:00p at Ward Centre, shoppers can find over 50 mom-made, local vendors showing their work –from jewelry, home goods, keiki t-shirts and toys to local snacks and puzzles. Check everyone off your list while supporting local moms. For more information, click here.
